You should start a new paragraph when:
- When you begin a new idea or point. New ideas should always start in new paragraphs. If you have an extended idea that spans multiple paragraphs, each new point within that idea should have its own paragraph.
- To contrast information or ideas. Separate paragraphs can serve to contrast sides in a debate, different points in an argument, or any other difference.
- When your readers need a pause. Breaks between paragraphs function as a short "break" for your readers—adding these in will help your writing more readable. You would create a break if the paragraph becomes too long or the material is complex.
- When you are ending your introduction or starting your conclusion. Your introductory and concluding material should always be in a new paragraph. Many introductions and conclusions have multiple paragraphs depending on their content, length, and the writer's purpose.
Summary checklist
| · Put only one main idea per paragraph. · Aim for three to five or more sentences per paragraph. · Include on each page about two handwritten or three typed paragraphs. · Make your paragraphs proportional to your paper (short paragraphs for short papers and longer paragraphs for longer papers). |
(Adapted from Dana Lynn Driscoll, Allen Brizee (2013) @ https://owl.english.purdue.edu/ )
II Useful Vocabulary: Contrast (B1/B2/C1)
Like addition (See Unit 4), expressions of contrast are essential in implementing reader-centered approach in writing.
We use the following words and phrases to make contrasting points or to express balance:
Yet, / however, / (but) nevertheless, / but / at the same time / even so, / still, / nonetheless
It is a known fact that smoking causes cancer. Nonetheless, millions of people around the world continue to smoke.
Although / Even though / Regardless of the fact that / In spite of the fact that / Despite the fact that / While / Whereas… / Much as
While it is a known fact that smoking causes cancer, millions of people around the world continue to smoke.
Verb endings in Russian can show present, past of future tenses, whereas in English they can only show present or past.
Much as I would like to stay, I still think I should go home.
In spite of / despite + a noun
Despite being late, we were allowed into the laboratory.
On the one hand / on the other hand / unlike…, / conversely, / rather than + noun / Quite the opposite, / on the contrary, / The reverse is true.
In the north of India, rains are plentiful. In the south the reverse is true and drought is common.
Exercise 2 (B1/B2)
Insert linking words/phrases of contrast in the sentences. More than one option is possible.
Although even though nevertheless whereas
Despite the fact that regardless of the fact that despite
1 _________________ big crowds, it is still possible to feel very lonely in a city.
2 Kelly loves her husband _________________ he has some bad habits.
3 _________________ he's 24 now, he still behaves like a little child.
4 Wagner was a Nazi supporter. _________________, he is still an important figure in the history of music.
5 _________________there was almost no hope of finding the missing boy, the search party still went on the search.
6 She went to Spain _________________ her doctor had told her to rest at home.
7 He refused to help me, _________________ I had always helped him whenever needed.
Exercise 3 (B2/C1)
Correct mistakes in the following sentences.
Nevertheless I see your point, I still think you might be wrong.
While reorganization is a good idea, but it would cause friction among employees.
There were ten minutes left to the deadline, even though we refused to panic.
Our project is meeting with considerable success, much as we might like it.
I spent hours on the Internet even so I knew I was wasting my time.
Despite of his youth, he had significant achievements in biology.
Fines are a good way of punishing, however they are of no use if they cannot be paid.
Exercise 4 (B2/C1)
Make up sentences of your own using the linking words from the exercise above:
Nevertheless while (whilst) even though much as even so despite however
UNIT 7. WORK-LIFE BALANCE
A EXPLORING A TOPIC
I Expressing an opinion (B1/B2/C1)
- Look at the definition of the notion work-life balance below. Is this a problem for you now? Is it an effort for you to find the appropriate balance between work and study and private life?
Work-life balance is a concept that supports the efforts of employees to split their time and energy between work and the other important aspects of their lives. Work-life balance is a daily effort to make time for family, friends, community participation, spirituality, personal growth, self care, and other personal activities, in addition to the demands of the workplace (from Work-Life Balance by Susan M. Heathfield).
- Study some other interpretations of the term. Using the definitions suggested define the concept in a way related to your personal experience.
a) Work–life balance is a concept including proper prioritizing between "work" (career and ambition) and "lifestyle" (health, pleasure, leisure, family and spiritual development/meditation). Related, though broader, terms include "lifestyle calm balance" and "lifestyle choices" (from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia).
b) Work-life balance is the ability to experience a sense of control and to stay productive and competitive at work while maintaining a happy, healthy home life with sufficient leisure. It’s attaining focus and awareness, despite seemingly endless tasks and activities competing for your time and attention (from What is Work-life Balance? by Jeff Davidson)
II Related information (B1/B2/C1)
- Define the meaning of the following terms: downshifting, voluntary simplicity, unorganization, a win-win issue, burn-out, workload, flexitime.
- Read the beginning of the report on the results of the survey of work and balance Work and Life Balance, INTERNATIONAL SURVEY BY ARBORA-Global Career Partners, Pharma Consult Services, May 23rd 2001.
1) Explain the reasons of doing such a research.
2) What groups of managers were interviewed for the survey? Why?
3) What flexible work arrangements help to provide the balance of work and life?
REPORT
1. INTRODUCTION
Do you work to live or live to work?
In a recent survey of 1361 managers, carried out by the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology, it was found that more than 80% of managers work more than 40 hours a week, almost 40% work more than 50 hours a week, and 66% report feeling under pressure constantly. More and more frequently many managers start to think about the quality of their professional life, with an increased level of stress and pressure. Work-related activities prevail over their lives and leave neither time nor energy for other things. Associations promoting a new life style are proliferating: “work less, earn less but live better”. Concepts such as "downshifting", "voluntary simplicity" or “unorganization", have become popular in recent publications and in the net. On the other hand, companies are more and more confronted with the difficulties arising from the situation of employees having to combine their own professional lives with those of their spouses (in USA 80% of couples both work) and this is a concern of human resources managers. In the past, the conflicting demand for work versus personal life was seen as a social welfare question that only benefited the employee. A new generation of HR managers is starting to view this issue in a different way. They are looking at the dilemma as a win-win issue. The best employee is perhaps no longer the one that is inclined to give up everything for the company, including his/her private life, but the one that is able to keep a good balance between personal and professional life.
2. OBJECTIVE
The objective of this survey was to evaluate the perception both of managers as employees and of HR managers as employers with regard to the manager’s balance between personal and professional life. More specifically, we were interested in analysing the following related issues:
- From the Managers’ point of view as employees
We explored up to what point they are stressed and overloaded at work, how this is affecting their lives, and what kind of solutions they are being offered or would like to be offered by their companies.
Concepts such as workload, burn-out, long working hours, flexitime, permanent availability and job satisfaction were explored together with general time distribution between work and other personal activities.
In addition, we briefly profiled the professional and personal situation of those interviewed, while preserving anonymity.
- From the Human Resources Managers point of view as employers
We were interested in diagnosing the prevailing attitude of HR managers with regard to the work/life balance dilemma.
Among other things, we tried to answer the following questions: Do HR managers view the issue as a win-win possibility or as a social benefit to employees? Is it possible to keep the same level of efficiency with more flexible work arrangements? Is it compatible to avoid working around the clock with being a good top manager? Is the work/life balance question a problem of women exclusively?
Additionally, a brief profile of the companies surveyed was also recorded as well as the flexible work arrangements they provided:
- Part-time work
- Flexitime
- Sabbatical periods or longer maternity/paternity leave
- Teleworking
- Job sharing
- Job swapping
- Flexible holidays
III Developing background knowledge (B1/B2/C1)
Jeff Davidson MBA, CMC is one of the authors who develops the idea of workplace productivity. He has written a number of articles on Work and Life Balance. Study some of them and give a talk about one of the issues under discussion (e.g. Email Communication Strategies for Greater Harmony, Being Constantly Interrupted: Who Needs It?).
IV Exchanging views and ideas (B1/B2/C1)
1. Group work. The Work-Life Balance Expert, Jeff Davidson suggests The Six Components of Work-Life Balance: self management, time management, stress management, change management technology management, and leisure management Organize a brainstorming session to find out the meaning of each element. Compare your ideas to those of J. Davidson at Work-Life Balance https://work-lifebalance.com.
2. What is the connection between Work and Life Balance and Time Management Skills? See Unit 3 for more information.
V Summarizing the topic (B1/B2/C1)
1. Choose a notion which is, in your opinion, most important for understanding the idea of Work and Life Balance. Speak on the issue.
2. Make a power point presentation on the topic Work and Life Balance
- Choose a particular aspect (e.g. self management in Work-Life Balance, etc.)
- Illustrate your ideas with real-life examples
VI Project work (B1/B2/C1)
- Work out a list of questions (a questionnaire) on effective means of balancing your work/study and other aspects of life and interview your group-mates. Choose a particular form of the research: face-to-face interaction or mediated interaction. You may do it using the Internet as a mediator. Present the results of your survey in a Report.
- Write an essay on one of the following topics:
1) Why I need work and life balance.
2) To work to live or to live to work, that is the question.
3) Ten tips to achieve work-life balance.
4) Work and life balance: issues to discuss.
B PRACTISING SKILLS
TEXT 1 (B2)
Put the word(s) in brackets in the right form.