Unit 4 Main Point & Argument. Main Point 06-12-01 Do you agree or disagree? The influence from classmates is more important than that from parents.

Unit 4

Main Point& Argument

Main Point 主旨先审题， 头脑风暴，然后再阐明自己的总观

点，写主旨句。

06-12-01Do you agree or disagree?The influence from classmates is more

important than that from parents.

Classmates• 吃，喝，睡觉，上网，游戏，• 聊天，八卦，打麻将，斗地主

• Dress, behavior• Language

Parents• Value of world(career, love, money etc.)• Virtues (kindness, generosity etc. )• Habits

Avoid repetition 避免重复 Poor ex.

Many people are having great influence in our life. When it comes to parents and classmates, I agree with the statement that the influence from classmates is more important than that from parents.

Direct and worthy 直接，有价值Better ex.

Many people can exert great influence and make changes in our life, such as teachers, parents, friends and even strangers. Comparing parentage and friendship, I think the former determines who we are to a larger extent.

主论点要罩住分论点。

Main point 主论点分类• 绝对（ Agree or disagree ）• 折中（ basically agree and basically

disagree ）

Argument

• 说服力的力量在于作者的写作技巧。 用语言这个工具，从理性，情感和艺术风

格的修辞技巧上，有意识地努力说服读者。其逻辑是建立在人们愿意接受的，合理的前提和合理的结论下。

How to argue?

利弊分析 vs. 拆分举例

－要证明就要拆分举例－要反驳就举反例

拆分举例 2008-6-21 Good looks and dresses of people are

more important for success than good ideas.For students, good ideas are more important.AcademicsExtracurricular activities For businessmen, good ideas are more

important. Bill GatesFor scientists, Stephen Hawking. Albert Einstein

拆分 people

• For statesmen/politicians, good ideas are more important.

• For models/actresses, good looks and dress are more important.

拆分关键词2008-02-02 A person should never make an

important decision alone.

• Decision for a company--agree• Decision for an individual--agree• Decision in an emergent situation –disagree

2009.3.7　　 Do you agree or disagree with the following statement:　　 It is better to use one’s own knowledge and experience to solve problems than to get advice from others.

• People at an early age• People in emerging adulthood /adulthood• People at an old age

2008.2.23Do you agree or disagree with following

statement?Technology makes people’s lives simpler rather

than makes lives more complicated.

• Technology for cooking—Microwave, rice cooker

• Technology for music and pictures—MP3,MP4• Technology for getting information--Computer

and Internet

练习07-11-11 Do you agree or disagree?

Advertising makes products seem better than they really are.

Consider advertisements for food.—McDonalds’ Instant noodles

Consider advertisements for cosmetics/clothes

Consider advertisements for cars/ digital products

Do you agree or disagree?

Being creative rather than planning carefully will come up with the best solution to a problem.

• Consider economic problems.

• Consider environmental problems.

• Consider healthcare problems.

When it comes to environmental problems, creativity can offer us the best solution.

Solving resource problems is of no exception.

The same logic also applies to economic problems.

Alternative expression

Do you agree or disagree?

People today should not be polite because they are too busy.

让步（making concession）

Main Point

有利内容 不利内容 + 削弱反驳

Parents should not limit TV time

TV can supplement

school education

TV can help students relax,

thus performing

better at school

Admittedly, there are some

improper content on TV.

However,….

不利内容既是－－反方观点或者是不利于主旨句的论点。

常用表达 • As is granted/ Admittedly, … • Although/ though/ in spite of the fact that• Opponents would argue that …• in some cases( in some aspects, to a certain

degree), for instance, 适度展开 .

However (Nevertheless/nonetheless), 削弱 / 反驳For example.

• 让步可以让文章更有说服力，并同时扩展文章长度。

见讲义范文。

如何削弱、反驳 1. 提出解决措施 （用于当让步段指出有利观点有缺陷或者问题）

However, as long as 解决措施 , the problem can be solved/ I don’t see there is anything to worry about.

Should parents control TV time?

Admittedly, there are some improper contents on television, such as blood, violence and pornography. However, as long as parents can give children appropriate supervision and guidance, this problem can be solved. For example,….

Technology makes people life simpler or more complicated.

Admittedly, modern technology such as using computers is too complicated for old people. However, as long as young people can have some patience to teach them, the problem can be solved.

2. 更好替代• ( 用于反方观点如果指出自己有优势或者优

点）• However, other better options are available, for

instance____.

• E.G. 2008-06-28 People should live in the same city or country all their lives instead of moving to other places.

• 同意 • Admittedly, moving to other places does have

its advantages. For instance, people may meet new friends. However, other better options are available if one stay in the same place, such as logging on to Internet chat rooms or facebook.com.

High salary job with less vacation VS. low salary job with long vacation

Admittedly, positions with longer break can give people more time to do the work they are interested in. However, people who have a high salary job can also have the same enjoyment, if they choose a career they love. For example,…

3. 次要 • 指出不利的方面是次要的，无足轻重的，

或者有利的观点远远大于不利的观点（用于让步段指出有利观点的缺陷或者反方观点的优点）

However, on balance, 有利内容 far outweigh 不利内容 / 不利内容 seems to be minor/secondary

指出缺陷 e.g. Technology makes people’s life simpler rather than complicated.

• Admittedly, some technical equipment/appliance may be too sophisticated for the people of older generations. However, the convenience modern technology brings far outweighs the difficulty of learning how to use them.

反方优点 High salary job with high risk VS. low salary job with stability

Admittedly, people will have less pressure and never worry about unemployment, if they choose a stable job. However, the challenge and valuable skills people gained from a position with generous payment far outweigh the security brought by a low-paid job.

一个警惕让步段反驳的时候尽量不要重复前面已经论述过的有利观点。

练习 2009.5.15

　　 Do you agree or disagree with the following statement ：　　 Professional athletes who receive high salaries, such as football or basketball players, deserve what they get.

First, athletes can bring a huge amount of profits for people who organize and invest in those games, so they need to be paid as performers.

Secondly, they need to be rewarded, since sportsmen are taking high risks such as physical injuries and accidents during playing footballs or basketballs.

让步段 Some opponents may argue that those famous athletes

are being paid too much, which may cause the discrepancy of the society. For example, Beckham earns millions of ponds per year. However, considering their contributions of providing audience entertainment, and setting people a role model of persistence in playgrounds, the sportsmen deserve what they get.

/ /However, sportsmen’s career life is limited, so they need enough money to secure their living for the rest of their life. / some athletes may donate money to the society, which can solve the problem.

练习 Do you agree or disagree?It is better to organize a big party with a lot of

people than a small party with a few family members and friends for major events, such as birthday party and graduation.

Small party

1. Reduce cost2. Enhance relationship with family and

friends/increase the quality time with family..

3. Admittedly, Big party—we can meet more friends/enlarge social connection. However, the relationship built in large parties are shallow and temporary.

折中观点

2007-12-01 People should not pay public transportation. 对观点做修正，提出一个新的观点。Lower fees( 好处 1.2.3) instead of making it

free （坏处 1.2.3. ） .

【 40 】 People should never , never give up折中Generally speaking/ in most cases, a person

should not give up.

举反例2008.3.7 Do you agree or disagree with the following

statement:People today spend too much time on

enjoyment. We only do what we like to do rather than we should do.

• 2009 .1.17　　 Do you agree or disagree with the following statement:　　 Advertising is the most important cause of unhealthy eating habits. (Media)

• 范文 提纲

绝对词题目 1. Never, always, all 最优的方法是折中，举反例字数太少

Main point: generally speaking/ by and large..

• 2008-02-02 A person should never make an important

decision alone.

• E.G. Parents are the best teachers of their children.

2.Best. Most important/effective

• Main point: generally speaking, it is an effective/ good/ important…instead of the best.

• 承认有效性 去掉绝对化

• 2007-8-11 For governments, the best way of saving energy is to raise the prices of electricity and gasoline.

反驳，替代法 AB,C,D

2008.9.28.Do you agree or disagree?

The only effective way to encourage energy conservation is by increasing prices of gasoline and electricity.

B. Raising the public’s awareness of saving energy.

C. Reducing/restricting the use of private cars.D. Find alternative energy resources.

E.g. The best way of travelling is led by a tour guide.

B. Travel aloneC. Travel with friends D. Travel with family

• 2009.2.21　　 Do you agree or disagree with the following statement:　　 Newspapers and magazines are the best ways to learn about a foreign country.

(Media) 见讲义范文

练习 2009.4.3Do you agree or disagree? The best way to improve education is to raise

teachers’ salaries.

1.Raising salary of educators is one way. 2.Improve/update school facilitates—projectors,

computers, libraries3.Giving teachers trainings---holding

conferences,Exchange with experienced teachers, attending

extra classes, going abroad…

Practice

09-02-22Do you agree or disagree?

The purpose of television should be all educative, not entertain.

Firstly, television should have educational channels which give people effective resources of learning. Secondly, many people watch variety shows after a long-day work in order to get entertainment and relaxation. Thirdly, entertainment programs can bring more profits to TV stations. The most popular programs on TV is talk shows and soap operas.

政府类题目

2008.5.9　　 Do you agree or disagree with the

following statement:　　 The government should spend more money on improving access to the Internet than on the public transportation.　　 (Government)

今昔对比Do you agree or disagree with the following

statement? Life today is easier and more comfortable than it

was when your grandparents were children.1. technology2. Medical care3. Transportation4. Material supply

Do you agree or disagree?

People today are easier to get educated than they were in the past.

NOTICE

1. 关键词要变化Today—nowadays, at present, currently, in modern world, in contemporary societyIn the past—in the old days/times, decades ago, Back then, in 1960s

Easy & comfortable—convenient, happy, enjoyable, contented , satisfied (contentment, satisfaction)

一定要对比： in contrast, on the contrary; oppositely.

预测类题目 in 20 years/ in the future

In 20 years, printed books will no long exist.In 20 years, people will use less cars.In 20 years/ in the future, people will spend less time on cooking.

科技的发展／环境的保护／观念的转变

幸福类题目07 － 11 － 03Do you agree or disagree? People who do not need to work because they get enough money are rarely happy.

• Basic needs (food, clothing ,shelter)• Safety needs (body, employment, health etc.)• Love/ belonging (friends, family, partner)• Esteem (respect by others, recognition of the

society)• Self-actualization(self-achievement, morality,

creativity)

因果类题目Do you agree or disagree?

It is not good to move to a new country or new city because we will lose old friends.

反驳原因，反驳结果，反驳因果关系。

常用论证短语前进类1) profit from/benefit from • People can profit/benefit from the

advancement of modern technology, such as computers, the Internet and many digital devices.

2) is an indispensable part of • Advertising has become an indispensable part

of our lives and it has been exerting profound influence on the way we live, work , play and learn.

3) plays a pivotal/fundamental/central role in… • It is universally acknowledged that education

plays a pivotal role in individual success.

4) enable somebody to do something• The policy of restricting usage of plastic bags

enables people to foster an awareness of environmental protection.

5) get accustomed to do something • People may need time to get accustomed to

use less plastic bags which once brought us great convenience, but this practice will definitely benefit/better our environment.

6) Someone can utilize something• In this day and age, many individuals can

utilize the Internet via computers or mobile phones.

7) something is in the best interests of someone• Preserving the endangered animals is in the

best interests of humanity.

8) contribute to…• The restricting of private cars can contribute

to the betterment of traffic condition in Beijing.

• Students should not only learn academic knowledge but also do volunteer work in communities, thereby( 以此达到…的目的 ) making contributions to their cities.

倒退类 ( 用来论证负面的方面 )

1)the more…the more• The more plastic bags we use, the worse our

environment will become.

2) A can be attributed to B• White pollution can be attributed to people’s

massive usage of plastic bags.

3) deprive someone of something• Environmental pollution deprives city-dwellers

of fresh air and healthy living conditions.

4) be addicted to • At present, many individuals are addicted

to/preoccupied with computer games.

5) something is the root cause of…• The proliferation of cars is the root cause of air

pollution.

6) be confronted with something • In contemporary society, we are confronted

with plenty of challenges and a variety of pressures.

7) pose a threat to• Non biodegradable( 不可生物降解的 )

rubbish such as plastic bags pose a threat to humanity/humans.