The lesson explained
Period 6 / Writing skills; Period 7 / Writing
Period 6 / Writing skills
1 In Period 5, you looked at how opposite ideas can be joined using However and On the other hand. A long list of sentences like these would be boring to read, so it is better to group the ideas in paragraphs. Read the paragraph and answer the questions below.
- Which sentence gives the main idea of the paragraph, sometimes called the topic sentence?
- Which sentence gives a second idea that is connected to the main one?
- Do the other two sentences in the paragraph:
- add more ideas?
- give opposite arguments?
- give examples of each idea?
2 Use some of the ideas from Period 5 to write a second paragraph. Follow the same structure as the first paragraph, but give the other side of the argument.
3 Discuss the questions in pairs or small groups.
- When opposite ideas are presented in two paragraphs, which one is likely to have the strongest effect on the reader, the first or the second?
- Imagine you have been asked to write an essay in answer to this question:
In what ways has globalisation affected life in Palestine? Have these effects been mostly positive or negative?
What is the best order for the four paragraphs in the plan?
A Description of the economic situation in Palestine
B Examples of negative effects of globalisation in Palestine
C Definition of globalisation
D Examples of positive effects of globalisation in Palestine
- What examples of positive and negative effects could you include? Refer back to the list you made in Period 3. Other people, however, argue that …
We could mention how cheap imports are making things hard for the Palestinian shoe industry.
One good thing is that it’s easier to keep up contacts around the world and let people know what’s happening here.
Supporters of globalisation point out that it has brought the world closer together in various ways and has increased international understanding. It is now possible for people to watch the latest films and TV programmes from around the world, and it is much easier for new ideas to spread around the world. This applies to products as well as ideas. Shops and restaurants offer more international goods, often at very cheap prices.
P12
Period 7 / Writing
1 Look at the sentences that make up the first paragraph of the essay you talked about in Period 6. Then answer the questions below.
A It is important to understand that the effects of globalisation are not limited to the areas of economics, trade and business.
B It is this wider definition that will be used in this essay.
C One simple definition is that globalisation describes the ways in which, thanks to developments in technology, the world has changed very quickly in the last forty years.
D As a result of these changes, people and countries are now more connected with each other than they have ever been before.
E They are also cultural and personal.
F Globalisation is a complex idea, so before discussing this question, it is first necessary to make clear what we mean by it.
- Which sentence introduces the whole essay? ___
- Which sentence is the topic sentence of the paragraph? ___
- What is the right order for the other sentences? ___
2 Write the sentences in the right order.
- Look at the topic sentence for the second paragraph of the essay and discuss how it could continue. Then add two or three points to complete the paragraph.
- Complete the essay.
Look again at the list you made in Period 3 and your discussion in Period 6. Choose two or three points on each side (positive and negative) and decide on the best order for the last two paragraphs. There are several points about the situation in Palestine that make it different from most other countries. Firstly, In addition, Globalisation has had a number of positive/negative effects on Palestine. For example, On the other hand, For these reasons, I believe that overall the effects of globalisation on Palestine have been mostly positive/negative.
In this Unit you have learnt about:
- the history and effects of globalisation
- arguments for and against globalisation
- positive and negative connotations
- combining opposite ideas in sentences and paragraphs
- the use of topic sentences in paragraphs
- joining sentences into paragraphs
