Example of Cause and Effect

To Build or Not to Build

Building permits, water and sewer taps, architectural drawings, delayed schedules, construction mishaps, and disreputable builders are a few horrors that race through a person's mind when thinking of building a house. Those who have never tried it would probably hesitate or at best think it over for several days. Some people who have dared to build their own homes swear that they would never do it again. So then, why is it that some still choose to enter into this uncelebrated, unfamiliar experience? The reasons vary, but the common ones are that building a home may be a necessity, may have a financial advantage, and can provide personal satisfaction in a unique design.

In some cases, one major cause, necessity, underlies the decision to build one's own home. Unless people have beautiful property and plenty of money, they purchase a preconstructed home when they are in the market for a house. However, when the housing market does not offer the house they want or need, then potential buyers may be forced to construct the house for themselves. For instance, if one is moving to a small town where land is reasonable and the housing market is poor, building is the only choice. Or if a family has a special need like four baths or a walk-out basement for a business, there is no alternative but to build. If a person wants to move into a certain area where the choice of homes is limited, then construction of a custom home becomes unavoidable.

Another important reason for building a home may be financial. Building a home keeps an owner from paying a large real-estate commission. Cur­rently, a real estate commission is 7 percent, so if someone buys a ready-made $70,000 home, the buyer will be paying close to $5,000 in real-estate fees. Also, a prospective home builder has some flexible control over the total cost of the construction. "Sweat equity" is a term that means that the home­owner and the home builder enter into a partnership in which the owner can do some of the labor to defray costs. Painting, tiling, landscaping, or any labor the owner chooses can be done on weekends to save dollars. In the same way, if the builders have plenty of time and flexible taste, they can find bargains for lumber, concrete, appliances, carpet, or any other major items. The buyers have no control over most of these items in an already-constructed house. More control over finances can be a significant underlying reason for deciding in favor of building a home instead of purchasing a preconstructed home.

Other important reasons for building a home are psychological. The chal­lenge of accomplishing a major project can bring a person satisfaction when Other important reasons for building a home are psychological. The chal­lenge of accomplishing a major project can bring a person satisfaction when the job is completed. Also, the prospective home builders feel as though they are the creators of the home and immediately take on the pride of ownership. Because they have a better idea of the struggle and time that went into the home, they have a deep sense of appreciation. Another emotion that might cause a person to build a home is obtaining a sense of individualism. Because the homeowner-builders have the opportunity to create and change the floor plan, they know that no other home exists that is exactly like their own. To those people who feel strongly about having a unique design, this motive may be a very strong incentive for building. Even though emotional causes may not be very obvious at first, they are usually very strong influencing forces.

A person's home is an extremely important place. It represents not only shelter but personal tastes and satisfactions, it is also the most valuable item a person ever owns. Deciding to build this valuable possession can be fright­ening and frustrating. Many people would never choose to take on such a major responsibility and task. However, some people are forced into the decision and find that there are advantages. Financial benefits, an opportu­nity to exhibit creativity, and a deep enjoyment and satisfaction in having a unique design can cause people to undertake this creative and satisfying project.

WRITING INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH

An introductory paragraph is the first paragraph in writing. Its function is to lead the readers into the essay. Consequently, it should give the readers a preview of the essay. If it captures their attention, the readers will find it easier to follow the writer’s flow of expression. In order to attract the readers’ attention, ideally, the introductory paragraph should be interesting.

The introductory paragraph consists of two parts.

1.             The first part is general statement about the subject to attract readers’ attention

2.             The second part is a thesis statement, which specifies the topic or the plan of the paper. The function of thesis statement is to control the idea of the paper.

Good introductory paragraph has some characteristics. They are:

1.             The introductory paragraph should introduce the topic.

2.             The introductory paragraph should indicate generally how the topic is going to be developed, whether the essay is to discuss causes, effect, reasons, or examples. Whether the essay is going to describe, narrate, or explain something. Since this discussion is about expository, it should explain something.

3.             The introductory paragraph should contain thesis statement.

4.             The introductory paragraph should be inviting.

There are four basic types of introductory paragraph. They are:

1.             The first is turnabout type of introduction. In this type, the writer opens with a statement contrary to his or her actual thesis. Look at the following example:

We live in era where television is the national pastime. Since the invention of television set, people have been spending more of their free time watching television than doing anything else. Many of the television addicts feel that this particular pastime is not bad one; indeed, they argue that people can learn a great deal watching television. I am sure if you look long and hard enough; you can probably find some programs that are educationally motivating. But, for most part, I say that watching television is a waste of time (Smalley and Hank, 1986:228)

2.             The second type, the dramatic entrance, is a type of introduction in which the author opens with narrative, descriptive, or dramatic example. Look at the following example:

The rain pours down as if running from a faucet, lightning streaks across the dark restless sky, and thunder pounds the roof and walls of the house. All of a sudden the wind kicks up. Trees sway madly back and forth; loose objects are picked up and thrown all way round. The house streaks and moans with every gust of wind. Windows are broken by pieces of shingle from a neighbour’s roof or by loose objects picked by the wind. Power lines snap like thread. The unprepared house and its occupants are in grave prepared for hurricane approaches. Had they prepared for hurricane, they might not be in such danger. Indeed, careful preparation before a hurricane is essential to life and property (Smalley and Hank, 1986:260)

3.             The third type is relevant quotation.  In this way, the writer opens with the quotation relevant to the topic. Look at the following example:

“As an airplane or missile becomes more complicated,” warned James fallows in his 1981 book National Defence,” the probability that all its parts will be working at the same time goes down”. Indeed the reliability and power of modern U.S military hardware depend heavily on increasingly complex electronic circuits. This worrisome vulnerability prompted Pentagon officials more than two years ago to launch an extensive probe of microchip suppliers in order to spot any lax manufacturing practices. Last week the inquiry produced an indictment against a major electronic company (Smalley and Hank, 1986:299)

4.             The last type is, the Funnel. That is the type of introductory in which the progress of the idea is from general to specific one. See the following paragraph example:

Travelling to a foreign country is always interesting, especially if it is a country that is completely different from your own. You can delight in tasting new foods, seeing new sight, and learning about different customs, some of which may seem very curious. If you were to visit my country, for instance, you would probably think that my people have some very strange customs, as these three examples will illustrate (Smalley and Hank, 1986:143)

Another important thing in introductory paragraph is the existence of thesis statement, that is a single sentence that contains an arguable proposition and clearly states the author’s position on the issue. The thesis statement is said to be the good one as it qualifies the following:

1.             The thesis statement appears at the end or near the end of the introductory paragraph.

2.             It states the main point of the writer

3.             It indicates how the writer will limit and support the main point.

4.             It shows how the writer will organize the entire essay.

In addition to those all mentioned above, the thesis statement should follow the following criteria, they are:

1.             The thesis statement should be expressed in a complete sentence.

2.             The thesis statement expresses an opinion, attitude, or idea; it does not simply announce the topic of the essay will develop.

3.             The thesis statement should express an opinion; it should not express the fact.

4.             The thesis statement should express only one idea toward one topic.

Descriptive Text

What is descriptive text?

text which describe a particular thing/one

What is its' genre?

1. identification: who/what is he/it
2. descriptions: describe the physical and other descriptions

Language feature:

          Present tense

The first example:

My Cat Gregory

Gregory is my beautiful gray Persian cat. He walks with pride and grace, performing a dance of disdain as he slowly lifts and lowers each paw with the delicacy of a ballet dancer. His pride, however, does not extend to his appearance, for he spends most of his time indoors watching television and growing fat.

He enjoys TV commercials, especially those for Meow Mix and 9 Lives. His familiarity with cat food commercials has led him to reject generic brands of cat food in favor of only the most expensive brands.

Gregory is as finicky about visitors as he is about what he eats, befriending some and repelling others. He may snuggle up against your ankle, begging to be petted, or he may imitate a skunk and stain your favorite trousers. Gregory does not do this to establish his territory, as many cat experts think, but to humiliate me because he is jealous of my friends.

After my guests have fled, I look at the old fleabag snoozing and smiling to himself in front of the television set, and I have to forgive him for his obnoxious, but endearing, habits.

The second example:

Borobudur Temple

Borobudur is Hindu – Budhist temple. It was build in the nineth century under Sailendra dynasty of ancient Mataram kingdom. Borobudur is located in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia.

Borobudur is well-known all over the world. Its construction is influenced by the Gupta architecture of India. The temple is constructed on a hill 46 m high and consist of eight step like stone terrace. The first five terrace are square and surrounded by walls adorned with Budist sculpture in bas-relief. The upper three are circular.

Each of them is with a circle of bell shape-stupa. The entire adifice is crowned by a large stupa at the centre at the centre of the top circle. The way to the summit extends through some 4.8 km of passage and starways. The design of borobudur which symbolizes the structure of universe influences temples at Angkor, Cambodia.

Borobudur temple which is rededicated as an Indonesian monument in 1983 is a valuable treasure for Indonesian people.