Page 91 - BB_Textbook

PRODUCTIVE GRADE 10
Writing an Argumentative TBER
Based on the above information from the CRO PRA, write a TBER paragraph on global warming, climate change, or climate crisis. Recall from Chapter One this basic format for a TBER paragraph:
Step One. Consider the Topic Sentence as an “umbrella” that:
1. Covers the topic for an entire paragraph.
2. Covers the content of the paragraph.
3. Unifies the content and organizes the sequence of sentences.
4. Supports the overall thesis of the essay if this paragraph is
part of an essay.
Step Two: Organize your thoughts for a one-paragraph
TBER paragraph of 110 to 130 words:
Step Three: Now examine your Topic Sentence. It should be more than a mere description or declaration. A strong Topic Sentence is one that makes a compelling point and argues logically. It takes a well-founded position that the paragraph then supports with facts, examples, images, and details. It beckons the reader’s attention. It expects a response from the reader. It is communicative, not just a formulaic sentence at the beginning of a paragraph.
Compare the following two Topic Sentences. One is argu- mentative ... genuinely communicative. Which of these two examples is compelling, logical, and beckoning a response?
Example 1. Global warming is a term describing higher temperatures that surround the Earth.
Example 2. Climate change is well documented but to know its real effect, you must examine how we contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and unnecessary consumption.
Step Four: Rewrite your TBER paragraph. Ensure the Topic Sentence is an argument, nor merely a description. For
the Bridge, place yourself in the context of this paragraph’s subject. Give at least three concrete Examples or pieces of information that support the argument of the Topic Sentence. And take your Restatement a step further but explaining how you are part of the solution to climate events today.
Step Five: Engage next the four Tasks that derive from the CRO PRA. Importantly, the fifth Task is an invitation for your class and school to conduct very useful climate change research.
As serious as climate change, even climate crisis, is to Vietnam, the Delta and Cần Thơ, shouldn’t bilingual discourse on the root causes and effects of climate and environmental change lead to concrete action? Rather than just summarize some facts and prepare for exams, what if your contribution to this discourse applied linguistic and development knowledge and skills to very present challenges and needs? Using the word crisis, this change is immediate, serious, and demanding a response.
Vietnamese students invest hundreds, even thousands, of hours in Second Language Acquisition (SLA). This commitment is not just for passing grades but for living better and tackling big challenges.
Here are seven key findings of the Cần Thơ Resiliency Office (CRO) Preliminary Resilience Assessment for Cần Thơ City, Vietnam (the “PRA”). This document was jointly researched and published by the CRO and ISET— the Institute for Social and Environmental Transition (Colorado). ISET has worked alongside Cần Thơ scientists and city planners since 2007. The PRA findings place the predicament of Cần Thơ in a global context of climate change and crisis.
1. Since 1977, on an annual basis, the average daily temperature in Cần Thơ has increased 0.7°C. The worldwide scientific consensus is that the Earth can sustain only a 2.0°C increase to avoid catastrophic effects.
2. Projecting to the period of 2040-2065, the annual average precipitation in Cần Thơ is expected to increase from 23.6% to 122.7%.
3. Tropical depressions (sustained circular winds of 23 to 39 mph) and tropical storms (maximum sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph) that hit Cần Thơ will be fewer but stronger and more devasting.
4. By 2100, the sea level will rise somewhere from 52 to 106 centimeters. 20% of Cần Thơ will be submerged (underwater) if the sea level rises more than one meter.
5. Hydrology (the study of the movement of water relative to land) will change the tides of the East Sea. This will change the flow of the Mekong River. There will be less rain during the dry season. Add to these changes the manmade effect of 28 upstream Chinese dams. These hydrologic changes will affect rice paddy irrigation, river transportation, aquaculture (fish farming), drainage during floods, riverbank erosion, and water pollution.
6. There will be severe loss of land for agriculture.
7. People will have to adapt to many cumulative changes.
Widespread social and economic disruption will affect agriculture, aquaculture, industry, urbanization, construction, transportation, and public services.
T = Topic Sentence (as in the “umbrella” example above).
B = Bridge sentence that provides context and/or concept from the Topic Sentence.
E = Example sentences (three) of factual, narrative, detailed support for the Topic Sentence.
R = Restatement of your point, going a step further than just repeating the Topic Sentence.
BENDING BAMBOO
CLIMATE | CHAPTER 2 91