英语写作课笔记（日常交流）
Tom Kellie 是我在国科大研一上英语写作课的老师，他曾先后在北航、清华、北大任教将近十年，随后于2008年来到中科院研究生院（现为中国科学院大学），任教至今。在写作课课堂上对他的印象是严肃但幽默，非常有个性的一位教授。他的课很生动，对学生要求也不低。我很庆幸上过他的课，现在想把笔记整理出来分享供更多人参考学习。
整理的笔记跟整个学期课程安排相近，大致分为两部分：第一部分包含大量日常交流的注意事项，而第二部分则侧重于学术上的写作。
第一部分：Daily Communication
1. CULTURAL DIFFERENCES - What Non-Chinese Don't Understand
- Excuses to explain anything don't happen, failed or was low quality.
- Running in building or on sidewalks.
- Not saying "Thank you", not acknowledging email.
- Grabbing papers when handed back by an instructor.
- Replying to serious or ordinary comments with "Ha Ha".
- Last minute or after-the-fact requests for leave.
- Replying for others, helping others to answer questions.
- Rolling eyes, looking angry, raising voice volume.
- Looking down or looking away when called on.
- Starting to talk when someone else is speaking.
- Offering advice or suggestions when not requested.
- Saying any of the following:
- You probably don't know
- You misunderstand
- I’m very busy, I'm traditional, I a shy boy/girl
- My English is very poor
- Welcome to Beijing/China/my hometown
- Asking"What's your opinion?" or "What do you think?"
- Thanks anyway, when not getting wanted
- Dumping labor on others.
- Asking for advice when your mind is already made up.
- Making some others realize that you know about a subject by reciting a list of elementary facts.
- Seeing life in terms of "right/wrong" or "good/bad".
2. Email
- Email is electronic mail, with a header and message body.
- No date is used in most email, as its electronically dated. However, very formal email is dated as its likely to be printed and distributed.
- A "cc" means copies of the email are sent to others, as well as the recipient.
- The header briefly explains the basic purpose of the email.
- The message body varies, with different levels of formality, and different lengths, to reflect different types of content.
- Attachments carry visual image files, or longer documents.
Disadvantage of email include:
- Excessively large attachments frequently cause sever problems.
- Vulnerability of archived email to electronic failure.
- Spamming, computer viruses and phishing.
- Loss of personal privacy when email is forwarded.
- Storage if email on the Cloud may allow unauthorized reading of email.
Example
(Header) Adult or juvenile lion?
Dear Professor Garza:
Thank you for your e-mail explaining the stalking behavior of Panthera leo. That was very helpful, so that I now more fully appreciate the significance of such action.
May I please ask whether the original stalker was an adult or a juvenile? I'm unclear whether or not juveniles might know how to track prey.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
TANG Tianwu
Handling Disagreements or Negative Issues by E-mail
- All issues are discussed with maximum tact, sensitivity and consideration for the feelings of others.
- Disagree cents are regarded as being differing perspectives, outlooks, viewpoints, or alternative ways of looking at.
- Potential problems are referred to as concerns, issues, or unresolved matters.
- AVOID "reject", "insist", "demand", "cultural differences", "unfair", "unreasonable", or any type of threats.
- No overt disagreement.
- Rather, questions are asked which raise underlying issues
- "Is that the only available time?"
- "Could any other plan be effective?"
- "Is it essential to include that step?"
- "How might it affect the outcome if it wasn't done?"
- "Would it be OK to try again next week?"
Email Style for formal Use (&letter)
- Above all: Clarity and Respect.
- Dates are either 26 March, 2015 or March 26, 2015.
- Indentation of paragraphs isn't required. If indented, one tab is adequate.
- Spacing is used to unmistakably separate paragraphs and other elements.
- Closing Complementary Close is "Sincerely". After longer acquaintance, "With Best Regards" may be used.
Example:
Dear Prof. Sarookian:
Thank you for the invitation to serve as a Summer intern in your research group. I'm looking forward to working under the guidance of your experienced team members.
May I please ask for clarification concerning the housing allowance? It's certainly generous and will cover my needs. However, if it's a reimbursement I would need to pay the initial cost. As my budget is limited, might there be an alternative method?
Please forgive my question, as I'm deeply grateful for this opportunity and hope to resolve the remaining financial concerns.
Sincerely,
TANG Tianwu
3. Cover Letter
- Who are you?
- What do you want?
- no need extra information
- keep it simple, need the basis
- lead to resume(
NOT CV)
Example
9 April, 2015
Professor Angelo Della Cotta
Director Protein Center
University of Bologna
Dear Professor Della Cotta:
My name is TANG Tianwu. I'm currently a doctoral candidate(NO student) at the University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Xiamen. I'm a Research Associate in Prof.QIU Shenghua's State Key Laboratory, specializing in the bacterial toxicology of marine crustaceans.
I'm interested in applying for a Summer Research Exchange position(NO job) in your laboratory as it's(NO it is) a very good fit for my experience and interests.
Attached(Enclosed) please find my résumé for your review.
Please feel free to contact me to arrange a telephone inter view at your convenience.
Thank you very much for your consideration.
Sincerely,
TANG Tianwu
attachment(enclosure)
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