議論文通過議論或說理來表達作者見解和主張.作者對某一問題持有一種看法,爲了使讀
者同意自己的看法,提出若干理由,企圖說服他人.高中英語議論文的寫作要注意以下要點:
1. 論點要鮮明、確切．一篇議論文只能有一箇中心論點．論點一般在開頭提出，然後加以論證．
2. 論據要充分、可靠．一般是以事實爲論據，也可以利用成語，格言，名人名言作爲論據．
3. 論證要嚴密、得法．歸納法（induction）和演繹法（deduction）是議論文常用的論證方法．歸納法的例子爲基礎，從幾個例子和現象中，歸納出某種道理和看法．例如：報紙是一種媒體（medium ），人們可以從中得到現代信息；電視是一種媒體，人們也可以從中獲得信息；廣播也是媒體，人們同樣可以從中獲得現代信息．因此我們可以得出結論，其他媒體，如網絡等，一定會給人們信息．演繹法以一個或多個看法爲基礎，從一般論斷，演繹到不同事例，再加以論述，最後再回到一般論斷上來．例如：所有的媒體都可以給人們提供信息，網絡是媒體，因此人們可以從網絡中獲得信息．在歸納中要注意使用的例子要充分，不能以點概面．如：（課本高二上p81）：
i borrowed a book from the library last week was very boring and difficult .i read only ten pages. therefore, i think that all library books are useless.
評註: it does not have a logical argument writer dislike one library book, but not all library books are the same. the writer should not make a general statement (all library books are useless) based on his reactions to one single book.
二、 議論文的寫作步驟:
1. 引言(introduction)．由於英語作文受時間，字數的限制．因此，在引言段中作者就必須簡單解釋要討論的問題，並明白地亮出自己的觀點，如提倡什麼，支援什麼，反對什麼．
2. 主體段（main body）．主體段是議論的過程，作者必須有足夠的證據．（adequate proofs）來論證自己的觀點．一般可提出一個或兩個proofs, 並對此用一兩句話分別進行闡述．
3. 結論（conclusion）．結論段可以用一兩句話來結束文章．同時要注意與引言段呼應，但不能照搬前面的原話．
例：課本高二上p78 第一封信
tutorial center is helpful.
i have studied at a tutorial center for two years. my command of english has improved considerably since i started this course.
at my center, the fees are reasonable. my tutors are qualified teachers. i have been helped a lot by them. they are sincere and kind.
one of my teachers was british. at first, i could not say anything to her. but later i learned how to communicate in english with a westerner.
i think that the tutorial center has given me a lot of confidence in using english.
評註: 第一段提出論點, 體現家教中心是helpful(段劃線部分) ,主體段分別從幾個方面(劃線部分)來闡述家教中心的確有幫助,結論段重申家教中心的作用(劃線部分),且語句表達與第一段中的不重複.
三、議論文的寫作模式
1. 議論文的類型
英語議論文根據命題特點，從形式上來看可分爲如下類型:
① “一分爲二”的觀點．如“轎車大量進入家庭後，對家庭、環境、經濟可能產生的影響”
② “兩者選一”的'觀點．如，期中考試作文題，“乘火車還是乘飛機”
③“我認爲……”型．如“你對課外閱讀的看法”
④“怎樣……（how to）”型．如“怎樣克服學習中碰到的困難”．
⑤ 圖表作文．通過閱讀圖表中的數字與項目得出一個結論或形成一種看法．
按照高二上學期的寫作要求，學生主要應掌握①②兩種類型的議論文的寫作．在第①種類型中命題涉及某一事物或現象的正反兩個方面：通過正反兩個方面的對比，得出結論是利大於弊，還是弊大於利．論證要圍繞所要得出的結論來展開，若利大於弊，則有利的一面要多闡述一點．反之亦然．
在第②種類型中，命題要求在a或b兩者之間作一比較或選擇，兩個對象往往各有優勢，所以結論部分有兩種情況：
a. 要麼支持a，要麼支持b;
b. a、b優勢均難的割捨，只好依情況而定在結論部分說清楚在什麼條件選a, 在什麼條件選b．
下面重點介紹第①、②種類型議論文的寫作模式.
2. “一分爲二”觀點的議論文模式
introduction
第1段:nowadays more and more people．．．/．．．plays an important part in．．．. like everything else,．．．has/have both favorable and unfavorable aspects/both advantages and disadvantages. generally, the favorable aspects/advantages can be listed as follows.
main body
第2段：firstly,.. secondly,…in addition/what’s more…
第3段: every coin has two sides. the negative aspects/disadvantages are also apparent/obvious. to begin with…; to make matters worse…; worse of all…
conclusion
第4段: through above analysis/all things considered, we can see that the positive aspects/advantages outweigh the negative ones/disadvantages. therefore…
例文1. 看電視的利與弊 advantages and disadvantages of watching tv
nowadays more and more people like to watch tv. so tv plays a very important part in our life. but watching tv has both advantages and disadvantages. generally, the advantages can be listed as follows.
firstly, you can expand your knowledge by watching tv. as we all know, learning things by tv is much faster than by listening to the radio or just by reading books. for it has colorful pictures as well as wonderful music.
secondly, you may know anybody you want to know such as famous singers, super stars, scientists and so on.
what’s more, you can go everywhere by traveling programs. let’s suppose, if you like traveling very much, but you have to work on weekends or holidays, you must be very sad. and now open your tv and it’ll take you to anywhere.
every coin has two sides. the disadvantages are also obvious. for example, watching too much tv can easily become short-sighted, especially for children and students. to make matters worse, some young students are keen on watching tv so that they give up their studies gradually.
through above analysis, i think watching tv is a way of studying, it is good for us to watch tv. but when we watch tv, we should make a plan otherwise watching tv will destroy our life.
例文2. 談談出國留學的利與弊 where to attend a college
nowadays more and more young people are going to study abroad. like everything else, studying abroad has both favorable and unfavorable aspects. generally, the favorable aspects can be listed as follows.
firstly, they think by attending a college in a foreign country they can learn not only useful knowledge, but also the culture and customs of other nations. secondly, they can take advantage of this opportunity to gain a good command of the foreign language they are learning very quickly. moreover, they can meet different people and experience different cultures, which may help to broaden their views.
every coin has two sides. the negative aspects are also apparent. the costs are much higher than those in their native country. most overseas students have to work for a living, which can’t allow them to pay all their attention to study. what’s more, they may feel very lonely.
through above analysis, we can see that the positive aspects outweigh the negative ones. therefore, i am in favor of going abroad to study.