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日期:2023年07月22日 分类:警句格言

如何写说明文

一、说明文的定义

说明文是以说明作为主要的表达方式,介绍事物的性质、特点(特征)或阐述事理的一种文体。

阅读一篇说明文首先要把握住说明的对象和说明对象的特征。说明的对象往往是一个名词(或相当于名词的短语),说明对象的特征往往用形容词来概括(或相当于形容词的短语)。

说明文的中心句由说明的对象加上说明对象的特征来构成。说明文的中心句有全文的中心句和自然段的中心句之分。

中心句的位置往往在全文或整个自然段的开头或结尾。

中心句又叫总说。除了中心句之外的句子叫支撑句。支撑句又叫分说。 支撑句是以举例子、列数字、作诠释的方式对中心句进行说明的。

说明文三要素:内容的科学性、说明的条理性和语言的准确性。

1.内容的科学性:如实地反映客观事物,把握事物的特征、本质和规律,给读者以正确无误的认识。

2.说明的条理性:按时间顺序写和记叙文相似;按空间顺序写需注意观察点,注意事物的表里、大小、上下、前后、左右、东南西北等的位置和方向;按逻辑顺序写要注意摸清各部分的内在联系,由表及里,由浅入深,由现象到本质。

3.语言的准确性:表示时间、空间、数量、范围、程度、特征、性质、程序等,都要求准确无误。语言简明,说明严密。

二、说明文的结构

说明文的结构有三种形式:

1、总说——分说

2、分说——总说

3、总分——分说——总说

三、说明文的分类

按说明的对象来分,说明文分为实体说明文和事理说明文两种。

以事物作为说明的对象,重点在于说明事物是“怎样”的,介绍事物的性质、特征,把一种事物和另一种事物区分开来的说明文就是实体说明文。

以事理作为说明的对象,重点说明事理是“怎么样”和“为什么这样”的,把抽象的、难于理解的事理说得清楚明白的就是事理说明文。

按说明文的语言风格,说明文可以分为平实语言的说明文和生动语言的说明文(文艺性说明文)两种。

四、说明方法

1、下定义:就是用准确的、简明的语言来说明事物的特征、揭示事物的本质,使这种事物和另一种事物区分开来的一种说明方法。

1)笑是反映内心活动的`一种面部表情。

2)石拱桥就是用石头做拱圈的一种桥梁。

3)统筹方法是一种安排工作进程的数学方法。

下定义的说明方法的格式:××是××

2、作诠释:就是对事物进行解释的一种说明方法。

1)如此浩荡的海水中竟没有鱼虾、水草,甚至连海边也寸草不生,这大概是四死海得名的原因吧。

这段文字解释了“死海”的“死”的含义:没有生命

2)人们在这无鱼无草的海水里,竟能自由游弋,即使不会游泳的人,也总是浮在水面上。

这段文字解释了死海不死的第二个“死”的含义:淹死。

3、分类别: 就是对复杂的事物进行分门别类的介绍的说明方法。采用分类别的说明方法要注意分类的标准要统一。

1)文学作品按体裁来分可以分为四种:小说、诗歌、散文和戏剧文学。

2)风沙的进攻方式有两种:一种可以称之为阵地战;另一种称之为游击战。

4、举例子:就是用实际的事例把抽象、复杂的事物说得具体形象、生动的一种说明方法。

1)《中国石拱桥》通过举赵州桥和卢沟桥的例子来说明中国石拱桥的特点:形式优美,结构坚固,历史悠久。

5、作比较:就是把两种不同的事物放在一起进行对比说明的一种说法。

1)新疆建设兵团在天山南北建立国营农场,开沟挖渠,种麦种棉,那里原是不毛之地,现在一片葱茏,俨然一片绿洲。

分析:以前是“不毛之地”同现在的“俨然一片绿洲”,进行 比较,表明:沙漠是可以征服的。

6、打比方:就是以比喻的方式将进行说明的一种方法。采用打比方的说明方法,同时还可以认为是描写的表达方式,一般是采用明喻,能把抽象、复杂的事物说的简明生动,通俗易懂。

1)石拱桥的桥洞呈弧形,就像虹。

2)大礼堂呈椭圆形,有两成挑台象两弯新月,围拱着主席台。

3)燕子一会儿象箭一样贴墙飞行,一会儿又垂直的直冲云霄。

7、引用:用有关的资料、名言、俗语、谚语来进行说明的一种说明方法。

1)出现朝霞,表明阴雨天气就要到来;出现晚霞,表示最近几天 里天气晴朗。所以有“朝霞不出门,晚霞行千里”的说法。

分析:引用谚语说明霞和天气的关系。

8、列数字:就是运用数字来进行说明的方法,可以采用确数、约数、倍数、百分比等。运用数字进行说明,必须准确无误,符合客观实际。注意采用列数字的说明方法时,表示约数的“大约”“上下”“左右”“多”等词不能去掉,去掉的话,就使约数变成了确数,不符合实际。表示推测语气的“可能”也不能去掉,去掉的话,就成了肯定语气。

1)一只青蛙一昼夜能捕食70多只害虫,一个月约吃2022只,一年吃掉害虫15000左右。

分析:“多”“约”“左右”等词不能去掉,去掉的话,就使约数变成了确数,不符合实际。

9、列图表:就是用绘图和表格来说明事物的特征。

10、摹状貌:就是把说明的事物进行描写的说明方法。采用摹状貌的说明方法,可能同时还会带有打比方的说明方法,是描写的表达方式。

1)雾像轻纱,扑朔迷离,充满浓厚的艺术氛围。轻轻的薄雾,使山城显得格外亲切。

11、拟人法:把说明的对象当作人来写,使说明的对象具有人的特点。

1)(赵州桥)大拱的两肩上各有两个小拱。

五、说明文的顺序:

1.时间顺序:按时间先后顺序安排文章。说明事物的变化、发展、成长过程,说明物品的生产程序和使用程序,介绍人物传略常常采用时间顺序。

2.空间顺序:介绍建筑物等静物一般按空间方位的顺序安排文章。首先要确定观察点,或俯视、或仰视,或远眺、或近观,按一定方位,从前后左右,上下四方,内外中心来说明事物。

3.逻辑顺序:按事物内部的联系安排文章。一般事理说明文多用这种顺序。如因果关系、由现象到本质的层递关系、主次关系、总分关系、并列关系、相关关系。

如何写一篇事物说明文

摘 要:说明文在初中阶段是一个重要的学习模块,那么怎样让学生学好写好呢?本文就从了解说明文常识;抓住说明对象、特征;讲结构,做条理;讲究语言艺术,提高说明效果等几方面进行一些粗浅议论,希望对学写说明文的人有一定的帮助。

关键词:说明文常识;说明对象、特征;结构;条理;语言艺术。 说明文是一种以说明为主要表达方式的文体,它是对客观事物的性状、特点、功能和用途等做科学性说明的。它既不像记叙文那样重在记叙、描写和抒情,也不像议论文那样,重在阐明主张,批驳谬论。说明文主要是通过说明客观事物,使人增长知识和技能的。那么,作为刚学写的中学生又怎样来面对说明文呢,本人就以拙劣的看法作几点浅析。

一、了解说明文常识

(一)对象及特征。说明文一般分为事物说明文和事理说明文。分析说明文特征可以从标题、所用材料及说明对象、整篇课文入手。

(二)说明顺序。说明文顺序可分为时间顺序、空间顺序和逻辑顺序。时间顺序以时间语作标志,说明事物发展演变,如介绍工作程序;空间顺序以方位词作标志,从上到下、从左到右、由里到外、由前到后、有整体到局部等,说明事物形态和构造,多用于建筑物或实体;逻辑顺序以思维规律为序,是现象到本质、由因到果、由主到次等,多用于事理说明文。

(三)说明方法及作用。

1、举例子。使文章更加具体,更有说服力,更客观地说明了事物。使比较抽象,复杂的事情或事物变得通俗易懂,让人信服。举例子必须让人觉得有真实感。

2、作比较。说明某些抽象的或者是人们比较陌生的事物,可以用具体的或者大家已经熟悉的事物和它比较,使读者通过比较得到具体而鲜明的印象。

3、下定义。用简明的语言对某一概念的本质特征作规定性的说明叫下定义。下定义能准确揭示事物的本质,是科技说明文常用的方法。

4、列图表。为了把复杂的事物说清楚,还可以采用图表法,来弥补单用文字表达的缺欠,对有些事物解说更直接、更具体。 使读者直观,一目了然的了解事物的特征。

5、诠释法(又称作诠释)。从一个侧面,就事物的某一个特点做些解释,这种方法叫诠释法。

6、打比方。利用两种不同事物之间的相似之处作比较,以突出事物的形状特点。用这个方法,可以使抽象复杂说得浅显易懂,具体生动。

7、摹状貌。为了使被说明对象更形象、具体,可以进行状貌摹写,这种说明方法叫摹状貌。

8、引资料。为了使说明的内容更充实具体,可以引资料说明。引资料的范围很广,可以是经典著作,名家名言,公式定律,典故谚语等。

9、分类别。将被说明的对象,按照一定的标准划分成不同的类别,一类一类地加以说明,这种说明方法,叫分类别。帮助读者掌握特征,头绪分明。

10、列数字。为了使所要说明的事物具体化,还可以采用列数字的方法,以便读者理解。

(四)说明文语言特点。准确,生动形象,简明。

(五)说明文结构。总分总,总分,分总,并列,连贯。

二、抓住说明对象、特征

写说明文,一定要对说明对象有比较深刻的认识,即抓住说明对

象的特征。什么是事物的特征呢?特征就是某事物区别于其它事物的象征和标志,即该事物所特有的个性。它往往表现在两个方面:一是外显性特征,如事物的颜色、质地、空间位置、形状、温度等;二是内隐性特征,如事物的成因、原理、变化过程、内部结构、习性、性能、风格等方面。

那么怎样才能把握住事物的特征呢?必须从以下几个方面着手:一要认真观察。通过细致、反复、深刻的观察,用眼、耳、口、鼻、体、肤等感觉器官,对要说明的事物进行看、听、尝、嗅、触等,必要时,还可以做实验,以准确、全面地把握事物的特征。二要深入思考。将说明对象和类似的事物进行多方面比较,对掌握的有关信息进行筛选,深入分析其异同,抓住了“异处”,就把握了该事物的特征,也就抓住了说明的重点。三要重视积累、扩大生活视野,阅读范围,不断丰富知识,积累写作材料,注意间接经验的获得,提高理性认识水平。

三、讲结构,做条理。

讲结构,做条理,即说明文说明顺序和结构的安排。首先应把握住说明对象的特征,才能进一步确定说明文应用什么说明顺序,再做说明结构的.安排。文章的条理性是客观事物、事理本身特点、规律在文章结构上的反映。说明文解说事物、阐述事理就要按这些关系来安排说明次序,使之层次清楚、主次分明,结构合理。

对读者并不陌生的事物或事理,说明时可先说一般,再叙说个别现象。这种写法宜先写性质特征,后写状态,人们可先获得事物或事理的

总体认识,然后具体理解。如《苏州园林》,一般读者都知园林这一事物,但苏州园林与其他园林有所不同,因此,写作时宜先说出它与其它园林不同的性质特征,然后具体说它的形态。这种结构安排有利于读者尽快地认识事物。

四、讲究语言艺术,提高说明效果

说明文语言的准确性是说明事物的先决条件。表示时间、空间、数量、范围、程度、性质、程序等,都要求准确无误。说明文语言准确,并非一定得用确数,也可以用约数。比如“大约”“左右”“可能”“估计”,这些也同样能体现说明文语言的准确性。

说明文的语言在准确的前提下,语言风格既可平平实实,,也可生动活泼。如,写作时采用比喻、拟人、对话、自述、讲故事等说明方法都可增强说明语言的生动性。 “世上无难事,只要肯攀登”,只要认真掌握说明文的写作要领,一定就能写出优秀的说明文。

总之,说明文的写作并不是很难,只要掌握住说明文常识就能轻松写好一篇说明文。以上便是笔者的一些粗浅看法,希望有志同道合者给予一些意见和建议。

学习如何写说明文三篇

篇一:学习写说明文

说明文是一种以说明为主要表达方式,介绍事物,阐明事理的文章。常见的说明文有说明书,解说词,科学小品(又名知识小品)等。

说明文的主要特点有:说明的中心要鲜明突出;抓住事物的主要特征和事物的本质,正确客观地对事物进行介绍、说明,具有很强的科学性。根据事物本身的条理,或按事物的时间顺序说明事物,或按方位顺序说明事物,或按性质类别说明事物,或按成长规律说明事物??富有条理性;语言力求准确、简明、通俗、生动。

说明文常见的说明方法有:下定义,分种类,打比方,举实例,列数字,作比较,引资料等等。说明文以说明作为最主要的表达方式,在说明中适当运用记叙或描写成分,采用比喻,拟人等修辞手法,可以引起读者的兴趣,增强说明内容的具体性和生动性。

说明文根据说明的对象不同可以分作两大类:一类是说明具体事物的,包括说明事物的特征的,也包括说明事物的变化;另一类是阐明抽象事理的。

下面根据说明文的不同类别,分别介绍写说明文的方法。

【范例解析】

一、说明具体事物的说明文。

题目:《我的笔记本电脑》

我家有一台联想笔记本电脑,长约30厘米,宽约24厘米,厚约6厘米,和一本大笔记本差不多。它虽然是电脑的微缩型,但价格可比普通电脑贵了差不多一倍,可功能却一点都不少。

笔记本电脑通体漆黑,像一块黑绸缎一样。面板上有一块legend的联想标志闪闪发光。主体四周有一些可以打开的小门,可以放入软盘、光盘;还有许多输入,输出口,可以插入电线,连接许多复杂的小配件,如稳压电源,耳机,“猫”(调制解调器)等。

打开盖板,只见盖板里面一块微型液晶板映入眼帘,原来这就是显示器。主体上面是排列非常紧凑的键盘,键盘的下方有一个感应器,具有鼠标的功能。键盘的上面有两个喇叭,以至电脑的背景音乐十分宏亮。左侧面还有一个开关,这是电源总开关,控制着电脑的开和关。右侧面还有一个插口,是鼠标插入的地方。 我非常爱用它来休闲。打开它,我就有一种新鲜感。用鼠标在因特网上漫游,可以看到很多奇妙的趣文,十分舒坦。它还能帮助我学习文化知识。记得有一次,我在做数学题时,遇到了一道难题,便请教这位“老师”。它先“讲”出解题的思路,然后列出几种解题算式。让你选择一种正确的。你如果答得好,它还会放一段动画片奖励你呢!有时我也玩游戏,一个人太没意思了,它就会和我“并肩战斗”。

这个电脑可以储电,因为主体体中有蓄电池。白天不在家,就插上插头,给它补补“力气”,也挺有趣的。充满电的它无需电源插头,直接可以使用。与普通电脑相比,它体积小,便于携带,所以人们称它“便携式电脑”。

笔记本电脑是我的好老师,也是我的好伙伴,更是世界高科技发展的象征。

【评析】 这是一篇介绍电脑的说明文。文章抓住笔记本电脑体积小,携带方便的特点,按由表及里的顺序,恰当地运用了多种说明方法,清楚明白地说明了笔记本电脑的构造,功能及操作使用方法,条理清晰,具体生动。

篇二:电脑说明文

电脑

五年级 陈丽媛

提起电脑,相信大家都非常熟悉。电脑又叫电子计算机。如今,随着科技的发展,电脑已走进千家万户。

电脑一般分为两大类;一类是个人电脑,个人电脑有台式的,笔记本的,最新式的是平板的。另一类是超级电脑,每秒的运算速度在亿次以上,主要用在银行、科研、军事等方面。

电脑由硬件系统和软件系统组成。电脑的硬件系统主要由主机、显示器、键盘、鼠标、音箱、摄像头等组成。主机就是电脑的主管,就像我们的头脑,控制着电脑每天的工作。显示器就像我们的眼睛,把所有工作的成果展示给我们看。键盘上有26个英文字母键,方向键,数字键和几个重要按键,是电脑主要的输入设备。鼠标就像一只老鼠似的扒在桌子上,可是作用非常大,可以灵活地指挥各种应用程序。音箱可以带领我们进入美妙的音乐世界。摄像头可以让我们足不出户,与世界各地的人们交流。电脑的软件系统分为两类;一类是操作系统软件,主要有windows操作系统和Linux操作系统等,最原始的是dos操作系统。它们是计算机底层的系统软件,负责管理、调度、指挥计算机的软硬件资源使其协调工作,没有它,任何计算机都无法正常运行。它在资源使用者和资源之间充当中间人的角色,举个例子,一个用户(也可以是程序)将一个文件存盘,操作系统就会开始工作:管理磁盘空间的分配,将要保存的信息由内存写到磁盘等。当用户要运行一个程序时,操作系统必须先将程序载入内存,当程序执行时,操作系统会让程序使用CPU。另一类是应用软件,可以办公,也可以游戏,还能保证安全等等。

电脑的用途很多:可以上网,例如聊天、发邮件、听音乐,玩游戏、登Q、查资料等;可以管理资料,比如学校的图书室里的电脑是用来登记图书借出去情况的;可以记帐,比如超市里的计算机,就是拿来记帐的;还可以控制生产,比如水泥厂里的电脑能自动控制生产。瞧,电脑真是各方面的能人!

电脑与人们的生活息息相关,让人们的生活变得更美好。

指导老师 林蔚文

篇三:说明文是以说明为主要表达方式用来说明事物

说明文是以说明为主要表达方式用来说明事物,阐明事理的`一种文体。它通过揭示概念来说明事物的特征、本质及其规律性,给人准确的科学知识或正确思想。一般可分为实体事物说明和抽象事物说明两大类,词典、教材、论文、实验报告、产品说明书、广告、解说词及科学小品等都属于说明文。

按写作方法,英语说明文主要分为下面六种类型

1.例证法 2.定义法 3.分类法 4.因果关系法 5.比较对照法 6.过程分析法

1.例证法

Our life today depends very much on energy. For example, machines have made our life easier than it used to be. The machines use energy, and energy is needed for heating, lighting, communications, carrying goods-everything. Factories use a great deal of energy to make the things that we use and buy and sell.

这段主要是讲能源问题。第一句为主题句,概括地说出"我们目前的生活很大程度上依赖能源"。接着用举例的方法从三方面说明能源的作用。

2.定义法

An ideal teacher must have the following characteristics. He should know his subject, but he can make mistakes if he is willing to learn. His personality is as important as his scholarship. An ideal teacher must be enthusiastic. He should be a bit of an actor and he shouldn't be afraid to show his feelings and express his likes and dislikes. An ideal teacher is one who grows, learns, and improves himself along with his students.

本段的展开是通过对"一个模范教师"下定义的方法,关键词"ideal teacher"在文中多次重复,能加深读者的印象。

3.分类法

As far as political views are concerned, people fall into three categories. First are the conservative people. Conservatives are opposed to sudden or great changes. Second are the liberal people. These people are in favour of progress and reform. But their opinions often seem too idealistic. Third are the moderate people. The moderates keep everything within reasonable limits. They are more practical in this hard world. In my opinion, most people seem to belong to this group.

本段把人按政治观点分为三类:保守派(conservative people)、自由派(liberal people)和温和派(moderate people),并对他们各自的特征进行了简要的分析。

4.因果关系法

Of the four seasons, I like spring best. I prefer spring because it is a season of much joy and gaiety. New life bursts out everywhere. Plants wear a green coat again and colourful flowers blossom in gardens and mountains. The old come outdoors for fresh air and the young plan for outdoor activities. Life becomes so energetic and happy.

第一句为本段主题句,末句是总结句。在主题句后, 作者用了四个句子阐述自己喜欢春天的理由。

5.比较对照法

I like having a twin sister. When she's happy, I'm happy. When she feels unhappy, I feel the same. Often, I know what she's going to say. Sometimes, I know what she's thinking. I like what she likes. I hate what she hates. We like the same music, the same food and the same books.

这段采用AB交错的比较方式,阐述孪生姐妹的相同特征。这种写法较流畅自然,给读者的印象也更鲜明突出。

6.过程分析法

There are several steps to plant a tree. First, dig a hole large enough for the tree, but the hole should not be too deep. Second, put the tree in the hole so that it is straight. Third, put the earth back into the hole again. Push it down hard with your foot several times. Finally, water the tree well, as often as possible.

这段分析了植树过程中的几个步骤。全段层次分明,连接词语(first, second, third, finally)的使用加强了语句的连贯性。

Exercises

例1 请根据Wang Hua 在学骑自行车时的几个步骤,写一篇短文,说明他是任何学会骑自行车的.

参考词汇: handle-bars 自行车把手 pedal 踏板 saddle 车座

Wang Hua is learning to ride a bicycle. Let’s watch him and see how he can get on his bicycle. He put his hands on the handle-bars. He puts his left foot on the left pedal, then he pushes himself hard forward with his right leg. Now he can move on together with the bicycle and his whole body is now on the bicycle. Then, he raises his right leg over the saddle and lower himself on the saddle. Now, he is on the bicycle and stepping the pedals hard with both legs. And the bicycle is going forward.

例2

请写一篇短文介绍如何乘坐伦敦地铁.

内容提示如下:

1. 在售票处(booth)购买辅币(token)需30便士.

2. 在入口处将辅币投入狭孔(slot),你就可以走下地铁.

3. 在站台等车时,要站在白线以外.注意你要去的方向.不要站错站台.

4. 上下车应迅速,因为车门关闭很快.地铁内规定不准吸烟.

注意:短文的意思要连贯. 字数:100个左右.

If you want to travel by underground in London, you should first find the nearest underground entrance and buy a token for 30 pence in the booth. After you drop the token into the slot at the entrance, you can walk down the stairs. Stand back of the white line while waiting for the train on the platform. Make sure that you are on the right side of the platform for your train. When the train arrives, get on or get off quickly because the doors of the train close quickly. Smoking is not allowed in the underground.

例3

家用电脑体积下,价格低,造型优美,简单易用,使用方便,灵活;可用于计算,记事,打电话,打印信件;儿童可用它来学英语,做游戏. 你通过家用电脑能学会怎样使用微机;为将来寻找工作提供便利;电脑工作比人快数百倍;我们已经得到电脑的巨大帮助. 请根据以上内容写一篇介绍家用电脑的说明文. 字数120左右.

A Family Computer

A family computer is small. Its price is not high, and it has a good look. It can be used easily. You can calculate, make notes, call others and type letters, etc. Also, children can learn English or play games with it. Besides, you can use a family computer as a training computer. You can learn how to use an office computer, which can give you convenience to find a good job in a company. Computers can work hundreds of times faster than humans. We have been greatly helped by

computers.

例 4

请以The Importance of Trees 为题写一篇短文,说明保护森林的必要性.

1. 说明树木的主要用途:提供木材;吸水,防止水灾,旱灾;净化空气,美化生活.

2. 滥伐树木的危害;无计划砍伐造成水土流失,土壤沙化,造成水灾.

3. 每年都应植树造林,使其为人类更好服务等等.

字数:100左右.

As we all know, trees are very useful. They are of great benefit to man as follows. First, trees provide us with wood and other products. Second, their roots can allow the rain to sink in and keep the soil, so they help to prevent droughts and floods. Trees can help clean air and beautify life.

Unfortunately, nowadays in many parts of the world lots of people fail to realize the importance of trees. They have cut trees down in large numbers without a plan, which makes the soil washed away. They don’t know where there are no trees, the rain washes away the surface of the soil and this causes floods.

We ought to plant trees each year and carefully look after new trees in order not to make the forest slowly disappear. Only in this way can we make the forest serve man forever.

例 5

根据下表格提供的信息,请你推荐两本学中文的词典.

Dear Steve,

I’m pleased to learn that you and your classmates are learning Chinese. I’d like to recommend the following two dictionaries. The English- Chinese Chinese-English Dictionary is really a good one for beginners. It has 18,000 English words and 20,000 Chinese words. Besides plenty of examples, it has many notes telling you how to use a word. Xinhua Dictionary is the most popular Chinese dictionary, and it has a vocabulary of 10,000 words. It may also be useful to some advanced learners of Chinese. Of the two, ECCED is the more expensive, costing 52 yuan, and XD costs 11 yuan.

Please let me know if you want me to buy these dictionaries.

Yours, Li Yua

如何写好英文说明文

就“说明对象”而言,英语说明文可分为对“客观具体事物”的说明和对“主观抽象观念”的说明两大类,比如:对“LASER(激光)”、“Computer Problem of Year 2022(计算机2022年问题)”等等的说明都是对客观或者具体事物的说明,而“The Successful Interview(谈成功的面试)”、“How to Write Good English Composition(如何才能写好英语作文)” 等是对主观抽象观念的说明。对我们中学生朋友来说,在汉语说明文的教学中似乎比较侧重前者,即解释客观具体事物的说明文。但在英语说明文中,阐述和说明 “主观抽象观念”的说明文占了很大的比重,其中有些类似汉语中的议论文。但是无论是对“客观具体事物”的说明还是对“主观抽象观念”的阐述,英语说明文从结构上看大致可分为三个部分:第一部分一般是文章的第一段,提出文章的主题,也就是说,文章想要阐述、说明的主要内容;第二部分是文章的主体,可由若干个段落组成,对文章的主题进行展开说明;第三部分是结尾段,对文章的主题作归纳总结。从英语说明文的结构可以看出,要写好英语说明文的关键在于第二部分如何对文章主题进行展开说明。在英语中,常见的用来展开文章主题的方法有下列几种:

1.罗列法(listing)

在文章开始时提出需要说明的东西和观点,然后常用first,second,…and finally加以罗列说明。罗列法广泛地使用于各类指导性的说明文之中,下面这篇学生作文就是用罗列法写成的:

Early Rising

Early rising (早起) is helpful in more than one way. First, it helps to keep us fit (健康)。 We all need fresh air. But air is never so fresh as early in the morning. Besides, we can do good to our health from doing morning exercise (做早操)。

Secondly, early rising helps us in our studies. We learn more quickly in the morning, and find it easier to remember what we learn in the morning.

Thirdly, early rising enables (使能够) us to plan the work of the day. We cannot work well without a good plan. Just as the plan for the year should be made in the spring, so the plan for the day should be made in the morning.

Fourthly, early rising gives us enough time to get ready for our work, such as to wash our faces and hands and eat our breakfast properly.

Late risers may find it very difficult to form the habit of early rising. They ought to make special efforts to do so. As the English proverb says,“Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.”

罗列法经常用下列句式展开段落,我们可以注意模仿学习:

There are several good reasons why we should learn a foreign language. First of all, …Secondly, …And finally, …

We should try our best to plant more trees for several good reasons First of all, …Secondly, …And finally,

必须指出的是,有时罗列法并不一定有明确的first, second…等词,但文章还是以罗列论据展开的。

2.举例法(examples)

举例法是用具体的例子来说明我们要表达的意思,常用for example, for instance, still another example is…等词语引出。下面这篇学生作文就是用举例法写成的:

Recreation

It is impossible to keep in good health unless we take enough recreation (娱乐)。 The mind, too, needs change to make it fresh and vigorous (有活力的) There is much truth in the old saying, All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.“

There are many games which boys and girls can play after their school work is done, for instance, football, tennis, and kite-flying. Other examples of recreation are boating, fishing, gardening, cycling, walking, chess-playing, and reading. Persons who sit much at their business should take a kind of recreation that will supply their muscles (肌肉) with exercise. Those who spend most of their time in the open air and do manual work (体力活) should adopt (采纳) reading or some other quiet form of recreation.

Cycling is said to be an important means of recreation, but many persons foolishly tire out themselves by cycling too much. The same may be said in regard to football. Tennis is a pleasant form of recreation. Many persons take great delight in boating. Fishing requires much patience, and there is much danger of taking cold by sitting still on a cold day too long. A good brisk (轻松) walk is one of the finest forms of exercise. For persons engaged in outdoor labor, chess-playing is another excellent form of recreation.

可以看出,举例法和罗列法有时可以结合使用:即用罗列法来列出例子,用例子充实罗列的说明。

3.比较法(comparison and contrast)

比较法是对两个对象进行比较,从而进行说明的写作手法。比较法又可细分为比较相同点(comparison)和比较不同点(contrast)两种方法,比如:

From Paragraph to Essay

Although they are different in length (长度), the paragraph and the essay are quite similar in structure (结构)。 For example, the paragraph starts with either a topic sentence (主题句) or a topic introducer followed by a topic sentence. In the essay, the first paragraph sets up the topic focus (主题所在) Next, the sentences in the body of a paragraph develop the topic sentence. Similarly, the body of an essay consists of a number of paragraphs that discuss and support the ideas given in the introductory (引导的) paragraph. Finally, a concluding sentence (结束句) ——whether a restatement, conclusion, or observation——ends the paragraph. The essay, too, has a concluding paragraph which ends the essay logically and satisfactorily. Although there are some exceptions (例外), most well written expository (说明文的) paragraphs and essays are similar in structure.

可以看出,在比较相同点的时候,常用到similarly,also,too,in the same case,in spite of the difference等这样的词语。

European Football and American Football

Although European football is the parent of American football, the two games show several major differences. European football, sometimes called association football or soccer, is played in 80 countries, making it the most widely played sport in the world. American football, on the other hand, is popular only in North America (the United States and Canada)。 Soccer is played by eleven players with a round ball. Football, also played by eleven players in somewhat different positions (位置) on the field, is played with an elongated (拉长的) round ball. Soccer has little body contact (接触) between players and therefore needs no special protective equipment. Football, in which players make the greatest use of body contact to stop a running ball-carrier and his teammates, needs special protective equipment. In soccer, the ball is advanced toward the goal by kicking it or by butting (顶) it with the head. In American football, on the other hand, the ball is passed from hand to hand or carried in the hands across the opponent's (对手) goal. These are just a few of the features which distinguish (区别) association and American football.

这是一篇用比较不同点的手法写的说明文。从文章中可以看出:however,on the other hand,in contrast,but,nevertheless等表示转折的词语常用来引导对不同点的比较。

4.定义法(definition)

定义法也是英语说明文中常用的写作手法,特别是在对具体事物概念进行说明时经常使用。定义法的基本要素是定义句。英语中常见定义句的模式是:

被定义对象is所属类别+限制性定语

可以看出,定义句中限制性定语越详细,定义就越精确,比如:

A bat is a small mouse-like animal that flies at night and feeds on(以……为食品)fruit and insects but is not a bird.

其实,在英—英词典中,对英语单词的英文解释就是定义法的典型例子。比如,看看Longman词典对student和teacher的定义是很有意思的:A student is a person who is studying at a place of education or training. A teacher is a person who gives knowledge or skill to sb. as a profession (专业)。

5.顺序法(sequence of time, space and process)

顺序法是指按时间、空间或过程的顺序进行说明的一种写作手法。比如按照时间顺序介绍一个科学家的.生平,用空间顺序阐述逐渐开发西部的重要意义,用过程顺序法解释葡萄酒的生产过程等等。

下面这篇学生作文就是用顺序法写成的:

Coal

Coal underwent (经受) many changes before it became the bright, brittle (脆的), black substance which we now use. During ancient times (在上古时代), when the earth enjoyed a very warm and wet climate, the land was covered with large forests and big plants. As time went on, the ground changed and began to sink (下沉) a little. These very large numbers of trees and vegetables received a deposit (沉淀) of sand and clay. This layer of sand and clay pressed upon the layer beneath and prevented it from contact with air. These trees and plants received the pres sure and changed its appearance.

Generations after generations (几世纪后), as the ground kept gradually sinking, another layer of sand and clay was again deposited (积聚) above the layers already formed. A great pressure was thus exerted (作用) and the peat (泥煤) was changed into the black and brittle substance which is known as coal.

Coal is a kind of mineral which is formed by nature as above stated. It is an important industrial material and is chiefly used as fuel. It is very valuable in the industrial world. The place where coal deposit is called a coal mine (煤矿)。 In China, coal mines are largely found in the north-west part of the country. Shanxi is a famous province for producing coal. It has the most coal of China.

6.分类法(classification)

分类法是将写作对象进行分类说明的一种写作手法。比如:著名的英国哲学家弗朗西斯·培根(Francis Bacon)在其脍炙人口的《谈读书》(Of Studies)一文中就用到了分类法:

Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested, that is, some books are to be read only in parts, others to be read, but not curiously, and some few to be read wholly, and with diligence and attention. Some books also may be read by deputy, and extracts made of them by others; but that would be only in the less important arguments, and the meaner sort of books…

参考译文:书有可浅尝者,有可吞食者,少数则须咀嚼消化。换言之,有只须读其部分者,有只须大体涉猎者,少数则须全读,读时须全神贯注,孜孜不倦。书亦可请人代读,取其所需摘要,但只限题材较次或价值不高者……

可见,如果能够根据具体情况,选用合适的写作手法,就可为文章增添无穷的魅力。

除了上述提到的6种展开英语说明文主题的写作方法之外,还有因果法、归纳法等其他方法。但相比之下,对于中学生来说,上述6种方法是首先值得掌握的。另外必须指出的是:在一篇文章中往往是以一种写作手法为主,同时辅以其他写作手法。有时,甚至会几种写作手法混用而不分主次。因此,必须根据具体情况,选用合适的展开主题的写作手法,才能写出优秀的英语说明文。

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