英語組織文章結構的三大原則是時間、空間和邏輯。時間原則指按事情發展的基本順序來安排內容;空間原則是從視覺效果出發,按照事物、事情存在、發生和發展的空間順序來安排內容;而邏輯原則是按照事物發展過程中的邏輯關系——從一般到個別、個別到一般、比較與對比、因與果、分類、問題與解決等來安排內容我。每一種邏輯關系又可以用不同的方式來進行組織。本文重點討論“一般到個別”中“列舉”的方式。 一般到個別(general-to-specific)也稱為抽象到具體(abstract-to-concrete)的結構,是典型的西方文章結構,很多西方學者認為這是有別于東方螺旋型思維(spiraling)的直線型思維。按照這種結構組織的段落一般先就題目提出具有一般意義的論點(topic sentence),然后再以詳細的闡述、分析或事例等論據來支持此觀點。論據的組織方式又可分為列舉(listing)和舉例(exemplification).這種組織方式既適用于一篇文章,也適用于一個段落。如: Color-blind people have problems that people who perceive color never think about. Perhaps the greatest handicap of color-blind person is evident when they select occupations. For example, they cannot work as interior decorators, commercial photographers, painters, airline pilots, or railroad engineers. The second problem is with traffic signs and signals. Those that are red-green colorblind have trouble seeing stop signs found on shady streets because they may not notice them against the leaves. In addition, they have trouble identifying signal lights and must memorize the position of the light to know which signal is being given. And perhaps less of a problem is that of dressing. Those who are fashion-conscious avoid brightly colored wardrobe so that they will not wear clashing colors. 這一段中采用列舉加舉例的方式。首句提出論點,主旨(the controlling idea)是“problems”,后面用三個方面來闡述,從the greatest handicap,到the second problem最后到less of a problem,三方面分別是occupation、traffic signs and signals和dressing.這三個方面之間也是按照從大到小,從最常見的到最少見的,而對于每一方面的支持和論證,作者又分別采用了舉例和列舉方式(for example; in addition等)。 一般到個別的基本框架是: Topic sentence (main idea) Explanation/detail 1 Explanation/detail 2 Explanation/detail 3 1、2、3 之間又按照: The most general------the least general The most common------the least common The most popular------the least popular 對于在課堂教學中的使用,教師可以做具體的演示。如討論是什么因素導致了交通堵塞。課上brainstorming后得到以下論據: 1.over-population 2.too many cars 3.insufficient roads 4.unreasonable design of infrastructure 5.people’s awareness 6.driving offenders 7.police 8.rules and regulations 要使用列舉的方式,可以將上述論據進行分類,前四點可作為客觀原因,5、6兩條可作為主觀原因,最后兩條可以作為政府的宏觀管理問題。組織方式如下: Topic sentence: There are several factors causing traffic jams. Explanation 1: The leading contributor is overpopulation, which leads to too many cars available even though more roads have been constructed. The situation will be worse if the infrastructure is not reasonably designed. Explanation 2: Apart from these objective reasons, part of the blame should be laid on people’s awareness. There are many driving offenders either because they are drunk or they do not think it important to keep to the traffic rules and regulations. Explanation 3: Besides, the police’s supervision also plays an essential role. If they do not manage well, traffic jams are more likely to occur. 列舉的方法尤其有利于初學寫作的考生模仿和借鑒,它不失為一種快速成文的有效途徑。 |