一、文章的基本结构

　　文章是由段落构成，而段落的基本结构是由主题句、支撑句和结尾句所构成，它的具体结构可以用以下的图表加以表示：

　　大学英语四级写作通常采用三段论模式，即：开头段(introduction)、主体段(body paragraph)和结尾段(conclusion)。

　　(一)开头段

　　对于大学英语四级的写作考题来说，限于篇幅，其开头段一般都不长。然而，这寥寥几句话却占有十分重要的地位，它表达的是整篇文章的主题思想。在议论文中，我们称之为中心论点，它起到驾驭全文的作用。一个意义清晰、明确的开头段，将有助于读者理解全文；一个精彩、新颖的开头段还能激起读者的阅读欲望。

　　(二)主体段

　　主体段的写作方法是多种多样的，而不同的方法会产生不同的效果，不同的方法需用不同的组织形式。因此，在动笔之前，必须先选择好所采用的方法，然后根据自己所选的方法确定相应的结构形式，才能把文章写好。

　　(三)结尾段

　　开头和结尾往往是读者注意最多的部分。开头引起读者注意，提出主题；结尾与开头呼应，使读者感觉全文论述完整，圆满结束。从某种意义上来说，结尾更容易给读者留下深刻印象。人们常把好的文章结尾称作是“画龙点睛”，可见结尾部分对整篇文章所起的作用。写作实例分析

　　二、写作实例分析

　　(一)说明文(1)

　　说明文一般用于解释和分析社会现象或社会问题。要求考生对某种社会现象产生的原因及其可能造成的种种影响或应采取的措施进行分析和说明。此类文章的基本结构如下：

　　Paragraph 1 phenomenon (现象)

　　Paragraph 2reasons (effects)(原因或危害)

　　Paragraph 3suggestions or solutions (措施)

　　Drug abuse among young people has become more and more prevalent over recent years. (主题句)Statistics show that the number of youth drug users almost doubles in the past three years.(数据支撑) It is vital to analyze why drugs are so attractive to young people and what can be done to combat it.(结论)

　　Firstly, teenagers are under increasing pressure - this may be peer pressure or pressure to succeed for example. Drug use may help them escape reality, forget their problems, or simply feel more accepted by their friends.(原因1) In addition, through the media we are exposed to information that glamorizes drug use and makes it look attractive, particularly to young people.(原因2) Furthermore, teenagers are usually naturally curious about drugs, and drug dealers can take advantage of this curiosity for their own profit.(原因3)

　　High fines and prison sentences should also be imposed on drug dealers and users. (措施1) However, it is my own personal view that prevention is better than cure and so a good education programmed about the dangers of drug abuse is one of the most important steps any government should take. (措施2)

　　(二)说明文(2)

　　比较性说明文用于比较两种或几种类似的事物，要求考生通过比较它们各自的优点或缺点，说明自己的看法，并加以论证。这种文章的基本结构如下：

　　Paragraph 1 phenomenon(现象)

　　Paragraph 2advantages (优点)

　　Paragraph 3disadvantages (缺点)

　　Paragraph 4comments(结论)

　　A mobile phone is getting increasingly popular.(主题句) Statistics show that eight out of ten college students have got one.(数据支撑) However, as is the case with many issues, a mobile phone has both positive and negative aspects. (承上启下)

　　On the positive side, a mobile phone allows calls to be made instantly from almost any location. This can be vital where emergency services need to be called to the scene of a crime, accident or fire, where no public telephone is nearby. (优点1) Meanwhile, a mobile phone can serve as a connection to the Internet, which can be extremely convenient for obtaining information wherever you may be. (优点2)

　　The fact that a mobile phone allows a person to be contacted at any time can in itself be a disadvantage. For instance, an employee may, via the mobile phone, be constantly available to his employer and feels that he never leaves work. This may cause distress. (缺点1) Another disadvantage is the perceived health risks associated with its use. Some people believe that using mobile phones for long periods can damage the brain. (缺点2)

　　There is no denying that a mobile phone has both benefits and drawbacks but on balance perhaps the advantages of a mobile phone outweigh its disadvantages since a mobile has become an integral part of modern life. (结论)

　　(三)说明文(3)

　　图表写作也属于说明文的类型，这种文章通常结构是：

　　Paragraph 1change(变化)

　　Paragraph 2reasons or implication(原因或意义)

　　Paragraph 3conclusion (effects; implication)(结论)

　　The period 1995~2005 witnessed a rapid increase in the number of people in City X traveling abroad. As can be seen, in 1995, only about 10,000 people in this city went overseas while in 1995 this number quickly rose to 40,000. In 2005, however the number of overseas traveler surged to over 120,000, which is more than 10 times as many as that of 1995. (变化)

　　This change can be accounted for by a couple of factors. First, along with social and economy progress, the living standard of the Chinese people has been greatly enhanced, so they have enough money and time to travel abroad. Meanwhile, more and more people want to enjoy themselves and broaden their vision by visiting overseas historical places and experiencing exotic cultures. (原因)

　　Overseas travel has a profound effect on both individuals and the society. It can widen our people’s horizons, promote friendship and enhance cultural interaction. In the meantime, it can also boost our social economy and make our society more prosperous and dynamic. It’s good for our nation’s progress. (结论)

　　(四)议论文(1)

　　议论文的第一种形式是要求考生针对某一有争议性的两种观点，来阐述自己的立场，或对这一问题反映出的某一观点进行驳斥，然后提出自己的看法并加以论证。它的基本形式是：一些人认为……；另一些人认为……；我的看法……。这种文章的基本结构如下：

　　Paragraph 1Introduction(启)

　　Paragraph 2Analysis(承)

　　Paragraph 3 Conclusion(转合)

　　例如：

　　1.一些人认为数据库威胁个人隐私

　　2.另一些人认为数据库有利于提高工作效率

　　3.我的看法

　　My view on Data Collection

　　Data collection is a fact of modern life. Some argue that data collection is endangering the rights of individuals, though others see it as a useful tool which increases efficiency. (启)To be frank, I believe data collection does more good than harm. (作者观点)

　　For one thing, databases provide a very useful tool. Large databases which contain information on many individuals can enable more effective decisions to be made. Institutions such as government departments and police rely on data collection in order to operate efficiently, and hospitals use computerized records to help in their fight against disease. (承1) For another, databases stored on computer can also be very efficient. Data which has been collected in one area can be sent anywhere in the world almost instantly. This means that those who have legitimate access to this data can work very efficiently. (承2)

　　In summary, data collection on individuals can be justified, although all possible measures should be taken to minimize the risks. (转合)

　　(五)议论文(2)

　　议论文的第二种形式是要求考生针对某一有争议性的观点，表明自己的观点(同意或是不同意)，并提出相应的论证。如：

　　Direction: It is very important that children should study hard at school. Time spent playing sport is time wasted. Do you agree or disagree? Give your reasons.

　　We could argue that children go to school to study so that they may become fully productive adults and good citizens. We should ask whether playing sport helps children to become better people. If so, sport is not a waste of time. (启)

　　It is generally believed that students need more than the knowledge of a subject. They need to know how to work in groups to achieve a mutual goal, how to work as a team. Where better to learn those skills than on the sports field? Any of the team sports involve coordination with other players, understanding and adopting a team mentality. These skills are too useful to be ignored. (承1) Moreover, it is important that people be healthy, and good health is not so easily achieved in a sedentary society. Sport gets students outside and gives them good reason to run about, thus countering hours spent sitting still. (承2)

　　So although school studies are undeniably important, we should regard time spent playing sport as time well spent. (转合)

　　(六)应用文

　　应用文是大学英语四级写作考试的一个重要组成部分，形式包括书信、启事、通知、演讲等。应用文较之一般说明文和议论文，与生活、社会联系更紧密，格式、行文习惯更有规矩。无论使用哪种应用文，都必须按其各自规范化的约定俗成的格式来写，不能随意杜撰。以往四级写作考过的应用文有抱怨信、建议信、问候信、见证书、导游介绍、竞选学生会主席演讲稿和招募志愿者启事等。

　　书信格式：

　　英语书信，在形式上可分为下面六个部分：

　　1.信头(The Heading)：包括发信人地址和写信日期。

　　2.收信人(Inside Address)：包括收信人姓名、地址。

　　3.称谓(The Salutation or Greeting)：如Dear Sir/Madam。称呼后一般加逗号。

　　4.正文(The Body)：信的主要部分，包括写信人所要表达叙述的事情。

　　5.结束语(The Complimentary Close)——如Yours sincerely/truly/faithfully等。

　　6.签名(The Signature)。

　　英语四级书信写作只需写正文即可。下面是一份申请转专业的信。

　　A Letter of Application

　　1.我是大二学生(sophomore)，现申请从自动化系转到商务管理系

　　2.申请的主要原因

　　3.对转系带来的麻烦表示歉意，并希望有关领导能同意我的申请

　　Dear Sir/Madam,(试卷上此称谓已有，考生不用再写)

　　I am a sophomore with major in Automation. Though I have made a great progress during my first year academic training, I find that I am more interested in Business Administration. Now I am writing to you to formally request to switch to this area of study. (写信目的)

　　The main reason for my decision is that the major I am studying in is my parents’ choice. They insisted that I should study what they had learned before but after a year’s study I have come to realize this is not the career I want to pursue in my future life. Besides, I have attended business classes as my optional course and achieved a good success, which further confirms my decision.(理由)

　　I am sorry for any inconvenience or trouble that might have been caused by this change. The decision is not made lightly. I do appreciate your kind consideration and sincerely hope you will grant me the shift to the new department.(结尾)

　　(下面部分考生也不用写)

　　Yours sincerely

　　Zhang Ming