2. 中间段
中间段是文章的正文，其作用是从不同的层面对文章主题进行具体和详实的解释和论证。
1) 中间段的一般特征
① 篇幅一般比开头段和结尾段长。
② 每段有相应的主题句。
③ 包含定义、解释、描写，说明主题思想的扩展句可以采用实例、数据或个人经历等写作手段。
④ 不同种类的段落采用不同的扩展手段。
2) 中间段的具体特点
① 所涉及内容应该准确、清楚，颇具说服力；
② 段落中一定具备主题句；
③ 段落内容应该保持完整、统一，没有说明不足之处或多余冗长的细节；
④ 内容顺序安排合理，逻辑性较强；
⑤ 段落之间连贯自然；
⑥ 段落中讨论的内容主次分明，材料比例适当；
⑦ 词与句型运用合理并且有变化。
3) 中间段展开的基本方法
① 列举法
例文：
There are a number of ways for us to keep fit. First, no matter how busy we are, we should have exercise every day to strengthen our muscles. Second, it is important to keep good hours. For example, if we are in the habit of going to bed early and getting up early, we can avoid overworking ourselves and get enough sleep. Finally, entertainment is also necessary so that we may have some moments of relaxation. If we follow those instruction. We will certainly be in good health.
② 比较对比法
例文：
The older form of communication is speech. In the beginning of human history, people could only use direct verbal speech to communicate. But it had many shortcomings. For instance, we could not speak to a person far away when we needed. So distance was a problem. And the spoken word could not be kept secret easily. So people wanted to invent a new method of communication. The next big step forward in communication was the invention of writing. Writing is one of human being’s most important inventions. It solved the problem of distance and keeping secrets, but it too had disadvantages. The written word could not be passed on quickly, so people tried to find a new quicker method of communication.
The most recent development had been electronic means of communication, including the wireless telegraph, radio, telephone and television. The invention and use of electronic means has solved all the problems mentioned above. They are the most effective methods of communication. People will certainly try their best to invent even more modem and useful methods.
③ 因果法
例文：
The hamburger is the most popular food item in the United States. Every year Americans consume billions of them. They are sold in expensive restaurants and in humble diners. They are cooked at home on the kitchen stove or over a barbecue grill in the backyard. Why are they so popular?
First, a hamburger is extremely easy to prepare. It is nothing more than a piece of ground beef, cooked for a few minutes. Then it is placed in a sliced bun. Nothing could be simpler. Even an unskilled cook can turn out hundreds of them in an hour. Besides that, the simple hamburger can be varied in many ways. You can melt some cheese on top of the beef to create a cheeseburger. You can also add some grilled bacon for an interesting flavor contrast. In addition, you can garnish the hamburger with other things such as lettuce, tomato, onion, mushrooms, avocado, pickles, hot pepper, ketchup, relish, mayonnaise, mustard or whatever you wish!
④ 例证法
例文：
The saying “No pains, no gains” is universally accepted because of the plain yet philosophical moral it teaches: if one wants to achieve something, he has to work and tolerate more than others. The saying is true of any pursuit man seeks. A case in point is boxing. While we heap cheers on the winner, few happen to imagine that his gold belt is won at the cost of his sweat, tears, blood, even life over years before the arrival of that exciting moment.
⑤ 发展过程法
例文：
To build your own sunscope, get a carton and cut a hole in one side, big enough to poke your head through. Paste white paper on the inside surface that you will be facing. Then punch a pinhole into the opposite side high enough so that the little shaft of light will miss your head. For a sharper image you can make a better pinhole by cutting a one-inch square hole in the carton, taping a piece of aluminum foil over this hole, and then making the pin-hole in the foil. Finally, tape the box shut and cover all light leaks with black tape.
⑥ 定义法
例文：
Diligence is the key to success. It means persistent work and does not mean that we are to exert ourselves all day and night without rest, without food and without sleep. The true meaning of diligence is the careful use of time for the purpose of improvement, or to work persistently without any waste of time.
⑦ 分类法
例文：
Nowadays the news media mainly consists of radio, television and newspapers. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Newspapers are the oldest form for communicating the news. Today many people still begin their day by reading the morning paper while having breakfast, and end their day by reading the evening paper while having dinner.
The invention of the radio has had a tremendous influence on the world. It is able to bring up-to-minute news to distant places in a matter of seconds. Thus the development of the radio has made the world a smaller place.
Television is the most recently developed device for communication. It allows us to see as well as to hear the news. The fact that it enables people to see visual images has had a considerable effect on our perceptions of world event.
4) 中间段的常用核心句型
· Although the popular belief is that …, a current (new / recent) study (survey / poll / investigation) indicates (shows / demonstrates) that ….
· Common sense tells us that ….
· The increase (change / failure / success) in … mainly (largely / partly) results from (arises from / is because of) ….
· The increase (change / failure / success) in … is due to (owing to / attributable to) the fact that ….
· Many people would claim that ….
· One may attribute (ascribe / owe) the increase (decrease / change ) to …, but … is not by itself an adequate explanation.
· One of the reasons given for … is that ….
· What is also worth noticing is that ….
· There are many (different / several /a number of / a variety of)causes (reasons) for this dramatic (marked / significant) growth (change / decline / increase) in …. First, …. Second, …. Finally, ….
· There is no evidence to suggest that….
· Why are (is / do / did) …? For one thing, …. For another, ….
· Another reason why I dispute the above statement is that ….
· It gives rise to (lead to / bring /create) a host of problems (consequences).
· There are numerous reasons why …, and I shall here explore only a few of the most important ones.
· It will exert (have / produce) profound (far-reaching / remarkable / considerable / beneficial / favorable / undesirable / disastrous) effect (influence) on ….
· A multitude of factors could account for (contribute to / lead to / result in / influence) the change (increase / decrease / success / failure / development) in ….
· In 2000, it increased (rose / jumped / shot up) from 5 to 10 percent of the total (to 15 percent / by 15 percent).
· By comparison with 2002, it decreased (dropped / fell) from 10 to 5 percent (to 15 percent / by 15 percent).
· It accounts for 15 percent of the total.
· There were 100 traffic accidents in April, an increase of 5 percent in a five-month period.
· By 2002, only (less than / more than / almost / about / over/ as many as) three quarters (40 percent of / one out of five / one in four) college population (graduates / housewives) as against (as compared with) last year (2002) preferred to (liked) ….
· With the development (improvement / rise / growth / general recognition / acknowledgement / realization) of …, vast changes awaits this country’s society.
· Now people in growing (ever-increasing / significant) numbers are beginning (coming / getting) to believe (realize / recognize / understand / accept / see / be aware) that ….
· According to a(n) recent (new / official) study (survey / report / poll), ….
· History (Our society) is filled (abounds) with the examples of ….
· The story (case / instance / situation) is not rare (isolated / unique), it is one of many examples (typical of dozens).
· A (one) recent (new / general / nationwide) study (survey / poll / investigation) conducted (taken) at a university by (officials / scientists / experts) indicates (reveals / suggests / shows / proves / demonstrates) that ….
· According to (As can be seen in / As is shown in) the figures (statistics / findings / data / graph / table) released (provided) by the government (an institute), it can be learned (seen / predicted) that ….
· There is (no) good (every / little / sufficient / considerable / strong) evidence (proof) to
· Personal experience (Examples I heard / read of) leads me to conclude that ….
· We must admit the undeniable fact that ….
· No one can deny (ignore / doubt / overlook / obscure / brush aside) the fact that ….
· Experience (Evidence) suggests (shows) that ….
· Take for example … who (that) ….
· The same is true of ….
· As the saying goes, “….”
3. 结尾段
结尾段的写作方法可以归纳为下列若干种：
1) 总结归纳
简要总结归纳文章要点，以便深化主题印象。
例：
In conclusion I would like to say that change is a problem confronting most of us today. The changes which have already taken place in every field of our life are irreversible. Continuation of the growth which has already begun is inevitable. During this evolution there are great rewards to be won — by those who are willing to take the opportunities being offered.
2) 重申主题
再次强调和确定文章开头阐述的中心思想。
例：
Admittedly, science has created atomic bombs and produced pervasive pollution. But it has transformed the lives of millions of people. It has multiplied man’s energy, hopes, ambitions and understanding. It has elevated and will continue to elevate man intellectually and spiritually.
3) 预测展望
立足当前，放眼未来。
例：
It is time that the government should speak out against corruption and take strong action to punish whoever takes bribes or embezzles fund. For present official corruption, if permitted to continue, will not only tarnish the government’s popularity, but lead to its ultimate downfall.
4) 提出建议
提出解决问题的途径、方法或呼吁人们采取相应的行动。
例：
College athletics plays such a vital role that it deserves close attention and persistent effort. It is suggested that physical training should be regarded as a required course wedged into college curricula, however crowded it may be, and that a fair share of college budget should be devoted to athletic programs. We sincerely hope that this suggestion will be a commitment that all colleges and universities will take up.
5) 提出问题
提出具有发人深省的问题，从而突出中心思想。
例：
Old people may choose to live alone for themselves and even embrace this living pattern. But in the deep part of their hearts, they must feel lonely. They need their children to stay with, to talk with, and take care of them. Why can’t young people think of the days when they are getting old?
6) 引用格言
用格言、谚语或习语总括全文中心思想。
例：
Many yeas ago, a great philosopher Francis Bacon remarked that “Knowledge … is power.” This can now be translated into contemporary terms. In our social setting, “Knowledge is change”—and accelerating knowledge-acquisition, fueling the great engine of technology, means accelerating change.
7) 结尾段的核心句型
· From what has been discussed above (Taking into account all these factors / Judging from all evidence offered), we may safely draw (reach / come to / arrive at) the conclusion that ….
· All the evidence (analysis) supports (justifies / confirms / warrants / points to) a(n) unshakable (unmistakable / sound / just) conclusion that ….
· It is high time that we place (lay / put) great (special / considerable) emphasis on the improvement (development / increase / promotion) of ….
· It is high time that we put an end to the deep-seated (unhealthy / undesirable / deplorable) situation (tendency / phenomenon) of ….
· We must look (search / call / cry) for an immediate action (method / measure), because the present (current) situation (phenomenon / tendency / state / attitude) of …, if permitted (allowed) to continue (proceed), will surely (certainly) lead to (result in) the end (destruction / heavy cost) of ….
· There is no easy (immediate / effective) solution (approach / answer / remedy) to the problem of …, but … might be useful (helpful / beneficial).
· No easy method (solution / recipe / remedy) can be at hand (found / guaranteed) to solve (resolve / tackle) the problem of …, but the common (general / public) recognition of (realization of / awareness of / commitment to) the necessity (importance / significance) of … might be the first step towards change (on the right way / in the right direction).
· Following these methods (suggestions) may not guarantee the success in (solution to)…, but the pay-off will be worth the effort.
· Obviously (Clearly / No doubt), if we ignore (are blind to) the problem, there is every chance that ….
· Unless there is a common realization of (general commitment to) …, it is very likely (the chances are good) that ….
· There is little doubt (no denying) that serious (special / adequate / immediate / further) attention must be called (paid / devoted) to the problem of ….
· It is necessary (essential / fundamental) that effective (quick / proper) action (steps /measures / remedies) should be taken to prevent (correct /check / end / fight) the situation (tendency / phenomenon).
· It is hoped (suggested / recommended) that great (continuous / persistent / sustained / corporate) efforts should be made to control (check/ halt / promote) the growth (increase / rise) of ….
· It is hoped that great efforts should be directed to (expended on / focused on) finding (developing / improving) ….
· It remains to be seen whether …, but the prospect (outlook) is not quite encouraging (that rosy).
· Anyhow, wider (more) education (publicity) should be given to the possible (potential / grave /serious / pernicious) consequences (effects) of ….
· To reverse (check / control) the trend (tendency) is not a light task (an easy job), and it requires (demands / involves / entails) a different state of mind towards (attitude towards / outlook on) ….
· For these reasons, I strongly recommend that ….
· For the reasons given above, I feel that ….
4. 段落扩展中的常用词语
1) 总结关系过渡词语
generally speaking, generally, as a general rule, in general, on a larger scale, to take the idea further, to take the above opinion to an extreme, in a sense, in one sense, in a way, to some extent, in my opinion, in my view, as for me, as far as I am concerned, obviously, undoubtedly, in terms of, in conclusion, in short, in brief, in summary, in a word, on the whole, to sum up, to conclude
2) 比较对比关系过渡词语
similarly, likewise, like, too, equally important, the same as, in common, in the same way, on the contrary, on the one hand, on the other hand, otherwise, in sharp contrast, whereas, rather than, conversely, instead, in/by contrast, but, however, yet, nevertheless
3) 列举关系过渡词语
for example, for instance, as an example, as a case in point, such as, namely, that is, like, thus, first, second, third, finally, in the first place, initially, first of all, to begin with, to start with, what is more, furthermore, eventually, besides, in addition (to that), first and foremost, last but not least, next, also, moreover, for one thing, for another
4) 因果关系过渡词语
because (of), as, since, for, owing to, due to, thanks to, on account of, as a result of, result in (from), consequently, for the reason that, as a consequence, consequently, if follows that, accordingly, therefore, hence
5) 让步关系过渡词语
although, even though, after all, in spite of, despite, granted that
6) 强调关系过渡词语
anyway, certainly, surely, obviously, to be sure, especially, particularly, above all, in deed, in fact, even worse, needless to say, most important of all, no doubt | 
