英语论文写作 Lectures on Writing for M.D Students5.doc

Lectures on Writing for M.D Students Plan for the lectures The first lecture: Paragraph writing The second lecture: Writing the research paper (Part one) The third lecture: Writing the research paper (Part two) Lecture 1 Paragraph writing I. Introduction of the writing course Paragraph Writing A paragraph is a group of related sentences. The main idea is usually stated in one general sentence called the topic sentence, although the main idea may sometimes be implied rather than directly stated. As a beginning writer, you would be wise to use topic sentences to ensure a clear focus in your paragraphs, because it takes much more skills to make an implied main idea clear. The topic sentence is often the first or second sentence in a paragraph, but it can also be placed at the end or, for that matter, at any logical place within the paragraph. Its level of generality, not its position, distinguishes the topic sentence from the rest of the paragraph. The other sentences in the paragraph should provide specific evidence to support or prove the topic sentence. They should not merely repeat the idea in the topic sentence or stay on the same level of generality. The following sample, written by a student, has the necessary component of a good paragraph.  Topic sentence Supporting sentence 1 Supporting sentence 2 Supporting sentence 3 Supporting sentence 4 Supporting sentence 5 Concluding sentence Owning a car is very expensive, in fact, not only is buying a car expensive initially, but we must also spend a lot of money on it once we have bought it. First, we have to have cash to buy the car, or at least to make a down payment. If its a new car, this can be a large amount! Then, after we buy it, we have to pay a tax to get a county sticker and license plate. Next, we have to pay a small sum to get an inspection sticker. In addition, we have to get accident insurance and, in some areas, also pay an annual personal property tax. Later, in addition to gas, we will have t