1、四、六级考试作文多以主题句作文和中文提示作文题型为主。前者是根据所给的段落主题句结合作文题写出各段内容，后者则要求按给出的中文提示先拟好段落主题句，然后再完成作文。这两种形式的作文体裁均为论说文和说明文。而要写好英语论说文或说明文，必须首先了解在段落中的作用。主题句是论说文或说明文中阐明段落中心思想或主要内容的核心句子，对全段的论述起着宏观指导和限制作用,是构成英语段落的重要手段。主题句就象公路上各路段的路标一样，引导驾驶员依循指定的路线行驶，以避免迷失方向。If a person expects to do things successfully,he should have confide
2、nce.It is confidence that enables a person to face the obstacles or drawback that stand in his way.In fact,one can hardly accomplish anything if he has doubt about his ability in what he does.When ones confidence is shaken,he tends to become discouraged and depressed and chances are that he may fail
3、 to do what he could.In contrast,a person who never loses heart will succeed in what seems impossible.此段的第一句即是主题句。指出此段的第一句即是主题句。指出“成成功必须要有自信心功必须要有自信心”。而该主题句的内涵。而该主题句的内涵(为什么自信心往往可以决定成败为什么自信心往往可以决定成败)，则由该，则由该段其它句子来进一步说明。段其它句子来进一步说明。主题句通常由两个部分构成；一部分是Topic(该段要讨论的话题)，另一部分是 Controlling Idea(围绕话题待展开的内容)。例如
4、：例如：Full concentration is essential both in the classroom and in the study room.Green-space facilities are contributing to an important extend to the quality of the urban environment.并非所有句子都能充当主题句。例如并非所有句子都能充当主题句。例如This is what I want to say.Everyone knows that May 1st is Labor Day.Hands up,or Ill k
5、ill you!这些句子要么缺少能进一步讨论的话题，或者没有围绕话题待展开的内容，因此不具备主题句的功能。检验主题句有一个较为简便的方法，既针对句子用Why?(待解释)和How?(待描述)设问，如果能够解答，则可基本认定为主题句。如果难以解答，或答案很荒谬，则可排除主题句的可能性。例如：例如：w Pronouncing a language is a skill.(可解答)wReading extensively helps to enrich our knowledge.(可解答)w He is my father.(不可解答)wShe told me that I couldnt make
6、 progress if I work hard.(不可解答)主题句多见于段首。这样，既可以突出要点，使读者从一开始就可以明了段落的主题和中心思想；也利于作者有效地组织段落，控制段落内容，提醒作者紧扣主题。例如：例如：In a similar way human beings have favorite colors.Blue is often popular because it is the color of the cool sky and sea.Green is the peaceful color which makes us think of wide fields and fo
7、rests.Yellow is the cheerful color of the sun.On the other hand,red is the color of blood and fire.It makes some people think of accidents,danger and bloodshed.Black is the color of the night.In the dark we cannot see what is around us,so we are sometimes afraid of the unknown and do not like black
8、as a color.Perhaps that is why it is often he color of mourning.有时主题句也可能位于段落的中间。这种位置利于先举事例，然后于段落中间部分用主题句综合概括，接着进一步举例和引深说明。例如：例如：Just as I settle down to read or watch television,he demands that I play with him.If I get a telephone call,he screams in the background or knocks something over.I always h
9、ave to hang up to find out whats wrong with him.Baby-sitting with my little brother is no fun.He refuses to let me eat a snack in peace.Usually he wants half of whatever I have to eat.Then,when he finally grown tired,it takes about an hour for him to fall asleep.段尾主题句主要是对前文进行总结和概括。或者为了突出具体内容，引起读者的思考
10、和兴趣，也可将主题句置于段尾。例如：例如：Perhaps you dont like a teacher or a classmate.Try to see why,and look at yourself,too,to be sure that you are not doing something to make that person dislike you.In time,things may turn out all right if you just keep trying to be pleasant and polite.If things do not turn out al
11、l right,then you will simply have to learn to get along the best you can with the situation,without thinking too much about it.Worrying never helps in a situation you cant change.为了更进一步突出段落主题思想，加深读者的印象，也可以就同一主题在段首与段尾各设一个主题句。两个主题句相互呼应，后者对前者起补充的作用。例如：例如：Good manners are important in all countries,but
12、ways of expressing good manners are different from country to country.Americans eat with knives and forks;Japanese eat with chopsticks.Americans say“Hi”when they meet,Japanese bow.American men open doors for women.Japanese men do not.On the surface,it appears that good manners in American are not go
13、od manners in Japan.,and in a way this is true,but in all countries it is good manners to behave considerately toward others and bad manners not to.Its only the ways of behaving politely that differs from country to country.了解了主题句的概念和作用，为写好主题句作文打下了基础。但怎样才能由主题句有效展开段落，是不少学习者颇为头疼的问题。虽然知道主题句是段落中最具概括性的句子
14、，后面的句子应该是起支撑作用的、描叙或讨论细节的拓展句，但究竟如何拓展法，还是朦朦胧胧，不得要领。因而鸨世大多凭感觉，好不好也没个底。看了别人写得好，也不明白为什么写得这么好。凡事都有一定的规律，做事也讲究一定的方法。方法对头，事情就好办了。下面，介绍几种被实践证明是便于操作的几种主题句的拓展方法。根据给出的主题句或自己写出的主题句，先用why?或 How?设问，然后把段落主题句作为一个总的问题以解释、讨论或描述的方式来给予解答。这样，写段落就变为回答问题。例：例：Friends are really important to us.(why?)We are sure to suffer a
15、great deal from solitude if we have few friends.When we are distressed,we need friends to comfort us.When our friends can share something interesting or pleasurable with us,we will be very happy.If we are in trouble or feel disheartened,we can gather strength from the encouragement of our friends.Wh
16、en we have done something helpful to our friends,we will enjoy the pleasure of devotion.In a sense,friends are just like air and water to peoples life.Even people who say they arent superstitious often act in superstitious ways.(how?)If a person says to a friend,“I havent had a cold all winter,”that
17、 person may immediately touch wood.In some countries,touching or knocking on something made of wood after speaking of some lucky event is supposed to prevent the luck from leaving.Quite a few Chinese who say that they are not superstitious tend to choose 888 or 999 as their phone numbers or car numb
18、ers rather than other numbers.They sincerely believe that 888 suggests wealth and 999 means good things continue forever.确立主题句之后，将主题句作为一个总问题，接下来，以前句问，后句答的连锁问答方式展开段落。这样，不但把错综复杂的思维表达化解为前后相接的简便的问与答的模式，以便于有效地展开论述，而且能有效地保持句子间的连贯性和逻辑性。例如：例如：There is the saying that practice makes perfect.(Why?)A person ca
19、n never expect to become skillful in doing things without continual practice.(How?)Only by practice can a person familiarize himself with what he does.(Why?)It is through practice that one is able to handle a task with ease and be ready to deal with any problems concerned.(So what?)Anyone who wants
20、to make an accomplishment without practice will amount to nothing.It is generally acknowledged that writing is an important and practical skill needed by people in different fields.(Why?)Many jobs require the ability to write.(How?)Corporate leaders agree that despite the increasing use of the telep
21、hone and the computer,much information must still be communicated in the form of writing.(Any examples?)For example,managers,engineers,sales representatives,and countless others aresupposed to write regularly as part of their jobs.(What should they write?)Summaries,reports,proposals,letters,and spee
22、ches are required in todays world of work.(so what?)The ability to write,therefore,is a marketable skill,and the individual who is successful in his or her profession is almost always the one who can communicate successfully in writing.根据主题句提出的论点或话题从几根据主题句提出的论点或话题从几个不同的角度围绕段落主题展开讨论，个不同的角度围绕段落主题展开讨论，
23、由此及彼，分门别类，不愁没有内容和由此及彼，分门别类，不愁没有内容和缺乏说服力。缺乏说服力。Some college students tend to cheat on exams even if they know that cheating is forbidden.But why students cheat?For students who lack self-confidence,cheating seems to be a good way to pass an exam.So they tend to copy the others test paper stealthily a
24、t the risk of being caught.Some students are afraid of losing face if they fail an exam.If it is possible,they will try to peek at others test paper.A few students are in the habit of cheating.They never study hard and the only way for them to pass an exam is to cheat.Probably,these students will be
25、 punished or even dismissed by college.人们都习惯用一分为二的方法分析和看人们都习惯用一分为二的方法分析和看待事物。用这种方法来展开段落，既便于操待事物。用这种方法来展开段落，既便于操作，也具有较强的逻辑性和说服力。作，也具有较强的逻辑性和说服力。I have learned English for almost ten years,but it is difficult for me to have a good command of the language.For one thing,I just learn English by memorizin
26、g many rules.Rules are important.But rules dont always tell us how to use English properly in given situation.For another,I fail to understand that the study of a language is to communicate rather than compete for good grades.Admittedly,I have a comparatively large vocabulary,but I often feel at a l
27、oss for words when I try to speak or write.In fact,to learn a language is not so difficult,but to apply what one has learned about a language is far from easy.从反面来论证由主题句提出的观点，从反面来论证由主题句提出的观点，用反面的事实来证明某一观点的正确性，用反面的事实来证明某一观点的正确性，使自己的论述更有说服力，也利于段落使自己的论述更有说服力，也利于段落的展开。的展开。Electricity plays a very import
28、ant part to our modern society.A world without electricity will be a terrible one.Factories have to be closed because of power failure.Busy traffic lines will be in a state of chaos and suffer from great loss.Moreover,modern communication systems will fall apart and people will find it hard to get i
29、nformation on time.Also,it will be impossible for us to enjoy the convenience and entertainment in our daily life.Such a world will look like a hell.Naturally everyone expects to be perfect.But unfortunately there is no one who never makes mistakes,and no one is to be blamed unless he refuses to lea
30、rn from them.Many young people become discouraged when they recognize in themselves qualities that they do not likebad temper,selfishness,laziness and other unpleasant things.Just remember that we all have some of these faults and have to fight to overcome them.So one must learn not to be too unhapp
31、y when he makes a mistake.以上介绍的几种方法虽具有较好的可操作性，以上介绍的几种方法虽具有较好的可操作性，但不能囫囵吞枣，必须多加实践，灵活掌握，但不能囫囵吞枣，必须多加实践，灵活掌握，综合运用。更重要的是，应注意语言能力的培综合运用。更重要的是，应注意语言能力的培养和知识的积累，否则，方法和所谓的技巧都养和知识的积累，否则，方法和所谓的技巧都只能中看不中用。只能中看不中用。与主题句作文相比，中文提示作文更具难度。因为所给的提示虽提供了一定的思路，但也限定了范围。考生可参照提示在某范围内对主题举例说明，分析讨论，谈自己的认识和观点等。但具体写什么内容,从哪几个方面论述
32、,却必须自己安排和计划。写好中文提示作文的关键在于仔细审题，明了题目要求之后，第一步是应根据提示的内容先写好段落主题句。完成了这一步，下面的事就好办了。写主题句应注意两个问题。写主题句应注意两个问题。Friends are very important to us because without fiends we will live lonely.A good student is one who knows how to study regularly and often gets high scores.二是主题句不能太笼统，否则段落内容二是主题句不能太笼统，否则段落内容就很难把握，甚至
33、无从下笔。就很难把握，甚至无从下笔。It is good for us to read books,but some books are very bad.Everyone dreams to become a great man and win the respect of others.主题句的表达方式有几种，可根据作文主题句的表达方式有几种，可根据作文的内容和自己的造句能力来考虑和选择。以的内容和自己的造句能力来考虑和选择。以下面的两个作文题为例：下面的两个作文题为例：On Making FriendsThe“Project Hope”1.Friends are important to
34、 us.2.But real friendship is not easy to come by.3.A friend in need is a fiend indeed.1.Now Project Hope is underway in China.2.The Project is of great importance to Chinas education.3.Poverty is not so terrible,but poor education is fatal.为了体现某个意思的重要性，人们在书面语中可用一些特定的句式来突出重点或凸现主题。这些句子就称为强调句。如倒装，it前置强
35、调，反问，重复某词语等。构成强调主题句的句式以it引导的句子居多。因为这类句式较易掌握，也颇为实用。例如：例如：1.It is certain that a man without friends will suffer a great deal from solitude.2.It is not difficult to make friends,but it is not easy to obtain real friendship.3.Hopefully,from my friend I will learn a lot and to my friends I can offer wha
36、t I should.1.To help poor kids to go back to school,China has sponsored a special project known as Project Hope for years.2.It will be very hard for China to achieve its planned economic growth and make great progress in science without a well-educated population.3.It is on the young generation that
37、 China places her great hope.为避免句式过于单调，还可以用表条为避免句式过于单调，还可以用表条件的主题句引出段落出题。这种句式便于件的主题句引出段落出题。这种句式便于先引出话题，再进一步亮明观点。先引出话题，再进一步亮明观点。If a person wants to live a happy life,he should have some friends.If all the kids can be well-educated,China will undoubtedly become stronger in near future.If thee were no
38、 electricity,the world would be a quite different one.一旦拟定好主题句，便可根据主题句一旦拟定好主题句，便可根据主题句的大意草拟一个列举式提纲。的大意草拟一个列举式提纲。1.No one will succeed in doing thing without confidence.a.encourage us to face any difficultyb.the study of English(example)c.job interview2.There may be several reasons for one to become
39、unsure of himselfa.lack experiencesb.doubt about ones own abilityc.overestimate difficulty3.Confidence can be built up if one takes a correct attitude toward difficulties.a.if we try,we canb.never lose heart when we happen to fail如果英语来得较慢，也可以用中文。例如如果英语来得较慢，也可以用中文。例如On Competition1.竞争是普遍现象竞争是普遍现象 a.体
40、育比赛 b.工作与学习 c.商业竞争2.竞争往往与合作并存竞争往往与合作并存a.球类运动如此b.公司之间既竞争又合作3.如何看待竞争与合作如何看待竞争与合作a.应鼓励竞争b.也需要强调合作文章的各个段落既自成体系，又必须相互协调和照应，以利于全文主题思想的表达。一般来说，因为不同的位置，段落的功能也有所不同。以常见的三段式作文为例：CompetitionCompetition is universal in human society.Anyone who wants to be the winner of a match,a game or a contest has to compete
41、against others.People of different careers compete for higher salary and promotion.Students compete with each other in entrance examinations and job-hunting.Admittedly,a person is compelled to make progress constantly because of competition.However,it is often the case that competition goes hand in
42、hand with cooperation.A team in ball gams can hardly beat the other one without good cooperation.Many companies,in co-operation with other corporations or colleges,have greatly expanded their own business.There is no doubt that a mans ability is finite.It is only by cooperation that people can achie
43、ve greater success.Competition should be encouraged.In fact,competition agrees with the law of human evolution.Without competition,it will be impossible to bring peoples potential into a full play.Meanwhile,we should also attach great importance to cooperation.Otherwise,we can hardly expect to accom
44、plish anything in modern society.作文的第一段从不同角度概述了竞争的普遍性。第二段则讨论竞争与合作是相辅相成的。结尾段指出二者均不可偏废。第一段的论述为第二段的引伸打下了基础，而第三段则依据前面两段的阐述而作出结论。可见，段落之间存在着必然的联系。要使段落环环相扣，有必要掌握几种常见的开头和结尾方式。文章一开始就道破主题，这是最简单实用的方式。常用于记叙文、说明文和议论文。Grades are really important for most students.Schools and the society as a whole tend to value a
45、 student by grades.Students with higher grades are preferable for admission to good schools or colleges.Also,successful application for satisfactory jobs depends a great deal on good grades.开头段用提问的方式引出主题，激起读者的阅读兴趣，也为下面段落的展开提供了条件。但这种开头应避免“Do you think so,my dear friend?”“Do you agree with me?”“Whats
46、your opinion?”等毫无意义的提问，以免引起读者的不快或反感。The worlds population continues to grow.There now are about 4 billion of us on earth.That could reach 6 billion by the end of the century and 11 billion in further 75 years.Experts have long been concerned about such a growth.Where will we find the food,water,job,
47、houses,schools and health care for all these people?作文开头先概括性地叙述某一现象或事物，再由一般到具体引出主题。这样，可使作文的开头更显自然。例如：例如：Every year there are changes in climate in different parts of the world.Some of these changes are due to natural causes.However,some climate changes are caused by air pollution and these changes m
48、ay increase.If you go to the campus of a school or university,you are bound to catch sight of attractive announcements in the students area.They give information about colorful school activities organized by student union,clubs and sports teams.Some students show great interest in these announcement
49、s,whereas some students just pass by without turning their eyes.They are of another type of students.开头段直接说明写作目的或表明对某事物的看法，使读者能一目了然。例如：例如：When I decided to enter the university,like most freshmen I had only the vaguest notion of what subject I intended to major in.But now after two quarters of aimle
50、ssly chosen course work,and after a good deal of self-analysis,I have decided that there are at least four good reasons why I should major in business administration.From good reading we can derive pleasure,companionship,experience,and instruction.A good book may absorb our attention so completely t
