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Writing a report
Practice 1 - Writing the Introduction
Read the following introductions. Tell the topic of the essay and what the main idea or
focus of each paragraph will be.
1.
Many modern couples are beginning to recognize that it is better to have a parent at home
to take care of the children, rather than relying on a full-time babysitter or preschool. I
agree that this is a good idea. First, no one can care for a child as well as his own parents.
Parents also have to face the fact that childcare costs are very high. Finally, it is my belief
that family life is better when one of the spouses devotes his or her time to maintaining the
home and family.
Topic ....................................................................................................................................... .
Main Idea ................................................................................................................................ .
Main Idea ................................................................................................................................ .
Main Idea ................................................................................................................................ .
2.
These days, people around the world use the Internet to get news and information. There
are both advantages and disadvantages to this situation. On the one hand, the Internet
has many advantages because it provides instant access to huge amounts of information
that might be difficult to get otherwise. On the other hand, the Internet has certain
problems, including the fact that much of the information you find there is unreliable.
Topic ....................................................................................................................................... .
Main Idea ................................................................................................................................ .
Main Idea ................................................................................................................................ .
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3.
People complain about the amount of violence on TV these days. While I do not enjoy
watching violent TV programs myself, I do not agree that there should be laws regulating
violence on TY. In the first place, TV stations should be able to develop the types of
programs they want without any legal restrictions. In the second place, we are free to
decide which programs we want to watch and can easily choose to avoid any programs
we don't like.
Topic ....................................................................................................................................... .
Main Idea ................................................................................................................................ .
Main Idea ................................................................................................................................ .
Practice 2 - Writing the Paragraphs
Read the following paragraphs. Write the topic sentence and the supporting details.
1.
Modern technology has given us a tool for controlling the TV programs we see. Most TVs
can be programmed to block certain channels. Parents use this technology to protect their
children from seeing shows that are too violent. Adults can also use this technology to
avoid seeing programs that they don't want to see.
Topic Sentences:
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Supporting Details:
1……………………………………………………………………………………………………….
2……………………………………………………………………………………………………….
3……………………………………………………………………………………………………….
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2.
The best thing about TV is that there is a variety of programs. There are news programs
for serious people. There are films and cartoons for people who want to be entertained.
The variety of TV programs needs to be protected, even if that means allowing some of
them to show violence.
Topic Sentences:
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Supporting Details:
1……………………………………………………………………………………………………….
2……………………………………………………………………………………………………….
3……………………………………………………………………………………………………….
3.
Physical education classes teach children important skills that they need in life. They
teach children how to work together on a team. They teach children how to set a goal and
work to achieve it. They teach children about the importance of looking after their health.
Topic Sentences:
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Supporting Details:
1……………………………………………………………………………………………………….
2……………………………………………………………………………………………………….
3……………………………………………………………………………………………………….
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Practice 3 - Writing the Conclusion
Read each of the following conclusions and decide whether it is a restatement,
generalization, prediction, recommendation, or question.
1.
We each have our own ideas about what is too violent and what isn't. It would be difficult
to make laws about violence on TV that would satisfy everybody. It is better to let each
individual make his or her own choice about what to watch.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
2.
Currently, there is a trend toward eating locally grown, organic food, whether at home or in
restaurants. If this trend continues, today's children will grow up to be healthier than adults
are now and chronic disease may become a thing of the past.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
3.
If art museums are funded by public money, then everyone will have access to them. What
would our world be like without any art? What would bring beauty into our lives and give
us a greater understanding of who we are? Art museums are a valuable part of our
society.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
4.
On the whole, people prefer watching family-oriented TV shows in the evenings. Dramas,
mysteries, and police shows are better left for late at night when the children are asleep.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
5.
More and more, computers are becoming a part of daily life and people need to learn how
to use them to their advantage. If children don't have enough experience with computers
when they are young, they won't learn the skills they will need later in life.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
