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趁新學年開始，筆者想與讀者分享一些簡單的方法，藉以幫助大家迅速提升卷二的表現──這種方法就是撰寫大綱（outline）。
千萬不要覺得撰寫大綱是浪費時間，因為相關過程能令你認真思考整篇文章的結構和內容，從而節省時間。筆者曾遇見很多同學，因為作文起筆時沒有列出大綱，最後文章變得鬆散重複；而最壞情況是在作文半途中，發現他們的文章要從頭再寫。那麼大綱應怎樣寫呢？以下舉例說明之。
Topic: Nowadays, it is not uncommon for students in some western countries to take a gap year before entering colleges or universities. Write an article for your school magazine saying whether you support the idea of a gap year or not.
以下是一個模疑大綱，當中應有以下項目：
Introduction
Thesis statement: I'm in support of the idea of taking a gap year.（這是論點）
Body paragraph 1
Topic sentence: Taking a gap year is beneficial personally.
Support: (i) Build self-confidence and independence;
(ii) Lower the chance of academic burnout;
(iii) Find one's passion.
Body paragraph 2
Topic sentence: Taking a gap year is also advantageous to one's studies.
Support: (i) Gain a greater understanding of your subsequent studies;
(ii)Improve chances of college acceptance;
(iii) May earn money for subsequent studies.
Body paragraph 3
Topic sentence: Finally, taking a gap year helps professional job development.
Support:(i) Work experience amid the gap year helps students better understand the work world.
(ii)Experiences gained in the gap year help build a person's resume.
(iii)May learn skills that are useful to a person seeking jobs.
Conclusion
Final thought: The effective use of a gap year depends on students' careful planning.
寫大綱時，未必需要完整句字，但一定要列出每段的論點及其supporting details。若撰寫大綱時發現沒太多論點，便應立即選擇其他題目，不要浪費時間。■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。
Practice
In the following outline, the major ideas and supporting details are all mixed together. Re-organize them.
Thesis statement: My company has some inherent problems that lead to low morale among colleagues.
Poor management
a. _____________
Low technology
1. _____________
Colleagues
2. _____________
Unwilling to work overtime
b. _____________
Form cliques
1. _____________
Managers
2. _____________
Office environment
c. _____________
Not enough space
1. _____________
Comparatively low pay
2. _____________
Answers
a. Managers
1. Form cliques
2. Poor management
b. Colleagues
1. Comparatively low pay
2. Unwilling to work overtime
c. Office environment
1. Low technology
2. Not enough space
逢星期五見報
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