一方面,對于絕大多數(shù)考生而言,完成議論文正文的論證部分并不容易:他們的作文明顯表現(xiàn)出論證單薄﹑內(nèi)容空洞等問題。另一方面,寫作的評分標(biāo)準(zhǔn)中有兩項(xiàng)針對考生論證實(shí)力的檢測,分別為寫作任務(wù)的完成度和表達(dá)的連貫統(tǒng)一性。因此,如何全面掌握和正確使用各種論證方法是考生寫作備考中亟待解決的問題。本文中,專家將介紹一些議論文的主要論證方法以及考生應(yīng)該如何使用這些方法。
一.舉例論證
舉例論證是最有利于增強(qiáng)論述的可靠性與說服力的方法,同時(shí),也是考官建議考生使用的。在雅思考題下方總會有這樣一句話:“Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.”
1. 常見表達(dá)方式
① 關(guān)聯(lián)詞
優(yōu)勢:關(guān)聯(lián)詞能夠較為方便的引出例子,主要是因?yàn)橛眠@種方法引出的例子多是獨(dú)立的句子,語法上的束縛少些。
關(guān)聯(lián)詞:as a proof, as an illustration, as an example, for example, for instance, in particular, just as, namely, specifically, to illustrate, to demonstrate.
② 句型
優(yōu)勢:句型引出例子,能夠保證表達(dá)的書面度與學(xué)術(shù)性。但是在使用時(shí),考生需要特別注意語法正確。
句型:A good case in point is that …
A typical example can be found in …
Take … for example, …
…, which may include …
2. 使用注意事項(xiàng)
① 選擇典型的例子
在明確引出例子的方法后,考生應(yīng)當(dāng)重視例子本身的質(zhì)量。這里主要是指保證例子的典型性與普遍性,舉例自己的家庭不如舉例一類家庭,舉例自己的國家不如舉例一類國家。個(gè)別的現(xiàn)象,非主流的觀點(diǎn)是不具備說服力的。
② 議論列舉的例子
舉例子,在說明文中使用也很普遍。但是,議論文中的舉例與說明文中的舉例是不同的。議論文在舉例過程中需要考生有適當(dāng)?shù)淖h論或是評價(jià),而不是機(jī)械呆板的說明情況。
③ 控制例子的字?jǐn)?shù)
舉例子,在記敘文中使用也很廣泛,一篇記敘文幾乎就是在講一個(gè)故事或經(jīng)歷。但是,議論文的例子萬萬不可這么長篇大論的寫,一個(gè)論點(diǎn)的例子應(yīng)控制在一句話左右,有時(shí)甚至只需一個(gè)名詞短語就可以完成。
3. 范例評析
劍橋雅思考試全真試題6 Test B 考官范文選段
Even when children use a computer for other purposes, such as getting information or emailing friends, it is no substitute for human interaction. Spending time with other children and sharing non-virtual experiences is an important part of a child’s development that cannot be provided by a computer.
點(diǎn)評:考官這段對“使用電腦給孩子帶來危害”的議論,用“such as”直接引出使用電腦的目的“getting information or emailing friends”。并且在舉例的同時(shí)就評價(jià)說“it is no substitute for human interaction”,使用電腦與他人交流不能代替面對面的互動。并且進(jìn)一步議論說“Spending time with other children and sharing non-virtual experiences”,在真實(shí)的環(huán)境而非虛擬的環(huán)境與同伴相處是孩子成長所必須的,電腦無法勝任。正所謂,舉例言簡意賅,議論及時(shí)深刻。
二.因果論證
因果論證是考生普遍反映比較容易上手且使用范圍廣泛的論證方法。它的正確使用能夠大幅提高論述的邏輯性與連貫度,體現(xiàn)考生的縝密思維。
1. 常見表達(dá)方式
① 關(guān)聯(lián)詞
優(yōu)勢:關(guān)聯(lián)詞能夠較為方便的引出結(jié)果,因?yàn)檫@種方法引出的多是獨(dú)立的句子表達(dá),語法上的束縛少一些。
關(guān)聯(lián)詞:therefore, hence, thus, as a result, consequently, interestingly, fortunately, unfortunately, surprisingly, unsurprisingly.
② 句型
優(yōu)勢:句型引出原因或結(jié)果,能夠保證表達(dá)的書面度與學(xué)術(shù)性。但是在使用時(shí),考生需要特別注意語法正確。
句型: Due to/ owing to/ because of /thanks to…, …
As /since/because…, …
The reason why … is that …
… be related/linked to …
… be associated/connected with …
… contribute to/ give rise to …
2. 使用注意事項(xiàng)
① 主觀與客觀相結(jié)合
在分析原因時(shí),朗閣海外考試研究中心建議考生不僅要關(guān)注客觀原因,比如經(jīng)濟(jì)不景氣,工作經(jīng)驗(yàn)少等人或事本身具有的屬性或特點(diǎn),還應(yīng)當(dāng)考慮從主觀方面著手,比如有的大學(xué)畢業(yè)生眼高手低好高騖遠(yuǎn),大眾想要有更舒適的生活等人的意識或精神。
② 積極與消極相結(jié)合
在引出結(jié)果時(shí),考生不僅需要關(guān)注原因引發(fā)的積極結(jié)果,有時(shí)也可以根據(jù)自己的需要論述它所引發(fā)的消極結(jié)果。特別是在應(yīng)對討論式的觀點(diǎn)題時(shí),這種思想體現(xiàn)的最為明顯。
3. 范例評析
劍橋雅思考試全真試題6 Test 2 考官范文選段
Those who feel that sports star’s salaries are justified might argue that the number of professionals with real talent is very few, and the money is recognition of the skills and dedication a person needs to be successful. Competition is constant and a player is tested every time they perform in their relatively short career. The pressure from the media is intense and there is little privacy out of the spotlight. So all of these factors may justify the huge earnings.
點(diǎn)評:考官從體育奇才數(shù)量少“The number of professionals with real talent is very few”, 競爭強(qiáng)度大“Competition is constant”, 訓(xùn)練時(shí)間長“A player is tested every time”, 體育生涯短“relatively short career”, 媒體關(guān)注度高、壓力大“the pressure from the media”, 隱私基本得不到保護(hù)“l(fā)ittle privacy out of the spotlight”多方面論證“體育明星的高收入是合理的”。正所謂,分析原因?qū)訉由钊?,得出結(jié)論水到渠成。
三.對比論證
對比論證的方法,主要適用于考題中出現(xiàn)兩個(gè)對象比較的情況。從操作性上看,對比論證較為方便。論證對比的角度,只需從考題中的兩個(gè)對象入手即可。
1. 常見表達(dá)方式
① 關(guān)聯(lián)詞
In contrast, by comparison, on the other hand, just as, similarly
② 句型
Compared with …, …
While/whereas…, …
③ 形容詞的比較級
在不同的考題中,如果出現(xiàn)兩個(gè)對象的比較,一般在對比論證中都會有一些形容詞的比較級出現(xiàn)。考生應(yīng)根據(jù)不同的話題選擇不同的詞匯。
2. 范例評析
劍橋雅思考試全真試題8 Test 2
題目:Some people think that parents should teach children how to be good members of society. Others, however, believe that school is the place to learn this. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
考官范文選段:
However, learning to understand and share the value system of a whole society cannot be achieved just in the home. Once a child goes to school, they are entering a wider community where teachers and peers will have just as much influence as their parents do at home. At school, children will experience working and living with people from whole variety of backgrounds for the wider society. This experience should teach them how to cooperate with each other and how to contribute to the life of their community.
點(diǎn)評:這道題的主題為“孩子社會意識的教育與培養(yǎng)是靠家庭還是靠學(xué)?!???脊僭谡撟C學(xué)校的教育義務(wù)時(shí),著重強(qiáng)調(diào)了:相比較家庭,“teachers and peers will have just as much influence as their parents do at home”。學(xué)校中的老師和同學(xué)對孩子社會意識的培養(yǎng)有相同的影響力。而且,在學(xué)校相比較在家,“experience working and living with people from whole variety of backgrounds for the wider society”。孩子接觸的世界更大,人的類型更多。正所謂,公正合理兩方面,對比論證出真知。
四.引用論證
引用論證,是最為考驗(yàn)考生知識儲備的一種論證方法。引用論證,一般引用名人名言﹑權(quán)威數(shù)據(jù),研究成果﹑學(xué)術(shù)刊物,它能夠增加論證的可信度和權(quán)威性。
但是,這種論證方法最容易被考生誤用或?yàn)E用,很多考生沒有知識儲備就自己捏造一些名言或數(shù)據(jù)。最夸張的是有時(shí)所謂“名言”卻出現(xiàn)語法錯(cuò)誤,所謂“權(quán)威數(shù)據(jù)”卻不合情理甚至荒謬。
因此,建議考生們在備考時(shí)適當(dāng)準(zhǔn)備幾句名言警句,如果能在考試中用上最好,如果不能那就使用前面介紹的幾種論證方法。但是,對于知識面較廣,語言水平較高的考生,完全可以使用引用論證,這樣不僅能增強(qiáng)論證的權(quán)威感也能展現(xiàn)自己的優(yōu)勢。
1. 常見表達(dá)方式
According to a recent study, according to a recent article published in …, according to a recent survey conducted by…,
A recent study/survey found that…
A recent opinion poll revealed that …
2. 范例評析
劍橋雅思考試全真試題5 Test4
題目: Research indicates that the characteristics we are born with have much more influence on our personality and development than any experiences we may have in our life. Which do you consider to be the major influence?
考官范文選段:
Today the way we consider human psychology and mental development is heavily influenced by the genetic sciences. Research, relating to identical twins, has highlighted how significant inherited characteristics can be for an individual’s life.
點(diǎn)評:這道題的主題是“先天還是后天決定人的性格和發(fā)展”,考官的這段論證主要是證明先天的影響更大些,引用了一個(gè)有關(guān)雙胞胎的研究。對研究發(fā)現(xiàn)的引用使得第一句的論點(diǎn)沒有那么蒼白無力。但是,通過翻看劍橋系列叢書,不難發(fā)現(xiàn)引用論證在考官的范文中的使用可以用“基本罕見”來形容。正所謂,引用論證用得少,粗制濫造沒必要。
五.總結(jié)論證
實(shí)際上,總結(jié)論證是解決論證過程中“無話可說”的應(yīng)急策略。它的位置一定是放在正文段的最后一句,總結(jié)整個(gè)段落的內(nèi)容。雖然這種方法有一定作用,但并不建議考生多用,一篇文章用一次就足以了,用多了就會產(chǎn)生湊字?jǐn)?shù)的嫌疑。
1. 常見表達(dá)方式
It can be concluded that …
It is little wondering that…
There is no exaggeration that …
It is logical to conclude that …
It is no exaggeration to say that …
2. 范例評析
劍橋雅思考試全真試題6 Test B
題目: Using a computer every day can have more negative than positive effects on young children. Do you agree or disagree?
考官范文選段:
In spite of this, the obvious benefits of computer skills for young children cannot be denied. Their adult world will be changing constantly in terms of technology and the Internet is the key to all the knowledge and information available in the world today. Therefore, it is important that children learn at an early age to use the equipment enthusiastically and with confidence as they will need these skills throughout their studies and working lives.
點(diǎn)評:這道考題要求考生對“孩子每天使用電腦是否利大于弊”展開討論。考官在指出使用電腦能夠幫助孩子了解更多知識,適應(yīng)未來成人社會的生活后,在最后一句把前文的話換了種句型又說了一遍?!癟herefore, it is important that children learn at an early age to use the equipment enthusiastically and with confidence as they will need these skills throughout their studies and working lives.” 由此可見,即使是考官在需要強(qiáng)調(diào)或總結(jié)的時(shí)候,也會對段落小結(jié)一下。正所謂,總結(jié)論證放心用,應(yīng)急時(shí)候是幫手。
綜上所述,議論文的五種論證方法各有千秋。要想正確使用,就必須對各種論證方法的作用、適用范圍、使用方法熟練掌握。在掌握論證方法后,再著手潤色語言的表達(dá),長此以往,堅(jiān)持不懈,寫作高分指日可待!
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