從初中升入高中,對學生掌握和運用英語各方面能力的要求會相應地提高,尤其是寫作方面。那么,對于一個高一新生而言,如何才能寫好一篇書面表達呢?
在平時的寫作訓練中,可依照“詞——句——段——文”的訓練程序,由易到難,循序漸進。本期我們重點學習選詞的技巧。
關于選詞標準,說法不一,但“準確、鮮明、生動”三項原則是公認的。當然,詞語用得是否符合要求,不可孤立地從詞語本身的含義上著眼,還要看其具體使用場合,包括同其他詞語搭配等。
1. 選詞的準確性。
A. 準確性,就是要根據使用場合選用確切的語言形式。著名美國作家馬克·吐溫說:“用詞準確與用詞幾乎準確,這兩者之間的差異就如閃電與螢火蟲之間的差異。”
要做到準確選擇,就必須注意詞語的兩種意義:“基本意義”和“引申意義”。前者指該詞語本身的固有含義,后者指該詞語在一定搭配或上下句中出現的其他意義,往往比較含蓄,帶有詞語使用者的主觀態度或感情色彩。如cheap表示“便宜”的基本意思,如顧客問營業員:“May I have something cheaper?”意思是希望要價錢便宜一點的,當然并不是說質量可以不好,但cheap在其他句式或使用場合可引出“低劣”、“平庸”、“吝嗇”、“卑鄙”等多種意思。
B. 避免詞性誤用。
“詞性誤用”常表現為:介詞當動詞使用;形容詞當副詞使用;形容詞或副詞當動詞使用;名詞當動詞使用等。
例1. Peter against me.
剖析:against為介詞,誤用作動詞。
改為:Peter is / was against me.
例2. He still single while his friends all got married.
剖析:still為副詞,誤用作動詞。
改為:He remained single while his friends all got married.
2. 擇語的鮮明度。
準確性是鮮明度的前提,也是提高鮮明度的基礎。然而,鮮明與簡練相關。我們說話、寫文章都要以“言簡意賅”四字為目標,為此,應從兩個方面加以注意:
A. 在可以運用較簡短的常見詞語表達意思時不要用復雜而少的詞語。如:do something for(不用perform, accomplish),用end / finish a letter (不用conclude)。
B. 省去多余的、轉彎抹角或不利于明白地表達思想的詞語。如:return back from work中的back應去掉。
【寫作實例】
假設你是李華,最近國內一家英文報紙正在討論北京動物園是否應遷出市區。以下是你所在班級討論的情況。請你給該報寫一封信,反映討論結果。
注意:1. 詞數100左右。信的開頭已為你寫好,不計入總詞數。
2. 可根據內容要點適當增加細節,以使行文連貫。
3. 參考詞匯:郊區suburb
Dear Editor,
Recently, our class have had a heated discussion about whether the Beijing Zoo should be moved out of the city. __________________________________________________________ __
____________________________________________________________________________ __
____________________________________________________________________________ __
根據本篇書面表達的具體要求及表格提示,在列提綱時我們可以選擇如下詞或短語:
1.支持be for 2. 反對be against 3. 許多a lot of / a large number of / a great many of 4. 交通堵塞traffic jams 5. 比較好的環境a better environment 6. 歷史悠久have a long history of 7. 中外at home and abroad 8. 聞名be famous / be well-known 9. 造成cause
【參考范文】
Dear Editor,
Recently, our class have had a heated discussion about whether the Beijing Zoo should be moved out of the city. Some of my classmates are in favor of the move. They say large crowds of tourists to the zoo will result in traffic jams. They also say that once moved, animals will have more space and better living conditions in the suburbs. However, other students are against the idea, saying that the Beijing Zoo, built in 1906, has a history of more than 100 years, and is well-known at home and abroad. So it should remain where it is. What's more, moving may cause the death of some animals. To move or not, this is a big decision which has to be made by people in Beijing.
Yours truly,
Li Hua
【實戰演練】
假定你是李明——北京某中學高一學生。你于五月五日收到了居住在新加坡的筆友Mike寄來的一封信。請你仔細閱讀他的來信并寫一封回信。
注意:
1. 回信的內容必須包括對方想要了解的全部情況;
2. 詞數在100左右;
3. 信的開頭語已給出,請接著往下寫。
Dear Li Ming,
Glad to hear from you last Friday. From your letter, I've learned a lot about Beijing. Great changes have taken place in Beijing during the past few years. It must be more beautiful than it used to be. I'm expecting to visit Beijing sometime in the near future.
Now, I'm eager to know something about your new school life, especially about what you usually do after class. I will be very glad if you can reply to me.
I'm looking forward to your letter.
With best wishes!
Yours,
Mike Nelson
首先請根據具體要求及來信內容提示,選出準確、簡練的詞或短語。
1. __________________ 2. __________________
3. __________________ 4. __________________
5. __________________ 6. __________________
7. __________________ 8. __________________
Dear Mike,
I was very glad to __________________________________________________________ __
____________________________________________________________________________ __
____________________________________________________________________________ __
____________________________________________________________________________ __
Yours truly,
Li Ming__