Самостоятельная работа студентов (III курс, VI семестр)
Дискурсивное эссе по произведению О. Уальда
“The Picture of Dorian Gray” (Ch. I-X)
Автор: Мымрина Д.Ф., доцент каф. ЛиП.
Task I. Read the instructions on discursive essays.
A discursive essay is a piece of formal writing which discusses a particular issue, situation or problem.
There are 3 main types of discursive essays.
1. For and against essays present both sides of an issue, discussing points in favour of a particular topic as well as those against, or the advantages and disadvantages of a particular question. Each point should be supposed by justifications, examples, and/or reasons. The writer’s own opinion should be presented only in the final paragraph.
2. Opinion essays present the writer’s personal opinion concerning the topic, clearly stated and supported by reasons and/or examples. The opposing viewpoint and reason should be included in a separate paragraph before the closing one, together with an argument that shows it is an unconvincing viewpoint. The writer’s opinion should be included in the introduction, and summarized in the conclusion.
3. Essays suggesting solutions to problems, in which the problem(s) associated with a particular issue or situation is(are) analysed and possible solutions are put forward, together with any expected results. The writer’s opinion may be mentioned, directly or indirectly, in the introduction and/or conclusion.
A good discursive essay should consist of:
1) an introductory paragraph in which you clearly state the topic to be discussed;
2) a main body, in which points are clearly stated in separate paragraphs and exemplified or justified;
3) a closing paragraph, summarising the main points of the essay, in which you state your opinion, and /or give a balanced consideration of the topic.
Points to consider.
1. Present each point in a separate paragraph. A well-developed paragraph contains a clear topic sentence, which summarises the contents of the paragraph, as well as a clear justification, explanation or example in support of the point presented.
2. well-known quotations (e.g. As writer S. Maugham once said “It is bad enough to know the past; it would be intolerable to know the future”), rhetorical questions (e.g. If people today are not concerned enough about the future, will the future still be there for man?) or thought-provoking statements (e.g. The fact is that one’s future is what one’s makes it. There is no such thing as chance.) are useful devices to make your composition more interesting.
3. Do not use informal style (e.g. contracted forms (I’m, it’s), colloquial language (lots of), phrasal verbs (put up with) or very strong language (e.g. I know, I am sure…).
4. You should not use: a series of short sentences (e.g. Many people think so. They are wrong.), simplistic vocabulary (e.g. Experts say they think this is bad.), simple linking words (e.g. and, but, so) except for variety, personal examples (e.g. in my school)
5. You should use: PASSIVE VOICE, IMPERSONAL CONSTRUCTIONS, COMPLEX SENTENCES WITH A VARIETY OF LINKS, DEPENDENT CLAUSES!
6. Use appropriate linking words/phrases to show the links between paragraph, as well as to link sentences within paragraphs such as:
§ TO LIST POINTS:
Firstly, first of all, in the first place, to begin with, secondly, thirdly, finally…
§ TO LIST ADVANTAGES:
One/another/a further/an additional advantage of…is, the main/first advantage of …is…
§ TO LIST DISADVANTAGES:
One/another/most serious/first disadvantage/drawback of…is, another negative aspect is…
§ TO INTRODUCE POINTS FOR AND AGAINST:
one (very convincing) point/argument in favour of…/against…,
it could be argued that…,
it is (often, widely, generally) believed( suggested, argued) that..
§ TO MAKE CONTRASTING POINTS:
on the one hand, on the other hand, however, nevertheless, still, yet …
although, though, even though, while, in spite of, despite, regardless of the fact that…
in fact, it cannot be denied that, while it is true to say that…
§ TO ADD MORE POINTS TO THE SAME TOPIC:
in addition to, furthermore, moreover, besides, what is more, as well as, not to mention that, also, not only … but also, there is another side to the issue (problem)…
§ TO EXPRESS CAUSE:
owing to, due to the fact that, on the grounds that, as, since, because..
§ TO EXPRESS EFFECT:
thus, for this reason, as a result/consequence…
§ TO INTRODUCE EXAMPLES:
for example, such as, like, in particular, especially, one/striking/typical example is that…
§ TO EXPRESS REALITY:
in fact, actually, the fact is…
§ TO MAKE PARTIALLY CORRECT SENTENCE:
to a certain extent, to some extent, in some cases, this is partly true that…
§ CONCLUSION EXPRESSING:
in conclusion, to sum up, finally, lastly, all in all, to conclude, for the above-mentioned reasons, taking everything into consideration/account…
Task II. Study the model below. Write down the topic of each paragraph. Underline the linking words. Give reasons why this model can be considered good or bad.
Essay task
Some people believe that a mother should not work. Others argue against it. Consider the problems that a working mother faces. Do you believe a mother should work? Support your opinion.
Essay
Introductory paragraph / Nowadays it is very common for mothers to work outside the home. Whether a woman should stay at home or join the work force is debated by many people. Some argue that the family, especially small children, may be neglected. The fact is, however, that many women need to work because of economic reasons or want to work to maintain a career. I believe that every mother has the right to work, as the decision to work should be one that a woman makes on her own. But first she should carefully consider the many problems that affect mothers who work.Paragraph I / The major problems a working mother faces concern her children. She must either find a reliable person who will be loving toward the children or a good day-care center where the children must take special arrangements for the child be cared for at home, or she must stay home from work. While at work, the mother may worry about her children. She may wonder if they are safe, if they are learning the values she wants them to have, and if her absence is hurting them emotionally. She may also regret not being able to make them to after-school activities or participate in family activities with them.
Paragraph II / Even though a mother is frequently forced into working for economic reasons, she soon discovers that there are added expenses. Her biggest expense is child care. Another expense is transportation. This may include purchasing and maintaining a car. Yet another expense is clothing, such as uniform or stylish suits to maintain a professional appearance. Finally, if her company does not have a subsidized cafeteria, she will have to pay for food in restaurants.
Conclusion / After a mother takes into account all of the above problems and perhaps other problems unique to her situation, she must decide if a job is worth it. I believe that even though she faces major obstacles, these obstacles are not insurmountable. Many mothers do work and manage a family very successfully. In conclusion, it is a woman’s right to make this choice, and only the woman herself should decide this matter.
Task III. Writing Essays
Choose one of the topics suggested and write your essay (250-300 words) on O.Wilde’s “The Picture of Dorian Gray” (Ch. I - X).
The essay topics:
1. Compare and contrast the characters of Basil and Lord Henry. What is their relationship to one another? To Dorian?
2. The role of Sibyl Vane in the novel.
3. Evil in the Picture of Dorian Gray.
4. “There is no such thing as a moral or immoral book,” O. Wilde says in the preface. “Books are well written, or badly written. That is all.” Does the novel confirm this argument?
Remember: the parts of an essay are much like the parts of a paragraph. The essay begins with an introductory paragraph which tells the reader what the essay is about, just as the topic sentence tells the reader what the paragraph is about. The body of the essay is made up of paragraphs that support the introduction, and the concluding paragraph completes the essay.