E-grāmata: Reading to Write: A Textbook of Advanced Chinese

Acknowledgments

Preface

Users guide

1. Writing about events, part one

Writing guide : key elements of event writing

Model text : an amusing account of exam preparations

Rhetoric : personification

Practical writing : email

2. Writing about events: part two

Writing guide : detailed descriptions

Model text : a tune in the rain

Rhetoric : metaphors and similes

Practical writing : congratulatory words

3. Writing about people

Writing guide : capturing key traits

Model text : mothers smiles

Rhetoric : parallelism

Practical writing : letter of gratitude

4. Writing about scenery, part one

Writing guide : careful observations

Model text : impressions of Niagara Falls

Rhetoric : exaggeration

Practical writing : posters

5. Writing about scenery, part two

Writing guide : blending scenery and feelings

Model text : autumn colors on campus

Rhetoric : association

Practical writing : cover letter for a job application

6. Writing about feelings

Writing guide : true feelings and beautiful expressions

Model text : musical charm

Rhetoric : imagination

Practical writing : résumé

7. Persuasive writing

Writing guide : three methods of argumentation

Model text : confidence and conceit

Rhetoric : rhetorical question

Practical writing : reader response

Appendices

English translations of the model texts

Vocabulary index

Zu-yan Chen is a Professor of Chinese Language and Literature at Binghamton University, State University of New York. He holds the rank of SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor. His publications include seven books and many articles spanning the fields of literature, history, philosophy, and language pedagogy.