Writing an Essay
IGCSE English Topic 8 7:56 English narration · English + 中文 subtitles burned in
Chapters
Transcript
Two students answer the same essay question: should students have homework?
两位同学回答同一道作文题：学生应该有家庭作业吗？
Here is the first one. Homework is good.
第一位这样写：作业是好的。
It helps you learn.
它帮助你学习。
Also some students do not like it.
另外有些学生不喜欢它。
Teachers give too much.
老师布置太多了。
It is important.
它很重要。
And the second student writes: Homework is worth keeping, for one reason above all — it teaches students to work alone.
第二位这样写：作业值得保留，最主要的理由只有一个——它教会学生独立学习。
In class a teacher is always nearby. At home, nobody is.
在课堂上，老师总在旁边；在家里，没有人在。
Both students think roughly the same thing. Only one of them has an argument, and an essay is marked on the argument.
两位同学想的其实差不多，但只有一位形成了论证——而作文考的正是论证。
An essay.
议论文。
This is the most structured task on the whole paper, which is very good news: structure can be learnt, practised and repeated until it is automatic.
这是整张卷子上结构性最强的一道题，而这是个好消息： 结构可以学会、可以练习、可以反复使用，直到成为本能。
Two essay types, one three-minute plan, a body paragraph that always makes the same three moves, and a conclusion that takes a side.
两种作文类型、一个三分钟计划、一个永远做同样三件事的主体段， 以及一个明确表态的结论。
Learn those four things and you can write an essay on any topic the exam gives you.
掌握这四样，考试出什么题目你都能写。
There are exactly two kinds, and they have different shapes.
作文只有两种，结构不同。
A discursive essay weighs both sides. You give the points for, then the points against, fairly, and you may give your own view at the end.
论述型作文权衡双方：你给出支持的理由，再给出反对的理由，力求公允， 最后可以给出自己的看法。
An argumentative essay picks one side and defends it. You state your view in the introduction, then spend the essay proving it — though you still deal with the other side.
议论型作文选定一方并为之辩护：你在引言里表明立场， 然后用全文去证明它——不过仍然要处理对立的观点。
Both are formal: no short forms, no slang, no talking to the reader.
两种都是正式文体：不用缩写，不用俚语，不直接对读者说话。
Get the type right first, because it decides your whole plan.
先判断类型，因为它决定了你整个计划。
One warning here, because you have just learnt almost the opposite.
这里要提醒一句，因为你刚学过的几乎是相反的东西。
In an article you could talk to the reader, use short forms and ask questions. In an essay, none of that. No you.
写文章时你可以对读者说话、用缩写、提问题；写议论文时，这些都不行。
Instead of "you should think about the cost", write "the cost should be considered".
不用 you。 不要写"你应该考虑成本"，而要写"成本应当被纳入考虑"。
No short forms: it is, do not, cannot. And no rhetorical questions.
不用缩写：写 it is、do not、cannot。
"So is homework really worth it?"
也不要用反问句。
sounds lively in an article; in an essay it looks as though you are avoiding the answer.
"那么作业真的值得吗？ "在文章里显得生动， 在议论文里却像是在回避回答。
Formal, organised, impersonal.
正式、有条理、不带个人色彩。
In an essay the ideas do the work, not the voice.
在议论文里，起作用的是观点，不是声音。
The task tells you which one, in its verb.
题目会用它的动词告诉你是哪一种。
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages… Consider both sides… What are the arguments for and against… Those are discursive.
"讨论利与弊……""考虑双方……""赞成和反对的理由分别是什么……"——这些是论述型。
Do you agree?
"你同意吗？
Give your views on… Argue that… Those are argumentative.
""谈谈你的看法……""论证……"——这些是议论型。
And when the task is not clear, use the safe answer: give both sides fairly, then come down clearly on one.
如果题目不明确，就用最稳妥的写法：公允地给出双方，然后明确地站到一边。
That satisfies either marker, and it is the shape we will build for the rest of this lesson.
这种写法两类阅卷人都满意，也正是本课接下来要搭建的结构。
Now spend three minutes planning.
现在花三分钟做计划。
Not one — three. This is the task where planning pays most.
不是一分钟，是三分钟——这道题的计划回报最高。
First, your view, in one short sentence.
第一，用一句话写下你的观点。
If you cannot write it, you cannot write the essay.
写不出这句话，就写不出这篇文章。
Then two reasons that support it, and one example for each.
第二，写两个支持它的理由，每个配一个例子。
Two good reasons beat four thin ones every time.
两个有力的理由，永远胜过四个单薄的理由。
Then one point from the other side, and how you will answer it.
第三，写一个对立方的观点，以及你打算怎样回应它。
Four lines of notes.
四行笔记。
From those four lines, four paragraphs write themselves.
有了这四行，四个段落就会自己长出来。
Here is the shape those four lines become.
这就是那四行笔记会变成的结构。
At the top, the introduction: short, two or three sentences.
最上面是引言：简短，两三句话。
Then the body paragraphs, one for each point, each making the same three moves.
接着是主体段，每个观点一段，每一段都做同样的三件事。
At the bottom, the conclusion, which adds nothing new and states your view.
最下面是结论，它不添加任何新内容，只清楚说明你的立场。
Watch the note under the diagram, because it is the whole lesson in one line: each paragraph makes one point, and then supports it.
请看图下面那一行说明，它就是这节课的全部： 每一段提出一个观点，然后为它提供支撑。
Start with the introduction, and keep it small.
先写引言，而且要短。
A weak introduction wanders around the topic for six sentences and says nothing.
差的引言绕着话题写六句，却什么也没说。
It opens: Homework is a very important topic in the world today.
开头是这样： 家庭作业是当今世界非常重要的话题。
Many people have different opinions about it.
很多人对它有不同的看法。
Some people agree and some do not.
有人赞成，也有人不赞成。
And it goes on like that to the end, without ever naming an argument.
后面几句一直这样写下去， 从头到尾都没有提出任何一个论点。
A strong one is short and does two jobs: it names the question, and it says how you will approach it.
好的引言很短，只做两件事：点明问题，并说明你将怎样处理它。
Homework divides opinion sharply.
家庭作业让人们意见分歧很大。
This essay argues that it should be kept, but in smaller amounts.
本文认为它应当保留，但数量要减少。
Two or three sentences. Then move on.
两三句话，然后就往下写。
Now the engine of the whole essay: the body paragraph.
现在是全篇的发动机：主体段。
Every one of them makes the same three moves, in the same order.
每一段都按同样的顺序做同样的三件事。
First, the idea, in one sentence, at the very start of the paragraph.
第一，用一句话写出观点，放在段落的最开头。
The examiner should know what the paragraph is about from its first line.
考官读到第一行，就该知道这一段在讲什么。
Then the reason — why is that idea true?
第二，写理由——这个观点为什么成立？
This is usually two sentences, and it is where the thinking marks live.
通常写两句，思维分就藏在这里。
Then the example, which makes it real: a situation, a number, a moment.
第三，写例子，让它落到实处：一个情境、一个数字、一个瞬间。
Idea, reason, example.
观点、理由、例子。
Three moves, one paragraph, every time.
三步，一段，每次都一样。
Watch it work on a real paragraph.
来看它在真实段落里怎样运作。
The first sentence is the idea: Firstly, homework teaches students to work alone.
第一句是观点：首先，作业教会学生独立学习。
The next two explain why: In class, a teacher is always nearby to help. At home, a student must solve the problem by themselves — and that is where real learning happens.
接下来两句解释原因：在课堂上，老师总在旁边帮忙； 在家里，学生必须自己解决问题——而真正的学习正是发生在那里。
The last one makes it real with an example: a maths question that felt easy in the lesson can teach far more when you meet it again, alone, at your desk.
最后一句用例子让它落地：一道在课上觉得很简单的数学题， 当你独自在书桌前再次遇到它时，能教给你多得多的东西。
Four sentences, three moves, one complete paragraph.
四句话，三个动作，一个完整的段落。
Now the paragraph that separates a good essay from an average one: the other side.
接下来是把优秀作文和普通作文分开的那一段：对立观点。
Ignoring the other side does not make your argument stronger. It makes it look as though you never thought about it, and the mark scheme notices.
忽略对立观点并不会让你的论证更有力， 只会让人觉得你根本没想过它，而评分标准看得出来。
So give it one fair paragraph, stated properly: Some people argue that homework takes away the little free time students have.
所以，给它一个公允的段落，认真地写出来： 有人认为，作业占用了学生本就不多的空闲时间。
And then answer it: this is a fair point, but it is an argument about the amount of homework, not about homework itself.
然后回应它：这是个合理的观点，但它针对的是作业的"量"，而不是作业本身。
Fair, then answered.
先公允，再回应。
That single paragraph shows more thinking than three more reasons of your own.
这一段展现出的思考，比你再多写三个自己的理由都多。
Linking words are the road signs of an essay. They tell the reader which way the argument is about to turn.
衔接词是议论文的路标，它告诉读者论证接下来要转向哪里。
To add a point: Firstly… In addition… Another reason is… To turn to the other side: However… On the other hand… Some people argue that… To give an example: For example… For instance… such as… And to conclude: In conclusion… Overall… Weighing both sides… Put them at the start of a sentence, and use two or three per paragraph — no more.
增加观点：Firstly…… In addition…… Another reason is…… 转向对立面：However…… On the other hand…… Some people argue that…… 举例：For example…… For instance…… such as…… 收束全文：In conclusion…… Overall…… Weighing both sides…… 把它们放在句首，每段用两三个就够，不要再多。
Then the conclusion, and it has two rules.
接着是结论，它有两条规则。
The first: never a new point.
第一：绝不出现新的论点。
A conclusion that introduces a fresh reason reads as though you ran out of planning, and the examiner has to decide where to mark it.
在结论里冒出一个新理由， 读起来就像你的计划写完了，而考官还得决定这一句该按哪一项给分。
The second, and this is the one that costs marks: no sitting on the fence.
第二，也是最容易失分的一条：不要骑墙。
Both sides have good points, so it is difficult to say. That sentence tells the reader you would not decide.
"双方都有道理，所以很难说"——这句话告诉读者：你不愿意做判断。
Instead, state your view: weighing both sides, homework should be kept, but limited to an hour a night.
正确的做法是明确表态：综合双方来看，作业应当保留，但每晚不超过一小时。
Clear, short, and no longer than three sentences. Notice that taking a side does not mean pretending the other side was worthless — it means saying which one you found stronger, and why.
清楚、简短，不超过三句话。
Three habits to carry in.
带三个习惯进考场。
First, three minutes planning: your view, two reasons, one opposite point.
第一，用三分钟做计划：你的观点、两个理由、一个对立观点。
Second, one argument per paragraph, and it goes in the first sentence — if a paragraph needs two, it is two paragraphs.
第二，一段一个论点，而且写在第一句—— 如果一段里需要放两个论点，那就该分成两段。
Third, come down on one side in the last paragraph.
第三，在最后一段明确站到一边。
Balance in the middle shows thinking; balance at the end just looks like you could not decide.
中间部分的平衡展现的是思考；结尾还在平衡，就只像是你拿不定主意。