從應(yīng)考方面而言,在接觸一個雅思議論文題目時,我們必須要掌握的是文章的結(jié)構(gòu)。嚴謹?shù)慕Y(jié)構(gòu)對觀點的表達有事半功倍的作用。近幾年的雅思議論文考題,可以歸納為兩大類:討論類和分析解決型。
I 討論類
何為討論類文章,即對一個給定的觀點以及與其相對立的觀點進行討論,或就一個話題的兩個對立的方面:積極和消極方面進行探討,發(fā)表自己的觀點。顧名思義,討論類文章分為觀點類討論和優(yōu)缺點討論。這兩種議論類型所對應(yīng)的問題模式常見的有:Do you agree or disagree, What is your opinion? To what extent do you agree or disagree?等。請看下面的列表來熟悉此類問題模式。
1).Nowadays, some universities offer students skills that assist them to find employment, but some people believe that the main function of a university should be to provide students with access to knowledge for its sake. What is your opinion?
2). Some people think that using animals for experimentation purpose is necessary for the development of science. Do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
3). The main purpose of public libraries is to provide books and they should not waste their limited resources and space on providing expensive hi-tech media such as computer software, videos and DVDs. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
4). Tourism is becoming a good source of revenue for many countries. Discuss both the advantages and disadvantages of exploring this resource.
5). In many countries, the number of elderly people is increasing fast. Does this trend have more positive or negative effects on the society?
以上五題中有對一個觀點發(fā)表自己觀點的,也有給出兩個觀點再發(fā)表自己觀點的,也有對一個話題的兩個方面進行論述的,這些都屬于討論類,其中1、2、3題屬于觀點類討論,而4、5題為優(yōu)缺點討論。
2. 結(jié)構(gòu)分析
單邊論證
熟悉了問題模式后,我們來分析一下其所對應(yīng)的文章結(jié)構(gòu)。以上五種問題模式,考生在未接觸雅思前較熟悉的是Do you agree or disagree?和 What is your opinion?而通常這兩類問題所對應(yīng)的文章可以用以下的五段論結(jié)構(gòu)來完成:引言段(introduction)提出觀點,正文(body)三段通過三個理由來對觀點進行論證,結(jié)尾段(conclusion)重申一下自己的觀點。因為此種結(jié)構(gòu)只對自己支持的觀點進行論證,因此叫單邊論證,可以用下圖來表示:
Introduction
Background+My Opinion
Body:
1.Reason One + Supportiong Sentences(ss表示)
2.Reason Two + SS
3.Reason Three + SS
Conclusion:
Restatement of My Opinion
上述結(jié)構(gòu)中的supporting sentences在議論文中的體現(xiàn)方式是一些論證方法,如舉例子(exemplification),對比對照(contrast& comparison),列數(shù)據(jù)(raising figures),讓步(making concession)等來對自己支持的觀點進行論證,使考官信服。而此類結(jié)構(gòu)也是中國學生較熟悉的議論文結(jié)構(gòu),在各類中國的考試中,如高考英語、大學四六級考試等,應(yīng)用也較廣。但是單邊論證的缺點,就中國學生而言,是較難擴展論證過程,而且像講道理、舉例子等論證方法必須正確使用,顯示其邏輯性才能得到高分。
雙邊論證
然而通過筆者的總結(jié)發(fā)現(xiàn),近年來,劍5和劍6后面考官提供的高分甚至滿分范文都采用了另一種論證方法,稱為雙邊論證。雙邊論證基本為四段論,它與單邊的最大區(qū)別在正文,正文兩段分別對題干提出的兩個觀點或優(yōu)缺點進行論證。我們也通過下圖來認識此種結(jié)構(gòu):
Introduction
Background+ My Opinion / Layout
Body:
1. Opinion One/ Advantage
Topic sentence+ Reason One + Supporting Sentences
+ Reason Two + Supporting Sentences
2. Opinion Two/ Disadvantage
Topic sentence+ Reason One + Supporting Sentences
+ Reason Two + Supporting Sentences
+ Reason Three + Supporting Sentences
Conclusion:
Statement of My Opinion (for opinion two/ more disadvantages than advantages)
此類結(jié)構(gòu)是雙邊傾向性結(jié)構(gòu),是雙邊結(jié)構(gòu)中的一種。對大多數(shù)中國學生來說,雙邊結(jié)構(gòu)較單邊結(jié)構(gòu)最大的優(yōu)點是論證過程比較容易擴展。雙邊論證指正文兩段分別論述下兩個觀點或優(yōu)缺點。可以做一個有趣的比喻(引自寧園老師),雙邊論證的結(jié)構(gòu)就像是在打一場官司,引言段引出話題,可以看作是書記員來宣布審理的案件,正文兩段分別是兩個觀點,可以理解為被告和原告的辯護律師來列舉對自己有利的證據(jù),結(jié)尾段得出觀點,即法官在總結(jié)了被告原告律師的發(fā)言后,得出自己的答案,同意哪一方,是否定罪。
通過上面對單邊、雙邊結(jié)構(gòu)的介紹,考生可得出結(jié)論,上面列舉的5個問題,1、2、3、5題可用單邊論證,而這5題都可以用雙邊論證來寫,第4題只能用雙邊論證,題干已經(jīng)明確要求討論兩個方面。
II 分析解決型
此類問題模式通常會給出一個話題,如juvenile delinquency,要求考生分析產(chǎn)生此問題的原因,并給出一些緩解的方法。我們首先也來熟悉下此類問題模式
1). Crime is increasing in many countries. Discuss some of the reasons for this increase and suggest some ways in which government can combat the problems.
2).Nowadays, people are facing more and more work-related stress. State the possible reasons for this phenomenon and make some recommendations about how to solve it.
3). What are some of the problems associated with the drug abuse? Give some suggestions about how to alleviate it?
4). Overpopulation of the elderly is increasingly severe in almost every country. Analyse some reasons and state the effects on the society.
上面兩題中共同出現(xiàn)的兩個信號詞分別是reasons,suggestions,problems和effects。所以有這四個詞我們可以確定它為分析解決型,和討論類題目有著本質(zhì)的區(qū)別。它們所對應(yīng)的文章結(jié)構(gòu)見下圖。
Introduction
Background + layout
Body
1.Reasons / Problems
Topic Sentence + Reason One / Problem One + supporting sentences
+ Reason Two / Problem Two + supporting sentences
2. Suggestions / Effects
Topic sentence + Suggestion One / Effect One + ss
+ Suggestion Two / Effect Two + ss
Conclusion:
Restatement of the Body
上述結(jié)構(gòu)是分析解決型的一種非常常見的對應(yīng)結(jié)構(gòu),我們應(yīng)該問什么答什么。有時題目會出現(xiàn)只問problems或reasons,結(jié)構(gòu)也要相應(yīng)的發(fā)生變化,即只回答幾個問題或原因。
得出文章的結(jié)構(gòu)是解題的基礎(chǔ)和關(guān)鍵,但事實上,在考試過程中,因為時間很緊,花在得出結(jié)構(gòu)的時間就應(yīng)該相應(yīng)的縮短,老師的建議是考生在拿到一個題目審題后,應(yīng)該在二十秒左右的時間內(nèi)就反應(yīng)出文章的結(jié)構(gòu)??忌赏ㄟ^上述結(jié)構(gòu)自己再考前準備模板,這對提高解題速度有很大的幫助。