(四)议论文(1)

　　议论文的第一种形式是要求考生针对某一有争议性的两种观点，来阐述自己的立场，或对这一问题反映出的某一观点进行驳斥，然后提出自己的看法并加以论证。它的基本形式是：一些人认为……；另一些人认为……；我的看法……。这种文章的基本结构如下：

　　Paragraph 1Introduction(启)

　　Paragraph 2Analysis(承)

　　Paragraph 3 Conclusion(转合)

　　例如：

　　1.一些人认为数据库威胁个人隐私

　　2.另一些人认为数据库有利于提高工作效率

　　3.我的看法

　　My view on Data Collection

　　Data collection is a fact of modern life. Some argue that data collection is endangering the rights of individuals, though others see it as a useful tool which increases efficiency. (启)To be frank, I believe data collection does more good than harm. (作者观点)

　　For one thing, databases provide a very useful tool. Large databases which contain information on many individuals can enable more effective decisions to be made. Institutions such as government departments and police rely on data collection in order to operate efficiently, and hospitals use computerized records to help in their fight against disease. (承1) For another, databases stored on computer can also be very efficient. Data which has been collected in one area can be sent anywhere in the world almost instantly. This means that those who have legitimate access to this data can work very efficiently. (承2)

　　In summary, data collection on individuals can be justified, although all possible measures should be taken to minimize the risks. (转合)

　　(五)议论文(2)

　　议论文的第二种形式是要求考生针对某一有争议性的观点，表明自己的观点(同意或是不同意)，并提出相应的论证。如：

　　Direction: It is very important that children should study hard at school. Time spent playing sport is time wasted. Do you agree or disagree? Give your reasons.

　　We could argue that children go to school to study so that they may become fully productive adults and good citizens. We should ask whether playing sport helps children to become better people. If so, sport is not a waste of time. (启)

　　It is generally believed that students need more than the knowledge of a subject. They need to know how to work in groups to achieve a mutual goal, how to work as a team. Where better to learn those skills than on the sports field? Any of the team sports involve coordination with other players, understanding and adopting a team mentality. These skills are too useful to be ignored. (承1) Moreover, it is important that people be healthy, and good health is not so easily achieved in a sedentary society. Sport gets students outside and gives them good reason to run about, thus countering hours spent sitting still. (承2)

　　So although school studies are undeniably important, we should regard time spent playing sport as time well spent. (转合)

　　(六)应用文

　　应用文是大学英语四级写作考试的一个重要组成部分，形式包括书信、启事、通知、演讲等。应用文较之一般说明文和议论文，与生活、社会联系更紧密，格式、行文习惯更有规矩。无论使用哪种应用文，都必须按其各自规范化的约定俗成的格式来写，不能随意杜撰。以往四级写作考过的应用文有抱怨信、建议信、问候信、见证书、导游介绍、竞选学生会主席演讲稿和招募志愿者启事等。

　　书信格式：

　　英语书信，在形式上可分为下面六个部分：

　　1. 信头 (The Heading)：包括发信人地址和写信日期。

　　2. 收信人 (Inside Address)：包括收信人姓名、地址。

　　3. 称谓 (The Salutation or Greeting)：如Dear Sir/Madam。称呼后一般加逗号。

　　4. 正文 (The Body)：信的主要部分，包括写信人所要表达叙述的事情。

　　5. 结束语 (The Complimentary Close)——如Yours sincerely/truly/faithfully等。

　　6. 签名 (The Signature)。

　　英语四级书信写作只需写正文即可。下面是一份申请转专业的信。

　　A Letter of Application

　　1. 我是大二学生(sophomore)，现申请从自动化系转到商务管理系

　　2. 申请的主要原因

　　3. 对转系带来的麻烦表示歉意，并希望有关领导能同意我的申请

　　Dear Sir/Madam,(试卷上此称谓已有，考生不用再写)

　　I am a sophomore with major in Automation. Though I have made a great progress during my first year academic training, I find that I am more interested in Business Administration. Now I am writing to you to formally request to switch to this area of study. (写信目的)

　　The main reason for my decision is that the major I am studying in is my parents’ choice. They insisted that I should study what they had learned before but after a year’s study I have come to realize this is not the career I want to pursue in my future life. Besides, I have attended business classes as my optional course and achieved a good success, which further confirms my decision.(理由)

　　I am sorry for any inconvenience or trouble that might have been caused by this change. The decision is not made lightly. I do appreciate your kind consideration and sincerely hope you will grant me the shift to the new department.(结尾)

　　(下面部分考生也不用写)

　　Yours sincerely

　　Zhang Ming

　　以下是四级考试曾考过的4篇应用文：

　　(招募志愿者启事)

　　Volunteers Needed

　　1.校学生会将组织一次暑假志愿者活动，现招募志愿者

　　2.本次志愿者活动的目的、内容、安排等

　　3.报名条件及联系方式

　　As the summer holiday is approaching, the Student Union will organize a voluntary program and is now recruiting volunteers.

　　This program will focus on teaching farmers’ children at Guan Ming School. It aims to instill confidence, independence and optimism into the pupils and to help them improve their English. Through participating in the activity, volunteers can gain teaching experience.

　　Volunteers will give lessons in the morning and organize after-class activities in the afternoon. The program will start on July 15th and end on July 30th. The Student Union will arrange buses to take you to the school.

　　We need 30 local students who are warm-hearted and good at English. Fellow students that meet the requirements and want to take part in the activity please call us at 87654321 or email us at volunteers@126.com.

　　You are welcome to join us!