NATIONALISM AND SPORTS

I. INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH
Different ways to define a nation:
- with state symbols, such as a flag, a currency, an anthem, and an armed force.
- By taking part in international sporting events.
🡪 Funds for sports increased in both industrialized and developing nations.
The truth is sports can define territory, unite disparate peoples within a nation, and act
as a part of a country’s culture.

II. BODY
1. Define territory.
● Olympic Games – 1988 – South Korea 🡪 reinforce territory division bet. S. & N. Korea
● National marathon 1990 in Germany 🡪 crisscross the line bet. 2 Germanys, highlight
new territory

2. Unite disparate peoples withing a nation

● Ice hockey in Canada: common identity of English Canadians & French Canadian
🡪 increase fund for sports, esp. ice hockey
🡪 Star hockey player Wayne Gretzy’s move to LA in 1980s 🡪 accused of defecting
from Canada.

3. Act as part of culture 🡪 foster a sense of loyalty

● reveal character, value systems, elements of social structures
● Britain redefine the country’s identity:
o Through traditional English sports (soccer, cricket..)
o At school, students play team sports in PE classes 🡪 strengthen ties to nation’s
past

III. CONCLUSION
Summary: sports can define territory, unite disparate peoples within a nation and act as
a part of a country’s culture.
Personal comments
 LOOK AT THE OUTLINE AND ANSWER THE QUESTIONS.

1. How many paragraphs will there be in this essay?

INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH
2. Which is the THESIS STATEMENT?
3. What does this thesis statement tell you about the essay? (tick all that are correct).
- How many ideas there will be in the body of the essay.
- In which order the ideas are organized in the body of the essay
- Which is the most important idea.

BODY
Paragraph 1:
4. What is the main idea of paragraph 1 in the BODY?
5. Which two examples are used to support for the main idea?
Paragraph 2:
6. What is the main idea of paragraph 2 in the BODY?
7. Which game is described to support for the main idea?
Paragraph 3:
8. What is the main idea of paragraph 3 in the BODY?
9. Why can sport act as a part of a country’s culture?
10.Which country is trying to promote sports to foster its identity?

CONCLUSION
11.Which sentence summarizes the main ideas of the essay?
12.Is this sentence similar to the thesis statement?