Friends, Good Friends —
and Such Good Friends
Judith Viorst (born February 2, 1931)
American author, newspaper journalist,
and psychoanalysis researcher
OUTLINE
1. Questions
2. Text Type
3. Main Ideas
4. Text Pattern
5. Language Points
1. Comprehension Questions
What does the title tell us?
How has my definition of friendship changed?
Who are my intended audience? Why?
What if I use you/your instead of we/our?
What effect does my use of quotations have?
How would you describe the tone of the essay?
What is the 8th category of friends?
1. Comprehension Questions
What categories are the following
relationships according to my categerization?
Classmates County fellows
Colleauges Club members
Key pals Boyfriends/girlfriends
2. Text Type
Narration 记叙文 a movie
Description 描述文 a picture
Exposition 说明文 a lecture
Argumentation 议论文 a debate
These are the four major global and ideal types.
A combination of text types is often found to interact.
3. Main Ideas
What are the first three paragraphs about?
1. Friendship is built on love, trust and sincerity.
2. Friendship is characterised by the same affection.
3. Friendships vary in terms of intensity/intimacy.
What is the first three paragraphs about?
My definition of friendship has changed: ...
3. Main Ideas
What are the last three paragraphs about?
3. Friendships are defined by their level of intimacy.
2. The best friends totally love and trust each other.
1. The best friends needn’t agree about everything.
What is the last three paragraphs about?
The best of friends.
4. Text Pattern
Sequence / time 顺序、时间
Space/spatial 空间
Compare-contrast 比较-对比
Advantage-dis. 利弊
Cause-effect 因果
Problem-solution 问题-解决
Topical （G-S） 话题（总分）
The numbers tell a lot.
5. Language Points
Words and expressions
Sprout, pinch, sibling, rivalry, texture, dormant,
revive, chemistry, keep score, cross-generational
friend, blind with rage, serve functions, meet needs…
Sentences
There are the women with whom, if our paths ...
Our crossroads friends are important for what was …
But the fact that our feeling on seeing each other …
Your questions?