本文是我对 Simon 雅思 A 类写作课程的总结笔记，主要是宏观策略。 详细示例，请访问 ielts-simon.com。
小作文
数据图表报告：
- 第一段 1 句 introduction，复述题目，不要照抄任何短语
- 第二段 2 句 overview，指出图表的两个要点，例如明显的极值、趋势、异同
- 第三段、第四段 details，详细描述对比和变化，给出具体的数字
流程图：
- 第一段 1 句 introduction，复述题目，不要照抄任何短语
- 第二段 2 句 overview，指出流程图的两个要点，例如多少步、起点终点、原料和结果
- 第三段、第四段 details，详细描述每一步
对比设计图：
- 第一段 1 句 introduction，复述题目，不要照抄任何短语
- 第二段 2 句 overview，指出最大的变化，以及完全不变的部分
- 第三段、第四段 details，分区对比两张图的异同
- 或者第三段写重大差异，第四段写其他差异
Tips：
- 不要有自己的评论和总结
- 对于数据图表，要分组对比描述，不要分别单独描述某一年、某一国家、某一类，但是都要提到
- 详略得当，Other 这种类别可以一笔带过，表格中的数字也可以有选择地描述
- 要写正确完整的句子
- 注意时态
- 同义词扩展和替换
大作文
要求：至少 250 词，关于普世话题的论述文。
评分标准：切题，流畅，词汇，语法。
结构：
- 第一段 2 句，introduction
- 第二段 5 句，main body
- 第三段 5 句，main body
- 第四段 1 句，conclusion
建议用时 40 分钟：准备 10 分钟，首末段各 5 分钟，中间两段共 20 分钟。
中间两段最重要！
Introduction/Conclusion
Introduction 第一句复述，第二句给出笼统的答案。
Conclusion 以 in conclusion 开头，复述第二句的笼统答案，不要再出现新论点。
四类问题：discussion，opinion，problem and solution，two-part question。
Discussion: Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
- topic: People have different views about X of A as opposed to B.
- opinion:
- While there are some benefits to B, I believe that A is usually more X.
- While I understand that …, I believe that there are more benefits than drawbacks.
- conclusion: In conclusion, I would argue that the advantages of A do outweigh the disadvantages.
Opinion: To what extent do you agree or disagree?
- topic: It is sometimes argued that ….
- opinion:
- I completely agree that ….
- In my opinion, it would be wrong to ….
- While I disagree with the idea of …, I do believe that ….
- conclusion:
- In conclusion, I do not believe that ….
Problem and Solution: Why …, and what measures can be taken to tackle this problem?
- topic: It is true that ….
- opinion:
- There are various reasons why …, but governments could certainly take steps to address this issue.
- Although there will be some negative consequences, societies can take steps to mitigate these potential problems.
- conclusion: In conclusion, various measures can be taken to tackle the problems that are certain to arise as ….
Two-part Question: What factors contribute to …? How realistic is …?
- topic: paraphrase
- opinion:
- While a variety of factors may lead to …, it would be unrealistic to expect ….
- Music is a vital part of all human cultures for a range of reasons, and I would argue that traditional music is more important that modern, international music.
- conclusion: In conclusion, music is a necessary part of human exixtence, and I believe that traditional music should be given more importance than international music.
Main Body
最重要！每段 100 词左右。
简单的 linking words 就可以，重点是 topic vocabulary。
两种写法：Firstly/Secondly/Finally，Idea/Explain/Example。
多个 ideas，Firstly/Secondly/Finally
- There are several reasons why I would argue against compulsory community service.
- Firstly, ….
- For example, I remember ….
- Secondly, ….
- Finally, ….
一个 idea，Idea/Explain/Example
- On the other hand, the opportunity to do voluntary community service could be extremely positive for students.
- motivated
- gain experience, confidence, skills
- improve career prospects
- For example, … might impress a university admissions officer or a future employer.
例：Opinion
不要写别人怎么想，要给出自己的意见，明确写出 I believe, in my opinion, etc.
可以写 strong opinion，也可以写 balanced opinion 例如 partly agree。
把钱花在太空探索方面，不如用来建设学校、医院等基础公共设施。To what extent do you agree or disagree?
- topic: money spent on space programmes vs. public services
- opinion: I completely agree – public services over space projects
- no more space projects, why
- way too expensive
- no benefit to normal people, simply politicians showing off
- high risk of accidents and failures, serious injuries and deaths
- example: Challenger space shuttle
- better public services, why
- cheaper
- example: doctors and teachers are cheaper to train than astronauts
- wide coverage, connection to every one
- example: hospitals, schools
- social benefits, better quality of life, less suffering
- cheaper
- conclusion: spend money on public services