2020-2021学年度第9期总第808期

Handwriting brings benefits (P6)
吉林毓文中学 魏巍

Lead-in
Write by hand VS Type on a keyboard
Which one do you think is better for us?

Fast reading
1. What type of writing is this?
Expository (说明文).

2. What's the main idea of the passage?
It is mainly about the benefits of writing by hand compared with using a keyboard.

Specific reading
Para 1  Lead-in to the topic
Para 2 & 3  The result of the research
Para 4  The process of the research
Para 5  The findings of the research
Para 6 & 7  The meanings of the research

Specific reading
Para 1  Lead-in to the topic
Handwriting has many benefits.

Para 2 & 3 The result of the research
1. What kind of research is it?
A new brain research.

2. Who led the research?
Researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.

3. What is the result of the research?
Choosing handwriting over using a keyboard results in better learning and memory.

4. Why does the author mention Audrey van der Meer’s comments?

To make the result of the research more convincing.

Para 4 The process of the research
Method:
By using equipment to track and record brainwave activity.

Subjects:  
12 young adults and 12 children

Process:
Write by hand and type on a keyboard;
Wear a hood with electrodes;
Pick up the electrical activity in the brain.

Time needed
45 minutes per person

Para 5 The findings of the research
The brain is much more active when writing by hand.
Why?
Plenty of senses are activated.
Build contact between different parts of brain.
Open the brain up for learning.

Para 6 & 7 The meanings of the research
Meaning 1
It shows how it is important for children to learn to draw and write at an early age.
Meaning 2
Writing by hand requires control of your fine motor skills and senses. Therefore, it’s important to put the brain in a learning state as often as possible.

Exercises
Retell the passage using your own words.