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FEATURE
Shopping
in American
and British English
COLUMNS
Metaphor
What we talk about
when we talk about
illness
Focus
on Language
Study:
Introduction
Text types
Reviews and discursive texts
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US version
New
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Words describing
21st-century ailments
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Exploring vocabulary relating
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onestopenglish.com
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by Cindy
Leaney
Texts are written for a purpose. The purpose might be to get or give information,
to discuss a topic, to present an opinion, or to persuade someone to do
something. Writers organize texts in various ways to do these particular
jobs. They use different grammar structures and vocabulary depending on
the purpose of a text.
Reviews
A review is an article in which someone gives their opinion
about a book, play, movie, exhibition etc. Movie and book reviews often
summarize main events in the story or plot.
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The movie is set in the early days of the 24th century.
Science, technology, and hard work have solved most of the problems
humanity faces today but life has become so serious that there is
no fun in the world. A team of scientists is sent on a mission to
the past to find a sense of humor. This is a delightful, upbeat
"feel-good" movie that will leave you laughing.
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Write a short review of a movie or play that you have
seen recently.
Discursive Texts
A discursive text presents and discusses issues and opinions.
The purpose may be to convince or persuade someone that a particular course
of action is important or necessary, or simply to present all sides of
an argument.
Discursive texts usually:
- compare or contrast two or more things,
- present a problem and suggest a solution, or
- present arguments for or against an action.
The opening or introductory
section may describe the present situation or different sides
of an argument. This is followed by a development
section that describes and illustrates different points. The
development section may also consider other points of view or objections.
The closing section sums up the options
or solutions.
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expressing opinions:
in my view/opinion
I think/feel
giving additional information or reasons:
additionally
equally
in fact
moreover
what is more
furthermore
showing cause and effect:
as a result
consequently
resulting in
summing up:
on balance
in conclusion
to sum up
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ordering ideas:
first/firstly/in the first place/to
begin with
next/secondly
lastly/finally
giving examples:
for example
for instance
such as
contrasting and comparing:
compared with/to
however
in contrast
on the one hand
on the other hand
similarly
whereas
while
yet
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Discuss the following statement:
Ecotourism is responsible for causing many of
the problems that it originally set out to solve.
Ecotourism is defined by TIES (The International
Ecotourism Society) as "responsible travel to natural areas
that conserves the environment and sustains the well-being of local
people". This "environmentally friendly" form of
tourism aims to help fund environmental protection programs, stimulate
the incomes of the local people, especially those on very low incomes,
and promote intercultural understanding. These are commendable goals.
Unfortunately, in my view, they are not being achieved.
For example, recent reports from a number of developing countries
state that locals have been evicted from their houses. These people
are being driven from their homes to make way for the development
of eco-parks, resorts, and hotels.
While much valuable work has been done and, no doubt,
with the best intentions, ecotourism has made many local people
homeless.
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Choose one of the topics below to discuss in writing:
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Smoking should be banned in all public places. |
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Parents should control their children's access to
the Internet. |
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Movie censorship is a waste of time |
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