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缤FUN英语/Are you quitting social media for good?\大专院校语文讲师、企业培训讲师及国际英文公开试主考官Miss C

2021-01-25 04:23:51大公报
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  2021年我的new year resolution跟上年一样,也是健康快乐。第一件事在社交媒体做了的事情便是取消私人的“脸书”。不是要像学生们一样追上潮流,发展其他社交媒体。只是认为真的没有需要,去年我也确实因应付不了那麼多的社交媒体而不太快乐。

  及后有关“脸书”的负面消息不断湧现,於是就着这个题材给学生一个讨论的题目: "Are you quitting Facebook for good ? "

  很多学生以为这个题材非常负面,觉得一定要提出负面的论点才达到 "quitting something for good" ,我认为在讨论不同的国际或本地时事的时候我们要以一个中立的态度去分析事情:好,怎麼好;坏,怎麼坏。把事实作分析,最后可以加插自己的意见。这跟我们写学术文章-Discursive/Argumentative Essay类似。

  Discursive essays有三大类:essay suggesting a solution to a problem, for and against essay, opinion essay

  在语文方面,我们应该避免一概而论,这就是所谓的generalizations and stereotypes. 例如,开首的时候可以说:

  It's absolutely faster to use Facebook to share our daily highlights but it might not always be the best way to communicate. The usage always depends on the circumstances.

  及后表达的正反论点,在语文上同学应尽量保持中立并且用适当的Connective Words把论点连接起来。很多同学还不了解formal and informal English的分别。在学术讨论中很多时候用了在社交媒体的语言。It is very informal spoken English。

  同学在选取适当的formal language的时候也保持mild and positive tone and style。句式结构上可以用Conditional sentences来表达自己论据。例如:

  Facebook is ideal if you want to draw immediate attention. You wouldn't expect to write to an advertising agent if you had to get rid of some second-handed clothing, for instance.  Many problems can be solved easily and quickly if we can use Facebook to search relevant sources.

  在表达负面的论点的时候可以用modal verbs或qualifiers/intensifiers来提升语气及调教对某事物的看法及程度。例如:It's very unlikely to be launched.../ It's rather addictive.... / I am skeptical about its privacy...

  Unlikely and skeptical are adjectives here,Rather is an adverb and qualifier.

  同学可以在讨论最后的部分才表达自己的意见;讨论不是辩论,不一定要游说别人或坚持自己的意见,可以平淡和平完结讨论。例如:Each digital platform has its advantages and disadvantages, the critical point to recognize is which is necessary for what you intend to achieve, and to whom.

  What's your new year's resolution? Will you quit some social media for good?

  Email:carolc.english@gmail.com

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