淺談英語寫作基礎(chǔ)應試技巧

    根據(jù)1997年6月全國高等教育自學考試指導委員會最新頒布的《英語寫作基礎(chǔ)自學考試大綱》的規(guī)定，英語寫作基礎(chǔ)這一課程著重培養(yǎng)考生英語寫作的基本技能，重點教授英語寫作的最基礎(chǔ)內(nèi)容：句子的組成、段落的寫作、概要及應用文寫作。通過本課程的學習，要求考生掌握句子、段落以及應用文最基本的寫作理論與技巧，以便寫出主題較為突出、內(nèi)容較為充實完善、語言較為通順流暢、格式符合要求的短文，為學習本科階段的英語寫作課程打下堅實的基礎(chǔ)。

　　 英語寫作基礎(chǔ)考試題型：《英語寫作基礎(chǔ)自學考試大綱》的規(guī)定“本課程試卷采用的題型主要包括：判斷題、改錯題、改寫題、概要寫作、應用文寫作等”。判斷題、改錯題、改寫題等主要考核應考生對句子(The Sentence)和段落(The Paragraph)基本知識點如改寫句子包括改寫掉尾句(periodic sentence)、平行結(jié)構(gòu)(parallel structure)等和判斷主題句(topic sentence)等掌握情況；例如：

Ⅰ.Revise the following sentences according to the requirement

1.The plan began to shake noticeably as soon as it lifted off the runway.(periodic sentence)

2.James Joyce's Ulysses,a long and complicated novel and which is on our reading list,has been banned by the school board.(parallel structure)

Ⅱ.Read the following paragraph carefully and select the best topic sentence from the four possible answers that follow the paragraph.

Topic sentence:　　　　　.

Actually,this idea is far from the truth.The Aborigines have been able to survive for centuries in the harsh environment of the desert because their minds are highly trained in the knowledge of food sources.Since they have no means of storing food,their entire attention must be directed toward their daily search for food.From the youngest child to the oldest member of the tribe,food gathering is the top priority.The Aborigines possess a profound understanding of the life around them.

a. In the earliest years,children are taught when foods ripen,where foods are to be found,when animals sleep for months and produce,and where water is likely to be found.

b. The Aboriginse'in－depth knowledge of the environment around them.

c. The interior of Australia is arid and inhospitable to human beings.

d. Many observers have mistakenly thought that the aborigines,with so few tools.

　　 must have a lower intelligence than other races.

　　 概要寫作和應用文寫作則不僅要求應考生掌握寫概要的基本要領(lǐng)及應用文寫作的技巧，同時要求他們將寫句子和段落的技巧融合在應用文寫作之中，最終寫出格式正確、用詞得當、表達得體的應用文來。概要(Precis)寫作主要是先給出一篇文章，然后給出寫概要的指令，如“Read the following passage and write a precis in one paragraph of about 100words.Try to write in your own words as far as possible.”應用文(Practical Writing)寫作由三部分組成：便條(Note)、信函(Letter)和個人簡歷(Resume)。它們寫作的形式必須根據(jù)要求寫出或是某種便條，或是某種信函，或是個人簡歷。如下面是一則未能赴約而表示歉意的便條寫作指令：Write a note of apology about 70－100 words to your friends according to the situation described:

You have made an appointment with your friends to have lunch together.But for some reasons you cannot keep the appointment.Please state your reasons and express your regret for breaking the appointment.You could also express your hope for the gathering.

再如：下面是一則打算上大學繼續(xù)深造的申請信寫作指令：You are planning to further your studies in a college or university.Write an application to that institution.In your letter,provide the necessary information about yourself,tell them your want to study math and find out about the possibility of receiving financial support.(150－200)

從上述的幾種題型中，尤其是后三種，我們可以發(fā)現(xiàn)，無論是概要、便條還是信函等寫作都是一種根據(jù)所提供信息的短文寫作把這些已知信息寫成一篇具有連貫性的概要、便條、信函或個人簡歷。換言之，就是考核應考生的基本寫作能力。

下面重點討論怎樣寫概要和應用文。

首先談談怎樣寫概要(Precis)。要寫好一篇文章的概要應考生應具備兩種基本能力。首先應具備理解原文，掌握全文中心思想的能力；其次應具有用簡練的語言將原文的中心思想表達出來的能力。一般說來，概要的篇幅為原文的1/3至1/4，因此在寫概要時務必注意語言的概括和精練。概要寫作一般按下列步驟進行：

1.認真仔細地閱讀原文兩遍，理解和掌握全文的內(nèi)容。

2.仔細地閱讀考題指令，明確了解考題要求，在原文上標出重點，如議論文中的論點 、論據(jù)；記敘文中的發(fā)展、高潮、結(jié)局等。

3.再一次閱讀原文，并將所需要采用的要點列出。要點的記錄應盡可能簡潔明了。

4.根據(jù)記錄的要點寫出概要的初稿，并盡可能不參照原文，除非當你需要核實某個要點。這將十分有益于用自己的語言組織內(nèi)容，而不是照抄原文中的某些詞句。完成初稿后應數(shù)一數(shù)字數(shù)，但千萬不可在寫完每一句句子即數(shù)字數(shù)。這樣不僅浪費寶貴的時間，而且會攪亂寫作的思路。

5.進行一些必要的修改和調(diào)整后，謄清完稿，并在最后注明具體字數(shù)。

應考生在重讀謄清稿時，有兩點還應牢記：首先，你寫出的概要內(nèi)容必須忠實于原文，或者說精確(accurate)。概要中所有的內(nèi)容和信息必須來源于原文，既不可篡改原文內(nèi)容也不能包括原文未涉及到的內(nèi)容。其次，概要讀起來應是一完整連貫的段落。要取得這一完整連貫，就應該使用一些連接詞(link－words)，如‘but',‘a(chǎn)nd',‘however',‘a(chǎn)lso'等連接要點；同樣，也可使用諸如‘since',‘though',‘even if '，‘when',‘a(chǎn)fter',‘before'等詞。請看下面一例子：

The sentry watched a hawk that hovered overhead,looking for some unsuspecting prey to pounce upon.Then he heard the distant,muffled roar of planes,then silence.For the past week he had been told to take note of everything that happened on the hill within his range of vision,and to report anything suspicious.The hill led to an experimental factory,where new and secret weapons were tested.There was a threat of war and the factory would be invaluable to the enemy.So the approaches to it were watched day in,and day out.

He shifted his position;he felt that he had been crouching in the heather since the beginning of the time,but only a couple of hours of the day's duty had passed.Suddenly he saw something falling from the sky like snow,only it was not snow.[He put out his hand and caught bits of that were drifting near him.They were thin strips of metal to confuse delicate instruments,so that it would not be possible to detect the landing of enemy craf.Next he heard a long,low,continuous roar from the east and saw bundles descending from the sky which looked like umbrellas opening,but which be knew to be parachutes with men hanging from them.He wanted to go at once to give the alarm,but he had to be sure that the parachutes were not his own men out on an exercise.The men were on ground now.One of them pointed in the direction of secret factory and they all began marching toward it.He had no more doubts and set off at once down the hill.He crawled slowly,sometimes on his stomach,sometimes on his side ,weaving decided that he had ample cover and started to run.But he had erred,for bullets were soon whistling past him.He drooped flat on the ground.Nobody came to search for him,so he counted up to a hundred and then began crawling again.He moved tortuously and as silently as he could to his camp at the foot of the hill.]

Describe in not more than 80 words what the sentry saw and did from the moment when the strips of metal fell from the sky until he got back to his camp.Use your own words as far as possible.Do not include anything that is not in the passage.

(Cambridge Lower Certificate in English Examination.)

MODEL

1.Points(Saw and Did)

1)Put out hands;caught strip metal.

2)Saw bundles.

3)Waited.

4)Saw men on ground.

5)One pointed;all marched.

6)Went downhill.

7)Crawled—stomach,side—to stream.

8)Started running.

9)Dropped flat(why?—bullets).

10)Counted 100;crawled.

11)Silently to camp.

2.Rough Draft (Linking of Points)

When the sentry held out his hand to catch what was falling out of the sky ,he found that it was strips of metal.The bundles began coming down.The sentry waited until men appeared on the ground.One of them pointed and the sentry saw them march towards the factory.Crawling on his stomach and on his side,the sentry moved downhill.He began running when he came to a stream,but dropped down when he was shot at .After counting up to a hundred to himself,he began crawling silently again downhill.

(95 words)

3.Fair Copy (Corrected Draft)

After catching hold of metal strips falling out of the sky,the sentry saw bundles descending and,after a time,some men appeared on the ground.One of them pointed and they all began marching towards the factory.The sentry crawled downhill on his stomach and on his side.When he came to a stream,he began running but dropped down when the men shot at him.He counted up to a hundred,then silently started crawling again towards his camp.

(80 words)

　　 不管是私人信函、商業(yè)信函還是各類便條都是重要的交際形式。所以，要寫好各種信函和便條，首先要掌握其寫作的語言，同時必須熟悉并運用恰當?shù)乇磉_內(nèi)容的方式及格式。只有做到這兩點，考試時才能真正做到胸有成竹，得心應手。就格式而言，不論寫哪一種都有其特定的格式。英語書信，在形式上可分為下面六個部分：

1.信頭(The Heading)：包括發(fā)信人地址和寫信日期。

2.受信者(Inside Address)：包括受信人姓名、地址。

3.稱謂(The Salutation or Greeting)如Dear Sir,Gentlemen,。

4.正文(The Body)：是信的主要部分，包括寫信人所要表達敘述的事情。

5.結(jié)束語(The Complimentary Close)——如Yours Truly,Yours respectfully等

6.簽名(The Signature)。

現(xiàn)舉一實例說明英文書信格式：

1.8765 Sunset Street

Hollywood 56 Calif.

U.S.A

May 17 1998

　　 2.Mr.Alan Liu

　　 122 Ninghai Road,

　　 Nanjing P.R.C.

　　 3.Dear Sir,

　　 4.This is to confirm in writing our telephone conversation of yesterday regarding an interview you have been kind enough to grant me.

Green Book magazine has assigned me a short article on the hibernation of animals.As Curator of Mammals at the Zoological Park,yiu are one of three porminent zoologists I plan to interview before writing the piece from notes I have already carefully researched.The other two to be interviewed are your colleagues,Dr.Fuller and Dr.Meade,of the University staff.

I can match my plan to suit your schedule,but some day early next month would be best for me.I don't plan to bring a photographer as this piece is to be illustrated by rather amazing pictures I already have of hibernating animals.

A self－addressed,stamped envelope is enclosed and I would appreciate a reply as soon as you can arrange a convenient time.

5.Sincerely yours,　　　

6.John Warner　

寫這封信的人用正式而又簡單的語言，開門見山而又不失禮貌地說出了寫這封信的目的——只是核實他要確定的事實。

便條和書信的格式基本相同，只不過要比正式書信要簡單一些。如可省略信頭、結(jié)語等。信函和便條的最大區(qū)別在于表達的方式不同：前者要求用正式的書面語言，而后者則常常使用非正式的口頭語言。請看下面一個請柬：

Dear Lucy,

Can you think of a single good reason why you shouldn't spend next weekend with us?I've just been out looking at the garden,and it's beautiful,you'll like it.

Also,I'm going to have a young man here a friend of Alva's.His name is Peter Groesbeck.Other information you can find out for yourself.Bring your bathing suit,we will meet your usual Saturday morning train.

Affectionately,　

Alan Liu　　

請看下面一則留言條(Message):

July 20,1998

Jack,

Here are the two tickets I mentioned yesterday for the Beijing Opera“Farewell To My Concubine."You may bring anybody along with you.I hope you'll enjoy it.

Xiao Zhang

由于便條主要是寫給朋友和熟人的，形式上可簡單化，語言上可口語化。但如果便條是寫給陌生人、生意上的合作伙伴或年尊者，語言就應該較正式化。還有一點值得強調(diào)的是，請柬等便條一定要寫得直接、簡明、完整；時間、地點、對象都應交代的一清二楚，千萬不可使人模棱兩可，捉摸不定。 一般說來，試卷上所有試題做完后，仍應有余留的幾分鐘。在這幾分鐘里，應從改錯(Proof－reading＆Error Correction)的角度出發(fā)，重點檢查語言錯誤。著重點應在語法結(jié)構(gòu)和詞語等方面。請看下列例子：

1.Having studied your report carefully,I am convinced that neither of your solutions are correct.(主謂不一致)

Having studied your report carefully,I am convinced that neither of your solutions is correct.

2.When he tried to make a reservation,he found that the restaurant that he likes was completely filled because of a wedding function.(時態(tài)錯誤)

When he tried to make a reservation,he found that the restaurant that he liked was completely filled because of a wedding function.

3.If he made better use of his time,he will be more likely to finish his research.(語氣錯誤)

If he made better use of his time,he would be more likely to finish his research.

4.The climate here is often said to be similar to one of Japan.(代詞誤用)

The climate here is often said to be similar to one of Japan.

5.The firemem were unable to determine exactly what caused the fire when they said they would continue the investigation.(連接詞誤用)

The firemen were unable to determine exactly what caused the fire but they said they would continue the investigation.

6.It is often difficult finding'trained men than to get financial support for scientific research.(非謂語動詞誤用)

It is often difficult to find trained men than to get financial support for scientific research.

7.The guests were shown into a beautiful decorated dining room.(詞類誤)

The guests were shown itto a beautifully decorated dining room.

8.It is encouraging to note that in recent years,cigarette smokers have been in the decline,especially among the older people.(固定搭配錯誤)

It is encouraging to note that in recent years,cigarette smokers have been on the decline,especially among the older people.

9.As far as weather passes,the hotter it gets,the better I like it.(固定搭配錯誤)

As far as weather goes,the hotter it gets,the better I like it.

　　 此外還要大小寫是否正確，標點符號使用恰當與否，應用文的格式是否正確。

　　 以上簡要地談了概要和應用文的應試和寫作技巧。但真正要取得優(yōu)越的成績，還得依靠平時打下扎實的寫作基礎(chǔ)。要有扎實的寫作基礎(chǔ)，就必須“讀破萬卷書”，才能“下筆如有神”。所以平時一定要勤讀書，勤練筆；再加上適當?shù)姆椒ê图记桑�不斷地訓練和培養(yǎng)自身寫作技能，一定能寫出“主題較突出、內(nèi)容較為完善、語言較為通順、格式符合要求的短文”。