欢迎来到衔接连贯性(Cohesion)的学习指南!
在 TOEFL 写作部分,仅仅拥有出色的观点是不够的。你需要向考官展示这些观点是如何连结在一起的。这就是我们所说的 Cohesion(衔接连贯性)。将衔接连贯性想像成将句子与段落黏合在一起的“胶水”。如果缺乏它,你的写作会感觉像是一串随机事实的罗列;有了它,你的文章读起来就会像一篇专业的学术论文。
在这些笔记中,我们将探讨两个主要工具:Linking Words(连接词 / 转折词)与 Reference(指代词,包含代名词与同义词)。掌握这些技巧将直接提升你在 Integrated Writing(整合写作)和 Writing for an Academic Discussion(学术讨论写作)这两项任务中的分数。
衔接连贯性如何影响你的分数
TOEFL 考官使用一套特定的规则来评分。在 "Organization and Development"(组织与发展)和 "Language Use"(语言运用)类别下,他们会评估以下重点:
• Progression: 论点是否有逻辑地推进?
• Connection: 句子之间的关系是否明确?
• Variety: 你是否使用了多样化的连接词来串联想法,还是反复地只用 "and" 和 "but"?
注意: 如果你的句子断裂(缺乏连贯性),你可能只会拿到 2.0 或 3.0 分。若要达到 4.0 或 5.0 分,你必须自然地运用连接词。
Part 1: Linking Words (连接词 / 转折词)
连接词能告诉读者接下来预期会看到什么内容。你是在补充信息吗?是在呈现结果吗?还是要在反驳先前的观点?
1. Adding Information (补充信息)
当下一句句子是用来支持或扩充前一句时使用。
• Furthermore(高阶)
• Moreover(高阶)
• In addition(标准)
• Additionally(标准)
弱版(内容破碎): The professor says the library needs more funding. He says the building needs repairs.
改进版(连贯): The professor argues that the library requires more funding. Furthermore, he emphasizes that the building itself is in desperate need of repairs.
2. Showing Contrast (表示对比)
这对于 Integrated Writing 任务至关重要,因为你必须比较阅读文本与听力内容。
• However(标准)
• On the other hand(标准)
• Conversely(高阶)
• In contrast(高阶)
• Nevertheless(高阶)
弱版: The reading says the fossils are old. The lecturer says they are new.
改进版: The reading passage claims the fossils date back millions of years. Conversely, the lecturer provides evidence suggesting they are much more recent.
3. Cause and Effect (因果关系)
用这些词来解释某事发生的原因或行动的结果。
• Consequently(高阶)
• Therefore(标准)
• As a result(标准)
• Thus(高阶)
范例: The city increased the price of public transit. As a result, many commuters began using bicycles instead.
快速复习:标点符号规则
大多数高阶连接词(如 However, Therefore, 和 Moreover)在句首使用时,后面都需要加上一个逗号。
范例: Moreover, the data suggests...
Part 2: Reference (使用“指标”词)
Reference(指代)是指使用一个词来“回指”你之前提到过的事物。这能避免过度重复相同的名词,进而防止写作听起来单调且基础。
1. Using Pronouns (使用代名词)
与其重复名称或主词,不如使用 it, they, this, these, 或 those。
弱版(重复累赘): The new policy will be implemented on Monday. The new policy aims to reduce plastic waste.
改进版: The new policy will be implemented on Monday. It aims to reduce plastic waste.
2. "This + Summary Noun" (专家技巧)
这是高分考生最爱的技巧。与其只说 "this",不如在它后面加上一个名词来概括前文的想法。
范例: The university decided to cancel all sports events for the semester. This decision was met with significant protest from students.
(这里的 "this decision" 回指了整个第一句话的内容。)
3. Synonyms (同义词)
过度重复相同的词汇是 Language Use 分数下滑的快速途径。请使用同义词让文章内容更引人入胜。
• 原词: The problem
• 同义词: This issue, this challenge, this complication, this dilemma
应避免的常见错误
1. 过度使用连接词: 不要每个句子都以转折词开头。如果你连续三个句子都用 "Furthermore," "Moreover," 和 "Additionally",会显得非常机械化。只有当想法之间的关系不够清楚时,才使用它们。
2. 指代不明 (Vague References): 确保你的代名词明确指向某个事物。
错误范例: The students and the teachers met in the hall. They were unhappy.(谁不高兴?学生还是老师?这就是一种 vague reference,会让考官感到困惑。)
3. 句首使用 "And": 在学术写作中,尽量避免以 "And" 或 "But" 开头。请改用 "In addition" 或 "However"。
比较:从基础到学术
让我们看看一个针对 "Writing for an Academic Discussion" 任务的回答。
基础版(分数:2.0 - 3.0):
I think social media is bad. It makes people feel lonely. People spend too much time on it. They don't talk to friends in real life. Also, it can be distracting for students.
连贯版(分数:4.5 - 5.0):
I agree with Sarah that social media has significant drawbacks. Primarily, these platforms often lead to feelings of isolation because users replace face-to-face interaction with digital messaging. In addition to this social impact, social media serves as a major distraction in academic settings. Consequently, many students find it difficult to focus on their studies for extended periods.
为什么第二个版本更好:
1. 使用了 Primarily 来标示第一个论点。
2. 使用了 "these platforms" (Reference) 而不是重复 "social media"。
3. 使用了 "this social impact" (Summary Noun) 来桥接两个不同的想法。
4. 使用了 Consequently 来呈现因果结果。
练习总结清单
在完成练习作文之前,请检查以下事项:
• 我是否使用了多样化的转折词(而不只是 "and" 和 "but")?
• 我的代名词(it, they, this)是否清楚指向一个特定的名词?
• 我是否针对关键词使用了同义词?
• 我的高阶转折词(However, Furthermore, Consequently)后面是否有接逗号?
如果起初觉得这些技巧很困难,不用担心! 衔接连贯性是透过练习就能进步的技能。下次练习写作时,试着先加入两个或三个高阶连接词,很快地,这就会成为你写作时自然的一部分。