(一)主题句原则
一个好的主题句是文章成功的一半。不仅文章有主题,段落有纲,句也必有中心。文章失却主题,就会不知所云;落无纲,则一盘散沙,句缺中心,就无意义。所以,在立足于篇章时,一定要首先明确文的主题;在发展段落时,也要首先写好主题句。从PETS三的特点来考虑,主题句最好是置于文首或段首,这样让人一目了然!以下就是两个实用的开门见山式发展主题句的方法。
●To begin with, we must attach the greatest importance possible to this issue/fact (key word).
●As is well known to all, it is now high time that we took this (topic word) into serious consideration.
(二)句式变化原则
好的文章动静结合、张弛有度有节奏感。句式也是一样,要有变化性,这不仅能使文章更生动,也是语言表达方式的需要和表达能力的体现。句式的变化,主要是要注意两点:
●不要从头至尾使用一种句型。
●长短句结合。
由于语言功底的欠缺和惯用思维,很多人写的文章一种句式到头,如:
I think …
I hope…
He does it.
He will take it
这样的文章虽然意思表达出来了,却显得呆板,欠生动。解决的办法是:
1.间或使用主从复句。
Because he is very much determined, he will carry it out this time. (原因)
比较:He is very much determined. He will carry it out this time.
2.使用分词结构句。
The weather being fine, a large number of people went sightseeing.
比较:The weather is fine. A large number of people went sightseeing.
Africa is the second largest continent, its size being about three times that of China.
比较:Africa is the second largest continent. Its size is about three times that of China.
3.使用不定式句。
To be or not to be, that is a question. (莎士比亚)
To study or not to study, that is much different.(引申)
To do it well, you must plan it well.
比较:You want to do it well. And you must plan it well.
4.倒装句
Only when we fully recognize its importance can we have control of its essence.
比较:After we fully recognize its importance, we can have control of its essence.
No sooner had he arrived home than it began to rain.
比较:He arrived home. And it began to rain.
5.失衡句
whether or not he will come is still unknown to all the people present.
比较:No one present knows whether he will come or not.
That he has done it all by himself is known to everyone.
比较:Everyone knows that he has done it all by himself.
当然,句子并不是越长越好,也不是越复杂水平就越高。凡事皆有度。太多长句的堆砌让人觉得是买弄。有时侯,一个短小精辟的句子可以起到画龙点睛的作用。特别是在文末段尾。比如:
●As a creature, every one knows.
●Actions speak louder than words.
●Practice makes perfect.