Unit 2 Tyranny of the Urgent

Contents Pre-reading questions Pre-reading questions Background information Background information Structural analysis of the text Structural analysis of the text Comprehensive questions Comprehensive questions Language Points Language Points Sentence highlights Sentence highlights Language appreciation Language appreciation Grammar points Grammar points Comprehensive questions of Text II Comprehensive questions of Text II

Text I Tyranny of the Urgent Pre-reading questions Pre-reading questions 1. Do you often feel pressed by time? Do you hate meeting deadlines? 2. Do you think the busier you are, the more accomplished your life will be?

Background information (1) about the author and the text: Charles E. Hummel, former director of faculty ministries for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and president of Barrington College in Rhode Island, has written several books and Bible studies among which quite well- known are Fire in the Fireplace: Contemporary Charismatic Renewal, The Galileo Connection, and The Prosperity Gospel. The text is adapted from Tyranny of the Urgent, a classic booklet by Hummel that offers ideas and illustrations for effective time management.

Structural Analysis (1) Is this text a narration, argumentation, description or explanation? Clarify “ thesis ”, “ supporting ideas ”, “ evidence ”, and “ conclusion ”. Is this text a narration, argumentation, description or explanation? Clarify “ thesis ”, “ supporting ideas ”, “ evidence ”, and “ conclusion ”.

Thesis: Thesis: We should not let the urgent matters take priority over important ones. We should not let the urgent matters take priority over important ones. Supporting idea 1: Supporting idea 1: Evidence for supporting idea 1: Evidence for supporting idea 1: Supporting idea 2: Supporting idea 2: Evidence for supporting idea 2: Evidence for supporting idea 2: Conclusion: Conclusion:

Structure analysis of the text (2) This is a well-organized argumentative essay. The writer begins the essay by explaining that the prolongation of time can not really help relieve people of the pressure. Then he justifies the argument that the pressure in our life originates from the mishandled problems of priorities. In the concluding paragraph, the writer points out that we are slaves to “ the tyranny of the urgent. ”

Structure analysis of the text (2) Paragraphs 1-2 Paragraphs 1-2 The first two paragraphs serve as an introduction. In the first paragraph, the writer mainly explains why people wish for a thirty-hour day. In the second, he goes on to explain why this extra time not help people much. The first two paragraphs serve as an introduction. In the first paragraph, the writer mainly explains why people wish for a thirty-hour day. In the second, he goes on to explain why this extra time not help people much.

Structure analysis of the text (3) Paragraphs 3-5 Paragraphs 3-5 This is the main body of the essay. The writer explains the problem of priorities and explores the cause of “ tyranny of the urgent ” This is the main body of the essay. The writer explains the problem of priorities and explores the cause of “ tyranny of the urgent ”

Structure analysis of the text (4) Paragraph 6 Paragraph 6 In this paragraph, the writer comes to the conclusion that we have become slaves to the “ tyranny of the urgent ”. In this paragraph, the writer comes to the conclusion that we have become slaves to the “ tyranny of the urgent ”.

Comprehension questions (1) Is hard work alone adequate alone for one to feel a sense of achievement? Is hard work alone adequate alone for one to feel a sense of achievement? No. We must ensure we are working hard on important things rather than those that are merely urgent. No. We must ensure we are working hard on important things rather than those that are merely urgent.

Comprehension questions (2) What is the key to good time management? What is the key to good time management? Learning to prioritize. We shouldn ’ t let the urgent crowd out the truly important things while merely doing those that are not really important. Learning to prioritize. We shouldn ’ t let the urgent crowd out the truly important things while merely doing those that are not really important.

Comprehension questions (3) Why is there a constant tension between the urgent and the important? Why is there a constant tension between the urgent and the important? Because urgent things call for instant attention and immediate action while important things hardly do so. If we crowd out schedule with too many urgent engagements, we will have less time to deal with truly important things. Because urgent things call for instant attention and immediate action while important things hardly do so. If we crowd out schedule with too many urgent engagements, we will have less time to deal with truly important things.

Comprehension questions (4) What does the author imply about the impact of the technological development on our time management? What does the author imply about the impact of the technological development on our time management? The development of modern science and technology, especially that of the modern means of communication, is accused as an accomplice of the tyranny of the urgent. The telephone lines has tied us to the fast-growing outside world to which we have to give instant response. So our life has been cursed with endless callings and intrusions, for which the development of modern technology is partially responsible. The development of modern science and technology, especially that of the modern means of communication, is accused as an accomplice of the tyranny of the urgent. The telephone lines has tied us to the fast-growing outside world to which we have to give instant response. So our life has been cursed with endless callings and intrusions, for which the development of modern technology is partially responsible.

Comprehension questions (5) Does the writer suggest that we should neglect urgent things? Does the writer suggest that we should neglect urgent things? No. The message the writer wants to convey is that we should not let urgent things crowd out important things. He does not mean we should leave urgent things unnoticed. No. The message the writer wants to convey is that we should not let urgent things crowd out important things. He does not mean we should leave urgent things unnoticed.

Language Points trail: a stream of dust, smoke, people, vehicles, etc. behind something moving trail: a stream of dust, smoke, people, vehicles, etc. behind something moving He went inside, leaving a trail of muddy footprints behind him. He went inside, leaving a trail of muddy footprints behind him. The hurricane has left a trail of destruction across much of the area. The hurricane has left a trail of destruction across much of the area.

trail: a stream of dust, smoke, people, vehicles, etc. behind something moving trail: a stream of dust, smoke, people, vehicles, etc. behind something moving He went inside, leaving a trail of muddy footprints behind him. He went inside, leaving a trail of muddy footprints behind him. The typhoon has left a trail of death and destruction across much of the area. The typhoon has left a trail of death and destruction across much of the area.

haunt (v.): to be always in the thoughts of haunt (v.): to be always in the thoughts of The decision to leave her children now haunts her. The decision to leave her children now haunts her. Thirty years after the fire he is still haunted by images of death and destruction. Thirty years after the fire he is still haunted by images of death and destruction.

exacting: (of a person or piece of work demanding too much care, effort and attention exacting: (of a person or piece of work demanding too much care, effort and attention Volunteers are needed for an exacting assignment

dilemma: a situation in which one has to make a difficult choice between two courses of action, both perhaps equally undesirable The doctor ’ s dilemma was whether he should tell the patient the truth or not.

priority: something that needs attention, consideration, service, etc, before others. priority: something that needs attention, consideration, service, etc, before others. You have to learn to get your priorities straight. You have to learn to get your priorities straight. Getting your priorities in order is an efficient way not to waste time on trivial or even meaningless pursuit. Getting your priorities in order is an efficient way not to waste time on trivial or even meaningless pursuit.

misgiving: (a feeling of ) doubt, distrust, or fear, esp. about a future event - - We had misgivings about flying near mountains in such weather. - - The plan seemed utterly impractical and I was filled with misgiving about it.

crowd out: to keep out for lack of space crowd out: to keep out for lack of space Pressure on study space has crowded out new students from many university libraries. Pressure on study space has crowded out new students from many university libraries. The article was crowded out of yesterday ’ s edition. The article was crowded out of yesterday ’ s edition.

maxim(n.): a short saying that expresses a general truth or a rule for good and sensible behavior maxim(n.): a short saying that expresses a general truth or a rule for good and sensible behavior Aesop ’ s fables illustrate moral maxim. Aesop ’ s fables illustrate moral maxim.

rebuke(v.): to speak angrily to (somebody) rebuke(v.): to speak angrily to (somebody) Her mother rebuked her for frightening her brother. Her mother rebuked her for frightening her brother. He was rebuked for cheating. He was rebuked for cheating.

breach(v.): to break (a promise, agreement, etc.); to make an opening in a wall or fence breach(v.): to break (a promise, agreement, etc.); to make an opening in a wall or fence They breached the agreement they had made with their employer. They breached the agreement they had made with their employer.

imperious(adj.): too commanding; expecting obedience from others imperious(adj.): too commanding; expecting obedience from others She sent them away with an imperious wave of hand. She sent them away with an imperious wave of hand.

devour: to use up all of something; to eat hungrily and in large quantities, so that nothing remains devour: to use up all of something; to eat hungrily and in large quantities, so that nothing remains Her job devours all her energy. The young cubs hungrily devoured the deer that the lion had killed.

in the light of: because of in the light of: because of In the light of recent incidents, we are asking the customs to take particular care of their personal belongings. In the light of recent incidents, we are asking the customs to take particular care of their personal belongings.

prominence: the fact or quality of being well- known and important prominence: the fact or quality of being well- known and important He came to prominence during the World Cup in Italy. He came to prominence during the World Cup in Italy. Most of the papers give prominence to the same story this morning. Most of the papers give prominence to the same story this morning.

Sentence Highlights 1.Paraphrase: Our lives leave a trail of unfinished tasks.

2. Paraphrase: 2. Paraphrase: Unanswered letters, unvisited friends, unwritten articles and unread books haunt quiet moment when we stop …

3. Paraphrase: We all know wheat it is to go full speed for long hours, … a sense of achievement and joy.

Language Appreciation 1.We sense demands have driven us onto a reef of frustration. (Para.3) 1.We sense demands have driven us onto a reef of frustration. (Para.3) “ A reef of frustration ” is a metaphor “ A reef of frustration ” is a metaphor

2. … we have left undone those things, which we ought to have done; and we have done those things which we ought not to have done. (Para. 3) 2. … we have left undone those things, which we ought to have done; and we have done those things which we ought not to have done. (Para. 3) The use of parallel structure The use of parallel structure

3. A man ’ s home is no longer his castle; it is no longer a place away form urgent tasks because the telephone breaches the walls with imperious demands.(Para.6) 3. A man ’ s home is no longer his castle; it is no longer a place away form urgent tasks because the telephone breaches the walls with imperious demands.(Para.6) “ His castle ” is a metaphor “ His castle ” is a metaphor

Grammatical items Coordination Like subordination, coordination is also a device for combining and relating ideas. Generally speaking, subordination establishes a kind of relationship which indicates that one idea is more important than the other, while coordination establishes a relationship between ideas of approximately equal importance. Men marry because they are tired. Men marry because they are tired. The italic part of this sentence is a The italic part of this sentence is a Finite subordinate clause indicating causes. Men marry because they are tired, and women marry because they are curious. This sentence is a coordinate construction using the coordinator “ and ”

Basic coordinators: and, or, but. Others: yet, so, nor, both … and …, not only … but also … either … or … either … or … neither … nor …

并列连词连接两个分句时，其位置固定在 所引导的分句句首。 并列连词连接两个分句时，其位置固定在 所引导的分句句首。 The dean left for Beijing yesterday, and he will be back next week. The dean left for Beijing yesterday, and he will be back next week. Give the book to John, or you may just keep it. Give the book to John, or you may just keep it. He didn ’ t see me, but I saw him. He didn ’ t see me, but I saw him. We must start early, for we have a long way to go. We must start early, for we have a long way to go.

两个并列连词不可以连用， 比如不可以说： 两个并列连词不可以连用， 比如不可以说： * The children can go to bed ， and or they can watch TV. * The children can go to bed ， and or they can watch TV. *He did not like your suggestion, and but he raised no objection. *He did not like your suggestion, and but he raised no objection.

Comprehensive questions of Text II (1) What is the writer ’ s mother ’ s view on time? What is the writer ’ s mother ’ s view on time? Time is eternity and men waste eternity by wasting time. Time is eternity and men waste eternity by wasting time.

Comprehensive questions of Text II (2) What does the clause “ and which contains life, death, and this earth as the blue sea contains the fishes courting and swimming together ” (Paragraph 2) means? What does the clause “ and which contains life, death, and this earth as the blue sea contains the fishes courting and swimming together ” (Paragraph 2) means? It means that we believe that time contains life, death, and us, who are just like fishes in the sea busy living and seeking happiness. It means that we believe that time contains life, death, and us, who are just like fishes in the sea busy living and seeking happiness.

Comprehensive questions of Text II (3) What does the fulfillment of expectation depend on? What does the fulfillment of expectation depend on? Generally speaking, the fulfillment of expectations depends on ourselves as well as the external circumstances. We need to work hard so as to realize our dreams, but sometimes we have to wait for the opportunities to come. There are times when we depend more on time to bring us opportunities, and there are others when we are better master of our own fate. Generally speaking, the fulfillment of expectations depends on ourselves as well as the external circumstances. We need to work hard so as to realize our dreams, but sometimes we have to wait for the opportunities to come. There are times when we depend more on time to bring us opportunities, and there are others when we are better master of our own fate.

Comprehensive questions of Text II (4) What is the author ’ s view on time? What is the author ’ s view on time? The writer believes that time is within us rather than outside us. It is not that we live in time but that time is defined by our existence. Time is nothing in itself; it depends on our consciousness. The writer believes that time is within us rather than outside us. It is not that we live in time but that time is defined by our existence. Time is nothing in itself; it depends on our consciousness.

Comprehensive questions of Text II (5) What is your view on time? What is your view on time? Open for discussion. Open for discussion.