近幾年來,高考英語寫作試題中出現了不少應用文。有些應用文同學們也能寫出來,但寫出來的文章往往思路不夠清晰,語言不太流暢和規范。通過對雅思考試多年的研究,筆者發現,大家只要將題目和一定的寫作套路結合起來,就能夠寫出相對規范的應用文。下面以高考中比較常見的道歉信和咨詢信為例,來看如何利用雅思小作文攻克高考英語應用文。
Dear Ms Barnes,
I am writing concerning (關于) the position of Assistant Office Manager that I am due to begin (應該接任) next Monday. I am afraid to inform you that a problem has arisen.
As you know, I currently work for my uncle's food-packing business, and you will remember from my interview that I have gained valuable experience there.
Unfortunately, he has had to go into hospital for an operation, leaving my aunt in charge of (負責) both the home and the business. She has asked me, as this is a particularly busy time of year, to stay on and help her with the running of the office.
I realise this will be inconvenient to you, but very much hope that, given the circumstances (鑒于這種情況), you would be prepared to allow me to take up (開始從事) my position with you two weeks later than planned.
I would like to emphasise that I remain very keen (渴望的) to work with you, and that I will be gaining further useful experience during this time.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
John Forbes
【分析】通過分析上面這篇雅思范文的結構,我們可以看出寫道歉信的主要思路:總述—陳述原因—提出措施—結尾。由于這封信是寫給未來雇主的,因此文體相對來說比較正式。在第一段的總述中,范文使用了句型I am writing concerning ...開門見山地說明寫信的緣由,其中的concerning為介詞,表示“關于”,相當于about。后面定語從句中的due to do sth.在此表示“應該做某事”。緊接著范文用I am afraid to inform you that表示轉折,說明下周一無法按時接任助理一職。第二、三段開始陳述原因。范文用了unfortunately來銜接這兩段,緊接著又用了現在分詞短語leaving my aunt in charge of both the home and the business和as引導的原因狀語從句來說明客觀情況,同時也表明自己這么做也是情勢所迫。第四段提出措施,作者用了very much hope that和較為正式的虛擬語氣you would be prepared to來表示自己的誠懇態度。除了這個句型外,我們還可以用表示委婉和禮貌的句型could you please ...或I wonder if ...來表示請求。為了表示自己對這份工作的渴望和對未來雇主的歉意,范文第五段再次表示了自己的態度和誠意。最后作者用了期待對方回信最常用的句型I look forward to ...來結尾。通篇思路清晰,一氣呵成。
【高考真題】(2014年高考英語北京卷書面表達)
你給英國朋友Chris寫一封信,內容包括:1. 你們原計劃7月份一同去云南旅游;2. 由于腳部受傷,你無法按原計劃前往;3. 表達你的歉意并建議將旅行推遲到8月份。
注意:1. 詞數不少于50。2. 可適當增加細節,以使行文連貫。3. 開頭和結尾已給出,不計入總詞數。
【分析】通過審題,我們看到文中有“由于……無法……”“表達你的歉意”等字眼,因此可判斷要寫的是一封道歉信,可以嘗試利用上面范文的寫作思路。
總述:開頭段我們可以使用上面范文中的“I am writing concerning/about ...”。根據內容要點1和2可知,寫信的內容是自己本計劃在7月和朋友一起去云南旅游,結果由于扭傷腳踝,現在無法按原計劃去了。此處可以借鑒雅思范文,先用I am afraid to inform you that引出問題,緊接著再簡單介紹一下原因。
陳述原因:接下來可以具體陳述原因,比如“原以為自己能很快康復(recover),但是不得不去醫院做手術”。我們可以借用范文里的分詞短語,比如“自己的缺席造成沒人負責朋友的旅游”就可以表達為leaving nobody in charge of your trip。
提出措施:根據內容要點3可知,措施就是“將旅行推遲到8月份”,此時可以用范文里比較委婉和誠懇的句型“I realise that this will be inconvenient for you, but very much hope that, given the circumstances, you would be prepared to ...”,也可以用I wonder if ...等相對簡單的句型。范文第五段進一步表明了自己的態度,有能力的同學也可以發揮想象,比如“我非常希望和你一起去云南,屆時我一定會為你安排一趟舒適的旅行”。
結尾:最后可以再次表示歉意,同時期待對方的答復。
【成品】
Dear Chris,
I am writing concerning the visit to Yunnan that we are due to begin in July. I am afraid to inform you that a problem has arisen. I had an accident and fell and sprained my ankle.
At first, I thought I would recover quickly if I just stayed at home. However, I have had to go into hospital for an operation, leaving nobody in charge of your trip.
I realise that this will be inconvenient for you, but very much hope that, given the circumstances, you would be prepared to allow me to go to Yunnan with you four weeks later than planned.
Please accept my apology for the delay and I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
Joe
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am organizing a trip for a group of students to pay a visit to the historical exhibition in your town. I am writing this letter to enquire (詢問) about the following. First of all, what is the size of the exhibition, what is its theme and what objects are on display (參展物品)? Secondly, when will the exhibition be held and what are the daily opening hours (每日的營業時間)?
I must point out that I hope to bring some students over (說服) to the exhibition, so I would like to enquire if there is any discount available on entrance tickets (入場券) for students. I look forward to your reply.
Yours faithfully,
Li Ming
【分析】上面這篇范文是一篇典型的咨詢信。咨詢信的寫作基本思路是:表明寫信緣由—概括咨詢內容—展開咨詢事項—結尾。首先需要寫清個人的基本情況,即“我”正在進行某項活動,在這項活動中產生了咨詢的需要。接著需要對咨詢的內容進行概括,范文中用到的句型I am writing this letter to enquire about ...比較常用,大家可以積累下來。接下來詳細說明咨詢的事項,如果不止一條,需要用firstly、secondly等表示次序的詞標記清楚。在范文中,由what和when引導的五個疑問句分別對規模、主題、參展物品、參展日期和營業時間等要素進行了提問。如果需要對某方面進行強調,則可以另起一段,如范文中用point out表示強調,同時與文章首句相互呼應。之后范文使用了I would like to enquire if ...句型,對打折情況進行詢問。結尾對咨詢結果表示期待,給人以行文圓滿之感。
【高考真題】(2014年高考英語新課標I卷書面表達)
假定你是李華,計劃暑假期間去英國學習英語,為期六周。下面的廣告引起了你的注意,請給該校寫封信,詢問有關情況(箭頭所指內容)。
注意:1. 詞數100左右。2. 可以適當增加細節,以使行文連貫。3. 參考詞匯:住宿—accommodation
【分析】首先,題目要求里有“詢問有關情況”,可知要寫的是一封咨詢信,可以嘗試利用上面范文的寫作思路。
表明寫信緣由:暑假期間計劃去英國學習為期六周的英語課程,需要咨詢一下課程。
概括咨詢內容:此處可以直接借鑒范文的常用句型。
展開咨詢事項:通過分析可知,真題和范文的相同之處在于二者都涉及了size、date、daily hours,所以我們在寫作時可以參考范文中的五個疑問句句式。需要注意的是,我們需將daily opening hours改為daily learning hours,雖然題目要求問的是每周的課時數(how many hours of learning per week),但每天的課時數與每周課時數可以換算,而且形式上更加簡練。最后的type of accommodation,我們可以發揮想象,比如最便宜的宿舍。此外,大家如果想強調某方面或某幾方面,可以套用范文里的I should point out that I hope to ...句型。比如想強調住宿費用要盡可能低,就可以說成:I should point out that I hope to spend as little as possible on accommodation. 句中除了使用了spend ... on ...的結構,還使用了as ... as結構,使行文更加生動,同時避免落入使用the cheapest的俗套。
結尾:借鑒范文中期待回信的經典句型結尾即可。
【成品】
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am planning to attend a six-week English training course in Britain this summer. I am writing this letter to enquire about the following.
First of all, what is the size of the class? Secondly, what are the start dates of the courses and what are the daily learning hours? What about the fees?
I should point out that I hope to spend as little as possible on accommodation, so I would like to enquire if there is any discount available and what the requirements are.
I look forward to your reply.
Yours faithfully,
Li Hua
由此可見,雅思應用文的范文是我們備考高考應用文很有用的學習材料。限于篇幅,其他類型的應用文就不再一一贅述。同學們可以多找些范文,從中學習各類應用文的寫作思路,同時積累其中的精彩表達并活學活用,相信一定可以輕松攻克高考英語應用文。
作者簡介:
王朔,河北保定一中分校英語教師,有十余年的教學經驗,對英語教學和英語考試都有較深的研究。