Rhetoric in English Writing英语论文.doc
Rhetoric in English WritingJust as what Jonathan Swift said, Saying the right thing in the most effective way; proper words in proper places makes the true definition of a style. In other words, rhetoric is” choice”. For instance:1) The wind is blowing hard through the woods.2) The little girl is singing merrily.3) The wind is roaring through the woods.4) The little girl is singing as merrily as a lark.The first two sentences are only literal, plain statements which give mere information about some facts and no more. The following two sentences are not literally but figuratively in that some expressed or implied comparisons are involved. From the above examples we can see that rhetoric is the art of using language effectively. It is also a choiceFirstly, in our choice of words, we must pay attention to their meaning, color, sound, and context of use. The basic requirement of being effective is to use fewer words to accomplish the best communicative purpose. Compare with the following two sentences:A. The sports event began its commencement with the fine performance of 1000 children. B. The sports event started with the splendid group calisthenics of 1000 childrenThe two sentences refer to the same thing. It is obvious that the second sentence is more effective because it is concise and specific: one word (started) is used for three (began its commencement). Besides, the adjective “fine” in the first sentence is not as impressive as “splendid” in the second. Compare another tow sentences:A: But the lake was not drained before April. B: But the lake was not, in fact, drained before April. We emphasize the words on each side of a pause or interruption in order to maintain continuity of the thought. Besides, for another example about the general words and specific words: A: A stroll after meal benefits you a good deal.B: A walk after meal benefits you a good deal.A: Only by sipping can tea be properly tasted.B: Only by drinking can tea be properly tasted.A: It is cruel to ridicule people in difficulty.B: It is cruel to laugh at people in difficulty.A: The trees are crimson with blossoms.B: The trees are red with blossoms.Compared with general words, specific words are more exact, vivid, and expressive. They can in a split of second form a vivid picture in readers imagination. Thus, I suggest that use specific words in your writingRhetoric is the science of using language effectively, which plays a significant role in English writing. Writing is related to rhetoric, logic, reasoning, and critical thinking, not in isolation. And rhetoric provides us with guidelines for the best choice of words, for the best choice of sentence construction. 生命列车The Train Of Life1. 不久以前,我读了一本书。书中把人生比作一次旅行。2. 人生一世,就好比是一次搭车旅行,要经历无数次上车、下车; 时常有事故发生; 有时是意外惊喜,有时却是刻骨铭心的悲伤 3. 降生人世,我们就坐上了生命列车。我们以为我们最先见到的那两个人-我们的父母,会在人生旅途中一直陪伴着我们。 4. 很遗憾,事实并非如此。他们会在某个车站下车,留下我们,孤独无助。他们的爱、他们的情、他们不可替代的陪伴,再也无从寻找。 5. 尽管如此,还会有其他人上车。他们当中的一些人将对我们有着特殊的意义。 6. 他们之中有我们的兄弟姐妹, 有我们的亲朋好友。我们还将会体验千古不朽的爱情故事。7. 坐同一班车的人当中,有的轻松旅行。8. 有的却带着深深的悲哀 还有的,在列车上四处奔忙,随时准备帮助有需要的人 9. 很多人下车后,其他旅客对他们的回忆历久弥新 但是,也有一些人,当他们离开座位时,却没有人察觉。10. 有时候,对你来说情深义重的旅伴却坐到了另一节车厢。你只得远离他,继续你的旅程。11. 当然,在旅途中,你也可以摇摇晃晃地穿过自己的车厢,去别的车厢找他 12. 可惜,你再也无法坐在他身旁,因为这个位置已经让别人给占了 .13. 没关系。旅途充满挑战、梦想、希望、离别 就是不能回头。因此,尽量使旅途愉快吧!14. 善待旅途上遇见的所有旅客,找出人们身上的闪光点。15. 永远记住,在某一段旅程中,有人会犹豫彷徨,因为我们自己也会犹豫彷徨。16. 我们要理解他人,因为我们需要他人的理解。17. 生命之谜就是:我们在什么地方下车?坐在身旁的伴侣在什么地方下车?我们的朋友在什么地方下车?我们无从知晓 18. 我时常这样想:到我该下车的时候,我会留恋吗?我想我还是会的。和我的朋友分离,我会痛苦。让我的孩子孤独地前行,我会悲伤。 我执著地希望在我们大家都要到达的那个终点站,我们还会相聚 19. 我的孩子们上车时没有什么行李,如果我能在他们的行囊中留下美好的回忆,我会感到幸福。20. 我下车后,和我同行的旅客都还能记得我,想念我,我将感到快慰。21. 献给你, 我生命列车上的同行者, 祝您旅途愉快!1. Not long ago, I read a book, in which a mans life was compared to a journey.2. The life of a man is just like a hitchhiking,during which many times we go up and down. Now and then things will happen accidently, some of which are to be unexpected excitement,while some heart-breaking sorrows. 3. When first embraced the world,we are already on the train of life. We take it for granted that the first two persons, our parents, whom we are encountered with, will accompany us all the way.4. Sadly,things do not go on as we thought.Our parents will get off the train at a certain station,leaving us, bereft and helpless.Their love and emotion to us and their irreplaceable company can be found in nowhere.5. However,there will be somebody else who will get on the train. Some of them will have special meaning to us.6. Some of them may be our siblings , relatives and friends, and we will also expereince the imperishable love.7. Some of our travelling companions are quite light-hearted on the way.8. While some may bear immense sorrow.Still some ,back and forth, are ready to hold out their hands for others who need help.9. Some people alight off the train, yet they are still kept in the mind of the other passengers for long;some, to the opposite, leave their seats without being noticed.10. Sometimes, the one,who is dear to your heart, has huddled into another carriage. Nothing but one you can do is just to keep on going, far away from him.11. Of course, during the journey, you may stagger to another carriage to look for him.12. Its a pity that you will never seat yourself beside him because the seat has been engaged by others. 13. Never mind. The journey is full of challenges,dreams, hopes and departures- but only one thing is that you cant turn back. So, have a good journey with heart and soul.14. Show your good-will to all the passengers you are encountered with, and find the merits of theirs.15. Remeber that someone may oscillate just as we do in the journey.16. We should understand others just as we need others understanding.17. The enigma of life is:Where shall we get off the train of life?And how about the companions beside us?And our friends?We dont know.18. Sometimes I think:When my time comes to get off the train,shall I miss it?I think I will.It is a suffering when I part with my friends.I will be sorry for leaving my kids going alone.I firmly hold that when we get to the terminal,we will have another reunion.19. When my kids get on the train of life, they have only little luggage in their travelling bags. However,if I can leave the beautiful memory in them,I will be happy. 20. After getting off the train of life, I will be content if my fellow passengers will remember me and miss me.21. To you , the companions on my train of life.May you have a good journey!