河南 (特級教師)
書面表達是高考英語試題中分值占比較高的一個題型,書面表達得分的高低會對考生的英語成績產(chǎn)生重要的影響。但是,近年來,考生在高考書面表達試題上的得分普遍較低。由于在書面表達試題上失分較多,一些優(yōu)秀考生英語成績偏低。本文擬分析考生在寫作中存在的問題,并探究提升英語書面表達檔次的良策。
請看2018年全國卷Ⅰ的書面表達:
假定你是李華,你的新西蘭朋友Terry將去中國朋友家做客,發(fā)郵件向你詢問有關(guān)習(xí)俗。請你回復(fù)郵件,內(nèi)容包括:
1.到達時間;
2.合適的禮物;
3.餐桌禮儀。
注意:
1.詞數(shù)100左右;
2.可以適當(dāng)增加細(xì)節(jié),以使行文連貫。
這篇書面表達試題的寫作情境比較真實,要求考生以李華的口吻給外國朋友Terry回復(fù)一封郵件,介紹中國的社交禮儀。在郵件中,李華應(yīng)告知對方三項內(nèi)容:1.應(yīng)該在什么時間到達中國朋友家;2.應(yīng)該帶什么樣的禮物;3.簡要地介紹中國的餐桌禮儀。
在現(xiàn)實生活中,我們很可能會遇到這樣的交際語境,因此本題的寫作情境真實可信。寫作要求符合中學(xué)生的認(rèn)知能力和現(xiàn)有水平,又巧妙地融入了中國優(yōu)秀傳統(tǒng)文化的內(nèi)容,有利于弘揚中國傳統(tǒng)文化,體現(xiàn)了運用中國元素講好中國故事、增強學(xué)生文化自信的考查目標(biāo)。
在分析寫作要求的基礎(chǔ)上,首先要確定文章的框架結(jié)構(gòu)。這封英語郵件由三段組成:第一段是導(dǎo)語段,陳述寫作背景和寫作目的;第二段是主體段,主要為對方介紹中國的社交禮儀;最后一段是結(jié)尾段,通常套用客套話來結(jié)束寫作。時態(tài)應(yīng)以一般現(xiàn)在時為主,根據(jù)行文需要,第一人稱、第二人稱與第三人稱穿插使用。
本文的寫作要點:1.得知Terry將要到一個中國朋友家中做客;2.寫作目是為他介紹中國的社交禮儀和餐桌禮儀。內(nèi)容包括:(1)應(yīng)按時到達;(2)帶一件適當(dāng)?shù)男《Y物;(3)就餐時,應(yīng)注意行為舉止得體。例如:吃飯時,不要發(fā)出太大的聲響、不滿嘴食物說話、離開前,應(yīng)感謝主人的熱情款待等;3.祝愿對方赴宴順利。
Dear Terry,
I'm Li Hua.It has been two years since you returned to your motherland.In your letter,you asked me about table manners,so I want to offer you some relevant information that you can refer to.
First,you should tell your arriving time to your friend because they can make some preparations in advance.Then,you are supposed to bring some gifts to show your heart.Last but not least,you should use chopsticks when have a meal with Chinese friends.
If you have some questions,don't hesitate to ask me for help.I will try my best when necessary.Best w ishes to you.
Yours,
Li Hua
該考生基本上能按照試題的寫作提示進行寫作,短文涵蓋了大部分的寫作要點。短文共110詞,由三段組成:第一段旨在導(dǎo)入話題;第二段給對方提出三點建議;第三段為結(jié)束語。但是,由于考生的語言表達功底較差,積累的英語單詞和句式不夠豐富,無法清楚地表達思想。文中有兩處明顯的語法錯誤,也有多個帶有漢語表達痕跡的句子,嚴(yán)重影響了本文的寫作檔次。此外,文中有些句子純屬多余,應(yīng)該刪掉。從整體上來看,短文中使用的高級詞匯和表達方式較少,且語言表達不夠流暢,該考生在寫作方面可提升的空間較大。
我們來分析一下考生在寫作中存在的問題:第一段應(yīng)開門見山,清楚表明寫這封回信的目的是向Terry介紹到中國朋友家里做客的社交禮儀。由于寫信人與收信人之間是朋友關(guān)系,無需再做自我介紹。因此文中第一句“I'm Li Hua.”純屬多余,應(yīng)刪掉。第二句“It has been two years since you returned to your motherland.”與主題無關(guān),也應(yīng)刪掉。第一段開頭應(yīng)陳述寫信的背景“I am delighted to know you are going to attend a dinner party at a Chinese friend's house.”,然后陳述寫信的目的。第一段的最后一句“In your letter,you asked me about table manners,so I want to offer you some relevant information that you can refer to.”不僅帶有明顯的漢語表達的痕跡,而且語言口羅嗦??筛臑椤癐 am w riting to introduce Chinese social etiquette to you.”,也可改為“I am w riting to make some suggestions for you.”
第二段的第一個寫作要點是告訴Terry什么時間到達朋友家??忌鷮懗龅木渥印癋irst,you should tell your arriving time to your friend because they can make some preparations in advance.”不僅帶有漢語表達的痕跡,語言不地道,而且邏輯性較差??筛臑椤癥ou should tell your friend when you are arriving so that they can make some preparations in advance.”改寫后,語法上無錯誤,句意更為清晰。在第二句“Then,you are supposed to bring some gifts to show your heart.”中,能夠恰當(dāng)使用短語be supposed to do sth.(應(yīng)該做某事)來表達很好,但動詞不定式短語to show your heart完全是漢語式的表達,檔次較低。本句可改為“Then,you are supposed to bring some gifts to show your friendliness.”。第三個要點是介紹中國的餐桌禮儀,第二段的第三句“Last but not least,you should use chopsticks when have a dinner with Chinese friends.”句中的have 應(yīng)改為having。在介紹餐桌禮儀時,考生應(yīng)考慮選擇其他更為重要的內(nèi)容,例如,家中的老人通常坐在上座、老人和尊貴的客人先品嘗上來的菜肴、吃飯時,盡量不要發(fā)出太大的聲響、不要滿嘴食物說話等。
Dear Terry,
Glad to know that you are going to visit your Chinese friend.Want to learn about some customs? The follow ing is what you should keep in mind.
First,it's polite to arrive at your friend's home on time or even a little earlier.When it comes to the gift,the fruit can be a good choice.When having dinner with your Chinese friend,you should mind your table manners.We Chinese usually wait for the elder to eat first,and we are accustomed to using chopsticks,so you can practice how to use them properly.If they offer you more dishes than you need,it's okay to let them know.
Relax and enjoy your visit.
Best,
Li Hua
短文覆蓋了試題規(guī)定的所有內(nèi)容要點,應(yīng)用了較多的高級語法結(jié)構(gòu)和詞匯,基本完成了試題規(guī)定的任務(wù),達到了預(yù)期的寫作目的。第一段的最后一句使用了過渡語,為第二段寫作做了很好的鋪墊。第二段第一句使用了it作形式主語,代替動詞不定式作形式主語,屬于高級表達法??忌苁炀毷褂脀hen和 if引導(dǎo)的狀語從句,具備較強的語言應(yīng)用能力。When having dinner...為“連詞+現(xiàn)在分詞”結(jié)構(gòu),大大提升了短文的寫作檔次。
總之,短文語言流暢,表達正確,簡單句、并列句和復(fù)合句交替使用,句式靈活多樣??忌軌蚯擅畹厥褂谜Z句間的連接成分,使全文結(jié)構(gòu)緊湊。因此,本文不失為一篇標(biāo)準(zhǔn)范文。
Dear Terry,
Know ing that you are invited to a dinner party by your Chinese friend next w eek,I'm w riting to offer you some information,which I think will make your stay more pleasant.
First,you should arrive on time because being punctual is considered polite in China.Second,I advise you to buy some small gifts for your friend,such as a bunch of flowers or a box of chocolates,which can strengthen your friendship.More importantly,what matters most is the table manners.You'd better do what others do if you are not sure what to do.
I hope my advice can be helpful to you.
Best,
Li Hua
考生能夠使用高級詞匯(punctual,strengthen),短語(arrive on time,a bunch of flowers,a box of chocolates,be helpful to)和各種復(fù)合句(定語從句:①which I think will make your stay more pleasant;②which can strengthen your friendship;狀語從句:①because being punctual is considered polite in China;② if you are not sure what to do;主語從句:what matters most is the table manners;賓語從句:what others do);非謂語動詞:現(xiàn)在分詞作狀語:Knowing that you are invited to a dinner party by your Chinese friend next week;動詞不定式作賓語補足語:I advise you to buy some small gifts for your friend.表達精準(zhǔn),語言地道,句式多變,內(nèi)容連貫,短文覆蓋了全部的寫作要點,有效地使用了語句間的連接成分(first,second,more importantly),結(jié)構(gòu)緊湊,完全完成了試題規(guī)定的任務(wù),圓滿達到了預(yù)期的寫作目的??忌邆漭^強的語言應(yīng)用能力,其作文屬于第五檔,得分 21 ~ 24。
近幾年,全國卷非常重視對英語應(yīng)用文的考查,命題人對英語書信情有獨鐘。教師應(yīng)引導(dǎo)學(xué)生總結(jié)常見的幾種英語書信,例如:自薦信、感謝信、道歉信、邀請信、咨詢信、投訴信等篇章結(jié)構(gòu)的特點,準(zhǔn)確把握不同文體的語言特點,掌握寫作的基本套路,確保寫出的短文語言得體。
我們來看一下英語自薦信的篇章結(jié)構(gòu)特點:第一段:自我介紹、寫信的背景、寫信的目的;第二段:陳述自己的優(yōu)勢,包括:1.性格、愛好、特長;2.語言能力;3.組織能力等;第三段:希望獲準(zhǔn),期待回復(fù)。
有了一個整體的框架結(jié)構(gòu),再加上恰當(dāng)?shù)膬?nèi)容和流利的語言表達,才能寫出一篇高質(zhì)量的英語作文。
為了寫出高分作文,首先應(yīng)保證寫出的作文切題,不能偏題,更不能跑題。因此,應(yīng)圍繞寫作提綱列出具體的寫作要點,然后把要點寫成句子,再加上適當(dāng)?shù)倪B接詞,最后連句成文。例如:
【寫作練習(xí)】
假定你是李華,是某國際學(xué)校的學(xué)生。請你用英語給你校的外教史密斯先生寫一封感謝信,感謝他撿到并歸還你的書包。內(nèi)容包括:
1.寫信目的;
2.解釋事情經(jīng)過;
3.表示感謝。
注意:
1.詞數(shù)100左右,開頭和結(jié)尾已給出,不計入總詞數(shù);
2.可適當(dāng)增加細(xì)節(jié),以使行文連貫。
【試題分析】
本文的寫作任務(wù)是以李華的口吻,給學(xué)校的外教史密斯先生寫一封感謝信,感謝他撿到并歸還自己丟失的書包。根據(jù)寫作提綱,我們列出寫作要點:1.得知外教撿到并歸還書包非常欣喜;2.寫信的目的是向外教表示感謝;3.解釋事情的經(jīng)過:(1) 周日在學(xué)校打籃球時,把書包放在操場;(2)和同學(xué)離開時,忘記帶走書包;(3)回到家中發(fā)現(xiàn)書包丟失非常焦慮;(4)書包中有一些貴重物品,例如學(xué)生證、飯卡和錢包;(5)得知書包被轉(zhuǎn)交給學(xué)校,驚喜萬分;4.再次感謝外教的善行。
把以上8個句子用英語寫出來,然后加上適當(dāng)?shù)倪B接詞,使行文連貫,就成為了一篇符合寫作要求的感謝信。
寫作時,應(yīng)避免寫出表達牽強或帶有漢語思維方式的句子。寫句子時,應(yīng)盡量使用一些常見的短語和句式,做到語言地道,表達流暢。教師可以指導(dǎo)學(xué)生把下面生硬、牽強的表達,轉(zhuǎn)化為語言地道的句子:
Here are some points you should pay attention to.→Here are some tips you should keep in mind.
According to our tradition,you'd better arrive on time.→It is the custom/good manners to be punctual in China.
Giving a gift is an important thing.→It is polite to bring a small gift.
You can buy some fruits because you are the first time to go there.→Since this is the first time that you have been invited to have dinner with your friend,you had better buy some fruits.
It is impolite to visit someone with two empty hands.→It is inappropriate to attend a dinner party without bringing a small gift.
要想讓自己的英語作文妙語連珠,亮點頻現(xiàn),學(xué)生應(yīng)重視平時的語言積累。通過大量閱讀,不斷增加語言輸入,多讀多背,積累好詞好句,逐步提升寫作的檔次。見到一些高級句式和復(fù)雜結(jié)構(gòu),要敢于模仿和嘗試,經(jīng)常挑戰(zhàn)自己,才能寫出高質(zhì)量的句子。
例如,在向筆友介紹中國的社交禮儀和餐桌禮儀時,應(yīng)盡量嘗試高級句式和復(fù)雜結(jié)構(gòu):
You'd better arrive at your friend's home ahead of the appointed time/agreed time.
When it comes to a proper present,buying some fruits will be a good choice.
It's not the gift that counts,but the thought behind it.
You are supposed to eat quietly when having dinner.
It's impolite to start eating before the host invites you to.
Please keep in mind that never speak with your mouth full of food.
正如俗話所說:“All roads lead to Rome.(條條大路通羅馬。)”我們用英語表達思想的方式也是多種多樣的。希望考生在動筆寫作之前,一定要認(rèn)真審題,明確寫作目的和內(nèi)容。在寫作時,精心謀劃篇章結(jié)構(gòu),盡量使用好詞好句,勇于嘗試復(fù)雜的表達法,為書面表達增加亮點,從而贏得閱卷老師的青睞,考取理想的成績,成功步入理想的大學(xué)。