GRE寫作中的 “太極”與“分裂”

關鍵字 gre考試 gre考試技巧 gre高分技巧 gre作文

2018-11-02 來源：互聯(lián)網(wǎng) 作者：閱讀量：手機閱讀

導讀

GRE寫作為分析性寫作，官方OG中給出的定義為：

The Analytical Writing measure tests your critical thinking and analytical writing skills.

It assesses your ability to articulate and support complex ideas, construct and evaluate arguments, and sustain a focused and coherent discussion. It does not assess specific content knowledge.

簡言之，GRE寫作考察構建論證與評價論證的能力。寫作部分有兩項考察形式：Issue與Argument，剛好與之對應。Issue需要考生思考題目所給話題觀點的復雜性，并通過論證來支持自己的觀點。不同于Issue，Argument需要考生對已有的論證進行評價，看其是否合乎邏輯。因此，Issue更側重于構建自己的論證，而Argument則是評價他人的論證。這兩項任務絕非二元對立，而是互補相生，恰如“太極”，而成文的過程，則需“分列”。

“太極”蘊含于何處?

Issue 有六種題目指令

指令1：

Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the statement and explain your reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you should consider ways in which the statement might or might not hold true and explain how these considerations shape your position.

指令2：

Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the recommendation and explain your reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, describe specific circumstances in which adopting the recommendation would or would not be advantageous and explain how these examples shape your position.

指令3：

Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the claim. In developing and supporting your position, be sure to address the most compelling reasons or examples that could be used to challenge your position.

指令4：

Write a response in which you discuss which view more closely aligns with your own position and explain your reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you should address both of the views presented above.

指令5：

Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the claim AND the reason on which that claim is based.

指令6：

Write a response in which you discuss your views on the policy above and explain your reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you should consider the possible consequences of implementing the policy and explain how these consequences shape your position.

這六種題目指令側重各有不同，但相通之處為：要求考生考慮到不同角度，不同情況，不同條件，抑或是不同的結果，不同的立場。在觀點立場上不是一刀切式的支持或反對，而是調和性的占比，即對一個話題的觀點可以是完全同意/反對，部分同意/反對, 觀點是內容正負占比的外在呈現(xiàn)。

Argument題目指令有八種

1.Write a response in which you discuss what specific evidence is needed to evaluate the argument and explain how the evidence would weaken or strengthen the argument.

2.Write a response in which you examine the stated and/or unstated assumptions of the argument. Be sure to explain how the argument depends on these assumptions, and what the implications are for the argument if the assumptions prove unwarranted.

3.Write a response in which you discuss what questions would need to be answered in order to decide whether the recommendation and the argument on which it is based are reasonable. Be sure to explain how the answers to these questions would help to evaluate the recommendation.

4.Write a response in which you discuss what questions would need to be answered in order to decide whether the advice and the argument on which it is based are reasonable. Be sure to explain how the answers to these questions would help to evaluate the advice.

5.Write a response in which you discuss what questions would need to be answered in order to decide whether the recommendation is likely to have the predicted result. Be sure to explain how the answers to these questions would help to evaluate the recommendation.

6.Write a response in which you discuss what questions would need to be answered in order to decide whether the prediction and the argument on which it is based are reasonable. Be sure to explain how the answers to these questions would help to evaluate the prediction.

7.Write a response in which you discuss what questions would need to be addressed in order to decide whether the conclusion and the argument on which it is based are reasonable. Be sure to explain how the answers to the questions would help to evaluate the conclusion.

8.Write a response in which you discuss one or more alternative explanations that could rival the proposed explanation and explain how your explanation(s) can plausibly account for the facts presented in the argument.

這8種題目指令，實則可以歸為4大類(evidence類、assumption類、question類、explanation類)。但不論是哪一類，實則都包含了加強或削弱已有論證。論證的加強與否取決于：論據(jù)evidence的有無，假設assumption得以證實與否，所提問題答案的肯定與否，其它解釋存在與否。因此，Argument并非一邊倒式的批評，而是公平客觀的正負評價，加強削弱皆可。

由此可見，Issue與Argument的題目指令要求蘊含著太極思想。萬事、萬物都有兩面，并且不斷的變化，也有一定的關聯(lián)，有無相生，利弊并存，而非涇渭分明的二元對立。

“分列”體現(xiàn)于何處?

面對蘊含太極思想的GRE寫作，該如何應對呢?x新通gre教師建議，在成文作答時，運用“分列”。

Issue部分，在構建自己的論證時，為了體現(xiàn)邏輯思考的嚴密，就要考慮到不同的情況、角度或結果。因此，拆分是常用的方式。例如按照領域分、按照時間分、按照國家發(fā)展程度分等。

在評價Argument時，通常會選擇駁斥，即認為已有論證不夠嚴密，不夠合乎邏輯，實現(xiàn)的途徑為：羅列在論證中忽略的情況和可能性。例如，對于比較類錯誤，可以基于相同，羅列不同;對于因果類錯誤，可以基于已給原因，羅列其它可能原因;利弊類錯誤，基于所給利處/弊端，羅列潛在弊端/利處。

因此，通過拆分的方式，分析不同情況下，在Issue部分，排除他人的槽點，讓他人無槽可吐，盡力全方位地守住自己立場。在Argument部分，通過羅列，例舉出別人論證過程中忽視的情況，“找題目的茬”，有效地攻破題目所給論證。

例題講解

以幾道具體的題目為例來進一步說明。(任何題目思路皆不唯一，本文所給的思路只是破題的切入點，僅供參考)

Issue 2

To understand the most important characteristics of a society, one must study its major cities.

Discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the statement and explain your reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you should consider ways in which the statement might or might not hold true and explain how these considerations shape your position.

本題的一個切入點為a society，題目只是寬泛地給出“一個國家”，而并未明確界定。那么可以從國家切入，進行拆分。如按照國家面積來分，對于地大物博的國家如中國、美國來講，地域差異大，只憑幾個主要城市無異于以偏概全，不能了解國家重要的特點;但對于國土較小，比較集中的國家如新加坡，甚至是“城中國”的梵蒂岡來說，了解主要城市基本能抓到國家的重要特點。或者從國家發(fā)展程度進行拆分，經(jīng)濟發(fā)達的國家的主要城市多趨于國際化，比較趨同，國家的重要特征可能更多的保留于小城鎮(zhèn);經(jīng)濟不太發(fā)達的國家，在一定程度上，受到外界的影響較少，大城市與小城鎮(zhèn)的差異不會迥異，所以了解主要城市不失為一種有效的方式。

Issue 45

Competition for high grades seriously limits the quality of learning at all levels of education.

本題的一個分析切入點為all levels，即題目比較絕對地認為“為高分競爭”對所有階段都是有弊的。那么就可以拆分不同的教育階段，如啟蒙小學階段、初高中階段、高等教育階段，然后討論“追求高分”對不同階段教育質量的利弊。例如，啟蒙小學階段更側重激發(fā)學生對學習的熱情與興趣，鼓勵追求高分可能會挫敗學生的積極性，對教育質量有一定的負面作用;初高中教育旨在讓學生積累知識，培養(yǎng)能力，適當?shù)母偁幠軌蚣ぐl(fā)學生的斗志，在競爭中取長補短，對教育質量有好處，然而過度競爭也會讓教育偏離了正規(guī)，趨于應試教育等。

Issue 149

In any field—business, politics, education, government—those in power should be required to step down after five years.

Discuss your views on the policy and explain your reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you should consider the possible consequences of implementing the policy and explain how these consequences shape your position.

本題的一個切入點可以是any field，題目認為任何一個領域都應該每五年進行一次權力更迭。那么，可以分不同的領域來討論，而非一概而論。例如，在政治領域，這種方式可以避免專政和壟斷的發(fā)生，給政治注入新的活力，也可以鼓勵更多潛在的政治家。但是對于教育經(jīng)濟等領域來說，更需要領導者的經(jīng)驗，5年一換領導人可能會阻礙其正常發(fā)展。而且有可能會導致這些領導者更多地考慮短期問題，只顧及眼前利益而忽略長期利益。

Argument25

The following was written as a part of an application for a small-business loan by a group of developers in the city of Monroe.

"A jazz music club in Monroe would be a tremendously profitable enterprise. Currently, the nearest jazz club is 65 miles away; thus, the proposed new jazz club in Monroe, the C-Note, would have the local market all to itself. Plus, jazz is extremely popular in Monroe: over 100,000 people attended Monroe's annual jazz festival last summer; several well-known jazz musicians live in Monroe; and the highest-rated radio program in Monroe is 'Jazz Nightly,' which airs every weeknight at 7 P.M. Finally, a nationwide study indicates that the typical jazz fan spends close to $1,000 per year on jazz entertainment."

Write a response in which you discuss what specific evidence is needed to evaluate the argument and explain how the evidence would weaken or strengthen the argument.

作者結論：

在M城修建爵士樂俱樂部是非常有利可圖的。

前提1：人們都愿意來新建的爵士俱樂部C-Note

加強：存在證據(jù)表明當?shù)厝颂貏e喜歡爵士樂并且愿意在當?shù)叵M。

削弱：(羅列可能性)最近的爵士音樂俱樂部在65英里之外與人們會不會來C-Note可能沒有關系。很有可能人們更愿意去65英里以外的俱樂部，雖然距離較遠，但有可能俱樂部的環(huán)境、音樂效果更能滿足M城人們的需求。

前提2：去年夏天10萬多人參加了M城的爵士音樂節(jié)，這意味著爵士樂在本地很受歡迎。

加強：有證據(jù)證明這10萬多人大多數(shù)都是本地人，且欣賞爵士音樂是他們出席音樂節(jié)的唯一原因。

削弱：(羅列可能性--羅列他因)很有可能這10萬多人大多數(shù)都是外地人。很多人之所以去參加音樂節(jié)，有可能是其它原因，比如是這個音樂節(jié)是免費的，這個音樂節(jié)邀請的主持人很有人氣等。

前提3：許多知名的爵士音樂家居住在M城，這意味著爵士樂在本地很受歡迎。

加強：有證據(jù)證明爵士音樂家住在M城僅僅是因為當?shù)厝讼矚g爵士音樂。

削弱：(羅列可能性--羅列他因)這些爵士音樂家住在這里可能是因為他們的家鄉(xiāng)就在這，還有可能是因為這里環(huán)境優(yōu)美，氣候宜人;或者是因為這個地方的人無人喜歡爵士音樂，這些爵士音樂家剛好可以免于粉絲的打擾等。

前提4：M城最獲好評的廣播節(jié)目是周內每天晚7點播出的“Jazz Nightly”，這意味著該地區(qū)爵士樂很流行。

加強：有證據(jù)表明人們是主動收聽這檔節(jié)目，且與C-Note的風格相似。

削弱：(羅列可能性--羅列他因)很有可能人們在7點同時段沒有其它更好的選擇，會打開聽，并不見得認真感興趣地收聽;或者是由于這個時間段恰逢下班，大多數(shù)人會打開廣播收聽;還有可能”Jazz Nightly”和C-Note的風格迥然。

前提5：全國性調查的結果是有效對全國都適用的。

加強：有證據(jù)證明該全國調查具有代表性的。

削弱：(羅列可能性--羅列差異)首先全國性的調查結果不一定適應于M城，很可能M城的情況與全國其他的地區(qū)的情況是不同的，當?shù)厝瞬粫磕?000美金在爵士樂上。

前提6：1000美金全部都花在去爵士俱樂部上。

加強：有證據(jù)表明1000美金不會有他用，全部花銷在去爵士俱樂部上。

削弱：(羅列可能性--羅列他用)人們投入在爵士樂的開銷有可能是花在了購買爵士樂唱片，去觀看爵士樂現(xiàn)場表演，去學習如何演奏爵士樂等。

Argument 126

The following is a recommendation from the personnel director to the president of Acme Publishing Company.

"Many other companies have recently stated that having their employees take the Easy Read Speed- Reading Course has greatly improved productivity. One graduate of the course was able to read a 500-page report in only two hours; another graduate rose from an assistant manager to vice president of the company in under a year. Obviously, the faster you can read, the more information you can absorb in a single workday. Moreover, Easy Read would cost Acme only $500 per employee—a small price to pay when you consider the benefits. Included in this fee is a three-week seminar in Spruce City and a lifelong subscription to the Easy Read newsletter. Clearly, Acme would benefit greatly by requiring all of our employees to take the Easy Read course."

Write a response in which you discuss what specific evidence is needed to evaluate the argument and explain how the evidence would weaken or strengthen the argument.

作者結論：

Acme公司應該要求所有員工參加Easy Read的課程.

前提1：其他公司員工和Acme公司員工的工作需求及能力是一樣的。

加強：有證據(jù)表明，其他公司員工參加課程培訓的效果和Acme公司的員工是一樣的。

削弱：(羅列可能性--羅列不同)有可能其他公司員工的閱讀能力比較欠缺，而Acme公司本來就是出版公司，員工整體閱讀能力較強，所以培訓對他們而言意義不大。

前提2：兩個小時之內讀完長達500頁的報告意味著吸收的信息多。

加強：有證據(jù)顯示，兩個小時之內讀完長達五百頁的報告意味著吸收的信息多。

削弱：(羅列可能性)很有可能只是讀完，但是沒有完全理解和吸收，速度不一定等同于效率，數(shù)量不一定等同于質量。

前提3：兩個個體的成功(一人兩小時內讀完長達500頁的報告，另一個人一年內從助理經(jīng)理升到了副總裁)都是歸因于上了Easy Read該課程。

加強：有證據(jù)顯示，兩個個體的成功別無他因，有且只是因為上了速讀課程。

削弱：(羅列可能性--羅列他因)很有可能第一個人讀得快是因為報告本身較為容易，包含大量圖片，文字信息較少，或者是因為該學生本來閱讀速度就很快，或者閱讀速度提升是由于上了其它課程;第二個人成功晉升可能是因為其之前對公司的貢獻，或者是由于他本身出眾的領導力和工作能力等。

前提4：這兩個畢業(yè)生的成功代表了所有參加Easy Read課程學生的水平。