这是用具体例子来说明人或事物的特征、本质及其规律的方法,所用例子必须有代表性、典型性,能体现人或事物的本质特征。这是用特殊来说明一般的方法。通常在主题句后,用 For example 或 For instance 等短语引导出具体的例子。例如:
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.
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.
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 favor 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.
事物变化的原因和结果是紧密相关的。如果某个现象的存在必然引起另一个现象的发生,那么,这两个现象之间就具有因果关系。因果关系包括"由果推因"(由结果去推测原因)和"由因推果"(由原因去推测结果)两种情况。因果关系符合人们的日常思维逻辑,因而在写作中得到广泛应用,常用 because, as, since, so, now that, if...then, the reason is that...等表示因果关系。例如:
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 coagain and colorful 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.
It is easy to be a winner. A winner can show his joy publicly. He can laugh and sing and dance and celebrate his victory. People love to be with winners. Winners are never lonely. Unlike winners, losers are the lonely ones of the world. It is difficult to face defeat with dignity. Losers can not show their disappointments publicly. They can not cry or grieve about their defeat. They may suffer privately, but they must be composed in public. They have nothing to celebrate and no one to share their sadness.
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
过程分析法就是把事物发展过程分为若干步骤,然后逐一加以分析说明。这种写法在说明文中使用得相当广泛。过程分析与叙事和因果关系等写法有密切关系,但彼此又有明显区别:叙事研究的对象是"What happens";因果关系研究的对象是"Why it happens",而过程分析研究的对象是"How it happens"。例如:
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.
Getting up early is a good habit. It is very important to our health, our study, our life and so on.
First, getting up early helps to keep us strong. We can do morning exercises in the open air in the morning and breathe fresh air to build our bodies. Second, getting up early helps us to memorize what we have learned in class by reading aloud in the morning. Third, getting up early can help us to find enough time to prepare our work of the day. If we stick to getting up early every day, it will do us a lot of good.
范文2：
Writing:
1. 校学生会将组织一次暑期志愿者活动，现招募志愿者。
2.本次志愿者活动的目的，内容、安排等。
3.报名条件及联系方式。
Volunteers Needed
A voluntary activity in the summer vacation will be organized by the University Students Union. The Student Union will open free English classes for the youngsters in S.O.S Children’s Village. The classes will last for a week.
Currently, we will recruit 5 volunteers to work as English teachers. The volunteers are requested to speak fluent English. Those with English teaching experience are preferable. Besides the English skills, we expect the volunteers to be patient, open-minded with a loving heart. The Children’s Village will provide the volunteers with three meals a day and transportation from and to the university during the class days.
Those who are interested in taking part in the activity, please send your resume to the email address studentunion@bju.edu before June 30th. The office of the Student Union will contact the chosen candidates for an interview before July 10th.
范文3：
MY COMPUTER
I have a computer which was bought by my parents for my birthday present. It’s a new one ,it's name is Lenovo which was made in China. It can store and work with large quantities of information and can do hard mathematical problems fast and help a person work with word and pictures.
With this computer I have learn lot of knowledge of computer, besides it I can use it for learning and interment such as chatting with others, watching TV and playing games. It was so useful that I can help but like it very much.
