一、英语议论文写作要点
议论文通过议论或说理来表达作者见解和主张.作者对某一问题持有一种看法,为了使读
者同意自己的看法,提出若干理由,企图说服他人.高中英语议论文的写作要注意以下要点:
1. 论点要鲜明、确切．一篇议论文只能有一个中心论点．论点一般在开头提出，然后加以论证．
2. 论据要充分、可靠．一般是以事实为论据，也可以利用成语，格言，名人名言作为论据．
3. 论证要严密、得法．归纳法（induction）和演绎法（deduction）是议论文常用的论证方法．归纳法的例子为基础，从几个例子和现象中，归纳出某种道理和看法．例如：报纸是一种媒体（medium ），人们可以从中得到现代信息；电视是一种媒体，人们也可以从中获得信息；广播也是媒体，人们同样可以从中获得现代信息．因此我们可以得出结论，其他媒体，如网络等，一定会给人们信息．演绎法以一个或多个看法为基础，从一般论断，演绎到不同事例，再加以论述，最后再回到一般论断上来．例如：所有的媒体都可以给人们提供信息，网络是媒体，因此人们可以从网络中获得信息．在归纳中要注意使用的例子要充分，不能以点概面．如：（课本高二上p81）：
i borrowed a book from the library last week .it was very boring and difficult .i read only ten pages. therefore, i think that all library books are useless.
评注: it does not have a logical argument .the writer dislike one library book, but not all library books are the same. the writer should not make a general statement (all library books are useless) based on his reactions to one single book.
二、 议论文的写作步骤:
1. 引言(introduction)．由于英语作文受时间，字数的限制．因此，在引言段中作者就必须简单解释要讨论的问题，并明白地亮出自己的观点，如提倡什么，支援什么，反对什么．
2. 主体段（main body）．主体段是议论的过程，作者必须有足够的证据．（adequate proofs）来论证自己的观点．一般可提出一个或两个proofs, 并对此用一两句话分别进行阐述．
3. 结论（conclusion）．结论段可以用一两句话来结束文章．同时要注意与引言段呼应，但不能照搬前面的原话．
例：课本高二上p78 第一封信
tutorial center is helpful.
i have studied at a tutorial center for two years. my command of english has improved considerably since i started this course.
at my center, the fees are reasonable. my tutors are qualified teachers. i have been helped a lot by them. they are sincere and kind.
one of my teachers was british. at first, i could not say anything to her. but later i learned how to communicate in english with a westerner.
i think that the tutorial center has given me a lot of confidence in using english.
评注: 第一段提出论点, 体现家教中心是helpful(段划线部分) ,主体段分别从几个方面(划线部分)来阐述家教中心的确有帮助,结论段重申家教中心的作用(划线部分),且语句表达与第一段中的不重复.
三、议论文的写作模式
1. 议论文的类型
英语议论文根据命题特点，从形式上来看可分为如下类型:
① “一分为二”的观点．如“轿车大量进入家庭后，对家庭、环境、经济可能产生的影响”
② “两者选一”的观点．如，期中考试作文题，“乘火车还是乘飞机”
③“我认为……”型．如“你对课外阅读的看法”
④“怎样……（how to）”型．如“怎样克服学习中碰到的困难”．
⑤ 图表作文．通过阅读图表中的数字与项目得出一个结论或形成一种看法．
按照高二上学期的写作要求，学生主要应掌握①②两种类型的议论文的写作．在第①种类型中命题涉及某一事物或现象的正反两个方面：通过正反两个方面的对比，得出结论是利大于弊，还是弊大于利．论证要围绕所要得出的结论来展开，若利大于弊，则有利的一面要多阐述一点．反之亦然．
在第②种类型中，命题要求在a或b两者之间作一比较或选择，两个对象往往各有优势，所以结论部分有两种情况：
a. 要么支持a，要么支持b;
b. a、b优势均难的割舍，只好依情况而定在结论部分说清楚在什么条件选a, 在什么条件选b．
下面重点介绍第①、②种类型议论文的写作模式.
2. “一分为二”观点的议论文模式
introduction
第1段:nowadays more and more people．．．/．．．plays an important part in．．．. like everything else, ．．．has/have both favorable and unfavorable aspects/both advantages and disadvantages. generally, the favorable aspects/advantages can be listed as follows.
main body
第2段：firstly,.. secondly,…in addition/what’s more…
第3段: every coin has two sides. the negative aspects/disadvantages are also apparent/obvious. to begin with…; to make matters worse…; worse of all…
conclusion
第4段: through above analysis/all things considered, we can see that the positive aspects/advantages outweigh the negative ones/disadvantages. therefore…
例文1. 看电视的利与弊 advantages and disadvantages of watching tv
nowadays more and more people like to watch tv. so tv plays a very important part in our life. but watching tv has both advantages and disadvantages. generally, the advantages can be listed as follows.
firstly, you can expand your knowledge by watching tv. as we all know, learning things by tv is much faster than by listening to the radio or just by reading books. for it has colorful pictures as well as wonderful music.
secondly, you may know anybody you want to know such as famous singers, super stars, scientists and so on.
what’s more, you can go everywhere by traveling programs. let’s suppose, if you like traveling very much, but you have to work on weekends or holidays, you must be very sad. and now open your tv and it’ll take you to anywhere.
every coin has two sides. the disadvantages are also obvious. for example, watching too much tv can easily become short-sighted, especially for children and students. to make matters worse, some young students are keen on watching tv so that they give up their studies gradually.
through above analysis, i think watching tv is a way of studying, it is good for us to watch tv. but when we watch tv, we should make a plan otherwise watching tv will destroy our life.
例文2. 谈谈出国留学的利与弊 where to attend a college
nowadays more and more young people are going to study abroad. like everything else, studying abroad has both favorable and unfavorable aspects. generally, the favorable aspects can be listed as follows.
firstly, they think by attending a college in a foreign country they can learn not only useful knowledge, but also the culture and customs of other nations. secondly, they can take advantage of this opportunity to gain a good command of the foreign language they are learning very quickly. moreover, they can meet different people and experience different cultures, which may help to broaden their views.
every coin has two sides. the negative aspects are also apparent. the costs are much higher than those in their native country. most overseas students have to work for a living, which can’t allow them to pay all their attention to study. what’s more, they may feel very lonely.
through above analysis, we can see that the positive aspects outweigh the negative ones. therefore, i am in favor of going abroad to study.
写作练习：
①谈谈校服 （school uniforms）.
提示：近年来，越来越多的中小学要求穿校服．对此引发了学生中由对这个问题的讨论，请写一片英语短文阐述你的观点．
reference: some of the main arguments for and against school uniforms.
for against
1.students look neat and tidy. 1.uniforms are expensive.
2.the public knows which school you are from. 2.children grow fast, need new uniforms.
3.parents all pay the same money. 3.some uniforms are very uncomfortable.
4.students don’t worry about fashions. 4.students all look the same, can’t be individuals.
5.teachers can identify students on school trips. 5.get bored with same clothes every day.
6.good discipline for students.
②说广告（about advertisement）.
提示：有人说广告在现代社会是很重要，有人认为广告的促销成分太多，你认为……
3.“两者选一”观点的议论文模式
模式⑴:a、b两者优劣势分析,要么选a,要么选b.
introduction
第1段:some people hold the opinion that (a) is superior to (b) in many ways. others, however, argue that (b) is much better. personally, i would prefer (a) because i think (a) has more advantages.
main body
第2段：there are many reasons why i prefer (a). the main reason is that … another reason is that…(赞同a的原因)
第3段: of course, choosing (b) also has advantages to some extent, (列出1~2个b的优势)
conclusion
第4段: but if all these factors are considered, (a) is much better than (b). from what has been discussed above, we may finally draw the conclusion that …(总结观点)
例文: which is better? cars or bikes?
some people hold the opinion that private cars are superior to bicycles in many ways. others, however, argue that the bicycle is much better. personally, i would prefer the use of cars because i think cars have more advantages.
there are many reasons why i prefer cars. the main reason is that cars bring convenience and mobility to the owners. what’s more, a car is far more comfortable to travel in, especially in the changeable weather. another reason is that, when more people buy cars, the automobile industry will develop more quickly. the growth of the automobile industry can motivate the rise of other related industries such as iron and steel production.
of course, bicycles can take you to anywhere you like in town and does not need a large parking place. besides, it is not as expensive as a car and therefore every family can afford to buy.
but if all these factors are considered, cars are much better than bicycles. from what has been discussed above, we may finally draw the conclusion that people can live better with the use of cars.
模式⑵: a、b优势相当,依情况而定,有条件地选择a或b.
introduction
第1段:which would you prefer if you are faced with the choice between (a) and (b)? before you make the decision, you had better make a close comparison.
main body
第2段：it is true that(选择a的优势之一). it is also true that(选择a的优势之二). but (选择a的劣势).
第3段: though.(选择b的劣势), (选择b的优势之一). furthermore, (选择b的优势之二).
conclusion
第4段: therefore, if you…, you should choose (a), but if you…, you should choose (b). (总结观点,提出建议)
例文: listening to the radio or reading the newspapers?
which would you prefer if you are faced with the choice between listening to the radio and reading the newspapers? before you make the decision, you had better make a close comparison.
it is true that listening to the radio is quick and convenient. it is also true that we can listen to the radio while are doing something else. so we can save a lot of time. but radio programs have their own time schedule. you cannot get the information you need every time you turn on your radio.
though newspapers are not as quick as radio, reading from the newspaper can certainly bring us news more clearly and more exactly. furthermore, while reading, we have time to think about what we are reading, to judge it, to analyze it, and then we will be more aware of its cause and effect.
we are living in an information age. we have to make full use of the information we can get if we are to achieve our goals.
therefore, if we want to get the latest news, we can listen to the radio, but if we want to get the exact words, we’d better read the newspaper.
写作练习:
① 健康与财富(health and wealth)
提示: 健康与财富哪个更重要一直是一个热门话题(hot topic),请简述你的观点.
② 哪里住更好(where to live?)
提示: 有的人喜欢往城里挤,有的人喜欢往乡下搬. 各有所好,孰是孰非,你以为如何?
参考文献:
1. oxford english for senior high school students (shanghai edition), oxford university press, 1996.
2. 王长喜十二句作文法, 王长喜,北京:中国社会出版社,XX.7
3. 英语高分指导.写作.高中卷, 郭凤高,第二版, 上海:上海交通大学出版社,XX
4. 高考英语作文直通车,曹越宇, 上海:上海社会科学院出版社,XX
附录(appendix):
一、 写作常用逻辑衔接词
根据衔接词本身在文章中所起的作用,主要分为以下四类,即 “起” “承” “转” “合”.
1. 表示“起”的常用词语. 用于开篇引出扩展句.
at first
at present
currently
first(ly)
in the beginning
to begin with
first of all
in the first place
lately
to start with
now
2. 有关“承”的常用词语. 用来承接上文,表递进.
after/after that/afterwards
after a few days
after a while
also/too
at any rate
at the same time
besides
furthermore
in addition
in addition to
in fact
in other words
in particular
particularly
in the same way
incidentally
indeed
meanwhile
moreover
no doubt
obviously
of course
3. 有关“转”的常用词语. 用来表示不同或相反的意思.
after all even though
all the time nevertheless
anyway nonetheless
at the same time still
conversely in fact
in/by contrast as a matter of fact
despite especially
fortunately however
in spite of luckily
though/although no doubt
on the contrary otherwise
unfortunately unlike
whereas yet
4. 有关“合”的常用词语. 用于小结上文或结束本段落的内容.
above all in sum
accordingly in summary
as a consequence on the whole
as a result therefore
as has been noted thus
as i have said to speak frankly
at last to sum up
at length to summarize
briefly surely
by doing so to conclude
consequently no doubt
eventually undoubtedly
finally doubtless
hence truly
in brief so
in conclusion obviously
in short certainly
all in all