Zu-yan Chen is a Professor of Chinese Language and Literature at Binghamton University, State University of New York. He holds the rank of SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor. His publications include seven books and many articles spanning the fields of literature, history, philosophy, and language pedagogy.

• AcknowledgmentsPreface 前言User’s guide 使用说明1. Writing about events, part one 记事篇上Writing guide 写作指导: key elements of event writing 记事要素Model text 范文: an amusing account of exam preparations 备考趣记Rhetoric 修辞: personification 拟人Practical writing 应用文: email 电子邮件2. Writing about events: part two 记事篇下Writing guide 写作指导: detailed descriptions 细节描写Model text 范文: a tune in the rain 雨中曲Rhetoric 修辞: metaphors and similes 比喻Practical writing 应用文: congratulatory words 祝词3. Writing about people 写人篇 Writing guide 写作指导: capturing key traits 抓住特征Model text 范文: mother’s smiles 妈妈的微笑Rhetoric 修辞: parallelism 排比Practical writing 应用文: letter of gratitude 感谢信4. Writing about scenery, part one 绘景篇上Writing guide 写作指导: careful observations 仔细观察Model text 范文: impressions of Niagara Falls 尼亚加拉观瀑记Rhetoric 修辞: exaggeration 夸张Practical writing 应用文: posters 海报5. Writing about scenery, part two 绘景篇下Writing guide 写作指导: blending scenery and feelings 情景交融Model text 范文: autumn colors on campus 校园秋色Rhetoric 修辞: association 联想Practical writing 应用文: cover letter for a job application求职信 6. Writing about feelings 抒情篇Writing guide 写作指导: true feelings and beautiful expressions 情真意美Model text 范文: musical charm 琴韵 Rhetoric 修辞: imagination 想象Practical writing 应用文: résumé 简历7. Persuasive writing 议论篇Writing guide 写作指导: three methods of argumentation论证三法Model text 范文: confidence and conceit自信与自负Rhetoric 修辞: rhetorical question 反问Practical writing 应用文: reader response 读后感AppendicesEnglish translations of the model texts 课文英译Vocabulary index 词汇索引