The formats of different types of articles

1. 通用提纲结构：

Part I : Introduce the topic / point out the thesis statement.

Part II: Start with the topic sentence followed by some developing or supporting sentences within some paragraphs.

Part III: Conclude the article or restate the thesis.

2. 原因理由类：Explanatory Writing

Part I: Introduction of a problem or phenomenon

Part II: Thesis statement + cause I + cause II + cause III

Part III: Conclusion

e.g. Changes in People’s Diet

Part I: Some big changes in people’s diet have taken place. (Phenomenon)

Part II: 1. People now enjoy a higher standard living. (Causes 1)

    2. There are a rich variety of foods available everywhere. (Causes 2)

    3. People come to believe that a balanced diet is important. (Causes 3)

Part III: Changes in people’s diet will be greater in the future. (Conclusion)

e.g. Divorce in China

Introduction: In recent years China has experienced a dramatic increase in the divorce rate. According to the chart given, during the last decade, …

Main body: The upward trend in divorce reflects three important changes in our society. The most significant one is the change in social attitude towards the divorced people... Second, the change in personal economic activities also facilitate divorce... Finally, legal changes have greatly simplified divorce procedures.

Conclusion: What changes responsible for the rise in divorce rate, one thing is certain: there is a significant change in people’s traditional view of marriage and divorce.

写作练习：Enthusiasm for a Master’s Degree / Job Problems for College Graduates

3. 影响后果类：Analytic Writing

Part I: Introduction of problem or phenomenon / thesis statement

Part II: Effects and benefits

Part III: Conclusion or solution or suggestion

e.g. Modern Teenagers Spend Many Hours Watching TV

Part I: Heavy exposure to TV has vast effects on the children physical and mental development. 

Part II: 1. Spending too much time in front of TV affects children’s health, especially their eyesight.

   2. It will not only affect their studies but undermine their reading and writing abilities.

   3. Exposure to commercials and violence can only cultivate a sense of unreality and corrupt their minds.

Part III: It is important to control the time children spend on watching TV.

e.g. Privacy of Famous People

Introduction: In recent years, many newspapers ad magazines focus on the activities of film stars, pop singers and...

Main body: To satisfy the public curiosity, journalists often find it their duty to report their activities... Moreover, what matters to a newspaper or magazine is the number of readers… However, those exposed people can be severely injured by such press attention…

Conclusion: Famous people are also citizens. They have the right to keep their own privacy like ordinary people.

写作练习：Chinese Mania / Retirement Delay

4. 对照比较类： Comparative Writing  

倾向性比较                                          平衡性比较

1)Introduction/Thesis：Prefer A to B       Introduction：Both A and B have advantages and...

2)B’s advantages and disadvantages          A’s advantages (and disadvantages)

3)A’s advantages and disadvantages          B’s advantages (and disadvantages)

4)Conclusion                                              Balanced Conclusion

                         e.g. Individual Travel or Package Tour

Part I: I prefer to travel individually for freedom.

Part II: 1. It is true that a package tour can bring great convenience, but you lose your freedom.  

    2. Individual travel, however, gives you a great degree of freedom.

    3. Traveling alone, you may encounter inconvenience such as… But you can…

Part III: To have holiday tour is to enjoy and relax yourself, and to relax thoroughly freedom is of essence. If you lose the freedom of action, it is no longer a holiday in anything but a name. For this reason I like traveling alone with several friends.

点对点比较 (两方同时描述, 逐点比较) 

e.g. Chinese Children and American Children

Part I: During the years I study in a college in Chicago, I learned American and Chinese children are different in several ways.

Part II: First, (personalities)...Second, (life independence)...Third, (family role)

Part III: Children who grow in a particular culture share certain values and assumptions.

面对面比较 (先说甲再按照同样的逻辑顺序说乙) 

e.g. Cars VS Bicycles

Part I: Cars and bicycle are both privately owned means of transportation. However, there are a lot of differences between them.

Part II: Cars: more money to buy... more expensive to run... more comfortable for long distance... much faster...

            Bicycles: less expensive... green energy... easy to park... limited by weather...

Part III: They have in common the fact that owner can decide when and where to go by themselves. 

写作练习：Ways of Studies / Modern Technology VS Traditional Culture

5. 评论评估类：Commentary Writing

赞成写法：第一段引出要讨论的事物，可能的话在最后一句表明赞成态度；第二段评论事物好的一面，第三段继续；第四段谈论事物的另一面；第五段做出结论性的意见：赞成！

Part I: Introduction of the issue to be discussed        

Part II: Its advantages and disadvantages

Part III: Conclusion / Biased or Balanced

e.g. Advertisements

Part I: Like a coin, an ad has two sides.

Part II: 1. It makes life more convenient since it informs people where to buy things, find jobs and so on.

    2. It helps people enjoy TV programs, newspapers and sports events at a low price.

    3. However, it often misleads and even cheats the customers.

Part III: Ads should develop in the right direction.

反对写法：第一段引出要讨论的事物，并及时表明反对态度；第二段承认事物好的一面；第三段评论事物坏的一面；第四段继续；第五段做出结论性的意见：反对！

Part I: Introduction of the issue to be discussed

Part II: Its advantage+ disadvantages

Part III: Conclusion

e.g. On Euthanasia

Introdution: Euthanasia, an act of putting death painlessly to a person suffering from an incurable and painful disease, begins to draw the public’s attention as modern medicine can sustain one’s life as long as possible. In a nationwide debate, many people argue that the family and doctors should respect the death decision made by a terminally ill patient. But I hold an opposite point of view.

Main body: To practice euthanasia may benefit both the patient and his family… Despite these benefits, it brings with it problems. For example,… There is also the matter of mistaken diagnoses… Euthanasia makes it impossible for family members to give up their loved ones.

Conclusion: Although the quality of life is important and should not be ignored, life itself is more important. Legally allowing the end of life would make the dying more vulnerable.

写作练习：Plastic Surgery

平衡写法:

e.g. Dink Family

Part I: Opinions of this new lifestyle vary from person to person.

Part II: 1. Child rearing means losing too many things in life.

    2. To ensure a happy and successful life for a child may deprive one of the best and most productive years of one’s life.

    3. Admittedly, having a child is not without any benefits.

Part III: Everything has two sides, the same is true of a dink family. Whether you like it or not often depends on one’s personal view of life.

写作练习：The Internet

6. 分析说明类：Introducing Writing

Part I: The reason for introducing the ways

Part II: Three specific ways

Part III: Conclusion

e.g. Lose Weight

Part I: Being overweight not only spoils one’s image but affects your health. Is there any diet to slim down and stay thin? Weight control authorities tell us a successful diet take place more in your mind than at the table. Here are the ways.

Part II: 1. Work on your body image.

           2. Never surrender.

           3. Set achievable goals. 

Part III: Reducing weight is not just a matter of clipping a diet out of magazines. You may try medicines, eat less, and take exercise.you may try… No matter what kind of diet you choose, remember that losing weight begins with a state of mind.

写作练习：Green Economy