How to Improve Your English Writing - English Writing Lesson

英文写作 - 五种方法提高英语写作技能

Hello.

您好！

I'm Oli.

我是Oli。

Welcome to Oxford Online English!

欢迎来到Oxford Online English!

In this lesson, you can learn about how to improve your English writing.

在本节课中，您能学到关于怎样 提高您的英语写作能力的内容。

Learning to write well is often the most difficult skill for English learners.

学习怎样写得好通常对英语 学习者来说是最困难的技能。

Writing well requires great control of language and extreme attention to detail.

好的写作技能要求很棒的语言控制能力， 以及极其留意细节。

Even then, it's not easy, even for native speakers.

即使那样，对于母语人士 来说，这也不容易。

In this video, you can see some advice that will help you to improve your English writing,

在本视频里，您可以看到一些 会帮您提高英语写作的建议，

whatever level your English is now.

无论现在您的英语等级怎样。

First, understand your audience.

首先，理解您的读者。

Before you start writing, you need to answer two questions.

在您开始写作之前， 您需要回答两个问题。

Question one: who are you writing for?

问题一：您写给什么人？

Are you writing for your friend, your colleague, your teacher, your manager, an examiner, who?

您写给您的朋友、您的同学、您的老师、 您的经理、一个考官、还是谁？

Secondly, what are you trying to achieve?

其次，您想达到什么目的？

Are you trying to give someone information?

您试图给某人信息吗？

Are you trying to convince somebody of your point of view?

您试图劝说某人同意您的观点吗？

Are you trying to entertain somebody and make them laugh?

您想娱乐逗某人发笑吗？

Are you just trying to pass an exam, or are you trying to achieve several different things?

您只是想通过一个测验， 或您想达成几个不同的事情？

Thinking about your purpose in writing can really help you to organize your ideas.

考虑您的写作目的真的 能帮您组织您的想法。

Now these questions: who are you writing for, and what do you want to achieve, they are

现在有些问题：您要写给谁， 您想达成什么目的，

important.

他们是很重要的。

But there's an even more important question: what does your reader want?

但是，有一个更重要的问题： 您的读者想要什么？

Remember, when you write, you're normally writing for someone else, unless you're writing

当您写作时，通常您是要写给 某人，除非您在写

a diary or a journal for yourself, in which case you can write however you want.

一个日记或自己的传记，在这些事情上， 您可以随便写您想要的。

Normally, however, you're writing for another person.

正常来说，无论怎样， 您是在写给另一个人。

Whoever reads your writing will give their time and their attention to read what you've

读您所写的东西的人会花 时间和注意力来阅读

written.

您所写的内容。

Why?

为什么？

Why will someone give their time to read what you've written?

为什么有人会花时间来 读您写的东西？

Okay, so for example, if you're writing an essay at school or at university for your

好，那么例如，如果您在学校或 大学里写一篇论文交给

teacher, your teacher will spend time reading your essay to see if you've understood the

您的老师，您的老师会花时间读您的 论文，看您是否理解

topic or not.

主题或不是。

If you're writing an email or a letter to a friend, your friend will probably want to

如果您给朋友写一封电邮或一封 信件，您的朋友可能会想

hear some news about your life and maybe hear some funny stories.

听到有关您生活中的一些新闻， 或许是听一些开心的故事。

If you're writing in an exam, the examiner will be looking for some specific things which

如果您在一个测验中写作， 考官会看您在写作里有写到了

you do or don't do in your writing in order to decide your score.

或是没写到一些特定的东西， 以便决定您的得分。

Understanding your reader, or your readers, and understanding what they want from your

理解您的读者或读者们， 理解他们想要从您的写作中看到什么，

writing is essential.

是必要的。

You need to think about this from the beginning to the end of the writing process.

您要在写作的过程中 自始至终都考虑这个。

So are you ready to start writing yet?

那么您准备好开始写了吗？

Not quite.

还没完。

Next, you need to plan your writing.

接下来，您需要计划一下您的写作。

If you don't plan your writing, there's a good chance you will miss out some important

如果您不计划一下您的写作， 您很可能会错失一些重要的想法，

ideas, you won't include them in your writing, or you might include some unnecessary ideas

您没有把他们写进去， 或是您可能写一些不必要的

that will confuse your reader and make your purpose unclear.

会让您的读者产生混淆和 让您的目的不清楚的想法。

Have you ever written something and got stuck in the middle?

您曾经写了某些事情 然后停在中间？

You start a paragraph, or you start a sentence, and in the middle you stop and you think,

您开始一个段落，或您开始一个 句子，在中间您卡住了，您想，

"What am I doing?

“我在写什么？

Where am I going?

写到什么程度？

What do I say next?

接下来我说什么？

Uh, help!"

噢，帮帮我！”

Why does this happen?

为什么会这样？

Often it happens because you haven't planned enough.

这种情况通常是您没有规划好。

Imagine that you're in a new city and you're trying to find your way somewhere.

想像一下，您在一个新的城市， 您想找路到某个地方。

You don't have a map, you don't have a smartphone, there's nobody you can ask.

您没有地图，您没有一部智能手机， 没人可以问。

Of course, you'll get lost.

当然，您迷路了。

You'll go down streets without knowing where they go.

您会走到不知道会通向哪的街道。

You'll go around in circles.

您会转圈。

If you do find the place you were looking for, it will just be because you were lucky.

如果您找到了您在找的地方， 那只是因为您是幸运的。

Writing without planning is very similar.

没规划的写作是很简单的。

You'll start sentences or paragraphs without knowing where they're going.

您会开始那些不知道会写到 哪的句子和段落。

You'll waste lots of time writing things, deleting them, rewriting them, deleting them,

您会浪费很多时间写东西， 删除他们，重写，再删除，

writing them again.

再写。

If you do achieve your goal, it will only be because you were lucky.

如果您达成了您的目标， 那仅仅是因为您是幸运的。

Remember, you're writing for someone else, and you're writing for a reason.

记住，您写给某人， 以及您是有目的而写的。

That means you have a goal, even if it's a simple goal.

那意味着您有一个目标， 即使那是一个简单的目标。

You need to have a plan of how you're going to reach that goal.

您需要对您要怎样达成目的有规划。

That means you need to think about these questions: what are you going to include?

那意味着您要考虑这些问题： 您想写什么内容？

What are you going to leave out?

您要去忽略什么？

And, how are you going to organize your ideas?

以及您要怎样组织您的想法？

If you're writing something simple, you might just think for a minute or two about what

如果您在写某些简单的事情， 您也许仅花一到两分钟

to say.

想要说什么。

If you're writing something longer and more complex like a long essay, you might need

如果您在写某些较长的且更复杂的像是 长篇论文一样的东西，您也许要

to make a written plan.

制定一个写作计划。

So what points should you include and what points should you leave out?

那么，哪几点您要写进去， 哪几点您必须不写进去？

Well, that's a general question.

好，那是一个一般性的问题。

If you're not sure, think about your goal and your reader's needs.

如果您不确定，考虑一下您的目的 以及您的读者的需求。

Ask yourself, "Does my reader need to know this?

问自己：“我的读者需要知道这些吗？

Will my reader want to know this?

我的读者会想知道这些吗？

Does including this point, or including this idea, help me to reach my goal?"

把这一点或这个想法写进去， 会帮我达成我的目标吗？”

Thinking about these questions will help you to decide what to include in your writing

考虑这些问题会帮您决定 什么会被写进去以及什么

and what to leave out.

不会被写进去。

What about the third question: how are you going to organize your ideas?

第三个问题呢：您怎样 去组织您的想法？

Let's look.

让我们看看。

You need to organize your ideas into clear paragraphs.

您需要把您的想法组织 到清晰的段落里面。

Organizing your ideas into paragraphs is important for many reasons.

因为多方面的理由，组织您的 想法到段落里是重要的。

It helps your reader understand what your main points are.

它会帮您的读者去理解您的 主要观点是什么。

It helps your reader see where you're going and why, and it helps you to stay focused

它会帮您的读者去看您写到哪以及 为什么，它会帮您的写作不离题，

on your plan and reaching your goal.

并达成您的目的。

So what does it mean in practice to organize your ideas into clear paragraphs?

那么，在实践中把您的想法组织成清晰的 段落意味着什么？

Firstly, each paragraph should have one main idea.

首先，每个段落都必须有一个主要的观点。

If you're writing an essay and you have a list of points to include, put one point in

如果您写一篇论文，并且您有一份要 写进去的论点的清单，

each paragraph.

每个段落阐述一个论点。

Even if you're writing something shorter or simpler, you still need to organize your ideas

甚至如果您在写某些较短的或是较 简单的，您仍然需要组织您的想法

into paragraphs.

到段落里。

Don't try to do too much.

不要试着写太多。

Your writing will be much clearer and much easier to read if each paragraph is only trying

如果每个段落仅表达一个意思， 您写的将会是十分清晰且

to do one thing.

十分容易读懂的。

An extra point: there's no minimum or maximum length for a paragraph.

一个额外的要点：一个段落是没有最短或 最长的限定的。

Sometimes when I teach students writing, they try to make paragraphs longer because they

有时，当我教学生们写作时，他们想把 段落写的很长，因为他们说，

say, "Oh, this paragraph is too short.

“噢，这个段落太短了。

It needs more words, it needs more sentences."

要多写些单词和句子。”

No, a paragraph should be as long as it needs to be to make your point.

不是，一个段落必须刚好长到 可以表达您的观点。

There's no minimum length.

它是没有最短的限制的。

Next, you need to decide how many paragraphs you're going to have and what you're going

接下来，您要决定您要写几个 段落，以及每个

to put in each one.

段落里要写什么。

Remember, this is still part of planning.

记住，这仍然是写作计划的一部分。

We haven't even written a single word yet.

我们还没有写一个字。

Again, you could do this planning in your head, or you could make some short notes,

重复一遍，您可以把这个写作计划放在 脑海里，或者是做一个短的笔记，

or you could make a more detailed written plan.

或者您可以做一个更详细的写作计划。

It depends how much time you have, what you're trying to write, and how important it is.

那取决于您有多少时间，您想写 什么，以及有多重要。

But the important point is when you start writing, you won't have to think about questions

但是重要的一点是当您开始写作， 您不得不考虑一些问题，

like, "What do I put in this paragraph?

像是，“我要在这段写什么？

How many more paragraphs do I need?

我还要写几个段落？

How am I going to finish this sentence?

我怎样去结束这句话？

You will have thought about all of these things already.

您已经会考虑所有这些事情。

This will make it much easier to write whatever you're trying to write.

这会让您写任何您想写的 东西都更简单。

Okay, so now you're ready to start writing.

好吧，所以现在您准备好开始写作了。

What next?

下一步是什么？

Part four: cut empty words and sentences.

第四部分：削减多余的单词和句子。

There's a simple rule you can use to make your English writing better and clearer: write

有一个简单的可以让您的英语 写作更好且更清晰的规则：

as little as possible.

尽可能写少一点。

Let's look at some examples.

让我们看一些例子。

First, don't use two words if you can use one word.

首先，如果您可以用一个单词， 就不要用两个。

Don't use three words if you can use two words.

如果您可以用两个单词，就不要用三个。

For example, don't say "very tired," say, "exhausted."

例如，不要说“very tired”，要说“exhausted”。

"Very" is generally a weak word, and it should be avoided.

"Very" 是一个很弱的词，要防止用。

It doesn't add much to your meaning.

那没有把您的意思提升到“太”的层次。

The same is true for words like "really" or "absolutely."

类似这样的单词有"really"或"absolutely"。

Use these words as little as possible.

尽可能少用这些词。

They're very rarely necessary.

他们是十分没有必要的。

Don't say "as a result" if you can say "consequently."

如果您可以用"consequently"，不要说"as a result"，。

Don't say "on the other hand" if you can say "nevertheless."

如果您可以用"nevertheless"，不要说"on the other hand" 。

Use fewer words.

用少量的词。

Don't say, "This will get better in the future," say, "This will improve in the future."

不要说 "This will get better in the future," 说 "This will improve in the future."

Don't say, "She gave me a lot of help," say, "She helped me a lot," or even, "She helped

不要说 "She gave me a lot of help,"，说 "She helped me a lot," ，或甚至是 "She helped

me greatly," or just cut "greatly" and say, "She helped me," if you can.

me greatly,"，或如果可以的话，删掉"greatly"，说 "She helped me," 。

Use fewer words.

用少一点单词。

Don't say, "Maybe this will solve the problem," say, "This will solve the problem."

不要说 "Maybe this will solve the problem,"， 说"This will solve the problem."。

Words like "maybe" or "perhaps" are generally not necessary.

像"maybe"或"perhaps"的单词通常是没必要的。

If you're not sure about something, do you really need to include it?

如果您不确定某事， 您真的需要把它写进去吗？

If you do want to include something that you're not sure about, use verbs like "might" or

如果您想把某些您不确定的事写 进去，使用动词“might"

"could."

或”could“。

Say, "This might solve the problem."

说"This might solve the problem."。

Don't say, "We need to find someone who can teach our son," say, "We need to find a teacher

不要说"We need to find someone who can teach our son,"。说"We need to find

for our son."

a teacher for our son."

Cut unnecessary words and use as few words as possible.

删掉不必要的单词，尽可能少用词。

You can also look at sentences.

您也能看看句子。

In essays, many people tend to include sentences like, "There are many advantages and disadvantages

在论文里，很多人试图写像这样的句子： "There are many advantages and disadvantages

to this.

to this.

Of course, there are two sides to this issue.

Of course, there are two sides to this issue.

In this essay, I will discuss all the ideas relevant to this point."

In this essay, I will discuss all the ideas relevant to this point."

What do these sentences tell you?

这些句子告诉您什么？

Do they give you any useful or relevant information?

他们给了您任何有用的相关信息吗？

No, and so they should be cut.

没有，那么要删掉他们。

Why is this important?

为什么那很重要？

Well, using fewer words and fewer sentences will make your writing clearer and easier

好吧，使用较少的单词和句子会让 您的写作更清晰和

to read.

更易读懂。

It will also help you to focus on what you want to say.

那也会帮您专注在您想要说的。

Try to look at each sentence you write and think, "What does this add to my ideas?

试着去看看您写的和想的每一个句子 “那给您的想法添加了什么东西？

What does this give my reader?

要给您的读者什么？

How does this help me reach my goal in writing this?"

写这些怎样帮您达到目的？“

If you can't answer these questions, consider cutting it, or try to make it shorter.

如果您不能回答这些问题，就要考虑 删掉它，或者试着去缩短它。

It's not easy to write in this way.

用这种方式去写不是很容易的。

You won't be able to watch this video and go away and write like this.

您将不能看这个视频， 并要像这样写。

Even in this script, there are probably several places where I could use my own advice!

即使在此脚本中，我也可能在几个 地方用我自己的建议！

However, you can try thinking about it the next time you write something in English.

然而，您下次可以试着考虑用 英语写某些东西。

Over time you can learn the habit of cutting empty words and sentences from your writing.

随着时间越来越久，您能学到从您的写作里 删掉多余的单词和句子的习惯。

Your writing will be much better and much clearer if you can learn to do this.

如果您能学会这样做，您的写作 会更好，更清晰。

Next, let's look at some more advice to make your writing clearer and easier to read.

接下来，我们看更多的会让您的写作 更清晰并易于读懂的建议。

Use short simple sentences where possible.

尽可能地使用简单短句。

Shorter sentences are easier to read and understand.

缩短的句子是易读且易懂的，

That's not my opinion, that's a fact.

那不是我的观点，那是事实。

There's a lot of research behind it.

之前已有大量的研究。

Longer sentences are harder to read and harder to understand, generally.

通常来说，较长的句子是比较 难读懂的。

If you're a non-native speaker of English, writing longer sentences is especially dangerous.

如果您不是一个英语母语人士， 写较长的句子特别危险。

There's a higher chance you'll make some grammatical or language errors which will make your sentence

您在语法或用语法上犯错的机率会很高， 那会让您的句子很难读，

difficult to read, or even worse, hard to understand.

甚至是错的，难于理解。

How long is too long?

太长是多长？

Well, 10 words is a good target length, 10 to 20 words is okay.

好吧，10个单词是一个好的长度， 10-20个单词也还可以。

Longer than 20 words--this is dangerous.

超过20个单词，这是危险的。

There's a high chance your sentence will become unclear and difficult to read.

您的句子很可能会 不清晰且很难读。

So how can you do this?

那么您能怎样做呢？

Well first, remember what we talked about before.

好，首先，记住我们之前谈的。

Using fewer words will make your sentences shorter and tighter.

用较少的单词会让您的句子 简短和紧凑。

Here are some other rules you can use to keep your sentences shorter and clearer.

这有一些其他的规则，您可以用来 保持您的句子简短而清晰。

First, don't use the passive voice unless you have a good reason.

首先，不要使用被动语态， 除非您有一个好的理由。

Using the passive always makes a sentence longer and more complex.

使用被动语态总是让一个句子 更长并更复杂。

Now, sometimes it's fine to use the passive, but not if you don't have a good reason.

现在，有时使用被动语态是不错的，但如果 没有一个好的理由，那会适得其反。

If you want to use the passive, make sure you know why you're using it, and make sure

如果您想使用被动语态，确定您知道 为什么使用它，确定

it's really necessary.

那是真的有必要。

Secondly, start your sentence with the subject whenever possible.

其次，只要有可能， 您的句子要开宗明义。

Thirdly, don't use relative clauses, with who, which, that, where, etc., unless it's

第三，不要用who、which、where等来 造关系从句，除非

really necessary.

那是真的有必要。

When you use a conjunction, like "and" or "but," or "or," and so on, think, "Do these

当您使用连词，像是 "and" 或者"but"， 或者 "or" 诸如此类的，想一想

two ideas really need to go together?"

"这两种想法真的需要去合并在一起吗？“

If they don't, consider breaking your sentence into two shorter pieces.

如果没必要，考虑把您的句子 破开成两个更短的。

To be clear, long sentences are not automatically bad.

要明确的是，长句并非自然而然 就是糟糕的。

Good writers can produce long sentences which are clear, and focused, and elegant.

好的作者能写清晰、 目的性强且优雅的长句。

If you're writing about a particularly complex topic, you might need to use longer, more

如果您在写一个特别复杂的 主题，您可能需要更长、

complex sentences to express more complex ideas.

更复杂的句子去表达更复杂的想法。

The point is you should only use a longer, more complex sentence if it's really necessary.

关键之处在于如果那是真的必要，您必须 要用一个长的、更复杂的句子。

If you can express the same point in a shorter, simpler sentence, you should.

如果您用更短、更简单的句子能表达相同 的观点，您就必须用它。

Let's review what we've talked about today.

让我们回顾一下我们今天所谈的。

First, you need to understand who you're writing for and what they want from your writing.

首先，您需要明白您写给谁、您的读者 想从您所写的里面得到什么。

Secondly, before you start writing, you need to have a plan.

其次，在您开始写作之前， 您要有一个计划。

You need to know what you're going to include, what you're going to leave out, and how you're

您需要了解您要把什么写进去， 什么不能写进去，以及

going to organize your ideas.

您怎样组织您的想法。

Thirdly, your ideas should always be organized into clear paragraphs with one main idea per

再次，您的想法必须总是按每段一个 主要观点的方式安排

paragraph.

进清晰的段落里。

Fourth, cut unnecessary words and sentences.

第四，删掉不必要的单词和句子。

And fifth, use shorter, simpler sentences where you can.

第五，尽可能用更短、 更简单的句子。

Follow these points, and I guarantee your writing will get better.

遵循这些重点，我保证您的写作会更好。

I'm not just saying that.

我不仅仅是那样说。

I use these points when I write something or edit something, and I see the difference.

当我写某些东西或编辑某些东西时我遵循 这些重点，然后我看到了差异。

Even now, I'm still learning this.

甚至是现在，我仍然在学这些。

You're never finished.

学习永无止境。

Follow these points, and you will see a difference.

遵循这些重点，您会看到差异。

Okay.

好吧。

That's the end of the lesson.

那就是本节课的最后一部分。

Thank you very much for watching.

非常感谢您的观看！

If you want to see more of our free lessons, check out our website, oxfordonlineenglish.com.

如果您想看我们的更多免费课程， 浏览我们的网站，oxfordonlineenglish.com.

That's all.

本节课就到这。

Thanks again!

再次感谢!

I'll see you next time.

下次见.

Bye-bye!

再见!