写作时,如果仅局限在把内容交代清楚的水准上,只选用一些普通的、直截了当的词,或一律使用简单句平铺直叙,那么,这样写出来的文章就会像一碗白开水,呆板、单调,没有可读性。要使文章耐人寻味,有深度,同学们就应尝试使用一引起高级词汇或句型,以凸显文章的亮点,使文章增添文采,给读者(尤其是阅卷留下深刻印象)。具体说来,同学们可尝试以下方法:
一、灵活改变句子开头
在通常情况下,英语句子的排列方式为“主语+谓语+宾语”,即主语位于句子开头。但若根据情况适当改变句子的开头方式,比如使用倒状语或以状语开头等,会使文章增强表现力。如:
1. There stands an old temple at the top of the hill.
→ At the top of the hill there stands an old temple.
在小山顶上有一座古庙。
2. You can do it well only in this way.
→ Only in this way can you do it well.
只有这样你才能把它做好。
3. A young woman sat by the window.
→ By the window sat a young woman.
窗户边坐着一个年轻妇女。
4. The door opened and Mr Smith came in.
→ The door opened and in came Mr Smith.
门开了,史密斯先生走了进来。
二、避免重复使用同一词语
为了使表达更生动,更富表现力,同学们在写作时应尽量避免重复使用同一词语来表示同一意思,尤其是一些老生常谈的词语。如有的同学一看到“喜欢”二字,就会立刻想起like,事实上,英语中表示类似意思的词和短语很多,如 love, enjoy, prefer, appreciate, be fond of, care for等。如:
1. I like reading while my brother likes watching television.
→ I like reading while my brother enjoys watching television.
三、合理使用省略句
合理恰当地使用省略句,不仅可以使文章精练、简洁,而且会使文章更具文采和可读性。如:
1. He may be busy. If he’s busy, I’ll call later. If he is not busy, can I see him now?
→ He may be busy. If so, I’ll call later. If not, can I see him now?
他可能很忙,要是这样,我以后再来拜访。要是不忙,我现在可以见他吗?
2. If the weather is fine, we’ll go. If it is not fine, we’ll not go.
→ If the weather is fine, we’ll go. If not, not.
如果天气好,我们就去;如果天气不好,我们就不去了。
3. She could have applied for that job, but she didn’t do so.
→ She could have applied for that job, but she didn’t.
她本可申请这份工作的,但她没有。
四、适当运用非谓语结构
非谓语结构通常被认为是一种高级结构,适当运用非谓语结构,会给人一种熟练驾驭语言的印象。如:
1. When he heard the news, they all jumped for joy.
→ Hearing the news, they all jumped for joy.
听了这消息他们都高兴得跳了起来。
2. As I didn’t know her address, I wasn’t able to get in touch with her.
→ Not knowing her address, I wasn’t able to get in touch with her.
由于不知道她的地址,我没法和她联系。
3. As he was born into a peasant family, he had only two years of schooling.
→ Born into a peasant family, he had only two years of schooling.
他出生农民家庭,只上过两年学。