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■除科學講求想像力外，寫文章是也需要想像力，這樣可將你的故事描述得很有趣。 資料圖片
在HKDSE English Language Paper 2B中，每年都會有一兩條題目是描寫文或敘述文。究竟同學應否選擇這兩類題目呢？
敘述描寫 各有千秋
雖然這兩種文章的確有相似的地方，但他們亦有明顯分別。描寫文的目的是透過作者的敍述，將現實的情況清楚準確地表達出來；若能令讀者留有清晰印象為佳。純正的描寫文在考試時甚少出現；描寫文通常會與其他文體一併出現。例一：
1.You are the lead guitarist in a local band. Last week you held your first performance at a music festival in the Town Hall. Write on your blog describing the performance, including how you felt, the atmosphere and the things you could have done better. (The topic is adapted from 2012 DSE Eng Lang.)
例一的前半部分要求作者對表演作描述，而後半部分則是reflective的部分。描述時不需要有完整的故事。
再看例二：
2.Your creative writing teacher has given your class the following task and she would like you to use it to write a short story. The stories will be displayed in school during Creativity in Learning Week.
You were walking by the Intercontinental Hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui and you spotted your brother driving an expensive sports car. The last time you spoke to him, he asked you to lend him HKD 50000. Write a story about how you found out the truth. (The topic is adapted from 2012 DSE Eng Lang 2)
例二是一條的敘述文題目，要求同學去寫故事；即使故事中可能會有描述的成分，完整和合理的故事才是最重要。同學難以倚靠不完整或內容太荒謬的故事去奪取高分數。
若缺想像力 故事易乏味
筆者在讀書時，曾聽過很多老師都鼓勵英文差的同學在考試選擇作答描寫文或敘述文；與其只是聽老師的意見，同學不妨想一想自己有沒有以下的特性：
1.想像力 。如果沒有豐富的想像力，你會發現你的故事或描述很難變得有趣。事實上，缺乏趣味是考生作品常見的「特色」；
2.語彙。大部分同學都會發現，他們未必會有足夠的vocabulary去作描述；
3.理智。同學的故事不可能太過脫離現實。例如，以題目二為例，若果考生講述his or her brother has learnt alchemy （煉金術）and now the brother can turn anything into gold; that explains why he can become so rich now。 這樣的故事未免太過難以置信。
無論描寫文或敍述文，由於文章結構會有較多變化，未必比議論文容易。同學們在考試時應否選擇「他們」，則視乎作者有否以上所講述的特質。如果沒有以上的characteristics，同學應盡量避開這兩種文體。■Dr. A. Chan
作者簡介：哲學博士，哲學碩士，文學士，英語講師。熟悉公開考試之出題模式與評分準則，任教英語。
逢星期五見報
PRACTICE
Identify whether the following topics are descriptive or narrative essays.
1. One night, you were returning home after a late night show in a taxi. You were stopped at a police check point. You were detained and later taken to the police station. What had happened?
2. You have helped organize a waterborne sports information day for local secondary students. Mention what had happened on that day and things you could have improved on.
ANS: 1. Narrative
2. Descriptive
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