Unit 24 Communication Workshop ( Period 2 ) 寿县安丰高中高二英语教研组

Write a discursive essay about car use Write a discursive essay about the advantages and disadvantages of car use.

In this class students will be able to 1.know more about the advantages and disadvantages of car use. 2. review the general structure of a discursive essay. 3. learn how to write a discursive essay step by step. 4. write a discursive essay about car use. Objectives:

Background We have become extremely dependent on cars: there were 580 million worldwide in 1990 and it is estimated that this figure will grow to 816 million by 2010.

Brainstorming Are you in favor of or against car use ? Bad for the environment Dangerous Stressful … Convenient Efficient … Advantages Disadvantages

Making sentences Use the key words and expressions to talk about the advantages and disadvantages of car use. Use the key words and expressions to talk about the advantages and disadvantages of car use. Bad for the environment Dangerous Stressful Convenient Efficient Example: sentence 1 Cars are extremely popular because they are so convenient.

Writing your own sentences Sentence 1: convenient Example: Cars are extremely popular because they are so convenient. 2: efficient 3: bad for the environment 4: dangerous 5: stressful Do not be satisfied with the first thing you write. Rewrite it; share it with a classmate or your teacher; aim for a more effective sentence.

Dealing with some arguments Are the following arguments for or against car use?

A A A A A 1. Not restricted by schedules as you are with public transport 2. Comfortable (spacious, cool, radio/CD etc.) 3. They cause air pollution. 4. Roads spoil the natural landscape and destroy/disturb wildlife habitats. 5. Faster than public transport. 6. Car parks take up valuable space in city centers. 7. Car accidents result in many deaths and injuries. 8.Traffic jams lead to stress and "road rage“. 9. Car use contributes to a faster, less natural pace of life that often results in many diseases. F F A F

Reviewing the discursive structure Paragraph 1 ( INTRODUCTION ) Paragraph 2 Advantages: (Convenient ) (Efficient ) Paragraph 3 Disadvantages: (Bad for the environment) (Dangerous ) (Stressful ) Paragraph 4 ( CONCLUSION ) Main body

Planning an introduction Introduce the topic, give some background. Basically, this will state that there are both advantages and disadvantages to car use.

Writing the body paragraphs Each paragraph already has some key sentences. The challenge now is to choose some arguments to support them.

Linking words For example, … For instance,… also … In addition,… Furthermore,… What is more, … Another argument against car use is that… Another disadvantage of car use is that … Similarly, …

Writing a conclusion Basically, it will sum up the main arguments again and evaluate them in other words, you will say whether you think car use should be limited or even banned.

Write your own essay Starting to write

Possible version: There are both advantages and disadvantages to car use. But nowadays we have become extremely dependent on cars: there were 580 million worldwide in 1990 and it is estimated that this figure will grow to 816 million by Clearly cars are so popular because they are both convenient and efficient. Cars are comfortable and faster than public transport because they are not restricted by schedules as you are with public transport. On the other hand, there are powerful arguments against car use. Firstly, they damage the environment.

They cause air pollution. Roads spoil the natural landscape and disturb wildlife habitats. Secondly, Car accidents result in many deaths and injuries. Another argument against car use is that they contribute to the unhealthy pace of modern life. For example, traffic jams can lead to stress and "road rage“. In conclusion, car ownership has several negative effects. Nevertheless, we have become very dependent on cars because of the comfort and freedom they offer. But for the sake of our own health we must aim to reduce car use.

Assignment: Polish your writing and share it with your classmates first.

Thank you !