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1、English Writing CourseUnit 1 General and Specific; Abstract and Concrete Words I. Introduction n nThe most important feature of good writing n nWhat is clarity?n nAn exampleAn examplen n1. It is the best restaurant around the city.n n2. Its food is tasty, fresh, and rich; its service is quick and sa
2、tisfactory; besides, its prices are low.II. Presentationn nSpecific and Concrete Terms1.1.Specific and concrete wordsSpecific and concrete words 1.1.Sense wordsSense words2.2.something we can see, hear, touch, smell or something we can see, hear, touch, smell or tastetaste. . 2.2.General and abstrac
3、t wordsGeneral and abstract words 1.1.something we cannot see, hear, touch, smell or something we cannot see, hear, touch, smell or taste-to something we cannot know directly taste-to something we cannot know directly through our senses; instead, they often refer to through our senses; instead, they
4、 often refer to an idea, a quality or a conceptan idea, a quality or a concept General TermsGeneral TermsSpecificSpecific TermsTermscolorscolorsblueblue, , redred, , blackblackpersonspersonsGeorge Washington,George Washington,Abraham LincolnAbraham Lincolneventseventsthe Second World War,the Second
5、World War,the World Cupthe World Cuptreestreeselms, pines, oakselms, pines, oaksThe superiority of specific words over general terms n nwalk: walk: n nstride, stroll, step, drag, stagger, totter, sway , limp, stride, stroll, step, drag, stagger, totter, sway , limp, wanderwandern ngood (food): good
6、(food): n ntasty , nourishing, rich , wholesome , high-priced, fresh, tasty , nourishing, rich , wholesome , high-priced, fresh, substantialsubstantialn nnice (person): nice (person): n nkind , honest , just, generous, sympathetic, warm-kind , honest , just, generous, sympathetic, warm-hearted, self
7、less, honorablehearted, selfless, honorablen nhouse or building: house or building: n nmansion , villa, cottage, cabin, hut, shed, barn, mansion , villa, cottage, cabin, hut, shed, barn, warehousewarehousen nworkman: workman: n nbutcher, cook, carpenter, plumber, shoe-maker, smith butcher, cook, car
8、penter, plumber, shoe-maker, smith masonmasonn nscientist: scientist: n nphysicist, chemist, biologist, geologist, etc.physicist, chemist, biologist, geologist, etc.n nNow put the following words and expressions into two groups. SPECIFIC and GENERAL:n npink black ugly brownish beautiful lovely, big
9、active naughty 1.70 meters dark-blue plain tall homely greasy snow-white round General and Specific Statementsn nGeneral StatementGeneral Statement n nHe did well in the He did well in the course.course. n nSpecific StatementsSpecific Statements n nl. Bobby got an A in l. Bobby got an A in economics
10、.economics.n n2. Paul received a B 2. Paul received a B in American History.in American History.n n3. Smith made a B in 3. Smith made a B in Freshman Freshman Composition.Composition.Words Used to Describe HAIR, EYES and COMPLEXION. n npale fair black sallow ruddy bloodshot curly lank frizzy pasty b
11、right almond-shaped dark long rosy spotty ginger bobbedWOMENS CLOTHING & ORNAMENTS, and MENS CLOTHING & ORNAMBNTSn nsuit suit coat coat jacket jacket T-shirt T-shirt shirt shirt blouse blouse scarf scarf trousers trousers tights tights cords cords jeans jeans sweater sweater skirt skirt glasses glas
12、ses belt belt necklace necklace socks socks bracelet bracelet blazer blazer uniform overalls gloves tie stockingsuniform overalls gloves tie stockingsIII. Principles of Word Preferencen nVague: When I was young, we moved from Vague: When I was young, we moved from one area to another.one area to ano
13、ther.n nRevised: When I was eight years old, we Revised: When I was eight years old, we moved from Shanghai to Beijing.moved from Shanghai to Beijing.n nVague: The patients wound was treated.Vague: The patients wound was treated.n nRevised: The nurse bandaged the soldiers Revised: The nurse bandaged
14、 the soldiers minor wound.minor wound.n nVague: Your relative is nice to me.Vague: Your relative is nice to me.n nRevised: Your aunt Betty always stops and Revised: Your aunt Betty always stops and talks to me when she meets me in the street.talks to me when she meets me in the street.n nVague: John
15、 is a good student.Vague: John is a good student.n nRevised: In college, John has been rewarded a Revised: In college, John has been rewarded a scholarship over five years.scholarship over five years.IV. Suggestions for Choosing Concrete and Specific Wordsn nl. l. Use Use the the most most specific
16、specific word word you you can can to to describe something.describe something. n n2. 2. Verbs Verbs are are among among the the most most expressive expressive words words in in language. language. Using Using a a verb verb that that most most vividly vividly describes describes an an action action can can bring bring a a sentence to life.sentence to life.n nWeak Weak verbs: verbs: The The man man did did badlybadly in in front front of of a a large large audience.audience.n nWeak Weak verbs: v
