李 存
(昭通學(xué)院 外國語學(xué)院, 云南 昭通 657000)
●教學(xué)改革與實踐研究
英文寫作研究性仿寫策略問題探究
李 存
(昭通學(xué)院 外國語學(xué)院, 云南 昭通 657000)
英文寫作研究性仿寫策略以研究性學(xué)習(xí)理論為指導(dǎo),通過仿寫策略為切入點,旨在通過仿寫這一途徑來培養(yǎng)學(xué)生英語寫作研究性的技能,同時有效地提高學(xué)生的英語寫作技能及其研究性學(xué)習(xí)能力。然而通過實證教學(xué)發(fā)現(xiàn),該策略不能解決這些問題:中式表達、人稱混亂和觀點自相矛盾。其根本原因在于中英文思維的差異。以篇章模式理論、宏觀結(jié)構(gòu)理論和主位推進模式理論為指導(dǎo),對范文進行“自上而下”的語篇分析,然后進行仿寫,能夠克服漢語思維的負面影響,有利于學(xué)生寫作能力的全面提高。
英文寫作; 研究性仿寫; 問題; 語篇分析
寫作能力是衡量一個人語言能力的重要標(biāo)志,也是學(xué)生反應(yīng)比較難于掌握的一項技能。那么寫作課應(yīng)該怎么教?如何才能最大程度地調(diào)動學(xué)生的寫作積極性,從根本上提高外語學(xué)習(xí)者的英語寫作能力?很多專家和學(xué)者已經(jīng)在這方面做出了顯著貢獻,尤其在理論上對英語寫作教學(xué)的模式和方法進行了不懈的探索。在英語寫作中采用研究性學(xué)習(xí)模式,強調(diào)學(xué)生在寫作中的主體能動行為,提倡學(xué)生積極主動地尋找和思考各種寫作題材(蔡德順,2011:80)。語言要有輸入才有輸出,只有大量的輸入才能確保一定量的輸出,經(jīng)典英語的輸入、模仿、內(nèi)化是提高英語習(xí)作水平的根本途徑(劉可紅,2011:67)。李存(2011)把“研究性學(xué)習(xí)”理論與仿寫策略結(jié)合起來,創(chuàng)建了英文寫作“研究性仿寫策略”。該策略旨在通過仿寫這一途徑來培養(yǎng)學(xué)生英語寫作研究性的技能,同時有效地提高學(xué)生的英語寫作技能及其研究性學(xué)習(xí)的能力。本文在其研究的基礎(chǔ)上,通過實證教學(xué)討論該策略實施中遇到的問題及提出解決措施。
“英文寫作研究性仿寫策略“以研究性學(xué)習(xí)理論為指導(dǎo),通過仿寫策略為切入點,其步驟可以歸結(jié)如下:(1)問題的設(shè)置、分析與評價。教師設(shè)疑,學(xué)生分組討論,師生共同確立英文仿寫范文的問題。通過對設(shè)置問題的分析與評價,學(xué)生感性理解英文寫作的技能與方法。(2)問題的解決。通過問題的解決,引導(dǎo)學(xué)生歸納范文的宏觀結(jié)構(gòu)、有用句型和寫作技巧,學(xué)生進一步理解、學(xué)習(xí)英文寫作的相關(guān)技能。(3)范文的仿寫。學(xué)生對范文進行仿寫,把理解學(xué)習(xí)的寫作技能運用于實際寫作。(4)習(xí)作的評改。學(xué)生分組討論確定評改的標(biāo)準,然后根據(jù)標(biāo)準互相評改。通過這一環(huán)節(jié),學(xué)生進一步加深對寫作技能的理解。(5)自改與反思。學(xué)生在小組評議的基礎(chǔ)上自評自己的習(xí)作,反思自己的寫作技能優(yōu)缺點,然后進行改寫,進一步鞏固內(nèi)化自己的寫作技能。這種教學(xué)策略可以用模型圖1來表示:
圖1 英文寫作研究性仿寫策略
議論文是四種常見文體中比較常用的一種。議論文有三要素:論點、論據(jù)、論證。其中論點是思想,論據(jù)是材料,論證是方法。思想應(yīng)該統(tǒng)帥材料,材料應(yīng)該證明思想,方法則完成材料對思想的證明。要寫好議論文,就要緊扣議論文的三要素?,F(xiàn)在以《英語寫作手冊》中的一篇議論文Life Can Be Happy and Meaningful(丁往道等,2009:188—189)為范例,以昭通學(xué)院外國語學(xué)院英語教育專業(yè)???3級A、B班的學(xué)生作為實驗對象。具體策略設(shè)計如下:
(一)問題的設(shè)計、分析與評價
根據(jù)議論文的構(gòu)成與寫作技能,組織學(xué)生針對范文Life Can Be Happy and Meaningful設(shè)計一些研究性問題,經(jīng)由小組討論、分析與評價,結(jié)果匯總?cè)缦拢?/p>
1.What is the debatable point of this essay?
2.According to the main components of an argumentation, how many parts can this essay be divided?
3.Is there sufficient evidence to convince the reader? What kind of evidence does each paragraph provide?
4.Is the writer’s reasoning logical and effective?
5.How does the writer arrange his writing of thoughts?
6.Is there a clear topic sentence in each paragraph of the main part? What are they?
7.What writing skills can be learned from the last paragraph?
8.Which sentences in this essay can be used in your own writing?
(二)問題的解決
學(xué)生分組討論,共同尋找答案,在上述問題答案的基礎(chǔ)上,歸納總結(jié)范文的宏觀結(jié)構(gòu)、有用句型和寫作技巧。
1、第一部分:引論部分
(1)宏觀結(jié)構(gòu)(Macrostructure)
Section Ⅰ (Par1—2) Introductory Part
Par1. Background Information
(S1)Situation: A poll
(S2) Debatable Point: No one can be happy. One can be happy.
(S3—5) Evidence:20% students my friends
Par2. Transitional S(S1): think of
Author’s opinion: (S2) be happy and meaningful
(2) 有用句型 (Useful Sentence Structure)
●Shockingly enough, about 20 percent of the students agreed to the first statement.
●Frankly speaking, life is bitter and meaningless. But to live on, we’d better say to ourselves that there is happiness in life
●I have been thinking of this question ever since. The more I think, the more I am convinced that if we have a right attitude towards life, our lives can surely be happy and meaningful.
(3) 寫作技能 (Writing Skills)
在引論部分(Introductory Part),作者先由一個社會調(diào)查引出爭論議題 (Debatable Point): Can one be happy or not?;然后作者運用兩個事例(學(xué)生的選擇和朋友的回答)在第二自然段引出本文的中心論點(thesis point):Life can be happy and meaningful.
2、第二部分: 本論部分
(1) 宏觀結(jié)構(gòu) (Macrostructure)
Section Ⅱ (Par3—4) Body Part
Par3. Main point: Life can be happy
(S1) Fact: bitter experience-(S2)Topic S:but overcome hardships happiness emerge
Hard Evidence:(S3)admire-(S4)but happiness connect misfortunes
Facts: (S5) childhood (S6) France (S7) research work (S8) losses
Analysis: (S9) benefit of mankind
Conclusion:(S10) happy meaningful
Reaffirm:(S11) fought against
Par4. Main point: Life can be meaningful.
(S1) Fact: insignificant-(S2—4) But What? Topic S: welfare of mankind
Transitional S: (S5) But think little
Hard Evidence: (S6) feel wretched for
Fact: (S7—10) Students: be famous
Teacher: fameless wealthless
Analysis: (S11) vivid description nobleness
Conclusion: (S12): contribute to be useful to
(2) 有用句型 (Useful Sentence Structure)
●It is true that all people have some bitter experiences. But it is through overcoming hardships that our happiness emerges.
●But she never complained and never stopped working for the benefit of mankind. That is why her life was happy and meaningful.
●Some people complain that their work is insignificant and thus their lives are meaningless. But what kind of work is significant?
(3) 寫作技能 (Writing Skills)
在本論部分(Body Part),作者分為兩個層次來論證自己的觀點。在第三自然段作者論證Life can be happy這個分論點。作者第一句先論述一個大家都公認的事實(All people have some bitter experiences.),然后在第二句用一個轉(zhuǎn)折詞but提出自己的觀點即本段的主題句(Topic Sentence):But it is through overcoming hardships that our happiness emerges。接下來在第三句,作者使用事實論據(jù)(hard evidence)提出一些人的看法,接著第四句還是使用轉(zhuǎn)折詞but引出自己的觀點,進一步對本段的主題句進行闡釋。接下來第五至第八句這四句作者用事實論據(jù)來證明自己的觀點。在本段的最后三句,作者先進行分析,然后得出本段結(jié)論,最后再次重申自己的觀點。在第四自然段作者論證Life can be meaningful這個分論點,這一段的寫作技巧與第三段使用的相似,在此不再贅述。
3、第三部分:結(jié)論部分
(1) 宏觀結(jié)構(gòu)(Macrostructure)
Section Ⅲ (Par.5) Conclusion Part
Par5. Conclusion
(S1)Fact: different
(S2) But Happiness never
Meaning cannot
(2) 有用句型(Useful Sentence Structure)
●Different people may think of life differently.
●But of one thing I am certain: happiness never favors those who merely care about themselves, and the meaning of life cannot be understood by those who refuse to sacrifice anything for others.
(3) 寫作技能 (Writing Skills)
在結(jié)論部分 (Conclusion Part),作者先提出大家公認的事實 (Different people may think of life differently.),然后用轉(zhuǎn)折詞but得出本文的結(jié)論。然而作者并不是簡單地重復(fù)自己的中心論點,而是使用雙重否定句式(never…mere…;cannot…refuse…)重申自己的觀點,給讀者留下深刻的印象。
(三)范文仿寫
昭通學(xué)院外國語學(xué)院13級A、B班學(xué)生對范文進行研究性學(xué)習(xí)分析后,筆者讓他們在課堂上(45分鐘)進行一篇習(xí)作仿寫。寫作題目如下:
More and more college or university graduates can’t find jobs; some of them discontinue their study. They think that going to college is useless and wastes money and time. What’s your opinion? Please write a composition with the title “Going to College Is____ and ____”.
(一)習(xí)作整體分析與評價
兩個班習(xí)作共55篇,從標(biāo)題、格式、卷面、錯字、病句、標(biāo)點、中心、結(jié)構(gòu)、選材和語言這十個方面進行評改,按照A(優(yōu)秀)B(良好)C(及格)D(不及格)四個等級統(tǒng)計,結(jié)果如表1所示:
表1 習(xí)作成績
模仿是英語寫作能力形成的基礎(chǔ),而創(chuàng)新則是寫作能力進一步提高的表現(xiàn)(譚曉春,2011:115)。從表1可以看出,英文寫作研究性仿寫策略能夠有效地提高學(xué)生的寫作能力:超過一半的習(xí)作成績優(yōu)秀(52.7%);29.1%的習(xí)作還有進一步改進的地方;有10篇習(xí)作沒按照習(xí)作要求,故此不及格。
(二)問題統(tǒng)計與分析
55篇習(xí)作或多或少有一些突出的問題,主要體現(xiàn)在中式表達、標(biāo)題矛盾和人稱混亂這三個方面。統(tǒng)計結(jié)果如表2所示:
表2 習(xí)作主要問題
圖2 英文習(xí)作范文“自上而下”語篇分析模式
1、中式表達
中式表達在中國學(xué)生的習(xí)作中比比皆是,這55篇中中式表達嚴重的竟有25篇。下面摘抄一些,具體探究:
1)They want to find a fat salary work, but they don’t want this work too tired.
“a fat salary work ”就是明顯的中式表達,薪水高的工作應(yīng)為“a good paid job”;例句中的后半句漢語思維痕跡嚴重。上句建議修改為:
They want to have a good paid job which is comfortable.
2) She knows what should do and her time sense is very strong.
“很強的時間觀念”地道的英文表達是“a strong sense of time”,因此可以改成:
She has a strong sense of time so she knows what she should do.
3) College life is boring and meaningless. We even doubt it which we chose a bad college.
College 用bad修飾不大合適,應(yīng)該是“恰當(dāng)?shù)摹?right)。根據(jù)作者的意圖或許可以做以下修改:
We often feel college life is so boring and meaningful that we sometimes doubt whether we had chosen a right college or not.
4) Students have few lessons one day. Be sure they can feel the life is insignificant.
英語是形合語言,重句子的形式;漢語是意合語言,重內(nèi)在關(guān)系,不受形式的約束(李存,2013:107)。此句明顯受漢語思維的嚴重影響,不符合英語的表達習(xí)慣。應(yīng)該做如下修改:
It’s true that lots of students feel their life is insignificant because of few lessons to have every day.
5) But it is through studying life is boring.
這一句作者想表達什么內(nèi)容,我們不得而知??赡茏髡呦氡磉_“大學(xué)生活枯燥無味,除了學(xué)習(xí),我們無事可做?!蹦敲催@句就可以改成:
College life is boring because we have nothing to do in our spare time except studying.
6) If you see all things with different eyes, the world can be colorful.
“從不同的視角”地道的英語表達應(yīng)該是from different perspectives而不是with different eyes,上句應(yīng)改為:
If you see the world from different perspectives, it will be very colorful.
7) It is true that despite students how to think of college life, happy or bitter, meaningful or meaningless, all of these are true.
此句中it is true 與all of these are true 語義重復(fù),根據(jù)作者的意圖,可以改為:
No matter how the students think of college life, whether it is happy or sad, meaningful or meaningless, all of this is true.
8) The other one of my friends, her major is medicine, she told me that she is very busy but she is happy.
此句漢語表達方式明顯,沒有銜接與連貫,應(yīng)該加上一些銜接詞,適當(dāng)做些修改,使其更加符合英語表達方式:
Another friend of mine, whose major is medicine, once told me that she is very happy although she is always busy with her study.
2、人稱混亂
人稱混亂也是中國學(xué)生英文寫作中常常出現(xiàn)的一種錯誤。例如下面這一段話:
There is no doubt that college life if free. But it still means you will have enough time to do what you want to do. In other words, you are busy. Most of us always admire others’ achievement. We don’t know how much effort he has paid. As we all known, Lu Xun, a famous writer in China, said once, “I am not a talent. I just make full use of my free time to study while others are playing.” It is very important for us to encourage ourselves. In college we can do many things to improve ourselves. College is a platform. We can show ourselves by all kinds of activities. What do you want to do in the future? That depends on which kinds of person you want to be.
這段話語人稱視角不統(tǒng)一,習(xí)作者隨意更換敘述視角:前三句使用第二人稱you,中間幾句使用第三人稱we,到最后兩句又變回了第二人稱you。究其原因,學(xué)生寫作時沒有定位準自己的角色:若是勸說者,應(yīng)該使用第二人稱you;若是把自己視為讀者中的一員,就應(yīng)該使用第三人稱we。
3、標(biāo)題自相矛盾
55篇習(xí)作中,有5篇標(biāo)題自相矛盾,這也是教師不可忽視的一個問題,如:Going to College is Interesting and Boring/ Colorful and Monotonous。中國學(xué)生受儒家“中庸之道”的影響,在多種場合下對待一些事物采取不偏不倚的立場,體現(xiàn)在寫作上就是對相對的觀點采取不贊成也不反對的態(tài)度。英語國家人士觀點明確,立場鮮明,尤其在寫作上絕不會出現(xiàn)自相矛盾的現(xiàn)象。
英文寫作研究性仿寫策略只能起到“描貓畫虎”的作用,學(xué)生可以模仿范文的篇章組織模式、行文技巧,只能達到“形象”而達不到“神似”。上述習(xí)作三種主要問題,其實就是英漢思維差異的體現(xiàn):(1)思維方式不同。西方人較注重抽象思維,而漢民族卻偏向形象思維,以形象的表達手法來描繪抽象的概念。(2)思維風(fēng)格不同 。英民族表達思想時,邏輯縝密,先陳述主要思想,再論說次要觀點。而漢民族是散點思維,思維按邏輯事理,時間順序,因果關(guān)系排列,講究形散神聚。(3)思維側(cè)重不同。英民族注重形式邏輯,而漢民族重辯證思維。
學(xué)生仿寫范文,不僅要知其然還要知其所以然。避免漢語思維的干擾,養(yǎng)成英文思維的習(xí)慣,僅僅依靠范文仿寫不行,還要理論的闡釋和指導(dǎo)。篇章模式理論、宏觀結(jié)構(gòu)理論和主位推進模式理論是教學(xué)篇章語言學(xué)中重要的三大理論:篇章模式理論指導(dǎo)學(xué)生選擇恰當(dāng)?shù)恼Z篇模式確定習(xí)作的整體框架;宏觀結(jié)構(gòu)能夠幫助學(xué)生確定篇章主題及各個段落的主題句;主位推進模式理論指導(dǎo)學(xué)生行文流暢、連貫、銜接。教師使用英文寫作研究性仿寫策略時,應(yīng)先引導(dǎo)學(xué)生以這三個理論為指導(dǎo),對范文進行“自上而下”的語篇分析,然后再仿寫,能夠有效地克服漢語思維的影響,進而培養(yǎng)學(xué)生各個方面的寫作能力,見圖2所示(李存,2014:119)。
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Study On the Problems of the Strategy of Adopting Inquiry Imitating Learning Method in English Writing
LI Cun
(School of Foreign Language, Zhaotong University, Zhaotong 657000, China)
Adopting the inquiry learning method in English writing through the way of imitating, this strategy is intended to cultivate the students’ English writing research skills and effectively improve their English writing skills and research learning ability. It turns out through the empirical teaching that this strategy cannot eliminate these problems in students’ compositions: Chinglish, confusion of person and contradiction of viewpoint. The cause of these problems is the differences between Chinese and English thinking patterns. The imitative wring after the discourse Top-down analysis of model assays which is based on the theories of textual pattern, macro-structure and thematic progression, can improve students’ writing ability thoroughly as well as eliminating the possible negative effects of Chinese thinking patterns
English Writing; Inquiry Imitative Writing; Problem; Discourse Analysis
2015-06-24
李存(1977— ),男,山東棗莊人,講師,碩士,主要從事英語課程與教學(xué)論,應(yīng)用語言學(xué)研究。
H319.36
A
2095-7408(2016)01-0120-05