Практический модуль по написанию эссе на английском языке на тему 'Питомцы-роботы или живые домашние любимцы?'

Effective essay. Writing course.

Teacher V. Sinitsyna

MODULE 6

DID YOU KNOW? A Buddhist temple in Japan has held funeral ceremonies for around 800

broken Aibo robot dogs in the past five years.

Homework: Read the article “Are robotic pets better than real ones” in the week junior and take a position on the issue. (see Supplement 1)

Topic: Robotic pets are better than real ones.

Question: Do you agree or disagree? Task: Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Pre-writing: read and consider the topic, question and task carefully. Before you write, give a personal response to the topic and plan your writing.

Discussion: Discuss these questions and brainstorm the positive and negative aspects of each opinion, complete the table.

• What are the advantages of having a robotic pet? What are the disadvantages?

• What are the advantages of having a real dog or cat? What are the disadvantages?

Plan: What structure are you going to opt for? (Supplement ).

For/against plan outline looks like this:

I. Introduction.

1. Current situation. Introduce the topic (use a “hook” question or a quote)

________________________________________________________________

2. Short general answer to the question. (Mention both opinions.)

________________________________________________________________

II. Main paragraph 1: Discuss the idea of keeping real pets

Advantages: Reason 1_______________________________________________

Support\example____________________________________________________

Reason 2 __________________________________________________________

Support ___________________________________________________________

disadvantage(s)_____________________________________________________

III. Main paragraph 2: Discuss the idea of keeping a robotic pet

Topic sentence (benefits) _____________________________________________

Reason 1/example___________________________________________________

Reason 2__________________________________________________________

Support ___________________________________________________________

Disadvantage(s)_____________________________________________________

IV. Conclusion

1. Summarize the main points ________________________________________

2. Express your opinion, recommend or predict___________________________

Write your essay: use the outline, facts from the article and your own ideas

See Supplement 2 “coherence and cohesion” to help readers follow and understand your ideas and to convince them.

Post-writing: revise and edit

SUPPLEMENT 1

What you need to know

• Robot pets have developed a lot in the past few decades. Now technology

companies such as Sony and AIST are developing robot pets using artificial

intelligence (AI).

• AI machines mimic human intelligence. They can “learn” from their environment

and make their own decisions.

• Some of these robot pets are equipped with cameras so that owners can use

them to keep watch at home.

• Kiki is one recent robot pet, made by the company Zoetic AI, that is proving to be popular. It looks like a cat with pointy ears and big eyes. It is designed to “understand how you’re feeling.”

Last week, a US technology company called Boston Dynamics started selling its dog-like robot “Spot” online for just under £59,000 each. There are other, more affordable robotic animals on the market, such as Aibo, a robotic dog made by Sony that can perform tricks and recognise its owner. Other robot pets, such as Paro the baby seal, are used in care homes and hospitals to reduce the patients’ stress. These robots are created with artificial intelligence (AI). They can make decisions for themselves, which they learn from their environment and the people around them. Some people think that robot pets will one day replace real pets. Others say that a robot pet will never be able to love a human like a real animal. So what do you think? Is a robotic pet better than a real one?

Yes – They’re much easier to look after

Robot pets are just like real ones but you don’t have to clean up after them or take them for long walks. Imagine if your pet could fetch you a glass of water, rather than a ball, or answer any question. These are some of the things robot pets of the future might be able to do. Many people would love a dog but they don’t have the time to walk it, or the space for it at home, or they can’t afford it. The pet charity PDSA says it can cost up to £13,000 to look after a dog for its lifetime. A robot pet like Aibo costs around £2,200 but the owner won’t need to buy food or pay any vet bills. Besides, when real pets die, it is very sad. With a robot pet, you don’t have to say goodbye in the same way because nothing has actually died.

No – It’s not the same thing

A robot might seem similar to a real pet, but it’s no replacement for a living, breathing animal. Humans have kept pets for thousands of years – it’s a bond that can’t be replaced by anything else. Animal behaviour, backed up by several scientific studies,

shows that pets really do love their owners. For example, Hachiko, a Japanese Akita dog, used to wait for his owner every day outside the train station in Tokyo, Japan, where he lived. After his owner died, Hachiko still waited for him every day at the station for the next nine years. Robots can’t provide this level of affection or emotion. Besides, it’s much better to have a real pet because there are many homeless or neglected animals in the UK who need loving owners.

SUPPLEMENT 2

COHERENCE AND COHESION

OPENING: Nowadays…. Today…. Recently, … In recent times… It is more and more…..

It is often said that…. Many people claim that…. Many people believe... while others argue that… It goes without saying that …. This poses/ begs the question …

…. is a hotly-debated topic that often divides opinion.

….. is a subject of intense (heated, much, lively, fierce) debate.

The following essay takes a look at both sides of the argument.

PRESENTING IDEAS AND GIVING EXAMPLES:

When it comes to… In terms of …. According to experts… Research has found that…

Not only… but also/ There are those who argue that…

For example…/ Such as…/ For instance…/ As shown by…./ Illustrated by…/

One example is…./ In particular…/ Including…/ Namely….

OPINION: In my view…/ From my point of view…/ From my perspective…/ I think…/ I am sure…/ Apparently…./ To my mind…/ As I see it…/ As far as I am concerned…/

My own view on the matter is…

CONCLUSION: in conclusion…/ to conclude…/ to sum up…/ weighing up all pros and cons, it seems evident that…/ All things considered…/ taking everything into consideration…

weighing up both sides of the argument…/ The advantages outweigh disadvantages…

In short…/ To sum up…/ On the whole…/ In other words…/ Overall…./ Generally…./ In general…. In brief/in short

SEQUENCING: First../firstly…/first of all…/ Second../secondly../ Third../ Next…

Before/after…/ afterwards…/ Meanwhile/while…./ Subsequently…/ Finally…/ Eventually…

EMPHASIZING: Above all…/ In particular…/ Especially…/ Significantly…/ Indeed…

Notably…/ Particularly…/ Naturally…/ Really…/ Actually…/ Exactly

Topic sentences for main paragraphs:

1. There are some good (sound, strong, reasoned) arguments for…

2. There are several reasons 1) why people argue ….2) why they think it’s a good idea

…3) why the idea could be seen as ineffective, biased, unreasoned

1. On the other hand I do understand the point of view …….

2. The option to ………is (un)attractive for several reasons…

/ has many obvious (dis)advantages/ ….is largely based on the idea that…

1. Perhaps the greatest argument in favor of .. ./ The only (dis)advantage

2. On the one hand, I accept that it is important to …

3. At the same time, I believe that it is not rightful to…./ reasons are unjust and unfair

4. In spite of the above arguments, I support the view/ I doubt that it is relevant to…

5. This all seems to be fair/ attractive, but the idea …

6. The main advantage/ strong point/ positive or negative idea/factor

7. While some believe it’s a good idea. I don’t find it the right/relevant solution

8. Despite the controversy of the argument … I think it is ….

Check out the examples of essays. Comment on their form and content.

Read and analyze two sample essays below.

Robotic pets VS Real pets (1).

Modern technologies provide electronic pets with artificial intelligence. Affection for such pets is very strong. A Buddhist temple in Japan has held funeral ceremonies for around 800 broken Aibo robot dogs in the past five years. However, there is a question if robotic pets are better than real ones?

Electronic pets are true copies of animals, possessing a number of advantages. First, you don’t have to clean up after them or take them for a long walk. Second, they are equipped with various applications. If you want, such pet can fetch you a glass of water, answer any question, take a snapshot or film you. Finally, people miss their real pets for many years after they die. While with robotic pets we don’t say goodbye in the same way, as they don’t actually die.

A robot might seem similar to a real pet, but it`s no replacement for a living, breathing animal. First of all, people have kept pets for thousands of years – it’s a bond which cannot be broken. Moreover, pets have been proven to really love their owners. Robots are not able to provide this level of emotion. For example, Hachiko waited for his owner every day outside the train station in Tokyo, where he lived. On the other hand, it’s very painful when your animal dies, but that is life.

To sum up, robots are a good choice for people who don’t have a lot of free time to look after real dogs or cats. I was born with a love of animals and my strong opinion is that only real pets are true companions/ friends. Our pets are a part of our family.

Robotic pets VS real ones (2).

Modern society becomes more and more addicted to gadgets. Many people believe that technology can even provide pets that are just as lovable while others argue that nothing can replace live animals. Thus people today face a dilemma of choosing between artificial intelligence and nature.

There are several reasons to opt for robots. Firstly, they require less care and attention. You don’t need to buy food, pay vet bills, take them for long walks or clean up after robotic pets. It is great for busy people or those who have allergy. Secondly, pets of this type have special applications to snap shots, perform tricks or recognize owners and friends. Robots, such as baby seal, are used in care homes and hospitals...At the same time robotic pets cannot feel true deep love due to just programming, but I think it will make the loss less painful.

On the other hand, live animals have advantages too. Nothing can change affection, natural love and devotion are irreplaceable. A dog or a cat becomes your real friend and a companion. A striking example of such sincerity is Hatiko, which was waiting for years for its owner after his death. Also, in any city there are many homeless animals in need. In addition, animals, such as guide dogs, are trained to help disabled people. Although we miss real pets when they die, that’s life and it’s out of our hands.

To sum up the above said, we cannot say for sure which is better. Our choices are individual just like us. As for me, I believe that a machine is not a substitute for a living being. This is tantamount to preferring a robot to a person.

ONLINE AND OFFLINE RESOURCES

1. Ryan Thomas Higgins IELTS Academic and General Task 2: How to write at a band 9 level. – 2015. – P. 69

2. Debra Daise, Charl Norloff, Paul Carne Q skills for success: reading and writing. – Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2011. – P.271

3. Christina Latham-Koenig, Clive Oxenden English File Upper Intermediate. Student’s book. 3^rd edition. – Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2014. – P.116

4. Are robotic pets better than real ones// The Week Junior. – 2020. – № 237. – P. 8

5. Should robots replace human workers.// The Week Annual. – 2019. – P.48

6. https://ielts-simon.com/ielts-help-and-english-pr/2010/08/ielts-writing-task-2-studying-abroad.html

7. https://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/skills/writing

8. https://www.facebook.com/C.EnglishTeacher

9. https://www.facebook.com/LearnEnglish.BritishCouncil/