實用英語寫作技巧之八 推展段落方法

第八單元推展段落方法之一——事實與數據法

　　在第四單元，我們曾提到推展段落的方法有多種。從這一單元開始，我們將逐個介紹這些方法。

　　8.1事實與數據法

　　事實（a fact）是可以客觀証實的事情。例如：“The sunrises in the east.”是個事實。“Oil and water do not mix.”也是個事實。兩者都可以通過實騐証明是真實的。但是“Eating carrots improves eyesight.”也許是真實也許是不真實的。這不是個事實，是一種看法（opinion）。數據（a statistic）是一個數字事實（a numeral fact），用於給某一主題提供有意義的信息。例如：

　　There are twenty－five students in the class.“是一個數據。

　　示範段落8－1

　　The term population explosion is usually applied to the rapid growth of population over the last three centuries.In the two hundred years from 1650 to 1850，world population doubled and reached its first billion.In the next eighty years，it doubled again，and by 1975，it had doubled once more to a total of 4 billion.By the year 2000，it is estimated that it will exceed 6 billion and possibly approach 7 billion unless there is a major reduction in birth rates or amajor increase in death rates.

　　8.2示範段落分析

　　主題句：The term population explosion is usually applied to the rapid growth of population over the last three centuries.

　　提供信息：

　　數據1：1650-1850；double，reach 1 billion

　　數據2：1850－1930；double again，reach 2 billion

　　數據3：1930－1975；double again，reach 4 billion

　　數據4：1975－2000；exceed 6 billion，approach 7 billion

　　示範段落8-2

　　A snake is a strange animal.It walks on its ribs and it smells with its tongue.Since its teeth are sharp like needles and not good for chewing，it swallows its food whole.

　　8.3示範段落分析

　　主題句：A snake is a strange animal.

　　事實1：walks with its ribs and smells with its tongue

　　事實2：swallows its food whole

　　8.4關於如何寫事實與數據段落的建議

　　1）不要把事實與看法混爲一談

　　事實是真實的，因爲它們已被証據証實。然而看法衹是人們的主觀想法，不一定真實。因此，記住用事實而不是用看法支持你的觀點。

　　2）不要使用不相關的數據

　　如果你爲了增加觀點的可信度而使用不相關的數據，即使這些數據是真實的，也會引起誤解。

　　Exercise 8-1

　　Directions：Write a paragraph with statistics as supporting details，using the given topic sentence and statistics.

　　Statistic：blood pressure before the exam—115／55

　　Statistic：at the end of the exam—155／115

　　Statistic：ten minutes after the exam—150／110

　　Exams apparently have a marked effect on the blood pressure of the students taking them.___________________________________________________

　　______________________________________________________________

　　______________________________________________________________

　　______________________________________________________________

　　Exercise 8-2

　　Directions：Write a paragraph with facts as supporting details using the given topic sentence and facts.

　　Fact：William is the second most common boy's name used in English（the first being John）

　　Fact：History is full of Williams.

　　a.William of Nor many—conquerer of England in 1066

　　b.William Shakespeare—writer

　　c.William Cody—a hero of the Wild West

　　Is your name William？If so， you have company.