1、Unit OneHit the Nail on the HeadI. Aims and requirements1. An rhetorical device: analogy2. How to write / choose a topic not too big timeNarrow your subject considering placenot too general aspectII. Modes in teaching1. interactive activity2. individual presentation3. group argument4. interactive co
2、mmentIII. Important points 1.vocabulary2.paraphrasing3.organization and outline4.main idea of the articleIV. Teaching ProcedureSession One (two periods, 100 mins)PRE-CLASS WORKI Pre-reading Questions1. Hit the nail on the head = exactly right in words or actionUseful Expressions:Hardware: lock, padl
3、ock, bolt, keyhole, hinge, rivet, screwdriver, spanner vise, saw, plane, Head: the head of the table = the end of a table usually occupied by the host/hostess, the head over heels/ears = with ones body turned upside downsomebodys head rolls = somebody is executed or assassinatedones head rules = wis
4、dom, commonsense, caution or self-interest, determines ones conduct ones head swells = one thinks very highly of oneselfhead to tail = placed, or following each otherII Dictionary Work1. drive something home = force (the nail) into the right place; make something unmistakably clear2. deft = effortle
5、ssly skilful3. scrupulous = painstaking, meticulous4. subtle = hardly noticeable5. far afield = very far away6. rife = widespread, common7. leader = British English for newspaper editorial8. coercion = pressure, compulsion9. epitomize = be typical of; serve as the typical example of10. disprove = pr
6、ove to be contrary; refute11. expire = die, pass away; come to an end12. indigent = poverty-stricken, pennilessIII Library Work1. Gustave Flaubert (1821-1880), French novelist, was associated with, thought not representative of , the movement of naturalism and known as one of the greatest realists o
7、f nineteenth-century France. He devoted his life to long hours spent in heavy toil over his work. His writing is marked by exactness and accuracy of observation, extreme impersonality and objectivity of treatment, and precision and expressiveness in style, or the principle of “the mot juste”.2. Mrs.
8、 Malaprop is a famous character in Sheridans comedy The Rivals (1775).She is noted for her blunders in the use of words. “As headstrong as an allegory (alligator) on the banks of the Nile” is one of her grotesque misapplications. She also requests that no delusions (allusions) to the past be made. S
9、he has given us the word malapropism as a name for such mistakes.3.Hindi is a literary and official language of northern India. Swahili is a Bentu language that is a trade the governmental language over much of East Africa and in the Congo region. Bantus are people belonging to a group of tribes fou
10、nd in equatorial and southern Africa.4.Carpenter The chief work of the carpenter is to cut, shape, and fasten lumber, timbers, and other materials according to the intention of the designer. Building plans show dimensions and locations, but rarely give the carpenter all the necessary information. A
11、carpenter must draw on experience and ingenuity of many part of the job. Most carpenters work in crews of general contractors or a re employed as maintenance workers in buildings, factories, or institutions.5. Christmas is the festival celebrating the birth of Christ. In most countries it is observe
12、d on December 25. Christian churches throughout the world hold special services on Christmas Day to give thinks for the birth of Christ. In addition to religious observances, Christmas is a time of merrymaking and feasting. Wherever Christmas is celebrated, there is a spirit of kindness and giving,
13、in keeping with the Biblical message:Glory to God in the highest;and on earth peace, good will toward men.6. Dickens, Charles (1812-1870), an English novelist. He tried in his work not only to entertain but to bring about social reforms. In his novels Dickens attacked such evils as poorhouses, unjus
14、t courts, greedy employers, faulty schools, and imprisonment for debt. 7. Shakespeare, William (1564-1616), an English poet and playwright. He has long been recognized as the worlds finest dramatist and a poet of high rank, and most modern critics consider him the worlds greatest literary figure. Hi
15、s plays have been translated into all major languages and numerous minor ones; performed repeatedly in almost every country; and in Europe and America staged oftener than those of any other playwright. His plays have been made into motion picture, radio, and television productions and have formed th
16、e basis for operas and musicals.TEACHING POINTS FOR REFERENCE 1. hitting it squarely on the head hitting it directly on the headSquarely, meaning “directly”, may be used both literally and figuratively. Examples:The boxer hit his opponent squarely on the jaw.We must face the difficulty squarely.2.an
17、 apt phrase a very suitable phrase. An example using apt:He made an apt remark that broke the silence.Apt may also mean “having a tendency to do something” or “likely”. Example:He is apt to lose patience when his question is not answered.3. scrupulous writers writers who are thorough, exact, and who
18、 pay careful attention to details 一丝不苟的作家Unscrupulous不择手段的，肆无忌惮的，the opposite of scrupulous, seems to be more often used to describe people who do not care about honesty and fairness in getting what they want, or who are completely without principles.4. that constitutes his limitation that makes up/
19、forms his shortcoming or inability in certain respectsConstitute, meaning “make up” or “form” , may be used in various contexts.Examples:England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland constitute the United Kingdom.Twelve months constitute a year.5. your conception of the man is sharper your idea of
20、the man is more distinct Sharp, as an abjective, has various meanings in various collocations, e.g., a sharp (thin-edged) knife, sharp (keen) eyes, a sharp (shrill) voice, sharp (harsh) words, a sharp (severe) pain, among many others.6. human and humanehuman relating or characteristic of humankind o
21、r peoplehumane having or showing compassion or benevolence. Humane is an earlier form of human. The two words are of the same origin.7. selfishness 自私cowardice 胆小ignorance 无知8. rife widespread, common. Rife is an adjective used with something negative.Examples:Crime and violence were rife in this ci
22、ty before liberation.Diseases used to be rife in that county.9. singularity of mind 思想奇特singleness of mind 思想专一,专心致志10. draw aside pull to one side. An example using draw aside:The sheet was drawn aside to reveal the patients ribs.draw aside may also mean “take somebody on one side (to talk to him q
23、uietly or confidentially). Example:The manager drew me aside and muttered something about security.Session Two (two periods,100 mins) Teaching Points:1. Leader: British English for newspaper editoriala leader about2. Coercion: government by forcecoerce, coercive3. Epitomized: summarized4. Hit on: co
24、me across, discover5. Distill: to purify, especially some liquiddistill the essence ofdistillation6. Fine shades of difference, tiny difference: little difference, subtle difference7. Be alive to: be aware of, know fully well You may be alive to what is happening around you.8. Marked difference: con
25、spicuous difference9. He expired in indigent circumstances: this is a very awkward sentence. Expire is often used to mean “reach the end of the period of time for which something is valid.“ Expire meaning “die“ is a very formal use.10. March: walk with firm regular steps, especially backwards and fo
26、rwardsPace: walk with slow, steady steps, especially backwards and forwardsPatrol: go at regular times round an area, building, etc.Stalk: walk stiffly, proudly, or with long stepsStride: walk with long steps or cross with one long stepTread on: step onTramp: walk with firm heavy stepsStep out: go o
27、utside or go somewherePrance: move quickly, happily, or proudly with a springing stepStrut: walk proudly or stiffly, especially with the chest pushed forward and trying to look importantProwl: move about an area quietly, trying not to be seen or heardPlod: walk slowly alongStroll: walk a short dista
28、nce, slowly or lazily, especially for pleasureShuffle: walk by dragging ones feet slowly alongStagger: walk or move unsteadily and with great difficulty, almost fallingSidle: move uncertainly or secretively, as if really to turn and go the other wayTrudge: walk with heavy steps, slowly and with effo
29、rtToddle: walk with short, unsteady steps, as a small child doesRamble: go on a walk for enjoymentRoam: wander with not very clear purposeSaunter: walk with an unhurried way, and especially in a confident mannerMeander: wander in a slow easy wayLounge: move in a leisurely, indolent mannerLoiter: mov
30、e slowly or keep stopping when one should be going forwardCreep: move slowly, quietly, and carefully so as not to attract attention11. take courage: feel hopeful and confident about something.We will take courage to overcome the difficulties.12. Not in current use: obsoleteSession Three (two periods
31、,100 minutes)Text Analysis1. Structure:Para. 1 Introduction it is an analogy between the hammering of nails and the use of language to express oneself. A man with a poor command of a language, not sure what words to use to express himself, is just like a man clumsy with a hammer, unsuccessful in his
32、 effort to strike a nail right into a box. / A man with a good command of a language, just like a skillful carpenter who easily drives home the nail with a few firm, deft blows, will drive home his point firmly and exactly with the right words and expressions.Para. 2-3 The significance of finding th
33、e right wordsParas. 4-7 Semantic difference between words sharing the same rootParas. 8 Wrong choice of words caused by failure to recognize their connotationsPara. 9 stylistic differences between synonymsPara. 10 The abundance of specific words in English for general notionsPars. 11 Conclusion - En
34、glish has a large vocabulary, however, only around 12,000 words are used today. Thus choose the words precisely and exactly.2. Analogy:1) An analogy is a special kind of comparison and a more concrete way to explain things. It can help to make some vast, remote, abstract, or specialized thing clear.
35、 Of the two things being compared, one is an unfamiliar subject, usually a difficult or abstract subject the writer makes a point of clarifying, and the other a familiar subject, an easy subject the writer utilizes to help explain his unfamiliar subject.2) Example: Exercises: 1. Oral practice: Use t
36、he way of analogy to illustrate your ideas of dormitory life/ your love for your parents/ the friendship between you and one of your best friends2. Workbook: Paraphrase; Translation; Language Work.V. Feedback:1. Students comprehension of HIT THE NAIL ON THE HAND is not complete and profound enough.2
37、. Analysis of figure of speech-analogy is not quite complete enough.3. Some students are not quit comprehensible towards the ways to choose a topic.5. In translationSome students are not clear about the usage of “drive sth. home” and “squarely”. Teacher should offer more examples to show their meani
38、ng and usage.6. In language work, the differentiation of the synonymous words like loiter, ramble, tread is difficult for the students. Ask them to consult the dictionary and get familiar with examples provided in the dictionary.7.Explain analogy in detail to students, assign the homework of writing a passage by using analogy to encourage them to employ this effective writing skill.
