不同类型作文的写作方法
共同原则
中心第一：一篇文章必须是一个整体。所有的事实与观点应当紧紧围绕着文章的中心进行。与主题无关的东西是不能出现的。
注意分段：一篇文章大多由数段组成，每一段都要有它自己的主题。段落应该以一定的逻辑顺序进行安排。段落之间要能自然地承接与过渡。
注意比例：如同在作画中一样，比例在一篇文章中非常重要。重要的观点或事实要多说一点。具体的例子可参见第三讲关于选材的讲解。
一、说明文
在四级考试中，说明文占有最大的比例，常见的题型有：事实性说明（如89.1，93.1，96.6. ，00.1，01.1，）原因与结果（如91.6，98.1）、某种事物的意义（如95.6）、两种事物的比较（如91.1）、利弊比较（如93.1）、图表作文（如02.6）等。
针对上述不同的题型，我们写说明文的方法通常有：例证法、过程说明、分类法、比较与对比、因果关系分析、定义。也就是说，用于段落展开的方法都可用于说明文的写作。区别仅仅在于论述的范围和比重而已。
在说明文中最重要的是清晰。为了做到这一点， 我们要注意以下方面：
（1）话题不可过宽；
（2）论据要充分；
（3）论据的次序安排至关重要，通常可以根据重要性进行安排，有时也可反过来； 下面我们来看一看最常考的几种类型的说明文的写作方法。
1. 事实性说明
事实性说明文是占比例最多的一类，它通常要求作者用具体的事例来说明某种道理，以增加文章的可信性。
写好这类说明文的要点是选择恰当的事例或事例的合理安排。如：
The Tape Recorder
The tape recorder is one of the most welcome and popular electronic devices ever invented. Nowadays, almost every family has a tape recorder. It can record people’s voices or popular songs or some other things that people would like to listen to more than once. Tape recorders have been warmly welcomed since the day they were invented.
This device is useful in many ways. For example, a reporter can use it in interviews instead of the old, less accurate means of writing them in a notebook. Also, in studying foreign languages, students can use it to improve their listening ability. Moreover, they can record their own voice to improve their pronunciation in the foreign language.
However, it can also become a nuisance. Your hearing can be seriously harmed if you listen to a recorder with the volume too high. And, if you can’t control yourself, you can waste a lot of time listening to a recorder. So, if used properly, the recorder will serve you well. If used improperly, it can do harm to you.
2. 原因与结果
原因与结果型的作文说明或解释某种事情的原因或者结果，我们写这类作文的时候，实际上是在进行分析。它们可分为两类，一类是分析原因的作文，这种作文以简单描述结果开头，文章的正文部分追溯其各种原因。结果型的作文则相反，以描述某种原因或某种现象开头，
然后讨论其结果。
有时候，文章中可能原因和结果都要涉及到，比如在分析中国的计划生育政策时，文章可以以为什么要实行计划生育开头，然后再讨论它的结果。
在写原因与结果类的作文时，要注意以下几点：
1）不要使原因过于简单化。比如，考试没有考好往往是多种原因的混合，象对课程不感兴趣、缺课太多、上课不认真、不做作业、学习方法不对、考试时不在状态等等。如果仅将其归因于学习不用功就太简单化了。
2）注意分清直接原因（结果）和间接原因（或结果）以及主要、次要原因（或结果）
既然一个结果可能会有多种原因，一个因也可能造成多个果，就不应当对它们进行平均分配，而要在直接的和重要的点上多花些笔墨，过于次要的不说也罢。只要把道理说清了，字数也肯定就够了，就要及时收笔。
以98年1月份的作文为例：
Harmfulness of Fake Commodities
In recent years, a lot of fake commodities have appeared in the market. These fake commodities have done great harm to the consumers and the society.
Since the policy of reform was implemented, China’s economy has improved. A lot of people getting richer, and their living conditions are getting better. But still some of them are not satisfied. They dream of getting rich overnight and living a heavenly life, which, of course, is impossible to achieve by fair means. So they risk breaking the law to produce the market take commodities. Once these fake commodities enter the market, they will do immeasurable harm to the society. The direct victims are the consumers. As the quality of the fake commodities is always very poor, the consumers may suffer great losses. Certain fake commodities, such as food and medicine, will cause irreparable harm to the health and well-being of the consumers. Fake commodities also cut into the profits of the brand-name-owners. Since the fake ones are cheaper, people tend to be reluctant to buy the genuine ones.
3. 比较类型的说明文
我们将两种事物的比较和利弊比较这两种都归为比较类型。
比较类型的作文通常以两种方式展开：subject-by-subject 或point-by-point 。在subject-by-subject 的模式中，作者先讨论一个事物的各个方面，然后现谈论另一个事物。例如作文的主题是要说X is a better school than Y的话，作文的内容可以这样安排： I ． X
A. Student body B. Teaching staff C. Library and other facilities
D. Campus
II. Y
A. Student body B. Teaching staff C. Library and other facilities
D. Campus
在point-by-point 模式中，就每一点都将双方进行比较或对比，作文的内容是这样安排的： I. Student body
A. X
B. Y
II. Teaching staff
A. X
B. Y
III. Library and other facilities
A. X
B. Y
IV . Campus
A. X
B. Y
在四级考试中，因为文章较短，我们大多采取第一种方法。
在比较类型的作文中，关联词的使用是及为重要的，下面是一些有用的关联词。
1）用于比较的关联词：both, each, at the same time, similarly, like, likewise, as, too, also, compared with;
2）用于对比的关联词：on the other hand, on the contrary, in contrast (with/to), instead (of), the opposite (of), unlike, although, while, whereas, but, however, yet, nevertheless
例：93.1 Positive and Negative Aspects of Sport.
Sports benefit us in many respects. When taking part in sports, we get the chance to train almost all parts of our body . There is no doubt that properly balanced physical activities keep us physically fit. Furthermore, sports can enrich our life and maintain our psychological health. Through participation, everyone can learn that on the playing field he not only competes for himself but also for his team. Sports teach us about consideration, cooperation and optimism, and how to cope with difficulties.
But sports can do harm to those people who cannot balance their activities properly. Training too hard may hurt their body, exhaust their energy and even make them disabled.
Personally, I love sports. I enjoy participating in sports. I feel that I not only gain a well-balanced life through sports, but also get more chances to move closer to nature. Sports have really added happiness to my daily life.
本文采用的是subject-by-subject 的方法。
4. 图表作文
图表是用数字、图像传递信息的。看图作文就是要求用文字来说明非文字的图表信息。总的写作要求如下：
1) 仔细研读Directions 及图表标题，弄清题意。
看图作文一般都附有简要说明，写作应该先认真阅读说明文字，弄清题意。看图作文的要求是多种多样的，一般要求考生对图表进行说明，并以图表信息为依据，进行归纳、总结，得出一般性结论。
2) 观察图表，理清信息层次
对图表所提供的信息要点进行分析，并借此设计好文章的结构；自己要设计出每段的中心句，然后围绕该中心句进行扩展。
3) 紧扣图表信息，突出主题思想
看图作文不同于标题作文(或曰命题作文) 。作文的内容一定要与图表信息一致。所采用的信息要能有效的突出主题，有明确的中心思想。
4) 措词简明扼要，文章结构紧凑
看图作文一般要求用简洁、通俗易懂的语言阐明图表信息。一般不应借题发挥。
文章结构宜简明，更能直接传达信息，易于把情况说清楚。同时，要紧扣图表信息要点，
体现信息内在联系，使文章逻辑严密，结构紧凑。如果东拉西扯，抓不住要点，必然会使文章结构松散，不能突出主题。
需要注意的是，在四级考试的作文中，因为字数有限，要避免罗列过多的数字。 例文： Changes in People’s Diet
Study the following table carefully and your composition must be based on the information in the table. Write three paragraphs to:
(1) state the changes in people’s diet（饮食）in the past five years;
(2) give possible reasons for the changes;
(3) draw your own conclusions.
Y ou should quote as few figures as possible.
Y ear
Food 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990
Grain 49% 47% 46.5% 45% 45%
Milk 10% 11% 11% 12% 13%
Meat 17%
Fruit and 20% 22.5% 23% 21%
V egetables24% 22% 20% 20% 21%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
要准确理解表格的信息，首先要阅读表格上方或下方所作的说明及题目要求，以便准确把握题意。
先看表格的标题，因此，所写的短文应围绕“中国人饮食的变化”这一主题作说明。题目要求有三点，即陈述过去五年里中国人饮食的变化，说明带来这些变化可能的原因，最后得出自己的结论。写作中，可以根据这一要求把文章分为三段，把三点要求当作三段的中心。在确定每段大意后，具体写作方法可与段首句作文写法相仿。因此，关键在于准确分析表格的信息，使之服务于主题思想的阐述。
从以上表格来看，饮食变化具体表现在grain, fruit and vegetables消费的下降和milk 和meat 消费量的增加。
表格中并未提供此种变化的具体原因。我们可以对具体的变化进行分析，寻求几点主要原因。比如，milk 和meat 一般营养较丰富且价格较高．而grain, fruit and vegetables一般较价廉。可以从前者消费量增加而后者下降的具体变化看出其主要原因在于“价格”和“营养”两个方面。
最后当然要按要求作出自己的结论，并作简要说明。参考范文如下（请特别注意范文中对数字的引用）：
As can be seen from the table, from 1986 to 1990, people’s diet changed a lot. The consumption of grain, fruit and vegetables declined while the need for milk and meat increased. （言简意赅，几乎没有数字的罗列）
There are two major reasons for the change. First, with a constantly rising income, people can afford high-quality food like milk and meat. What’s more, with the development of food science, more and more people have realized the importance of nutrition, so they try to change their one-sided diet into a nutritious one. These changes, they think, may make them healthy. （简明点出了这种变化的原因，注意这两点与下一段的结论之间的关系）
So we can see that people’s living level has been rising markedly in the past five years. With the development of economy and improvement of food supply, more and more changes will surely take place in our diet. （由第二段的原因分析自然得出结论，并对未来的趋势作了预测）
二、议论文的写作方法
议论文是仅次于说明文的第二大题型，它是某一问题、现象或观点进行分析评论，阐明作者的立场和看法（如03.1， 00.6，99.6，98.6等）。议论文的目的在于通过充分论证来说服读者，影响读者的思想和行为。其基本的特征在于它的说服性。
议论文与说明文关系密切。说明的目的主要在于解释；议论的目的主要在于说服。议论往往以说明为基础。为了充分有效地阐述作者的观点，议论文常采用记叙文、描写文、说明文的写作方法。
议论文的写作要注意以下几个方面：
1) 立论正确，观点鲜明。议论文必须有客观而明确的观点，要能就人们普遍关心的起注意和迫切需要解决的问题阐明作者鲜明的立场，不能含糊其辞。
2) 论据充分，举例典型。议论文必须有理论、事实或数据等确凿有力的材料来说明和交持论点。论据也应真实可靠，这样才能真正有力地支持论点或反驳错误观点。
3) 论证合理．逻辑严密。论证需要通过推理，建立论点与论据之间的内在联系。通过充分的论据和严密的逻辑阐明自己的观点或批驳错误的观点。逻辑不严密，则论证不充分、不可信。
4) 风度优雅、语言谨慎。议论文需要摆事实、讲道理，不能强词夺理，不能使用过激的言辞、不能过于夸张，不能一味讨好迎合，也不能作十分尖刻的攻击。
如：Can Money Buy Happiness
Can money buy happiness? Various people have various answers. Some people think that money is the source of happiness. With money, one can buy whatever he enjoys. With money, one can do whatever he likes. So, in their minds, money can bring comfort, security, and so on. Money, as they think, is the source of happiness.
But there are still a lot of others who think that money is the root of all evil. Money drives people to steal, to rob, and to break the law. A lot of people became criminals just because they were in search of money. And in the Western countries, there is nothing that can’t be bought by money. Many people lose their own lives when hunting it.
I think that money is essential to life and we cannot do without money. But even though money is necessary to life, it can’t buy happiness. Happiness is not something that can be measured by money. It is a state of mind. One can have plenty of money, with which he can buy whatever he wants, and at the same time he is not happy because he is never satisfied or he is troubled by various kinds of problems. Therefore, although money is necessary for a happy life, it can’t buy happiness.
三、书信的写作方法
在四级考试中，书信型的作文在近年考过了两次。从其内容来看，大体上相当于一篇说明文或议论文，所不同的只是格式罢了。我们经常写信，所以对于书信体的作文，在内容上是不怎么怕的，关键是要掌握英文书信的格式，下面作简要介绍。
英文书信一般由六个部分组成，信头、收信人姓名地址（如果指令中没有给出，可不写）、抬头、正文、结束套语、签名。有时会有附件，在信笺的左下角注明。
Beijing, 100083
People’s Republic of China
June 19th , 2005
Dear Professor Li，
I am interested in teaching English in the People’s Republic of China. I am qualified to teach reading, writing and literature. An acquaintance of mine, Mr. Kong Y aming of your university suggested that I should write to you.
Presently, I work as a teaching assistant in X College in Los Angeles, California, U.S.A. My background is strong in the liberal arts, especially in the English language. I have a Ph. D. degree in linguistics from University of Michigan.
Enclosed you will find a copy of my resume. Basically, I am interested in a position as a foreign language expert or as a teacher.
If you have any positions available, please allow me to interview with you.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Respectfully yours,
Li Ming
不同类型作文的写作方法
共同原则
中心第一：一篇文章必须是一个整体。所有的事实与观点应当紧紧围绕着文章的中心进行。与主题无关的东西是不能出现的。
注意分段：一篇文章大多由数段组成，每一段都要有它自己的主题。段落应该以一定的逻辑顺序进行安排。段落之间要能自然地承接与过渡。
注意比例：如同在作画中一样，比例在一篇文章中非常重要。重要的观点或事实要多说一点。具体的例子可参见第三讲关于选材的讲解。
一、说明文
在四级考试中，说明文占有最大的比例，常见的题型有：事实性说明（如89.1，93.1，96.6. ，00.1，01.1，）原因与结果（如91.6，98.1）、某种事物的意义（如95.6）、两种事物的比较（如91.1）、利弊比较（如93.1）、图表作文（如02.6）等。
针对上述不同的题型，我们写说明文的方法通常有：例证法、过程说明、分类法、比较与对比、因果关系分析、定义。也就是说，用于段落展开的方法都可用于说明文的写作。区别仅仅在于论述的范围和比重而已。
在说明文中最重要的是清晰。为了做到这一点， 我们要注意以下方面：
（1）话题不可过宽；
（2）论据要充分；
（3）论据的次序安排至关重要，通常可以根据重要性进行安排，有时也可反过来； 下面我们来看一看最常考的几种类型的说明文的写作方法。
1. 事实性说明
事实性说明文是占比例最多的一类，它通常要求作者用具体的事例来说明某种道理，以增加文章的可信性。
写好这类说明文的要点是选择恰当的事例或事例的合理安排。如：
The Tape Recorder
The tape recorder is one of the most welcome and popular electronic devices ever invented. Nowadays, almost every family has a tape recorder. It can record people’s voices or popular songs or some other things that people would like to listen to more than once. Tape recorders have been warmly welcomed since the day they were invented.
This device is useful in many ways. For example, a reporter can use it in interviews instead of the old, less accurate means of writing them in a notebook. Also, in studying foreign languages, students can use it to improve their listening ability. Moreover, they can record their own voice to improve their pronunciation in the foreign language.
However, it can also become a nuisance. Your hearing can be seriously harmed if you listen to a recorder with the volume too high. And, if you can’t control yourself, you can waste a lot of time listening to a recorder. So, if used properly, the recorder will serve you well. If used improperly, it can do harm to you.
2. 原因与结果
原因与结果型的作文说明或解释某种事情的原因或者结果，我们写这类作文的时候，实际上是在进行分析。它们可分为两类，一类是分析原因的作文，这种作文以简单描述结果开头，文章的正文部分追溯其各种原因。结果型的作文则相反，以描述某种原因或某种现象开头，
然后讨论其结果。
有时候，文章中可能原因和结果都要涉及到，比如在分析中国的计划生育政策时，文章可以以为什么要实行计划生育开头，然后再讨论它的结果。
在写原因与结果类的作文时，要注意以下几点：
1）不要使原因过于简单化。比如，考试没有考好往往是多种原因的混合，象对课程不感兴趣、缺课太多、上课不认真、不做作业、学习方法不对、考试时不在状态等等。如果仅将其归因于学习不用功就太简单化了。
2）注意分清直接原因（结果）和间接原因（或结果）以及主要、次要原因（或结果）
既然一个结果可能会有多种原因，一个因也可能造成多个果，就不应当对它们进行平均分配，而要在直接的和重要的点上多花些笔墨，过于次要的不说也罢。只要把道理说清了，字数也肯定就够了，就要及时收笔。
以98年1月份的作文为例：
Harmfulness of Fake Commodities
In recent years, a lot of fake commodities have appeared in the market. These fake commodities have done great harm to the consumers and the society.
Since the policy of reform was implemented, China’s economy has improved. A lot of people getting richer, and their living conditions are getting better. But still some of them are not satisfied. They dream of getting rich overnight and living a heavenly life, which, of course, is impossible to achieve by fair means. So they risk breaking the law to produce the market take commodities. Once these fake commodities enter the market, they will do immeasurable harm to the society. The direct victims are the consumers. As the quality of the fake commodities is always very poor, the consumers may suffer great losses. Certain fake commodities, such as food and medicine, will cause irreparable harm to the health and well-being of the consumers. Fake commodities also cut into the profits of the brand-name-owners. Since the fake ones are cheaper, people tend to be reluctant to buy the genuine ones.
3. 比较类型的说明文
我们将两种事物的比较和利弊比较这两种都归为比较类型。
比较类型的作文通常以两种方式展开：subject-by-subject 或point-by-point 。在subject-by-subject 的模式中，作者先讨论一个事物的各个方面，然后现谈论另一个事物。例如作文的主题是要说X is a better school than Y的话，作文的内容可以这样安排： I ． X
A. Student body B. Teaching staff C. Library and other facilities
D. Campus
II. Y
A. Student body B. Teaching staff C. Library and other facilities
D. Campus
在point-by-point 模式中，就每一点都将双方进行比较或对比，作文的内容是这样安排的： I. Student body
A. X
B. Y
II. Teaching staff
A. X
B. Y
III. Library and other facilities
A. X
B. Y
IV . Campus
A. X
B. Y
在四级考试中，因为文章较短，我们大多采取第一种方法。
在比较类型的作文中，关联词的使用是及为重要的，下面是一些有用的关联词。
1）用于比较的关联词：both, each, at the same time, similarly, like, likewise, as, too, also, compared with;
2）用于对比的关联词：on the other hand, on the contrary, in contrast (with/to), instead (of), the opposite (of), unlike, although, while, whereas, but, however, yet, nevertheless
例：93.1 Positive and Negative Aspects of Sport.
Sports benefit us in many respects. When taking part in sports, we get the chance to train almost all parts of our body . There is no doubt that properly balanced physical activities keep us physically fit. Furthermore, sports can enrich our life and maintain our psychological health. Through participation, everyone can learn that on the playing field he not only competes for himself but also for his team. Sports teach us about consideration, cooperation and optimism, and how to cope with difficulties.
But sports can do harm to those people who cannot balance their activities properly. Training too hard may hurt their body, exhaust their energy and even make them disabled.
Personally, I love sports. I enjoy participating in sports. I feel that I not only gain a well-balanced life through sports, but also get more chances to move closer to nature. Sports have really added happiness to my daily life.
本文采用的是subject-by-subject 的方法。
4. 图表作文
图表是用数字、图像传递信息的。看图作文就是要求用文字来说明非文字的图表信息。总的写作要求如下：
1) 仔细研读Directions 及图表标题，弄清题意。
看图作文一般都附有简要说明，写作应该先认真阅读说明文字，弄清题意。看图作文的要求是多种多样的，一般要求考生对图表进行说明，并以图表信息为依据，进行归纳、总结，得出一般性结论。
2) 观察图表，理清信息层次
对图表所提供的信息要点进行分析，并借此设计好文章的结构；自己要设计出每段的中心句，然后围绕该中心句进行扩展。
3) 紧扣图表信息，突出主题思想
看图作文不同于标题作文(或曰命题作文) 。作文的内容一定要与图表信息一致。所采用的信息要能有效的突出主题，有明确的中心思想。
4) 措词简明扼要，文章结构紧凑
看图作文一般要求用简洁、通俗易懂的语言阐明图表信息。一般不应借题发挥。
文章结构宜简明，更能直接传达信息，易于把情况说清楚。同时，要紧扣图表信息要点，
体现信息内在联系，使文章逻辑严密，结构紧凑。如果东拉西扯，抓不住要点，必然会使文章结构松散，不能突出主题。
需要注意的是，在四级考试的作文中，因为字数有限，要避免罗列过多的数字。 例文： Changes in People’s Diet
Study the following table carefully and your composition must be based on the information in the table. Write three paragraphs to:
(1) state the changes in people’s diet（饮食）in the past five years;
(2) give possible reasons for the changes;
(3) draw your own conclusions.
Y ou should quote as few figures as possible.
Y ear
Food 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990
Grain 49% 47% 46.5% 45% 45%
Milk 10% 11% 11% 12% 13%
Meat 17%
Fruit and 20% 22.5% 23% 21%
V egetables24% 22% 20% 20% 21%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
要准确理解表格的信息，首先要阅读表格上方或下方所作的说明及题目要求，以便准确把握题意。
先看表格的标题，因此，所写的短文应围绕“中国人饮食的变化”这一主题作说明。题目要求有三点，即陈述过去五年里中国人饮食的变化，说明带来这些变化可能的原因，最后得出自己的结论。写作中，可以根据这一要求把文章分为三段，把三点要求当作三段的中心。在确定每段大意后，具体写作方法可与段首句作文写法相仿。因此，关键在于准确分析表格的信息，使之服务于主题思想的阐述。
从以上表格来看，饮食变化具体表现在grain, fruit and vegetables消费的下降和milk 和meat 消费量的增加。
表格中并未提供此种变化的具体原因。我们可以对具体的变化进行分析，寻求几点主要原因。比如，milk 和meat 一般营养较丰富且价格较高．而grain, fruit and vegetables一般较价廉。可以从前者消费量增加而后者下降的具体变化看出其主要原因在于“价格”和“营养”两个方面。
最后当然要按要求作出自己的结论，并作简要说明。参考范文如下（请特别注意范文中对数字的引用）：
As can be seen from the table, from 1986 to 1990, people’s diet changed a lot. The consumption of grain, fruit and vegetables declined while the need for milk and meat increased. （言简意赅，几乎没有数字的罗列）
There are two major reasons for the change. First, with a constantly rising income, people can afford high-quality food like milk and meat. What’s more, with the development of food science, more and more people have realized the importance of nutrition, so they try to change their one-sided diet into a nutritious one. These changes, they think, may make them healthy. （简明点出了这种变化的原因，注意这两点与下一段的结论之间的关系）
So we can see that people’s living level has been rising markedly in the past five years. With the development of economy and improvement of food supply, more and more changes will surely take place in our diet. （由第二段的原因分析自然得出结论，并对未来的趋势作了预测）
二、议论文的写作方法
议论文是仅次于说明文的第二大题型，它是某一问题、现象或观点进行分析评论，阐明作者的立场和看法（如03.1， 00.6，99.6，98.6等）。议论文的目的在于通过充分论证来说服读者，影响读者的思想和行为。其基本的特征在于它的说服性。
议论文与说明文关系密切。说明的目的主要在于解释；议论的目的主要在于说服。议论往往以说明为基础。为了充分有效地阐述作者的观点，议论文常采用记叙文、描写文、说明文的写作方法。
议论文的写作要注意以下几个方面：
1) 立论正确，观点鲜明。议论文必须有客观而明确的观点，要能就人们普遍关心的起注意和迫切需要解决的问题阐明作者鲜明的立场，不能含糊其辞。
2) 论据充分，举例典型。议论文必须有理论、事实或数据等确凿有力的材料来说明和交持论点。论据也应真实可靠，这样才能真正有力地支持论点或反驳错误观点。
3) 论证合理．逻辑严密。论证需要通过推理，建立论点与论据之间的内在联系。通过充分的论据和严密的逻辑阐明自己的观点或批驳错误的观点。逻辑不严密，则论证不充分、不可信。
4) 风度优雅、语言谨慎。议论文需要摆事实、讲道理，不能强词夺理，不能使用过激的言辞、不能过于夸张，不能一味讨好迎合，也不能作十分尖刻的攻击。
如：Can Money Buy Happiness
Can money buy happiness? Various people have various answers. Some people think that money is the source of happiness. With money, one can buy whatever he enjoys. With money, one can do whatever he likes. So, in their minds, money can bring comfort, security, and so on. Money, as they think, is the source of happiness.
But there are still a lot of others who think that money is the root of all evil. Money drives people to steal, to rob, and to break the law. A lot of people became criminals just because they were in search of money. And in the Western countries, there is nothing that can’t be bought by money. Many people lose their own lives when hunting it.
I think that money is essential to life and we cannot do without money. But even though money is necessary to life, it can’t buy happiness. Happiness is not something that can be measured by money. It is a state of mind. One can have plenty of money, with which he can buy whatever he wants, and at the same time he is not happy because he is never satisfied or he is troubled by various kinds of problems. Therefore, although money is necessary for a happy life, it can’t buy happiness.
三、书信的写作方法
在四级考试中，书信型的作文在近年考过了两次。从其内容来看，大体上相当于一篇说明文或议论文，所不同的只是格式罢了。我们经常写信，所以对于书信体的作文，在内容上是不怎么怕的，关键是要掌握英文书信的格式，下面作简要介绍。
英文书信一般由六个部分组成，信头、收信人姓名地址（如果指令中没有给出，可不写）、抬头、正文、结束套语、签名。有时会有附件，在信笺的左下角注明。
Beijing, 100083
People’s Republic of China
June 19th , 2005
Dear Professor Li，
I am interested in teaching English in the People’s Republic of China. I am qualified to teach reading, writing and literature. An acquaintance of mine, Mr. Kong Y aming of your university suggested that I should write to you.
Presently, I work as a teaching assistant in X College in Los Angeles, California, U.S.A. My background is strong in the liberal arts, especially in the English language. I have a Ph. D. degree in linguistics from University of Michigan.
Enclosed you will find a copy of my resume. Basically, I am interested in a position as a foreign language expert or as a teacher.
If you have any positions available, please allow me to interview with you.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Respectfully yours,
Li Ming