Taller de Redacción Inglesa

Facultad de Ciencias Administrativas
Ttulo: Taller de Redaccin Inglesa
UNIT
Finding the Ideal Job

OVERVIEW
Theme:
Work.
Prewriting:
Listing.
Organizing:
Understanding paragraphs and topic sentences.
Revising:
Supporting the topic sentence.

Using adjectives to give more detail.
Editing:
Formatting a paragraph.
Assignment
In this unit, you read about people who are working in their ideal jobs. What is
your ideal job? The assignment for this unit is to write a paragraph describing
your ideal job. You will write about why the job is ideal for you.
1 Prewriting
LISTING
It often helps to make a list of your ideas before you begin to write.
When you make a list, it is not necessary to write complete sentences.
Imagine you want to be a teacher. What are some reasons this may be
an ideal job for you? Think about your skills, the job setting and the job
rewards. Look at the list of reasons below. Add some of your own
ideas.
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Ideal Job
Teacher
Reasons
Like children
Like to work in a school
Creative
Friendly co-workers
Interesting work
Like to help others
Patient
Helpful
Convenient schedule
Other reasons: ___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
Think about your ideal job. Why would you like that job? Think about
your skills, the job setting and job rewards. Make a list of all the
reasons you can think of. It is not necessary to use complete
sentences.
2 Organizing
UNDERSTANDING PARAGRAHPS AND TOPIC SENTENCES
A paragraph is a group of sentences about one topic.
The first sentence is the topic sentence. It states the main idea of
the paragraph. For this assignment, the topic sentence will give the
name of the writers ideal job.
The other sentences are supporting sentences. They explain the

main idea with specific details and examples. For this assignment,
the supporting sentences will give reasons why the writer likes his
or her ideal job.
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Read the example paragraph and complete the tasks below.
I would like to be a mountain climbing guide. I like this job for

several reasons. First of all, mountain climbing is very exciting. Mountain
climbing guides get to climb tall, dangerous mountains. Second, I enjoy
working outside. I like the fresh air much better than I like stuffy office.
Finally, I like to meet interesting people. Mountain climbing guides travel
to many different parts of the world and meet other adventurous people.
1. Circle the topic sentence. What is the writers ideal job?

2. Underline the supporting sentences. What three reasons does the
writer give for liking the job?
Read the paragraph and choose the best topic sentence from the list
below. Write the sentence on the line. Remember that the topic
sentence must give the name of the writers ideal job.
There are many reasons why I like this job. First, I like animals. Animals
bring a lot of joy to our lives, but they do not ask for a lot in return. I also
enjoy helping animals and their owners feel better. Pet owners are
happy when their pets are well. Finally, veterinarians get to work with
other people who like animals. They can even bring their pets to work!
Topic Sentences
Sometimes I imagine Im a veterinarian.
I would like a job working with animals.
A veterinarian helps people and animals feel better.
WRITING THE FIRST DRAFT
Use the information from the previous sections to write the first draft of
your paragraph.
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Begin your paragraph with a topic sentence, such as Sometimes I

imagine that I am a(n) or I would like to be a(n)
Look at the list you wrote for Exercise 2 on page 2. Choose the
three most important reasons you listed. Write a complete
sentence for each reason.
Dont worry too much about grammar. Just try to make your ideas clear.
PEER REVIEW
When you finish your first draft, exchange papers with another
student. Read your partners first draft and answer the questions
below. Then discuss your answers with your partner.
Does the paragraph begin with a topic sentence?
Does the paragraph include at least three reasons why the

writer likes his or her ideal job?
Are there any words or sentences that you dont understand?

Circle those parts that the writer should explain more clearly.
Discuss your partners reaction to your paragraph. Make a note of any

parts you need to revise.
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3 Revising
A
SUPPORTING THE TOPIC SENTENCE
The supporting sentences in your paragraph should all relate to the

main idea. They should all support the topic sentence.
Read the paragraph. Cross out the sentences that dont support the
main idea.
Sometimes I imagine that I am a teacher. I like this job for several

reasons. First, I love children. I like to help children learn and grow.
Sometimes children are difficult to work with because they dont always
listen and follow directions. Second, teaching is a creative job. Artists are
creative too, so I would also like to be an artist. Finally, the schedule is
convenient for me. But I dont like the salary, because teachers dont make
very much money.
Look at your first draft. Cross out sentences that dont support the
main idea. If necessary, write new sentences that support the main
idea.
USING ADJECTIVES TO GIVE MORE DETAIL
Descriptive adjectives give detail to your writing. They make your ideas
clear to the reader.
Read the sentences. Underline the descriptive adjectives.

1. Good teachers are creative.
2. They teach interesting classes.
3. They are also patient and caring.
Write two or three sentences about people in the following professions.

Use the descriptive adjectives below or think of other adjectives. When
you have finished, share your sentences with the class.
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Professions
Artists
Computer Programmers
Corporate CEOs
Athletes
Descriptive Adjectives
Busy
Rich
Young
Famous
Strong
Motivated
Powerful
Patient
Creative
Hardworking
Intelligent
Well-educated
Interesting
Successful
Independent
Look at your first draft. Did you use any descriptive adjectives? Add
adjectives if they will help make your meaning clear.
WRITING THE SECOND DRAFT

Now you are ready to write your second draft. Look at all your notes
from the previous sections to help you revise.
Include sentences that support the main idea.

Add detail with descriptive adjectives to make your ideas clear to
the reader.
Write the title in the

middle of the top line.
4 Editing
Indent the
FORMATTING A PARAGRAPH
first line of
each
My Ideal Job
paragraph.
Leave a
1-inch
(2,5-cm)
margin on
the left
side.
Begin each
sentence
with a
capital letter.
Leave a
1-incha(2,5-cm)
Look at the paragraph below. Read the rules for formatting
margin on the
I would like to be a mountain
paragraph.
right side.
climbing guide. I like this job for

several
reasons.
First
of
all,
mountain climbing is very exciting.

Mountain climbing guides get to
climb
tall,
dangerous
mountains.
Second, I enjoy working outside. I

like the fresh air much better than I
Begin each
sentence after
the previous
sentence. Dont
start each
sentence on a
new line.
like stuffy office. Finally, I like to

meet interesting people. Mountain
climbing
guides
travel
to
many
different parts of the world and meet

other adventurous people.
Write on every
other line.
Leave a blank
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between
line of writing.

UNIT
Country Life vs. City Life

OVERVIEW
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Theme:
The country and the city.
Prewriting:
Using pictures.
Organizing:
Grouping details.
Revising:
Adding supporting details.

Writing about past events.
Editing:
Using comas and periods.

Assignment
In this unit, you read about farm life versus city life. Have you ever been to a
farm or another area in the country? Did you enjoy it? Or do you prefer the city?
The assignment for this unit is to write a paragraph describing a farm, nature
area, or city you have visited. You will write about what this farm, nature area, or
city looked like, what you did there; and how you felt about the place.
1 Prewriting
USING PICTURES
Drawing a picture of a place can help you remember details.
Look at the picture. What kind of nature area is this? Is it in the

country, in a city, in the suburbs, or on a farm? What do you see in the
picture?
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PICTURE
Work with a partner. Write the adjectives beside the things they
describe. Then add some adjectives of your own.
Adjectives
Active
Happy
Large
Green
Tall
Relaxed
Popular
Modern
Things in the picture

Lake ____________________
People _____________________
Park ____________________
Trees _____________________
Buildings _________________
Animals ____________________
3
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Think on a farm, nature area, or city that you have visited. The nature
area can be a large place, such as a wildlife park or mountain, or it can
be a small place, such as a city park or backyard garden. On a
separate piece of paper, draw a picture of the place. Dont worry about
how good your drawing is. Just try to draw as many details as you can.
Look at your picture and, on a separate piece of paper, make a list of

the things you see. Then write adjectives to describe them.
2 Organizing
GROUPING DETAILS
When you describe a place, you should group similar details together.
You can arrange the information in your paragraph into four parts:
Where you went
What you did there
What you saw
How you felt
Imagine you recently visited the park shown on page 8. Call it West
Park. Use the words and phrases below to describe your visit. Write
each word or phrase in the correct place in the chart.
The lake
People walking and jogging
Happy
Ducks and geese
People riding bikes
Looked around
Buildings
People fishing
Boats
Relaxed
Walked
People in-line skating
Jogged
Squirrels
People boating
Rode my bike
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Where you went
West Park
What you did there

What you saw
How you felt
Now look at your own picture and the lists you made in Exercise 4 on
page 8. Draw a chart like the one above on a separate piece of paper.
Fill in the chart with the information about the place.
your paragraph.
Start you paragraph with a topic sentence. Include the name and
location of the place you are describing. Begin the sentence: Last
(week, month, year) I went to
Group similar details together: what you did, what you saw, how you
felt.
Use adjectives for description.
End your paragraph with a sentence like: For all these reasons, I
enjoyed going to
PEER REVIEW
Does the paragraph give the name and location of the place
your partner visited?
Does the paragraph tell what the writer did, saw and felt?
Does the writer use adjectives to describe the place?

Underline anything the writer can describe with the adjectives.

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3 Revising
A
SUPPORTING THE TOPIC SENTENCE
Details help the reader see a clear picture of the place you are
describing. You can add supporting details by telling exactly where
people and things are located, what they are doing, and what they look
like.
Look at the topic sentences below. Check () the three details that best
support the main idea.
a. Yesterday I went to a beautiful lake in our town.
_____ Sometimes I rent a boat at the boathouse there.
_____ There are lots of ducks living on the lake.
_____ There are trails around the lake for walking and jogging.
_____ I dont have a lot of time to visit the lake.
b. I enjoyed going to my parents home in the mountains.
_____ I always felt very relaxed there.
_____ I enjoyed shopping at the mall.
_____ The mountains were so quiet, and life seemed so slow.
_____ The fresh air made me feel healthy.
c. The city park is a wonderful place to visit.
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_____ You can see many beautiful flowers and trees.

_____ The birds are always a pleasure to watch.
_____ The park was built in 1962.
_____ Its fun to watch people walking, jogging, or riding their
bicycles.
Look at your first draft. Underline some places where you could add
more supporting details. Write some new sentences to add to your
paragraph.
USING ADJECTIVES TO GIVE MORE DETAIL
In your paragraph, you are describing what you did and saw in the past.
To describe an event in the past, you need to use the simple past tense.
Complete the paragraph, using the simple past form of the verbs.
Last summer, I visited my cousins farm in Montana. I __________
(1.Stay) with my cousins family in their house. Its a beautiful old
farmhouse. During the day, we __________ (2.Help) my uncle work on
the farm. We __________ (3.Feed) the animals and __________
(4.Water) the vegetables. In the afternoons, we __________ (5.Take)
the horses out for a ride. We __________ (6.Ride) through the
mountains near their farm. From the top of the mountain, we ________
(7.See) the farm. I live in the city, so visiting the farm __________
(8.Be) different for me. It was a lot of hard work, but it was fun too. I
__________ (9.Feel) very tired at the end of every day, but I was happy
to work so hard. I love farm work. I think I could really get used to life on
a farm.
Look at your first draft. Did you use the simple past tense to describe
events that happened in the past? Underline the verbs and make sure
you used the correct form.

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Add supporting details about the place you visited.
Use the simple past tense to describe past events.
4 Editing
USING COMMAS AND PERIODS
Use commas to separate items in a list.

I like to go hiking, swimming, and bird-watching.
Use a period at the end of a sentence.

There are many reasons why I enjoy going to the mountains.
Read the paragraph. Write the correct punctuation in each space. Use
commas and periods.
Last Saturday, I went to a park in my neighborhood_____ It was a
beautiful day_____ The park was very crowded. It was full of children_____
adults_____ and dogs_____ My friend and I rode our bikes to the park_____
played some Frisbee_____ and had a picnic lunch_____ Then we went
home_____ It was a fun afternoon.
Look at your second draft and edit the punctuation. Do you see
commas and periods in the correct places?
PREPARING THE LAST DRAFT

Carefully edit your second draft. Use the checklist below as a guide.
Then neatly write or type your paragraph with the corrections.
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FINAL DRAFT CHECKLIST
Do you include the name and location of the area you

visited?
Do you group the details according to where you went, what
you did there, what you saw, and how you felt?
Do you use the adjectives and supporting details?
Do you use the simple past tense to describe past events?
Do you use commas and periods correctly?
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UNIT
The Winter Blues

OVERVIEW
Theme:
Health.
Prewriting:
Describing pictures.
Organizing:
Describing a process.
Revising:
Adding descriptive details using nouns and adjectives.

Using should and shouldnt for advice.
Editing:
Punctuating direct speech.

Assignment
In this unit, you read about SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) and different ways
to treat it. What are some other ways to treat health problems? The assignment
for this unit is to think of another health problem and invent your own health
product to treat it. You will draw a picture of the product and write an
advertisement describing it and telling how to use it.
1 Prewriting
DESCRIBING PICTURES
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Drawing pictures can help you think of details about your health product
and how to use it.
Work with a partner. Look at the pictures and answer these questions.
1.
2.
3.
4.
What is the man doing in each picture?

How does he feel?
What is the health treatment hes using?
How do you think it works?
Look at the pictures again. Write the descriptions from the box on the
correct lines.
It tastes sweet and delicious; it smells like oranges and lemons.
All natural tea and herbs.
Its terrific. It really works! I lost weight and now I feel great!
Put it in boiling water. Drink it two times a day until you lose all
the weight you want.
Thin fast Diet Tea.
Hes overweight.
It helps you to lose weight, even when you eat a lot.
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The mans problem: ________________________________________

Product name: ____________________________________________
What the product does: _____________________________________
What its made of: _________________________________________
What its like (description): ___________________________________
How you use it: ___________________________________________
Comment from a happy customer: ____________________________
Answer the following questions and draw some pictures to help you
think of details about your own product. Dont worry about how good
your drawings are. Just try to include the information you need.
1. On a separate sheet of paper, draw a picture of a person who needs
this product.
2. What health problem does your product treat?_________________
3. Whats the name of the product? ___________________________
4. What does it do? _______________________________________
5. Describe your product. What does it look, smell, taste, or feel like?
What is it made of?
________________________________
_____________________________________________________
6. How do you use the product? _____________________________
_____________________________________________________
7. What does the customer think about the product? _____________
_____________________________________________________
8. On a separate sheet of paper, draw a picture of a person using the
product.
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2 Organizing
DESCRIBING A PROCESS
In your ad, you will need to explain the process of using your product.
When you describe a process, you describe things in time order what
to do first, second, third, and so on.
Read the following sentences. Number the sentences in the correct

order, from 1 to 4.
_____ Thin-Fast is fast and easy to use.
_____ Continue to drink Thin-Fast until you lose all the weight you want.
In the end, youll look and feel great.
_____ First, boil some water.
_____ Then put the Thin-Fast Diet Tea in the water for five minutes.
Now write sentences to explain how to use your product. Write the
process in the correct order.
1. _____________________________________________________
2. _____________________________________________________
3. _____________________________________________________
4. _____________________________________________________
5. _____________________________________________________

your ad. In the first paragraph:
Give the name of the health product and explain what it can do.
Describe the health product. What does it look, smell, taste, or feel
like?
In the second paragraph:
Explain how to use the health product.
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Give a comment from a happy customer.
PEER REVIEW
When you finish your draft, exchange papers with another student.
Read your partners first draft and answer the questions below. Then
discuss your answers with your partner.
Does the writer give the name of the product and describe it?
Is there any more information you would like to know about
the product?
Does the writer explain how to use the product? Are there any
steps missing? Are all the steps clear? If not underline the part
that are not clear.
Does the writer include a comment from a customer?
Is the ad convincing? (Does it make you want to buy the

product? If not, what could the writer say to make the ad more
convincing?

3 Revising
A
ADDING DESCRIPTIVE DETAILS USING NOUNS AND ADJECTIVES
Details about the color, size, shape, smell, taste, and feel of your health
product are important. Here are some ways you can talk about these
descriptive details:
It
is
is
looks
looks
smells
adjective
It
smells
feels
feels
tastes
tastes
+ like + noun
Examples
It smells delicious.
It tastes delicious.
It smells like lemons.

It tastes like lemons.
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Use the adjectives and nouns below to write descriptive sentences with
is, looks, smells, tastes, and feels.
Example
Soft and smooth __It feels soft and smooth______________________
1. Chocolate _____________________________________________
2. Fast and easy to use ____________________________________
3. Spring flowers _________________________________________
4. A tiny pill ______________________________________________
5. Convenient ____________________________________________
6. Terrific _______________________________________________
Look at the first draft of your ad. Where appropriate, add descriptive
details with nouns and adjectives.
USING SHOULD AND SHOULDNT FOR ADVICE
In your ad, you need to give advice about using your health product. To
give advice, use should and shouldnt.
Read the ad for Thin-Fast Diet Tea. Rewrite the underlined sentences
using should or shouldnt.
Thin-Fast Diet Tea is a fantastic new weight-loss product. It helps

you to lose weight quickly. Its made of all-natural herbs and plants,
so its safe to use. It smells like lemons and oranges, and it tastes
sweet and delicious.
Thin-Fast is fast and easy to use. First, boil some water. Then put
the Thing-Fast Diet Tea in the water for five minutes. (1) Drink ThinFast twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. (2)
Continue to drink Thin-Fast every day until you lose all the weight
you want. In the end, youll look and feel great. This happy customer
says Thin-Fast is terrific! It really works! I lost 65 pounds in only
three months. Now I feel thin, happy, and full of energy. (3) Dont
spend another day dieting and exercising. You can eat all the food
you want and still lose weight with Thin-Fast. (4) Buy some today!
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1. _____________________________________________________
2. _____________________________________________________
3. _____________________________________________________
4. _____________________________________________________
Look at the first draft of your ad. Did you use should and shouldnt to
give advice? Underline some sentences where you can use should and
shouldnt and write some new sentences to put in your ad.

Now you are ready to write your second draft. Look at your notes from
the previous sections to help you revise.
Use nouns and adjectives to describe your health product in detail.
Use should and shouldnt to give advice about using your health
product.
4 Editing
PUNCTUATING DIRECT SPEECH
Read the following sentences and correct the punctuation errors for
direct speech.
1. One customer said Thin-Fast changed my life!
2. I feel happy and full of energy, Mary Ann said.
3. Customers who use Thin-Fast say, Its terrific! It really works!
4. I asked What do you think of Think-Fast?
Look at the quote from a happy customer in your second draft. Correct
any errors in using direct speech.
PREPARING THE FINAL DRAFT
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Then neatly write or type your ad with the corrections.
Do you give the name of the health product and explain

what it can do?
Do you use nouns and adjectives to describe the health
product?
Do you explain how to use the health product?
Do you include a comment from a happy customer and use
direct speech correctly?
Do you use should and shouldnt to give advice about using
your health product?
UNIT
4
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Describing Processes
1 Getting Started
ORANGE JUICE: THE PRODUCTION PROCESS
PICTURES
PICTURES
PICTURES
PICTURES
Look at the pictures from a Tropicana plant. Then number the steps
below in the correct order.
____ a. Then the juice is put into containers.
____ b. When the fruit is received at our plant, it is washed and sorted.
____ c. Next, the oranges are put into machines that remove the juice.
____ d. Finally, our juice is distributed all over the world.
Listen and check your answers.
Describe four steps in the hiring process. Combine the words in the box
and describe the steps.
Example
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First, the job position is advertised.

First
the top candidates
are reviewed.
Next
the best person
is advertised.
Then
the job position
is offered the job.
Finally
the rsums
are interviewed.
2 Reading
E-COMMERCE IS HERE TO STAY
Read the article.
Business
Culture
he
Internet
is
changing the way
business is done
worldwide. Everyone
from property developers in Hong Kong
to banks in Argentina is doing business
online. In business-to-business (B2B)
e-commerce, companies use the
Internet to conduct business with each
other.
This
offers
tremendous
opportunities for all types of business.
For smaller manufacturers and
exporters, the Internet is an equalizer.
It allows them to compete with much
bigger business for buyers anywhere in
the world, just for the cost of setting up
and maintaining a website.
Today, most banks provide online
services to business as well as to
individual customers.
Business can now complete

bank transactions, such as
collection and payments on the
Web. This avoids an endless
paper trail of invoices and
receipts.
The Internet also gives
manufacturers and suppliers
greater access to each other. At
TSMC,
Taiwans
integrated
circuit
chip
manufacturing
schedules, inform the company
when they need supplies, and
follow the order process through
the manufacturing cycle. At
TSMC, the company can share
important information with its
suppliers, transmit orders, and
even notify their salespeople on
their pagers when an order is
ready.
Circle the ONE advantage of the Internet that is NOT mentioned in the
article.
a. Small companies can sell their products worldwide.
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b.
c.
d.
e.
Businesses can do banking transactions online.

Buyers can check manufacturing schedules online.
Large retailers can sell directly to the customer.
Buyers can check the status of their orders online.
How does your company (or a company that you know) use the
Internet? For example, consider the following uses:
Internal communication.
Communication with offices in other countries.
A website with company information.
A website with goods to purchase.
Research.
3 Writing
E-MAIL REPLIES TO CUSTOMERS
Read the following e-mails.
To:
poliveira@metrosystems.com.br
Date:
Monday, February 28, 2001
Subject: Order 3076-01
Ms. Oliveira:
We have received shipment on our order 3076-01 and it is incomplete. The order
included 750 Type 3 cylinders. These are missing from the shipment.
Please let us know the status of the cylinders.
Thank you.
YW Lee
To:
ywlee@kortek.com.kr
Date:
Monday, February 28, 2001
Dear Mr. Lee:
I checked the status of your order (#3076-01). The order was not complete
because item 27780005X (750 Type 3 cylinders) was out of stock at the time
your order was received.
The cylinders were shipped on Feb 25 and will arrive in Pusan on March 14.
Please feel free to contact me if you have further questions.
Paula Oliveira
Read the e-mail below and write a reply.
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To:
manager@suppliesplus.com
Date:
Monday, March 29, 2001
In our order of March 7, # 300027764, the following items were not delivered:
Item # 9773: Steel frames (Quantity: 250)
Item # 8650: Sockets (Quantity: 2000)
Please let us know when we can expect delivery. Thank you.
Jonathan Koh
UNIT
5a
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Making Money
OVERVIEW
Theme:
Money.
Prewriting:
Making a chart.
Organizing:
Comparing and contrasting.
Revising:
Giving explanations.
Making comparisons with adjectives.
Editing:
Punctuating transition words of addition and contrast.

Assignment
In this unit, you read about counterfeit money. What other products can be
illegally counterfeited? How can you tell the difference between a real and a
counterfeit product? The assignment for this unit is to write a paragraph
comparing a real product to a counterfeit product. You will explain how the two
products are different.
1 Prewriting
MAKING A CHART
A chart can help you see the differences between a counterfeit product
and a real product.
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Look at the chart below. It contrasts counterfeit money and real money.
Complete the chart with the following information from the readings in
the Student Book.
Color-changing ink
Regular computer paper
Legal
Product: Money
DIFFERENCES
COUNTERFEIT
MONEY
1. Paper
REAL MONEY
Special paper
2. Ink
Regular ink
3. Printing
process
No microprint
4. Laws
Illegal
5. Security
XXXXXX
Microprint
Equipment to check
for counterfeit money
With the class, think of other products the people counterfeit. Make a
list of products on the board. Possible products include designer
clothing, watches, audio or videotapes, music CDs, software, and
computers.
Choose one product that you want to write about. Make a list of things
that you can compare, such as material, design, and color.
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Contrast the counterfeit product to the real product. Think about the
differences between the counterfeit product and the real product. Fill in
the chart below with as many differences as you can. Add more rows if
you need them.
Product: _____________________________
DIFFERENCES
COUNTERFEIT
MONEY
REAL MONEY
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
2 Organizing
COMPARING AND CONTRASTING
A comparison and contrast paragraph describes how two things are

similar or different. This assignment focuses on the differences between
a real product and a counterfeit product. It is important to organize your
paragraph so that the differences are clear to the reader.
Describe each difference one by one.
Use the transition words however and in contrast to introduce an

opposite idea.
Use the transition words in addition, also, and too to add a

similar idea.
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Read the paragraph and complete the tasks below.

There are several important differences between real money
and counterfeit money. First, the paper is different. Real money
uses special paper. In contrast, counterfeit money uses regular
computer paper. In addition, the ink is different. Real money
uses color-changing ink. However, counterfeit money uses
regular ink. The printing methods are also different. Real money
has microprint. In contrast, counterfeit money doesnt have
microprint. By looking for these features, you can see the
differences between real money and counterfeit money.
1. What is the topic sentence of the paragraph? Underline it.

2. What three differences are explained in the paragraph? Circle them.
3. Check the transition words of addition and contrast. What idea does
each transition word introduce?
Look at the ideas in your chart on page 28. Which differences are the
most important or interesting? Choose three differences to write about
in your paragraph. Write the information about the differences on a
separate piece of paper.
Example
Product: __Money_________________________
Difference: ___Paper_______________________
Real Product: ___Special Paper_______________
Counterfeit product: _Regular computer paper____

your paragraph.
Write a topic sentence that names the product you are writing about.
Describe three differences between the real and counterfeit
products.
31/69

Use transition words of addition and contrast.
PEER REVIEW
What does the partner compare?
What differences does the writer mention?
Can you think of more features the writer can write about?
Does the writer use transition words of addition and contrast?

Circle the transition words.

3 Revising
A
GIVING EXPLANATIONS
You need to clearly explain the differences between the real and
counterfeit product. To do so, you must explain any important ideas or
words you used to describe the differences. A reader might ask these
questions about the paragraph on counterfeit money on page 29.
What is microprint?
What is color-changing ink?
Why is the paper special?
Add more explanation to the paragraph using information from the

readings. Decide where the following explanations should go in the
paragraph. Then write them in the spaces.
Explanations
Looks yellow from one angle and green from another
Is the use of small words hidden in the design
Has red and blue silk in it
32/69

There are several important differences between real money

and counterfeit money. First, the paper is different. Real money
uses special paper. The special paper _______________________
_________________________________. In contrast, counterfeit
money uses regular computer paper. In addition, the ink is different.
Real money uses color-changing ink. Color-changing ink ________
____________________________________. However, counterfeit
money uses regular ink. The printing methods are also different.
Real money has microprint. Microprint _______________________
___________________________________. In contrast, counterfeit
money doesnt have microprint. By looking for these features, you
can see the differences between real money and counterfeit money.
Work in pairs. With your partner, look at the first draft of your paragraph.
Find any important ideas or words that you need to explain to your
reader and list them on a separate piece of paper. Then write an
explanation for each one and add the explanations to your paragraph.
USING SHOULD AND SHOULDNT FOR ADVICE
You can use comparative adjectives to talk about the differences

between a real product and a counterfeit product.
Complete the sentences with comparative adjectives. Choose the most

appropriate adjective in parentheses.
1. Real money is made on special paper. The paper has red and blue
silk in it. The silk makes the paper rough. However, counterfeit
money uses regular paper without silk. The paper is smooth. The
paper for real money is _______________ (Rough / Smooth) than
the paper for counterfeit money.
2. Store owners can buy equipment to test counterfeit money. Stores
have currency validator pens and electronic cash scanners to find
counterfeit money. This makes it difficult to spend counterfeit money.
It is _______________ (Difficult / Easy) to spend real money than
counterfeit money.
33/69

Look at your first draft. Did you see any comparative adjectives? If you
did, are they used correctly? If you did not, find one or two places
where you can add a comparison using comparative adjectives.

Explain any important ideas or words that the reader needs to

understand.
Use comparative adjectives to make comparisons.
4 Editing
PUNCTUATING DIRECT SPEECH
Transition words of addition and contrast can be used to connect

sentences when you compare two things.
The four transition words of addition and contrast in this paragraph

need punctuation. First, underline the transition words. Then add a
comma if necessary.
There are several important differences between real money and
counterfeit money. First, the paper is different. Real money uses

special paper. The special paper has red and blue silk in it. In addition
it has a line that you can see with an ultraviolet light. In contrast,
counterfeit money uses regular computer paper. The regular paper is
smoother than the paper with silk in it. Second, the ink is different. Real
money uses color-changing ink. Color-changing ink looks yellow from
one angle and green from another. However, counterfeit money uses
regular ink. Finally, the printing methods are different. Real money has
microprint. Microprint is the use of small words hidden in the design. It
is more difficult to copy money with microprint than money without
microprint. In contrast, counterfeit money doesnt have microprint. By
looking for these features, you can see the differences between real
money and counterfeit money.
34/69

Look at your second draft. Is the punctuation with transition words of

addition and contrast correct? Make corrections.
PREPARING THE FINAL DRAFT

Then neatly write or type your paragraph with the corrections.
Do you describe three differences between the counterfeit

product and the real product?
Do you explain any important words that the reader needs
to know?
Do you use transition words of addition and contrast?
Are the comparative adjectives used correctly?
35/69

UNIT
5b
Describing and comparing

products
1 Getting Started
1
Look at the pictures and read the product descriptions.
PICTURE: THE SMALLEST TELEPHONE
Write the number of the product described.

_____ a. Provides better quality sound and vision than airline movies
_____ b. Is not much heavier than a regular watch.
36/69

_____ c. Is one of the most compact on the market.
Work with a partner. Describe a product that you are familiar with. Use
some of the phrases from the box.
Its faster / smaller / cheaper / easier to use than

Its more useful / compact / stylish than
It has more power / memory / features than
Its one of the fastest / most useful / most convenient ____ on the market.
2 Reading
SOMETIMES HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY
Read the article.
Business
Culture
n more than 40
years
as
a
salesperson,
Jacques Werth has
at
two things: Hes accomplished
made a lot of money
and learned a lotleast
about sales, enough
to write a book entitled High
Probability Selling. Werths view of
selling is simple but unusual: just to
be honest. The following is from an
interview with Werth.
Q: What is the biggest mistake that
salespeople make?
A:
Most people think that its
important to be aggressive in
sales, but the opposite is true.
Aggressive people are too pushy.
They try to persuade people to
convince them to buy.
Q:
A:
Q:
A:
Q:
A:
Why? Arent salespeople

supposed to persuade people?
Most people dislike
being persuaded. Its much
better to find consumers who
want to buy your product and
arrive at an agreement that
makes everybody happy.
How do you do that?
You find out quickly who
isnt going to buy your product
and move on. People may be
interested, but theyre not
necessarily going to buy. They
just waste your time.
So what kind of person
makes the best salesperson?
Honest people who will
listen to the customer and tell the
truth.
37/69

Check ( ) yes or no according to the advice in the article.

YES
a. Be aggressive.
b. Persuade the customer that he/she needs
the product.
c. Quickly identify the customers who are
ready to buy.
d. Spend time with people who are interested
in your product.
e. Listen to the customers.
NO
Discuss the questions.

a. What do you think of the advice in the article? In sales, is honesty
always the best policy?
b. What do salespeople do to persuade people to buy their products?
Are they effective?
c. What advice would you give to a salesperson who wants to succeed
in your country or in your industry?
3 Writing
MEMO TO SALES STAFF
Look at the memo.

To: Sales Personnel
From: Rob White
Date: April 4, 2001
Subject: GYX 24 launch
In response to customer demand, we are
introducing the GYX 24, our biggest flat-panel
computer monitor, next month.
The GYX 24:
A completely flat 24-inch screen: no distortion
The lightest monitor on the market
Please emphasize these features to our
customers.
38/69

Write a memo to your sales staff about the digital camera below. Read
the notes, choose two important features, and describe them.
Pocketpix II Digital Camera

Launch date: May
Features
Compact: fits in a pocket
Uses a standard floppy disk
4X zoom lens: the most powerful on the market
Longer battery life than most cameras
Weights only 8.8 oz
39/69

UNIT
Rsums, Letters of Application

and the Interview Questions
INTRODUCTION
When you want to get a job or change your present job, the first
step in most cases is looking at the job advertisements in the
employment section of a major newspaper.
In this chapter we will look at the procedure to follow once you have
found an ad that interests you.
1 Job Adverts
INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
Is looking for personnel for its new
Is looking for personnel for its new
branch in the Middle East. If you are
branch in the Middle East. If you are
qualified as an accountant, a computer
qualified as an accountant, a computer
operator, a bilingual secretary, an
operator, a bilingual secretary, an
electrical engineer, we are interested in
electrical engineer, we are interested in
you.
you.
Send rsum, recent photograph and
Send rsum, recent photograph and
salary requirements to Mary Ann Stewart,
salary requirements to Mary Ann Stewart,
58 Lincoln St., Southville, Florida 60176.
58 Lincoln St., Southville, Florida 60176.
DEPARTMENT STORE
DEPARTMENT STORE
Part-time Sales Assistants required
Part-time Sales Assistants required
to work in Fashion Department. Three
to work in Fashion Department. Three
days per week including Sundays.
days per week including Sundays.
Excellent hourly rate.
Excellent hourly rate.
Clothing concessions and store
Clothing concessions and store
discount. Write to Molly Bridges, Top
discount. Write to Molly Bridges, Top
Fashion Department, Melrose of York
Fashion Department, Melrose of York
Ave., London, W1.
Ave., London, W1.
BILINGUAL
BILINGUAL
SECRETARY
SECRETARY
Multinational seeks secreMultinational seeks secretaries, male or female, to assist
taries, male or female, to assist
top executives working in the
top executives working in the
Central and South American
Central and South American
area.
area.
Applicants
should
be
Applicants
should
be
English-Spanish bilingual, with
English-Spanish bilingual, with
excellent writing skills in both
excellent writing skills in both
languages. Must be able to
languages. Must be able to
work with computers and
work with computers and
willing to travel most of the
willing to travel most of the
time.
time.
Excellent salary and fringe
Excellent salary and fringe
benefits.
benefits.
Send CV and recent
Send CV and recent
photograph to BilSecr. 5386
photograph to BilSecr. 5386
Prune Blvd., San Diego, CA
Prune Blvd., San Diego, CA
92115, USA.
92115, USA.
40/69

Pair Work.
1. Look at the advertisements on the previous page. Which of the job
advertised is more appealing to you in terms of schedule, salary and
place of work? Explain.
2. Do you have any experience, studies or special skills that fit these
job descriptions?
3. Once you have found the job you would like to get, what do you do
next? Explain the different steps to follow.
Group Work.
1. Think of two positions you would like to have. Write adverts for them
stating candidates requirements, place and conditions of work,
fringe benefits, etc. compare with your partners.
2. Choose the two best adverts. Discuss advantages and
disadvantages.
2 Rsums or Curriculum Vitae (CV)

The Curriculum Vitae is a written account of a persons education
and employment history. The information contained must be brief but as
complete as possible.
The different parts of a CV are usually organized as follows:
CURRICULUM VITAE
NAME
ADDRESS
HEADING
EDUCATION
WORK
EXPERIENCE
:
:
TELEPHONE NUMBER :
MARITAL STATUS
:
NATIONALITY
:
BIRTH DATE
:
Marina Conti
1833 Cruise Road
222 3452
Single
Mexican
January 28th., 1972
1993
1991-1992
1990
: Italian Institute
: Interior Design School Graduate
: Saint Rose School Graduate
Studies, Degrees,
Courses, including
dates (most recent
first)
1996
1995
1994
: Designer at Andr & Annette Inc.
Information about
jobs: titles, duties,
dates (most recent
first)
: Designer Julies Department Store
: European Fashion
Fashion at the Design Department
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION
Name
Address, Phone
No., Fax No.
Optional
Other Personal
Information:
Marital Status,
Nationality, Birth
date.
LANGUAGES
INTERESTS
REFERENCES
: Fluent in Spanish, Italian, English

: Painting and traveling
: Mrs. Mary Anne Jones (212 8776)
Mr. Richard Burns (232 5564)
Optional
Special skills,
Languages,
Interests and
hobbies,
References.
41/69

LETS PRACTICE!
Read the rsum below. Refer back to the adverts on Page 38 and
choose the best position for this person. Explain your reasons.
CURRICULUM VITAE
PERSONAL
Name
Address
Telephone
Age
Marital Status
:
:
:
:
:
EDUCATION
1994
1993
1992
Joel D. Harris
325 Malcolm, London, UK
44 81 363 4544
23
Single
:
Computing Course for the
Advanced Learner.
: Computer
Course: DOS
: Windows
for IBM.
Accounting.
1991
: Clark
Institute.
Administration and Office
Work.
WORK EXPERIENCE
1993/4
: Secretary
to the Export Department
Manager in Lester & Lester
Inc. I had to deal with
correspondence, transport,
insurance services, etc. to
Latin American countries.
Direct contact with Latin
American customers.
Performed a turn-around of
the South American
operation.
1992
: Typist at
a computer terminal for an
International
Communication Enterprise
in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION
1988-91
Complete the CV below

using
the
following
information. Add any missing
data. What position is best
for this person?
- Speaks Spanish and a little
German.
- 233 East Street, London.
- Full time Sales Representative at Denise Clothing
Company.
- Fashion Design Course.
- 481 78 87
- Married, two children.
- Patricia Newby
- 26
- Sales Training Course at
Bensons Institute.
- Shop Assistant at MCs
Department Store.
- Johnsons High School.
RSUM
PERSONAL
Name
:
Address
:
Telephone
:
Age
:
Marital Status :
EDUCATION
WORK EXPERIENCE
: Fluent in
Spanish. Secondary School
in Santiago, Chile.
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION
42/69

Write a CV for Faride Sapag whos applying for the position of Bilingual
Secretary. Choose the most suitable information.
CURRICULUM VITAE
PERSONAL
Name
Address
Telephone
Age
Marital Status
: Faride Sapag
:
:
:
:
EDUCATION
1993/4
1993
1992
WORK EXPERIENCE
1993
1992
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION
Compare your rsums with a classmates. Have you included similar

information? What information differs?
LETTERS OF APPLICATION
The Letter of Application, as the name states, is the letter you

have to write when applying for a job. It is addressed to the prospective
employer in order to get an interview.
Letters of Application may be presented in two ways:
A letter stating your purpose and enclosing a Curriculum Vitae

(CV) or rsum.
43/69

Guidelines for writing a letter of application.
A letter containing information about your qualifications and

expertise (less common).
Introduction
State how you learned of the post (saw it in the newspaper, or
other), and specify clearly the job you are applying for.
Personal Information
Full name, age, marital status, main interests.
Education
Schools, Institutes, Colleges, University Degrees and Courses.
Work Experience
Identify post, enterprise, period of time, responsibilities.
References
If requested.
Model application letter.
June 17th, 1995.

Mr. Dean Rogers
Personnel Manager
Canberra
INTRODUCTION
PERSONAL DETAILS
EDUCATION
WORK
EXPERIENCE
CLOSING
Dear Sir,
I read your advertisement in THE PRIME NEWS on
August 12th for the position of secretary in your Sales
Department and I am interested in applying for the post.
I am twenty-three years old and single. I am good at
languages. I speak Italian, Spanish and a little German
and practice sports.
After I left school I studied for two years at the
International Academy for Secretaries and obtained my
diploma.
Four years ago, I got my first job at Burns and
Jackson where I gained experience in office work and
attending customers. I enjoy my work, but I do not use
foreign languages and feel that the possibilities of making
progress in my career are limited.
I believe that the line of business in your company
offers perspectives that better match my training and
expectations.
I hope you will consider me for an interview.
Yours faithfully,
Mary Davis
Mary Davis
44/69

FOCUS ON LANGUAGE
Frequent Used Expressions
Opening Sentences
I saw your advertisement in
I have heard your advertisement in the Sunday
I am interested in the vacancy you are advertising in
Please consider my application for
Closing Sentences
I look forward to an interview.
I hope you will grant me an interview.
I would like to have an appointment at your earliest
convenience.
Hoping to hear from you soon.
LETS PRACTICE!
Add an opening sentence and a closing sentence to this Application

Letter for one of the adverts on Page 37.
September 29th, 1995.
BILSECR
5386 Prune Blvd..
San Diego, CA.
Gentlemen:
I am twenty-one years old and single. I am English-Spanish bilingual. Since

my parents work for an International organization I lived in Chile and in Venezuela
during my school years.
After graduation I studied for two semesters in a British Academy for Bilingual
Secretaries. I improved my writing skills in English and in Spanish and I also took
two Japanese Courses.
I worked as a part-time secretary in a Canadian enterprise and as an
interpreter in some seminars and conferences.
Attached you will find my photograph and rsum. References will be
available on request.
Yours truly,
Doug
45/69

Choose from the sentences in the Focus on Language Box on page 42

and write an Application Letter for one of the other two positions
advertised.
.
.
..:
...
.
..
PAST TENSE REVIEW
Read the letter below and fill in the blanks with the appropriate form of
the verbs in brackets.
September 12th, 1995.
Dear Professor Jones:
I
..
(See)
an
advertisement in the Washington Post
five days ago for an Assistant Director in
the International Student Department.
I .. (Apply)
and (Send) details of my education and
experience immediately. I .....
(Write) your name as one of my
references. I hope you dont mind. Its
very likely they will call you during the
week.
My best regards to the other
Professors in the Department.
Sincerely yours,
FOCUS ON GRAMMAR
Irregular Verbs
Get
Got
Write
Wrote
Read
Read
Speak
Spoke
Find
Found
Hear
Heard
Regular Verbs
Offer
Offered
Work
Worked
Graduate
Graduated
Interrogative
Did you write to him?
Did he speak to you?
Negative
I Did not write to him
He didnt speak to me
46/69

Fill in the blanks with the appropriate form of the verbs in the box.
Offer
Work
Get
Write
Leave
Graduate
Attend
Be
Speak
Like
Send
1. I at Macys Department Store for about two years. The

pay (not) good, but I ... (not) on Sundays.
2. I several Letters of Application last week. I hope Ill get
an interview.
3. My boss for El Cairo this morning. He wont be back
until next week.
4. The woman who at the meeting interviewed me last
week.
5. Last week my brother me to work part-time in his
enterprise. Im thinking it over.
6. He from a very well-known School of Business.
7. I a seminar on Marketing Research last week. It
very interesting.
8. Early this morning I the letter I was waiting for.
Write a suitable question for these answers.

Example:
At what time did Peterson phone?

Peterson phoned at 3 oclock
1. How ..?
I heard of this vacancy through the newspaper.
2. Where ?
She studied at the Windsor Language School.
3. When .?
Mr. Smith arrived this week.
4. Why ?
They went to the airport to meet the manager.
5. How long ...?
The trip to the Bahamas took two hours.
Describe actions (not) performed at a specific time in the past. Use the
Simple Past Tense and expressions such as the following:
Ago, yesterday, last Tuesday / week / month / year, in 1994.
Example:
I read the newspaper yesterday morning.
47/69

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
(not)
(not)
PAST TENSE REVIEW
Write an advert for the following letter.

January, 29th, 1995
Bill Barrister
Whitfield 2220
Los Angeles, CA 90272
USA
RECEPTIONIST
___________________
___________________
___________________
___________________
___________________
___________________
___________________
___________________
________________
Dear Sir,
I am very interested in the
receptionist position you advertised in
The Guardian two days ago.
I am working part-time as a shop
assistant now, but I need a full time
job. I speak Spanish and a little
German, so I think I couls be suitable
for the position at your fine Hotel.
I am enclosing a rsum with the
references and a recent photograph. If
possible, I would like to have an
interview with you at your earliest
convenience.
Truly Yours,
Gary
Holmes
2
Look at the following ad and follow the instructions below

MARKETING MANAGER
Overseas
Marketing
Manager
required for an international bank.
We are looking for an experienced
person to coordinate our overseas
sales. The successful applicant will
be fluent in at least two of the
following languages: Spanish, Italian,
German, French. Good salary.
Welfare and pension scheme.
Apply to:
The Marketing Manager
Chicago International Bank
Chicago, Illinois, ILL 33111
PAIR WORK
1. In your opinion, what studies

should the Manager have?
2. What personal qualities are
necessary to deal with people
at an international level?
3. What responsibilities do you
think the position of Overseas
Marketing Manager involves?
4. Write a CV in reply to the
advert.
48/69

Write a Letter of Application in answer to the advert below.
SALES DIRECTOR
Use the following
The candidate should have ability to deal

with customers, sense of humour, be
willing to work long hours and assist the
Marketing Director. Permanent position.
M.B.A. ideally. Good writing skills and
fluent in Spanish a must.
Salary $ 98,000/year. Experience
required.
Write to: The Sales Director
198 Queens City
North Carolina, NC, 21400
1. I saw
2. Im interested in
because
3. I studied
4. My work experience
5. I speak
6. Looking forward to
FOLLOW UP ACTIVITIES
Analyze the following Letters of Application. Choose the best one.

Explain why. Choose the letter you consider the least well-written and
rewrite it.
Dear Mrs. Simms,
Im writing about the advert in
The Sunday newspaper.
I graduated from Bensons
College last year and I am sure I
am qualified for the job you are
offering.
I expect to earn $80,000, plus
extra bonuses and other fringe
benefits.
My proficiency in foreign
languages (Portuguese, Japanese
and Russian) is excellent.
Next week would be fine for an
interview, provided it is after 5:00
pm.
I am available at 880 2349.
December 17th, 1995

Miss Loretta Miller,
This morning Professor John
Hustin, Dean of Washington
State University, told me you
needed a reliable receptionist for
the information desk at the
Student Affair Office.
Will you please consider my
application for the position?
I want to have this job in
order to save money for my
mothers surgery.
I appreciate the attention to
this letter, and I hope to hear
from you in the near future.
Truly yours,
Michael
Lane
Michael Lane
Margaret
Donaldson
Margaret Donaldson
49/69

February, 27th, 1995.

Mr. Robert Rademacher
Salt Lake City
Dear Sir,
In reply to your ad in The Sun, January 21st, I am
interested in the clerk position to the Credit Department you
are offering.
In the enclosed CV you will see that I have experience in
that area. I am also accustomed to working with computers
and doing office work in general. References will be available
on request.
I would really appreciate your considering my application.
Looking forward to an interview.
Very truly yours,
Andrew McKormick
Andrew McKormick
CULTURAL AWARENESS
TIME
The concept of time is an important cultural aspect that is worth noting
to avoid misunderstandings when people from different cultural
backgrounds deal together.
The attitude of English speakers towards time schedules is usually one
of respect. Time schedules are kept, so if there is a meeting, an interview,
or a social event, they expect it to begin and end at the scheduled time. No
matter how much time in advance they have been fixed, they are supposed
to be kept. Consequently it is not necessary to confirm a meeting or a
deadline previously set. Other cultures are far more flexible is this respect.
English speakers plan their activities carefully and duly in advance, so
they also expect appointments to be kept. Therefore, a last minute put off is
unthinkable.
1. How punctual are you for a) appointments b) dates c) school d)
work. Why?
2. Is it acceptable in your country to arrive late? In what
circumstances? Is it the same in business and personal
appointments? How late is acceptable?
3. Are appointments set in advance usually kept in your country?
4. What is your attitude with respect to deadlines?
50/69

A job interview is the result of an effective rsum. However, landing a job is typically
the result of a successful interview. Brad Fredericks from RsumDoctor.com explains,
Many job seekers bit a brick wall when it comes to offering meaningful responses
during the interview. You must be careful not to put your foot in your mouth when
answering open-ended questions. Tell me about yourself is not the queue to begin your
life story.
The top 15 interview questions, in descending order, are:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
Describe your ideal job and/or boss.

Why are you looking for a job? Why are you leaving your current position?
What unique experience or qualifications separate you from other candidates?
Tell me about yourself.
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Describe some of your most important career accomplishments.
What are your short-term/long-term goals?
Describe a time when you were faced with a challenging situation and how you
handled it.
What are your salary requirements?
Why are you interested in this position? Our company?
What would your former boss/colleagues say about you?
What are the best and worst aspects of your previous job?
What do you know about our company?
What motivates you? How do you motivate others?
Why should we hire you?

Heres the chance to really sell yourself. You need to briefly and succinctly lay out
your strengths, qualifications and what you can bring to the table. Be careful not to
answer this question too generically, however. Nearly everyone says they are
hardworking and motivated. Set yourself apart by telling the interviewer about qualities
that are unique to you.
Why do you want to work here?
This is one tool interviewers use to see if you have done your homework. You should
never attend an interview unless you know about the company, its direction and the
industry in which it plays. If you have done your research, this question gives you an
opportunity to show initiative and demonstrate how your experience and qualifications
match the companys need.
What are your greatest weaknesses?
The secret to answering this question is being honest about weakness, but
demonstrating how you have turned it into a strength. For example, if you had a
problem with organization in the past, demonstrate the steps you took to more
effectively keep yourself on track. This will show that you have the ability to recognize
aspects of yourself that need improvement, and the initiative to make yourself better.
51/69

Why did you leave your last job?

Even if your last job ended badly, be careful about being negative in answering
this question. Be as diplomatic as possible. If you do point out negative aspects of your
last job, find some positives to mention as well. Complaining endlessly about your last
company will not say much for your attitude.
Describe a problem situation and how you solved it.
Sometimes it is hard to come up with a response to this request, particularly if you
are coming straight from college and do not have professional experience.
Interviewers want to see that you can think critically and develop solutions, regardless
of what kind of issue you faced. Even if your problem was not having enough time to
study, describe the steps you took to prioritize your schedule. This will demonstrate
that you are responsible and can think through situations on your own.
What accomplishment are you most proud of?
The secret to this question is being specific and selecting an accomplishment that
relates to the position. Even if your greatest accomplishment is being on a
championship high school basketball team, opt for a more professionally relevant
accomplishment. Think of the qualities the company is looking for and develop an
example that demonstrates how you can meet the companys needs.
52/69

UNIT
Writing Resource
A
A DELAYED PROJECT
A company memo
An informal e-mail exchange
Why do things usually take

Why do things usually take
longer than we think they
longer than we think they
will? What are some typical
will? What are some typical
causes of stress at work?
causes of stress at work?
Memo
Look at this schedule for a building project.
STAGES
1. Complete walls
2. Put on roof
3. Install doors and windows
4. Install electricity and computer
networks
5. Paint inside of building
6. Install furniture
7. Move in
= planned
X = actual
F
X
M A
X
X
A S O
X
X
X
X
X
?
1 to 3 very cold weather. 6 wrong furniture

4 technical problems.
ordered: it had to be sent
5 strike by painters union. back to suppliers.
Now complete the memo using the information in the schedule. Give
reasons for the delays.
Memo
FROM: Tom Frost
DATE: 30th November 2000
CERTGARD
TO: All department managers
SUBJECT: Move to new building
INSURANCE
We have not been able to move into our new office building in October as
planned. The builders wanted to complete the walls by the end of January
and the roof by the end of March, but, as you remember, there was very
cold weather in the first three months of the year and they only completed
these stages in May. The installation of the electricity and the computer
network happened in
Following these problems, we now hope to move into our new office in
December. I apologize for any inconvenience caused.
53/69

E-mail exchange
Look at the ways to begin and end an e-mail.

Openings
If you dont know the person very well, you can start as in a letter.
Dear Mr., or Dear Ms,
If you know them better, you can start with their first name.
Dear Ray / Dear Jane,
If you know them even better, you can write Hello or Hi.
Hi, Ray,
Endings
More formal
Regards,
Best regards,
Less formal
All best wishes,
Best wishes,
All the best,
Best.
Read this e-mail from Tom Frost to a friend.
Hi, Ray,
Thanks again for lunch last week. You remember I told you
about the delayed move to our new office building? Well,
theres another delay! My boss and all the other managers are
going crazy theyre blaming me, when they should blame the
builders and all the other people responsible.
I feel so stressed! I cant sleep at night and I cant concentrate
on my work during the day. You said you know a good stress
counselor. Please can you send me her details?
All the best,
Tom
You are Ray Lindsay. Write a reply to Tom Frost.
Hi, Tom,
Im sorry to hear about the delayed move. I can understand
why youre feeling so stressed! (Give me some advice) You
could.. (Give me some advice) Why not
(Give Tom the name and e-mail address of the stress counselor
Sarah Connell: s.connell@libserve.com) The name of the
(Say you are attaching an article about her from Business Month
magazine) Please find attached
(Say you hope that he likes the article) I hope
Good luck!
All the best,
Ray
54/69

Now write Toms reply to Ray.
Ray hi,
Sorry not to get back to you earlier. I contacted Sarah Connell
and I had my first session with her on Friday. Shes very good
Im already feeling better!
(Say you couldnt open the attachment with the article about Sarah
Connell. Ask Ray to send it again) Unfortunately I couldnt
Would it be possible
(Say you will be in touch again soon) Ill be
All the best,

Tom
CONSUMER COMPLAINTS
A letter of complaint.
A reply to a letter of complaint.
A company memo.
What are some typical causes

What are some typical causes
of complaints to companies?
of complaints to companies?
How should companies react
How should companies react
to complaints?
to complaints?
Letter
Look at the ways to begin and end a letter.
Openings
If you know the name of the person youre writing to, you can say
Dear Mr. Johnson / Dear Ms Brown,
If you know dont know their name, you can say:
Dear Sir / Dear Madam,
Endings
If you know the name of the person, you can say:
Yours sincerely (UK)
Sincerely / Sincerely yours, (USA)
If you dont know the name of the person, you can say:
Yours faithfully, (UK)
Sincerely / Sincerely yours, (USA)
55/69

Read the beginning of this letter of complaint. Then put the rest of the
letter in the correct order.
348 Henbury Hill

Bristol BS49 2YU
Tel 017 892 341
Gizmo electronics
Attn. Customer Experience
Manager
Forsoken Industrial Estate
Croydon CR45 2EG
31st March 2000
Re: Defective CD player
Dear Sir or Madam,
I have had series of problems
with
a)
to the wrong address.
When I finally got it, the
CDs jumped when I tried
to play them. I sent
b)
Yours Faithfully,
Brian
Johnson
c)
the CD player that I bought

last November. I spoke to
someone at your call centre
and they told me to write to
you. First it was delivered
e)
d)
the machine back for repair, and you
kept it for two months. I got it back
yesterday, but the machine still doesnt
work properly. Im writing now
to ask for a complete

refund, plus an extra
amount to cover the
inconvenience that I
have experienced.
f)
Looking forward to hearing from
you.
Choose one the following gadgets. Write a letter to the supplier to

complain that it does not work properly and to ask for a replacement.
(Invent the make and model)
A washing machine that stops in the middle of the cycle for no

reason.
An oven that doesnt heat up to the right temperature.
A toaster that burns toast after only a few second.
56/69

Reply
Complete the reply to the letter in exercise B with the words a e.

a) replacement
b) packaging
c) guarantee
d) invoice
e) refund
GIZMO
Electronics
Mr Brian Johnson
348 Henbury Hill
Bristol BS49 2YU
Forsoken Industrial Estate

Croydon CR45 2EG
Tel/Fax 020 9872 8333
www.gizmo-electronics.com
10th April 2000

Re: Defective CD Player
Dear Mr. Johnson,
Thank you for your letter of 31st March detailing the problems that you have
experienced with your CD player. Unfortunately, we cannot consider your request
for a 1__________: under the terms of the 2__________, we can only offer you a
3
__________ machine.
Please return your CD player in its original 4__________, along with a copy of the
5
__________, and we will send you a new machine to replace it.
Yours sincerely,
James Stevens
Customer Experience Manager
Memo
Read this company memo.

From: James Stevens, Customer Experience Manager
To:
All call centre staff
Date:
12th April 2000
Re: Anderson 400 CD players
GIZMO
Electronics
Over the past three months I have received a lot of complaints from customers about
problems with the Anderson 400 CD player. I have been in touch with the
manufacturers, and they know about the problem. They are replacing all the defective
machines at no cost to us.
If you have calls from customers about this model of CD player, just tell them to return
the machine and we will replace it free of charge.
Please do everything you can to stop customers writing to me about this model I
have spent too much time on this recently.
57/69

Think of something that might cause a lot of wasted time in your

company, school or organization.
For example:
Unreliable products sold by your company but made by another
company.
People who phone one number when they should phone another
number.
People who phone to ask about products or services that the

organization does not provide.
Write an internal memo.

Say:
What the problems is.
How it can be solved.
A NEW OPENING
Sending, accepting and

declining invitations.
Does
your
organization
Does
your
organization
(school, company, etc.) have
(school, company, etc.) have
any events to which it invites
any events to which it invites
people? If so, what are they?
people? If so, what are they?
Invitations
Jennifer Powell, the human resources director for Global Credit Bank in
Singapore, visits different health clubs to talk about membership for her
employees (unit 9). Read the invitation that she receives from Elan
Health Clubs.
58/69

Now read the letter that came with the invitation. In each of the lines
110 there is one wrong word. Cross out the wrong word and write the
correct word in the space at the end of the line.
el
an
H E AT L H
Global Credit Bank, Singapore

Attn: Jennifer Powell, Human Resources Director
934 North Bridge Road
Singapore 179098
C LU BS
SINGAPORE
5 5 HA RP ER
R OAD
S IN G APO R E
15th March 2000
3 69 6 77
Dear Ms Powell,
TE L + 9 38 2
2 31 0
Thank you for coming to visit our facilities last week, I hope you find your visit
FAX + 9 38 2
useful. I have some very good new! I wasnt able to talk about this last week as the
31health
2
plans were still confident, but we have now finalized details of a 2
new
club
that will open next month in the same block of your bank! I dont know if you
have made your decide about the health club that your company will use,
but the location of the new health new club will be ideal for your employs.
We are having the open of the health club on 2nd April at 6:30 pm please
see the attach invitation.
I hope you will be able to come to see the new club for your. Please could
You allow me know if you will be able to attend?
Many thanks.
Looking forward to hearing from you,
Best wishes,
Erica Fox
Erica Fox, Manager, Elan Health Clubs
Read Jennifer Powells reply to Erica Foxs invitation and letter. In most
of the lines 1-7 there is one word that does not fit. Write the word in the
space at the end of the line. If a line is correct, put a tick () in the
space.
1 Thank you for a very useful meeting last week. I enjoyed visiting your facilities very much. ____
2 I was very to impressed.
______
3 Thank you for of the invitation to the opening of your new health club. Unfortunately, I will
______
4 be on holiday that week. Please can you send an invitation to my assistant, Samuel Tang - ______
5 I am sure he will want to attend. We havent made a decision about the club we are at going ______
6 to use. Samuel will give me a full report about your new facilities, no doubt! We will be in
______
7 the touch later about our decision after we have discussed things further.
______
Best regards,
Jennifer Powell, HRD, Global Credit Bank, Singapore
59/69

Read about these invitations that you have received, all for the same
evening.
A seminar about latest developments in your profession or

industry.
An open evening at a suppliers with a guided tour of their new
manufacturing plant.
A talk by a business expert about how to increase employees
motivation and productivity.
The opening of an exhibition of paintings by your favorite artist.
(Your boss has asked you to buy some paintings for your office
building and you think this artist might be a good choice.)
Write an e-mail to the organizers of the event you want to go to,

thanking them and accepting the invitation.
Thank you for the invitation to your event on 15th April. This is to confirm that
(Ask if you can bring a colleague) Would it be possible to?
(Give the name of your colleague)
(Ask for directions on how to get to the event)
(Ask what time the event ends)
Now write an e-mail to the organizers of another of the events in 4,

explaining that no one from your organization can attend, but asking the
organizers to inform you of similar events in the future.
Thank you for your invitation to

Unfortunately
Id be grateful if
FINDING AN AGENT
60/69

A fax exchange
Do you send faxes, or

Do you send faxes, or
do you only use e-mail?
do you only use e-mail?
When are faxes useful?
When are faxes useful?
Clara Rios has developed an energy drink and is now looking for
agents to sell it in different countries. Read the fax that she writes to a
possible agent in Japan.
FAX
Clara Rios
Date: 14th August 2000

Fax N: +81 42 926 1241
N of pages inc. this one: 1
From: Clara Rios
To:
All-Nippon Food Imports, Tokyo
Attn: Mr. Masahiko Kato
S.A
Rua Mamore 905

Sao Paulo, Brazil
Tel. +55 25 39 1598,
Fax +55 25 39 1599
Re: Import agent for Amajuice

Dear Mr. Kato,
The Japanese Consulate here in Sao Paulo gave me
your name.
I have developed an energy drink called Amajuice, with
secret ingredients from the Amazon jungle. I am looking
for an agent to import and distribute the drinks in Japan. I
am visiting various countries in Asia next month, and I
hope to be in Tokyo the week of 10th September. If you
would like to meet to discuss the possibilities, please let
me know.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Best regards,
Clara Rios
Clara Rios (Ms.)
This is the reply. Put the words in each line in the correct order.
Date: 16th August 2000
Fax N: +55 25 39 1599
From: Masahiko Kato

To:
Clara Rios SA, Sao Paulo
Attn: Clara Rios
Re: Import agents for Amajuice

Rios Ms. Dear,
Thanks Many for fax your, are We one biggest of the importers food
Japan into of, drink sounds Your interesting very energy, would I like
much very to meet to you when come Japan month next, about How
coming to office my Tuesday on 11th 3pm at?, look I forward discussing
to you with the possibilities, could Please confirm you that date this
61/69
suitable is?
Regards Best

Read the fax Masahiko Kato sent after the meeting. In each of the lines
1-8 there is one wrong word. Cross out the wrong word and write the
correct word in the space at the end of the line.
FAX
9-8-1 Atago, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Tel 81 42 926 1340, Fax 81 42 926 1341
Date: 17th September 2000
Fax N: +55 25 39 1599
From: Masahiko Kato

To:
Clara Rios SA, Sao Paulo
Attn: Clara Rios
Re: Agency agreement

Dear Ms Rios,
1 Thank you very much for come to see me in Tokyo last week and for the very
2 interesting discuss that we had. This is to summarize what we agreed. For three
3 years, starting on January 1st last year, we will import 500,000 cans of Amajuice a
4 year for sale in Japan at a retail prize of about US$1.50. We will pay you 85 US cents
5 per can. Shipping costs and import tax are to be paying by your organization.
6 We will re-negotiate this agreement after three years. We talked on the possibility
7 of manufacturing Amajuice under license in Japan if the sell quantities justify this.
8 This will of course be subject to a new agree. But we will cross this bridge when
We come to it!
Im sending you our standard agreement by DHL courier today. Please sign and
return it as soon as possible.
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
Best regards,
Complete Clara Rioss reply. Choose the correct alternative for each
space.
Agency Agreement
Dear Mr Kato,
Thank you very much for your fax of 17th September, and the
Agency Agreement, which arrived this morning. I have asked my
lawyers to check the agreement and will 1 b it next week.
Meanwhile, I will 2 ______ the arrangements for transport of the 3
______ of Amajuice to Tokyo, starting in January next year. We
are looking at 4 ______ of 40,000 to 50,000 cans per month,
depending on 5 ______. We will probably 6 ______ the goods via
Porto Alegre in southern Brazil, using our normal shipping
agents. (They have been very 7 ______ in the past in shipping
our goods to other export markets.) We will 8 ______ these
arrangements in the 9 ______ months.
Best regards,
62/69
Clara Rios

1 a) re-send
2 a) control
3 a) containment
4 a) quantities
5 a) asking
6 a) shape
7 a) hopeful
8 a) consent
9 a) coming
b) return
b) convert
b) continents
b) masses
b) questions
b) ship
b) reliable
b) content
b) came
c) refund
c) check
c) continuations
c) groups
c) queries
c) shop
c) likable
c) confirm
c) come
d) reply
d) combine
d)consignments
d) bunches
d) demand
d) shout
d) notable
d) conform
d) comes
REMOTE WORKING
A company memo
An e-mail exchange
Some organizations have one

Some organizations have one
no e-mail day every week.
no e-mail day every week.
Would this be possible in your
Would this be possible in your
organization?
organization?
Memo
Complete this memo from the chief partner (owner) of a firm of

architects. The missing words are related to the words in brackets.
From:
To:
Date:
Subject:
Lucy Rogerson
All employees
7th July 2002
Remote working
Rogerson
& Partners
As you know, our offices here in 1 central (centre) London are extremely
________ (expense).
The main cost is rent this has 3________ (double) in the past six
years. We have considered moving to an out-of-town site, but it is
4
________ (importance)for the partners to be near the government offices
because, as you know, we do a lot of work with them.
We have therefore 5________ (decide) to move to a 6________ (small)
office, where the partners and some employees will 7________ (continue) to
work. However, other employees will work from home, meeting colleagues
and clients at the office when necessary. We are therefore 8________ (look)
for employees who are willing to work from home we will, of course,
provide all necessary 9________ (equip) and support.
Please let me know by next Monday if you are willing to work from 63/69
home, or if you prefer to continue to work at the central office.
2

E-mail exchanging
An employee at Rogerson and Partners writes an e-mail to Lucy

Rogerson. Look at the handwritten notes and complete the e-mail.
From: alex.gooding@rogersonandpartners.co.uk
To:
lucy.rogerson@rogersonandpartners.co.uk
Date:
9 July 2000
Subject:Remote working
Thank you for your memo of 7th July. Ive carefully considered the
possibility of working from home but I do not think thats a good idea in my
case because:
(often need meet clients central London office at least once a week)
I often need to meet clients at our office in central

London.
(need talk colleagues about projects) _________________________
(need systems, equipment at head office) ______________________
(no space at home for computer equipment) _____________________
(want keep home /work separate) _____________________________
(hope she understands) _____________________________________
Another employee at Rogerson and Partners writes an e-mail to Lucy

Rogerson. Look at the handwritten notes and complete the e-mail.
From: brian.neal@rogersonandpartners.co.uk
To:
lucy.rogerson@rogersonandpartners.co.uk
Date:
10 July 2000
Subject:Remote working
Thank you for your memo of 7th July. Ive carefully considered the
possibility of working from home and Id like to take the offer.
(my type work not often need meet clients)
I dont often need to meet clients in my type of work.

(work faster without interruptions colleagues) _____________________
(already have computer at home) ______________________________
(new arrangements spend more time family) ____________________
(can come to office one day a week)____________________________
(hope she will allow me to work from home) ______________________
64/69

Complete Lucys reply to Alexs e-mail. Put the verbs in brackets in the
correct form.
From: lucy.rogerson@rogersonandpartners.co.uk
To:
alex.gooding@rogersonandpartners.co.uk
Date:
9 July 2000
Subject:RE: Remote working
Thanks for your reply to my memo, in which you say you wish to
continue 1 working (work) at the office. You claim that you often need
2
____ ____ (see)clients, but I 3____ ____ (look) at your job description
and 4________ (speak) to Bob, your manager, and I 5________ (see)
that in fact you have very little client contact. You say that you 6_______
(need) to talk to colleagues about projects, but if you work from home,
you can do this on the phone.
With regard to space at home for computer equipment, all you need is
space on a table for a laptop computer we 7_____ ______ (provide)
the laptop for you.
I 8_____ ______ (decide) that you should work from home, starting on
1st August. Please see your manager re the laptop computer that we
9
_____ ______ (supply).
Write Lucys e-mail in reply to Brians e-mail in exercise 2. include the

following points:
Thank Brian for his e-mail and for agreeing to work from home.
Many thanks for your reply to my memo. Thank you for agreeing to
work from home.
Tell him that he will start working from home on 1st August.
Say that as he already has a computer, he will receive a special
payment of 1000. if he prefers not to use his own computer, he
can get a laptop computer from the organization.
Ask him to discuss arrangements for homeworking with Caroline,
his manager.
65/69

End suitably.
A WORLD TRIP
When youre on holiday, do

When youre on holiday, do
you send text messages to
you send text messages to
your friends instead of
your friends instead of
postcards? Why / why not?
postcards? Why / why not?
A text message
An informal e-mail
A postcard
Text message
Look at the ways to make messages shorter in mobile phone text

messages (and personal e-mails).
Abbreviations:
GTG = got to go
WKND = weekend
Unusual spellings:
EVRY = every
GONNA = going to
Letters used for words:

B = be
OIC = Oh I see
Y = why
Numbers used for words or in words:

2 = to, too
B4 = before
EVRY1 = everyone
Translate the exchange of text messages between Samantha and her

friend Anna into ordinary English.
1.-
2.-
IVE BEEN
ACPTD 4 UNI
IN SEPT NXT
YA!
3.-
ME 2! WE MST
DO A RND THE
WRLD TRIP IN
OUR GAP YA!
WER ASTRLN,
AFTER ALL!
RU FREE 4
A DRNK
2MORO EVE
TO TLK ABT
IT?
66/69

4.-
5.-
HOW ABT
GINOS @ 8?
WHERE DO
U SUGST?
7.-
6.-
C U THERE
8.-
ILL BRNG
ALL THE
GUIDE BKS!
K. C U
THEN!
E-mail
You can use emoticons in personal e-mail and text messages. Match
the emoticons to their meanings.
1. :-)
2. :-(
3. :-D
4. :-()
5. :-(
6. :-~)
7. :-x
8. : @
a) shouting
b) crying
c) happy
d) I cant say anything
e) having a cold
f) laughing
g) sad
h) shocked
2
67/69

Read the e-mail that Samantha sends to a friend from an Internet caf,
while she is on her world trip. She uses some of the emoticons. Put
them in the correct places.
From: Samantha.wilson@lightningmail.com
To:
jane.andrews@pigeonmail.com
Date:
15 August 2000
Subject:Various
Hi, Jane,
The trip is going well were having a great time. 1 :-) Anna is a
great person to travel with, we laugh a lot together. 2_____ We left a
caf yesterday and, by accident we forgot to pay the waiter came
running after us he was angry! 3_____ We were very surprised 4____ we didnt know what wed done wrong!
The only problem is that I have a cold weve just come down from the
Himalayas, where I caught it! 5____. I cant tell you where were going
next we havent decided. 6____ But we must go back to Australia in
two weeks to start university I dont want to go back. 7_____.
See you soon, Sam
Postcard
Read the postcard from Anna to a friend.

Hi, Chris. Were having a
great time in India! Its so
hot, but were enjoying
the sights and sounds of
this incredible country.
And the food is amazing!
Im not looking forward to
starting university I want
to stay here forever!
Wish you were here with
us,
Anna
Chris Newman
123 Goulburn
St
Sydney 2000
Australia
68/69

You are on holiday. Write a postcard to a friend. Say that you dont to
go back home and give a reason.
69/69

Taller de Redacción Inglesa

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Facultad de Ciencias Administrativas

Ttulo: Taller de Redaccin Inglesa

Finding the Ideal Job

Understanding paragraphs and topic sentences.

Supporting the topic sentence.

Facultad de Ciencias Administrativas

A paragraph is a group of sentences about one topic.

The other sentences are supporting sentences. They explain the

Facultad de Ciencias Administrativas

Read the example paragraph and complete the tasks below.

I would like to be a mountain climbing guide. I like this job for

1. Circle the topic sentence. What is the writers ideal job?

Facultad de Ciencias Administrativas

Begin your paragraph with a topic sentence, such as Sometimes I

Does the paragraph begin with a topic sentence?

Does the paragraph include at least three reasons why the

Are there any words or sentences that you dont understand?

Discuss your partners reaction to your paragraph. Make a note of any

Facultad de Ciencias Administrativas

SUPPORTING THE TOPIC SENTENCE

The supporting sentences in your paragraph should all relate to the

Sometimes I imagine that I am a teacher. I like this job for several

USING ADJECTIVES TO GIVE MORE DETAIL

Read the sentences. Underline the descriptive adjectives.

Write two or three sentences about people in the following professions.

Facultad de Ciencias Administrativas

WRITING THE SECOND DRAFT

Include sentences that support the main idea.

Write the title in the

climbing guide. I like this job for

mountain climbing is very exciting.

Second, I enjoy working outside. I

like stuffy office. Finally, I like to

different parts of the world and meet

Facultad de Ciencias Administrativas

Country Life vs. City Life

Facultad de Ciencias Administrativas

The country and the city.

Adding supporting details.

Using comas and periods.

Drawing a picture of a place can help you remember details.

Look at the picture. What kind of nature area is this? Is it in the

Facultad de Ciencias Administrativas

Things in the picture

Facultad de Ciencias Administrativas

Look at your picture and, on a separate piece of paper, make a list of

People walking and jogging

Ducks and geese

People riding bikes

People in-line skating

Facultad de Ciencias Administrativas

Where you went

What you did there

Use adjectives for description.

Does the writer use adjectives to describe the place?

Discuss your partners reaction to your paragraph. Make a note of any

Facultad de Ciencias Administrativas

SUPPORTING THE TOPIC SENTENCE

Facultad de Ciencias Administrativas

_____ You can see many beautiful flowers and trees.

USING ADJECTIVES TO GIVE MORE DETAIL

WRITING THE SECOND DRAFT

Facultad de Ciencias Administrativas

Add supporting details about the place you visited.