Tài liệu Tiếng Anh Lớp 10 - Bài 2: Writing a paragraph, an essay

BÀI 2. WRITING A PARAGRAPH, AN ESSAY 
VIẾT ĐOẠN VĂN, BÀI VĂN 
Trong kì thi THPT Quốc gia đây có lẽ là phần yếu nhất và phần có rất ít thí 
sinh có điểm. Trên thực tế không quá khó để có điểm, thậm chí đạt điểm cao hoặc 
điểm tuyệt đối cho phần này nếu học sinh nắm chắc kĩ năng tổ chúc ý tưởng, vận 
dụng kiến thức, thực hiện tốt các bước xây dựng dàn ý và viết bài. Trong kì thi THPT 
Quốc Gia năm 2015, học sinh được yêu cầu viết một đoạn văn không dưới 140 từ về 
một chủ đề quen thuộc đã được đề cập trong chương trình Tiếng Anh cấp THPT đặc 
biệt chương trình lớp 12. Bài này trình bày các thủ thuật viết đoạn văn và giới thiệu 
một số đề luyện tập, bài viết mẫu để các em tham khảo. 
I. What is a paragraph? Thế nào là một đoạn văn? 
1. Definitions: Định nghĩa - Một đoạn văn là một loạt câu phát triển, ủng hộ, 
chứng minh một ý nào đó, và ý này thường là câu chủ đề (topic sentence) của 
đoạn văn. Các câu còn lại (supporting sentences) phát triển, giải thích, minh 
họa cho câu chủ đề. Câu kết luận (concluding sentence) của đoạn văn là câu 
khẳng định lại câu chủ điểm, tóm tắt lại các ý chính của đoạn văn. 
- A paragraph is a group of sentences that deal with a single topic with the 
length (as required in the GCSE) of around 150 words. Đoạn văn trong tiếng 
Anh là một tổ hợp câu với độ dài (yêu cầu thi THPT Quốc Gia) chừng 150 từ, 
diễn tả hay bàn thảo về một chủ đề nhất định. 
- Normally (but not always), the first sentence introduces the topic. Other 
sentences give the definitions, examples, information, reasons, restatements, 
and summaries. Thông thường (không phải là luôn luôn), câu đầu tiên diễn tả 
chủ đề. Các câu còn lại là sự giải trình, dẫn chững, tái khảng định, thêm thông 
tin và tóm lược. 
- The parts of the paragraph are linked together by the phrases and 
conjunctions. They guide the readers through the argument presented. Xuyên 
suốt đoạn văn, các cụm từ, liên từ được sử dụng để kết nối và dẫn dắt độc giả 
theo chủ đề được bàn thảo. 
2. Parts of a Paragraph: Các phần của đoạn văn 
2.1. Topic Sentence: Câu chủ đề - đưa ra chủ đề để bàn thảo 
2.2. Supporting Details: Các câu văn bổ trợ cho câu chủ đề - là sự giải trình, 
dẫn chững, tái khảng định, hay thêm thông cho câu chủ đề, hay chủ đề. 
2.3. Closing Sentence: Câu kết – là tóm lược lại hay tái khảng định lại chủ đề. 
II. How to Write a Paragraph: Kĩ năng viết một đoạn văn 
1. Prewriting Paragraphs: Chuẩn bị trước khi viết 
The prewriting stage is when you think carefully and organize your ideas for 
your paragraph before you begin writing. Là quá trình ta động não suy nghĩ, 
tìm và sắp xếp các ý tưởng cho đoạn văn sẽ được viết. quá trình này tuân theo 
6 bước cơ bản sau: 
Six Prewriting Steps: 6 bước chuẩn bị viết một đoạn văn: 
Step 1. Think carefully about what you are going to write. Hãy tự hỏi các 
câu hỏi: 
 What question am I going to answer in this paragraph or essay? 
 How can I best answer this question? What is the most important part of 
my answer? 
 How can I make an introductory sentence (or thesis statement) from the 
most important part of my answer? 
 What facts or ideas can I use to support my introductory sentence? 
 How can I make this paragraph or essay interesting? 
 Do I need more facts on this topic? 
 Where can I find more facts on this topic? 
Step 2. Open your notebook. Hãy trả lời cho các câu hỏi ở bước 1. 
Không cần phải sử dụng quá nhiều thời gian để thực hiện bước này, thay vì 
thế hãy liệt kê những ý tưởng quan trọng (2-3 ý chính). 
Step 3. Collect facts related to your paragraph or essay topic. 
Tìm và liệt kê các ý tưởng sẽ giúp bạn trả lời các câu hỏi và là ý cho bài viết, 
hãy chắc chắn rằng những điều bạn liệt kê ra trùng khớp hoàn toàn với chủ đề 
được yêu cầu. 
Step 4. Write down your own ideas. Để viết các ý chính hãy tự hỏi các câu 
hỏi sau: 
 What else do I want to say about this topic? 
 Why should people be interested in this topic? 
 Why is this topic important? 
Step 5. Find the main idea of your paragraph. 
Hãy chọn câu chủ đề cho đoạn văn, viết câu chủ đề một cách hoàn chỉnh. 
Step 6. Organize your facts and ideas in a way that develops your main 
idea. 
Sắp xếp các ý, các giải trình, ví dụ, hay những ý kiến bổ trợ sao cho hợp logic, 
khoa học, chú ý cách dùng từ ngữ, các cụm từ, liên từ (tránh lặp lại các từ đã 
dùng). 
2. Writing Paragraphs: Kĩ năng viết đoạn văn 
2.1. Writing process: Tiến hành viết 
Đây là bước chuyển hóa từ các ý tưởng (đã làm ở phần chuẩn bị trên đây) 
thành một bài viết hoàn chỉnh (sản phẩm cuối cùng). Tuân thủ 5 bước sau: 
Five Writing Steps: 
1. Open your notebook and word processor. 
2. Write the topic sentence, supporting sentences, and closing sentence. 
3. Write clear and simple sentences to express your meaning. 
4. Focus on the main idea of your paragraph. 
5. Use the dictionary to help you find additional words to express your ideas. 
2.2. Editing Paragraphs: Sửa lỗi bài viết gồm 2 bước sau: 
a. Grammar and Spelling: Chữa các lỗi ngữ pháp và chính tả 
1. Check your spelling. 
2. Check your grammar. 
3. Read your essay again. 
4. Make sure each sentence has a subject. 
5. See if your subjects and verbs agree with each other. 
6. Check the verb tenses of each sentence. 
7. Make sure that each sentence makes sense. 
b. Style and Organization: Chữa các lỗi về hành văn 
1. Make sure your paragraph has a topic sentence. 
2. Make sure your supporting sentences focus on the main idea. 
3. Make sure you have a closing sentence. 
4. Check that all your sentences focus on the main idea. 
5. See if your paragraph is interesting. 
3. Useful expressions: Những liên từ, hay các cụm từ hữu ích khi viết đoạn văn: 
Useful expressions 
Sequencing/ Listing First of all, First(ly), Initially, To begin with; 
Second(ly); Third(ly); Next; Then; After that 
(this); Following this (that); Finally; The first 
reason is/ The second is; Last but not least 
Adding to what you 
have said 
Also, Furthermore, In addition, Additionally, 
Moreover, Besides, As well as, Similarly, not 
onlybut also, even beside this/ that 
Contrasting In contrast to this, On the contrary, In contrast, 
Conversely, On the other hand, While, Whereas, 
However, Despite/ In spite of, Although, Even 
though, Otherwise, Nonetheless 
Expressing similarity Similarly; Likewise, In the same way 
Showing results As a result, As a consequence, Consequently, 
Hence, Thus, Therefore, So 
Giving examples For example, For instance, In particular, 
Particularly, That is to say, Namely, Such as 
Restating In other words, That is to say, To put it simply 
Inferring In other words, In that case, or else, Otherwise 
Summarizing In summary, To sum up, To conclude, To 
recapitulate, In conclusion, In short, In brief, In a 
nutshell, Lastly, Finally 
III. Kinds of Paragraphs: Các loại đoạn văn cơ bản 
1. Definition Paragraph: Đoạn văn để định nghĩa về một sự vật, hiện tượng. 
e.g. Write a paragraph giving the definition of a pest. 
2. Classification Paragraph: Đoạn văn để nhóm, hay phân loại các sự vật, 
hiện tượng. 
e.g. Write a paragraph discussing two types of energy resources. 
3. Description Paragraph: Đoạn văn miêu tả về một sự vật, hiện tượng. 
e.g. Write a paragraph to talk about your most favorite subject. 
4. Compare and Contrast Paragraph: Đoạn văn đề diễn tả sự so sanh hay 
tương phản về các sự vật, hiện tượng. 
e.g. Write a paragraph comparing the weather in Vancouver and Halifax. 
5. Sequence Paragraph: Đoạn văn mô tả một chuỗi, hay một tiến trình ủa sự 
vật, sự việc. 
e.g. Write a paragraph outlining how a person becomes the prime minister. 
6. Choice Paragraph: Đoạn văn mô tả sự chọn lựa. 
e.g. Write a paragraph stating whether you would prefer to play hockey or 
lacrosse. 
7. Explanation Paragraph: Đoạn văn để giải thích 
e.g. Write a paragraph explaining why so many Europeans moved to Canada 
during the nineteenth century. 
8. Evaluation Paragraph: Đoạn văn để đánh gia về sự vật, hiện tượng. 
e.g. Write a paragraph evaluating whether pesticides should be used on 
farms. 
IV. Writing an essay: Viết bài luận 
Một bài luận là một bài viết dài hơn và thường gồm nhiều đoạn và mỗi đoạn văn 
thường theo cấu trúc đoạn văn trình bày trên. Tuy nhiên, cách viết đoạn mở đầu 
(introductory paragraph) và đoạn kết (concluding paragraph) đặc thù như sau: 
1. The introductory paragraph: Đoạn văn chủ đề 
• The attention getter 
- a sentence that gets the reader interested 
• The main idea 
- the topic or thesis of the essay 
• The guide/ thesis statement (the last sentence of the introductory 
paragraph) 
- a list of the points that will be discussed, thus showing the organization of 
the composition 
Ex: There are many things that symbolize the Vietnamese culture. Among 
these is the conical leaf hat, a symbol of traditional Vietnamese girls. The hat 
is very special because of its physical features and its use. 
- Attention getter: There are many things that symbolize the Vietnamese 
culture. 
- Topic/ thesis: Among these is the conical leaf hat, a symbol of traditional 
Vietnamese girls. 
- The guide/ thesis statement: The hat is very special because of its physical 
features and its use. 
2. Bodies: Các đoạn văn nội dung 
Các đoạn tiếp theo sau đoạn mở đầu sẽ phát triển tương ứng các ý được đề 
cập trong câu chủ đề của bài luận, và cách viết tuân thủ theo cách viết đoạn 
văn đã được đề cập trên. Ví dụ, đối với phần mở bài trên, phần thân bài sẽ có 2 
đoạn: 
Paragraph 1: physical features 
Paragraph 2: its use 
3. The concluding paragraph: Đoạn văn kết 
Là đoạn cuối của bài luận. Thường có 3 cách để viết đoạn kết. 
• A summary repeats the main points of the essay. 
• A prediction discusses what will happen in the future. 
• An evaluation compares the main points and states what is best. 
V. Summary: Tóm lại: 
Structure of the Paragraph and the Essay 
• Main idea (topic sentence or thesis) 
• Support for the main idea (a number of supporting details in a paragraph or 
a number of paragraphs in an essay) 
• Conclusion (summary of the main points of support for the main idea) 
The writing process for the Paragraph and the Essay 
• First steps 
 understanding the assignment 
 narrowing the topic 
 determining the writing context 
 formulating a main idea 
• Generating ideas 
 stating the main idea 
 brainstorming 
 freewriting 
 listing 
 clustering 
 diving 
• Organizing ideas 
 Drafting 
 Revising 
 Editing 
TASK 2. People naturally resist making changes in their lives. What kind of 
problems can this cause? What solutions can you suggest? 
People who are unwilling to make changes in their lives after being accustomed to a 
certain style of life are likely to have certain problems. 
To begin, when people leave their countries going abroad, they might face some 
issues. First of all, they have to adapt to new culture and habit different from their 
native countries. Moreover, it takes time to get used to weather and lifestyle of new 
tertiaries different from where they lived before. 
Another change is that some people sometimes have to change their careers, 
regardless of the reasons. They find it uneasy to acquire experience in their new 
jobs and difficult to make new friends at work. 
In my opinion, people should be flexible. I agree that immigrants might have many 
problems such as a new culture and language and habits, but the integration with 
people could solve the problems. By time, they will find themselves a part of a new 
society. People who change their career must concentrate on their new job, and the 
experience that they need they will acquire with time. 
In conclusion, people have to be ready for any changes in their lives as no guarantee 
for anyone that they live will be stable forever. (203 words) 
TASK 2. To some people studying the past has little value in the modern world. 
Why do you think it is important to do so? What will be the effect if children are 
not taught history? 
Some people argue that there is no benefit of studying history, and history can be 
substituted by other more important subjects. However, for me, it is not a logical 
opinion for some reasons. 
It is true that the events studied in history happened in the past, but it represents 
valuable human experiences. These can be very useful for us to plan for the 
future. If humans know the fatal mistakes that had been made in the past, they 
will try to avoid doing the same ones in the future. 
Moreover, studying the past of other nations will give us opportunities to know 
more about our own. This helps build good relationships between different 
countries. Children who will lead the world in the future should prepare for this 
role. The knowledge which can be gained from history is one of the most important 
factors for them to understand human’s milestones. The more they learn from 
history, the more efficient they will be to solve problems in the future. Also history 
offers sources of knowledge of different branches of science. 
In conclusion, it is undeniable that history, the summary of human experience, is 
very important in improvement of human's future if they can use it properly. (204 
words) 
TASK 2. The widespread use of the Internet has brought many problems. 
What do you think the main problems associated with the use of the web? What 
solutions can you suggest? 
Great changes have taken place in our modern life along with development of 
technology. And I do think that the Internet plays a big role in this. 
First, with the surfing internet or playing computer and video games, people have a 
more sedentary lifestyle. Children no longer play games outside and get exercise but 
they spend time on the computer. This has bad effect on their health and cause 
problems such as obesity. 
Another problem is the negative effect on their relationship with their family. 
Internet access fills most young people's time, and even their leisure time, so this 
separate them from their family and produces bad effect on their social behavior. A 
third problem is that not all internet sites are useful. Some sites bears inaccurate 
information, violence, and dangerous things. 
To solve the problems, the first solution must be with the parents. They need to 
limit hours that children spend on the computer and to encourage them to have 
other hobbies and pastimes. It is also important for children to spend more time to 
speak with their family than facing electronic devices. Parents should encourage 
children to use other means of communication, too. 
To conclude, I would say that the internet has brought many benefits and it will not 
disappear, therefore it is very important that we learn to use it well so that we can 
reap the benefits and not the disadvantages. (235 words) 
TASK 2. Some people believe that competitive sports, both team and individual, 
have no place in the school curriculum. How far do you agree or disagree? 
To some extent, I disagree with the notion that competitive sports cannot be part of 
the school curriculum. However, the amount of time given should not be overlooked. 
Sport as a whole is an important part of growing up. Students regardless of their age 
take part in exercise individually or as a team member. Take primary schools for 
instance, they have playgrounds and fairly enough facilities from which students can 
take benefit. 
In secondary schools students' attitude to sport changes. The demand for more 
facilities and equipment rises. Actually, more teenagers turn to football, swimming, 
even body building outside school hours. They try to make use of the facilities 
available to them at school as well. What is important is time which should not be 
spent on taken up sport and not doing other school work or study. 
On the other hand, considering the availability of the facilities to all schools is not a 
bad idea. To illustrate this, some schools are well-equipped while others aren’t. No 
matter how little the facility students should be encouraged to take part in 
competitive sports. 
All in all, I think sport has been part of our everyday life. And, it has also been part of 
curriculum vitae so far, with a better time management. (211 words) 
TASK 2. Young people are much more aware of and concerned about the issues 
like the environment, poverty, and animal welfare than previous generations. 
What is your own opinion? 
Many people think that the world existing problems are only matter the young 
generation as they are the candidates who are facing them now and in the future. 
Although a considerable percentage of the public might refer to these hazards as 
hazards for the young predominantly, yet many of these concerns are actually 
brought into the scene by the old people. The previous generation are those who 
lived the new developments in science and technology that brought with them 
pollution, poverty and part of it also possible distinction of many species of plants 
and animals. 
So they raise the alarms for those radical and serious consequences. It is often 
suggested that old generation are passing by and not interested in what happening 
and only the young who gives those alerts considerable thoughts. 
However from what we are experiencing now, that many of green people are old 
and work actively to preserve animal rights and fight fiercely against global 
warming and environmental pollution. This give us that the present world concerns 
are a shared interest of both old and new generations. Although many activist on 
these issues appears in the media and they are from the youth, still and probably 
equal number from the old follow the same routes. 
Actually, no one in this life wants to destroy our planet. Definitely every parent is of 
concern about his offspring lives thereafter, and selfishness does not dominate our 
thinking at all. What one should be aware of is that such threats are not always 
discussed or contemplated in the right way by old or young generation. (264 words) 
TASK 2. It is important for travelers and business people to understand the 
cultures they come into contact with, however briefly. What are the main 
advantages of doing so? What do you think is the main disadvantage of doing 
so? 
There is no doubt that the number of visitors and businessmen and women who are 
travelling abroad has been increasing markedly in recent years. However, not 
surprisingly, understanding the culture of local people brings many benefits to all 
types of visitors as well as problems for those who do not understand a new culture. 
First of all, no sensible person can deny the importance of breaking down barriers 
between countries. By this I mean, people from different lands can socialize 
effectively and relate emotionally regardless of their race and religion, if they take 
time to learn languages and to find out about where they are going before they 
travel. As a result, the tension between people from different backgrounds would be 
melted. 
Another important advantage that needs to be taken into account is that travelers 
can broaden their horizons by travelling. In other words, people who travel for 
business or tourism definitely would gain a lot of information from their host 
society. Knowing how to behave can help businessmen make lots of money for 
themselves and for their companies. Undoubtedly business and tourism play a 
pivotal role in employing of people and reviving the local economy in their own 
countries and when they travel. 
On the other hand lack of understanding of the culture and traditions of people may 
lead to misunderstanding and even increased tension between different 
communities, simply because the background of any society can act a