如何写好英语段落
如何写好英语段落
段落是由表达单一中心思想一组句子(包括主题句 topic sentence,推展句supporting sentences及结论句concluding sentence)构成,是文章结构基本独立单位。下面是我整理的如何写好英语段落相关内容。
如何写好英语段落1
主题句与推展句
1、主题句
主题句(topic sentence)是表达段落主题句子。它用以概括段落大意,要求全段其他文字都围绕它展开。请看下例:
My mother has passed along to me certain rules for getting along with others.Don’t argue with parents;they will think you don’t love them.Don’t argue with children;they will think themselves victimized.Don’t argue with spouses;they will think you are a tiresome mate.Don’t argue with strangers;they will think you are not friendly.My mother’s rules,in fact,can be summed up in two words: Don’t argue.
主题句中提出“certain rules”是指什么?展开句中通过四个“Don’t argue ——”逐一加以交代。从结构来看,这是一个比较典型段落,它包括了主题句,推展句和结论句(即本段中末句)。
1.1、主题句位置
主题句通常放在段落开端,其特点是开门见山地摆出问题,然后加以详细说明。其作用是使文章结构更清晰,更具说服力,便于读者迅速地把握主题和想象全段内容。主题句可以放在段中起到承上启下作用,或放在段尾起概括全段作用。但初学者比较难于掌握,因而在四级考试中,考生应尽量采用将主题句放在段落开头写作手法。
例1:Our life today depends very much on energy.In towns and in villages,on farms and in factories,machines have made life easier than it used to be.The machines use energy,and energy is needed for heating,lighting,communications,carrying goods everything.Factories and industrial plants use a great deal of energy to make the things that we use and buy and sell.
这段文字所讲主要是能源问题。第一句就概括性地提出“我们目前生活很大程度上依赖于能源”。而随后出现三句都是具体事例,对第一句进行说明和论述。我们可以断定第一句为该段主题句。
例2:(主题句)No one can avoid being influenced by advertisements.(推展句1)Much as we may pride ourselves on our good taste,we are no longer free to choose the things we want,for advertising exerts a subtle influence on us.(推展句2)In their efforts to persuade us to buy this or that product,advertisers have made a close study of human nature and have classified all our little weakness.
1.2、 如何写好主题句中关键词
段落主题句对主题限定主要是通过句中关键词来表现。关键词要尽量写得具体些。对“具体”要求包括两个方面:一是要具体到能控制和限制段落发展;二是要具体到能说明段落发展方法。准确地把握关键词是清楚地表达段落主题、写好段落主题句重要前提之一。在上面例1,例2中,主题句关键词分别为:depends very much on energy;no one can avoid being influenced.
如何写好英语段落2
1.比较与对照的基本定义
比较(comparison)主要是指出两个或两个以上不同种类的共同点或相似点(similarities),如人物、事物、地点、思想、观点等。对照(contrast)主要是指它们的不同点(difference)。在大学英语中,比较和对照法往往同时使用。写作时,首先应考虑要比较和对照的两个或两个以上的事物, 然后列一个表,发现这些事物的最主要特征,相同的或类似的特征可以比较,不同的特征可以组成对照。例如:
例1.Punctuality is the main constituent of good character.Aperson,who is always in time for his appointment,shows real considerationfor others.On the other hand,a person who is always lateshows his selfishness and thoughtlessness and he is not worthy tobe friend with.(本段对守时(in time)与不能守时(late)的两种不同的人进行了对照,用表示对照的连接词“On the otherhand”进行了很好的连接。)。
例2.Paintings and photographs have something in common.But there are also some differences between them.(这段很好地展示出本文将用比较与对照的方法进行写作。)
Paintings and photographs are visual art forms.They both cancapture a specific moment for all time.A painting reflects the skilland talent of a painter,likewise the quality of a photograph canrepresent the skill and talent of a photographer.(本段对paintingsand photographs两个不同的种类进行了分析, 用连接词(both)进行了很好的连接,用连接词(likewise)用同样的方式对它们的相同点(the skill and talent)进行了比较)。
Photographs are created by using film,a camera,and specialpaper.In contrast,paintings are created with paint,brushes,andcanvas.Photographs,like paintings,are often framed and displayedon walls in homes and galleries.Both can vary in size.However,photographs are usually small enough to keep in albumswhere they document family events.( 本段比较和对照法同时使用).In conclusion,although paintings and photographs are similarin some ways,there are also some differences between them.(本段对本文的比较与对照进行了小结)。
2.比较与对照的两种基本写作方法
2.1整体对比法(one-side-at-a-time method)
整体对比法:既先描述甲,再描述乙(A1,A2,A3,...B1,B2,B3,...)例 如大学英语作文“Where to live———In the City or inthe Countryside” 第一段可描述几点城市生活(A1,A2,A3,...),第二段可描述几点农村生活(B1,B2,B3,...),用整体对比法写作。
例3.Many people appreciate the conveniences of the city.
(A).The city has better transportation service and health care.Citydwellers can easily enjoy themselves in restaurants,departmentstorees and concert halls.They are well-informed about what is goingon at home and abroad,and have the access to better education,better jobs and more opportunities for business.(A1,A2,A3,...)But country life is also attractive.(B).Country people are inclose contact with nature.They breathe fresh air and listen to thesong of the birds.They make friends with crops and trees,cows andsheep.And they enjoy the peace and calm of the pastoral environment.(B1,B2,B3,...)
However,both the city and the country have their own disadvantages.The city,despite all its good points,may be a place toocrowded for people to live in.And urban citizens are often underpressure,worrying over such problems as pollution,crime and unemployment.(A1,A2,...).As for rural inhabitants,they are freefrom becoming layoffs all right,yet they may find life far from thecity less convenient,and sometimes not as colorful or full of vigor.
(B1,B2,...)
2.2逐项对比法(point-by-point method)逐项对比法: 既双方同时描述,逐点进行比较(A1,B1;A2,B2;A3,B3...)
例4.Riding a bicycle has a lot of advantages over driving acar.First,it is a physical exercise to ride a bicycle.(A1).In contrast,sitting in the car,one tends to gain weight.(B1).Besides,it ismuch more economical to ride a bike than drive a car.On the otherhand,the only fee a bike-rider has to pay is the annual tax.However,the annual fees for a car are costly.(A2,B2).On the otherhand,a bike needn’t be equipped with a parking lot,but a carmust.(A3,B3).Most important of all,it is beneficial to the environmentto ride a bicycle because the bike doesn’t consume petrol;itis a pollution -free transport.In contrast,the exhaust released bythe car is harmful to the environment.(A4,B4).
如何写好英语段落3
1 举例法(examples)
举例就是用具体生动的事例来阐述作者的观点和见解的一种最简捷、最有效的方法。也就是说,它用具体的事例来阐述主题句中的主导思想。用具体的事例来扩展主题句是最常用的写作方法之一。它不仅使文章通俗易懂,而且还给读者留下深刻印象,使文章更具有说服力。在选择例证时要选择最能支持你的观点,最有说服力的句子。例子的多少主要由文章的长短而定。
[例]
Sports and games do a lot of good to our health.They can make usstrong,prevent us from getting too fat,and keep us healthy.Especiallythey can be of great value to people who work with their brains most ofthe day,for sports and games give people valuable practice in exercisingthe body.
例子中的第一句是主题句,即sports and games do a lot of good toour health.在此主题句中的主导思想是a lot of good.以下事例都是来进一步阐述主题中的主导思想的,即用具体事实来支持主题句中的观点。
2 定义法(definition)
这了避免混乱和误解,写作时应对读者不熟悉或有多种解释的单词、术语、概念下定义;所以定义法是文章写作中常见的一种方法。定义法主要以下几种方法:
2.1 运用同义词或词组来解释某一术语或新词。例如:
To mend means to repair.
2.2 用含有定语从句的句子为术语下定义。以定语从句下定义是最普遍的手段。这种手段一般包括三个组成部分:A 术语(term);B 术语所属的类别(class);C 该术语与同类别其它事物的区别(difference).这种句子定义法的句型如下:
Term(术语)=its general class(基本属类)+ how it is different 例如:
A generator is an apparatus which produces electricity.
2.3 扩展式定义:有时一个术语或概念比较复杂或比较重要,用同义词定义或用句子定义还不能够明确解释清楚,或容易与其它同类词混淆时,则有必要使用扩展式定义。扩展式定义的特点是先写被定义的术语,然后再用具体实例证明,并使之与易混的'概念区别开来。例如:
Poetry is a branch of literature which explores ideas,emotions,andexperiences in a distinctive form and style.Poetry,sometimes called“verse”,depends greatly on the natural rhythms and sounds of languagefor its special effects.Poetry,even more than prose (all other writings),depends on precise and suggestive wording.In other words,a poem saysmuch in little space.Poetry differs from prose in obvious way,also.Mostoften the first word of every line begins with a capital letter,even in themiddle of sentence.Poems sometimes contain rhyme,and often they havea particular rhythm,like music.
3 因果法(development by cause and effect)
论述因果关系应首先阐明事物发生的原因, 然后再论述其结果。但在有些情况下可能只说明事情的成因,或者只陈述其结果。在学术研究的各个领域里,因果关系的写作是必不可少的。
We all know that cigarette smoking is a dangerous habit because itcauses health problems.Doctors say it can be a direct cause of cancer ofthe lungs and throats and can also contribute to cancer to other organs.Besides,it can bring about other health problems such as heart lungdiseases…It is clearly identified as one of the chief causes of death inour society.
因果法常用词汇有:
3.1 动词: 引述原因的有:to result from; to be the result of; to be dueto; to be a consequence of…引述结果的有:to lead to; to contribute to; to result in; to be thecause of,cause…
3.2 常用有介词和介词短语有:because of,owing to,on account of.
3.3 常用来表示原因的连词有:because,as,since.For,in that,nowthat,seeing that,considering that,
3.4 常用来表示结果的语言素材有:so that,so…that,such…that,therefore,as a result,consequently,according ly,thus 等。
4 程序法
程序法是段落扩展的一种重要手段。表示程序的段落扩展是按时间顺序展开的。它有两种形式,即过程描述和过程指导。前者用于介绍某种事的发生过程,目的在于向人们提供信息知识;后者来告诉人们怎么做,目的是就某项工作向人们传授实际操作方法。在程序描述中,我们根据事情发生的前后或者遵循程序或步骤,逐步描述。这各种段落扩展法常为科技文章所采用,并且动词常用被动语态。例,
Do you know how paper is made? First,the logs are put in theshredder.Then they are cut into small chips and mixed with water andacid.Next they are heated and crushed to a heavy pulp to be cleaned.Itis also chemically bleached to whiten it.After this,it is passed throughrollers to flatten it.Then,sheets of wet paper are produced.Finally,thewater is removed from the sheets which are pressed dried and refineduntil the finished paper is produced.
这是描述造纸的程序,一道工序接一道工序,否则就生产不出来。本段运用了大量被动语态。这种段落发展———程序描述———常为科技文章所采用。
5 时间顺序法( time order)
时间顺序常用来叙述一个故事,回顾历史事件以及讲解一个过程等。按时间顺序安排组织的段落或文章应该先发生的先说,后发生的后说。所以组织用这种方法的扩展段落时,应注意选用时序信号词,如first,second,third,at first,then finally 等。例,
There are three steps involved in making a woodcut(木刻,木刻画).The first step is to cut a pattern on a flat block of wood.Second,spreadprinter’s ink over the surface of the wood block.Third,press the inkedblock against a sheet of paper.When the ink has bride on the paper,yourwoodcut is finished.
6 空间顺序法(development by space)
按空间关系扩展的段落,它一定依照素材中所提到的位置以及相互关系加以说明。表示空间位置是指事物或人在空间所处的位置排列。如:从上到下,从左到右,由近及远,从外到里等。总之,在描写时,应选择一个合适的起点开始,然后按照一定的顺序描写。使读者能够跟着作者的思路去顺利地理解。表示空间关系(spacial relation) 常用的一些方位词或表方位的词组有:above,across from,also,around,up,under,below,beyond,down,here,inthe distance,nearby,next to,close to,on the left,on the right,oppositeto,on top of,beneath,over,vertical horizontal,parallel to 等, 这类表示上下左右,前后四方的词或词组常用来在表示空间段落的扩展中充当连接纽带。这类文章可大至一个国家,小至一个房间。当然所描述的地方范围越小,就越容易着手写。例如:
My house consists of two floors: the ground floor and the first floor.On the ground floor there’s the dinning-room,sitting-room,the kitchenand the hall.In the hall we keep a stand for hats,coats and umbrellas.Astaircase leads from the hall to the landing on the first floor.On this floorthere are four bedrooms,a bathroom and lavatory.On top of the roof thereare three chimneys.In front of the house we have a small garden,inwhich we grow flowers.At the back of the house there’s a much largergarden with a lawn and some fruit trees.At the side of the house is agarage,where I keep my car.The garden is enclosed by a fence,with agate in it.
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