a writing lesson, and I want to show people what a paragraph is and how to construct one,

這是堂寫作課程，我想讓大家知道什麼是段落、如何架構出一個段落、

what to do, what not to do so you can write very clear, very tight paragraphs. This is

什麼該做，而什麼又不該做，你就能寫出十分清晰又緊湊的段落

especially important for IELTS, TOEFL, SAT students but everybody has to follow

對於準備雅思、托福、SAT的學生特別重要，但每個人都得遵從

the exact same rules. Now before I even begin, I must say that I'm

一模一樣的規則。在開始之前，我得說

talking mostly about academic writing or even business writing. Creative writing like novels

我主要講的是學術寫作或商業寫作，而創意寫作，像是：小說、

or short stories, anything fiction, you can do anything you want. Only always remember:

短篇小說，任何虛構的故事，你可以隨心所欲的去寫，但切勿忘記：

somebody has to read what you wrote so it has to be clear. But academic essays, for

你寫出來的作品是要給別人看的，因此它得清楚明瞭。但像是學術文章

example, certain rules you have to follow; you have to be very careful about them. So

就要遵循一定的規則，你得十分謹慎

let's begin. In terms of like the actual way a paragraph

那就開始吧！段落有特定的格式

looks: you have to indent or skip a line. So let me just make sure you understand what an indent is.

你得縮格或跳行書寫，我確認看看你是否知道什麼是縮格書寫

This is an indent, the first line a little bit pushed in or you can make

縮格書寫，就是把第一行字推進去一點，或者你也可以

sure you skip a line between paragraphs. But don't do both. If you skip a line, don't indent.

在段落間跳行書寫，但別兩者兼具，假如你跳行，就別縮格書寫

Okay? That's the main thing. Now, that's in terms of the way it looks.

懂嗎？這是首要之務。這就是段落該有的樣子

In terms of content -- and this, I can't stress this enough -- very, very, very important:

就內容來說，這裡再怎麼強調也不嫌多，非常、非常、非常的重要

one central idea in one paragraph. Okay? I've seen many people, I've seen many essays where

一個段落只能有一個主旨，懂嗎？我看過很多人的文章

you start a paragraph talking about one thing, and then you go off on a tangent and talk

在段落用一件事開頭，後來卻突然離題

about something completely unrelated. So for example: if you start a paragraph and you're

談的東西與前面八竿子打不著。舉例來說，如果你以蘋果

talking about apples, continue to talk about apples. If you go to oranges, that's maybe

作為開場，那就繼續談蘋果，如果你談到了柳丁，那還算可以接受

okay because you're still talking about fruit. But if you start with apples, go to oranges,

因為你還是在講水果，可是如果你以蘋果起頭，接著柳丁

go to bananas, and then end up with monkeys in space there's a bit of a problem; the reader

再來是香蕉，最後用太空猴子收尾，那就有點問題了

has no idea what you're talking about. One paragraph, one central idea.

你的讀者會摸不著頭緒。一個段落，一個主旨

Now, make sure that you tell the reader what this central idea is. This is your thesis statement.

確保你能讓讀者知道你的中心構想，這便是主題論述

Okay? It's a very general sentence. All it does is introduce the topic of the

懂嗎？它是句概括的句子，只是要引出整段的主題

paragraph, nothing else. All the details come after.

僅此而已，細節緊跟在後

So speaking of details, we'll talk about details in detail, but all other ideas, all the other

提到細節，詳述任何細節，而其他

sentences, all your sentences with the details must directly relate back to the main idea.

想法、其他句子，詳述的句子要直接與主旨相關

So let's say here is your thesis statement; very general, every sentence after must relate

這裡是你的主題論述，相當籠統，後面的句子都要

back to that thesis statement. Okay? You can't go off to another idea. Everything must support

與主題論述相關，懂嗎？你不能離題到別的想法，字字句句都用來補充

this, must talk about the same topic. Very important. Okay?

一定要提同樣的主題，這非常重要，知道嗎？

How long should your paragraph be? Technically, a paragraph could be one sentence, but in

段落該寫得多長？基本上，一句話就能是一個段落，但在

an academic essay that rarely happens. But it could be any length you want, as long as

學術文章裡並不多見。你想寫多長就多長，只要

you're still on that one topic, as long as you still have things to write and things

你還在談同個主題，只要你還有東西要寫

to say about that topic, say it. If you have four sentences, fine; if you have 10 sentences,

對於主題想加以論述，儘管去做。你寫了四句話，很好；你寫了十句

also okay. Again, for IELTS, TOEFL, SAT students: four, five sentences should be your limit.

也不錯。對於準備雅思、托福、SAT的學生，我建議頂多寫到四五句

You can't be too long because you don't have time and you're going to start making mistakes.

寫太長的話，你就會沒時間也容易出錯

So now, the details. Very important to have lots of details. Why is this topic important

再來是細節，描寫大量細節非常的重要。為何這主題對

to your overall idea of your essay? Not only tell me what is the topic, what is the thesis

你文章的整篇構想很重要？你不只要告訴我你的主題、段落的

statement of the paragraph, make sure you explain to me why this is important to the

主題論述，確保你能向我解釋為什麼這主題對

general idea of the essay. Give me your reasons. Now, why is it important? And then reasons,

你文章的構想很重要，闡釋原因。為什麼很重要？再來給原因

why you think what you're saying supports this idea. Examples, always use examples because

為什麼你認為所表達的能補充這個想法，給範例，都要用例子解釋，因為

giving me the reasons is okay; examples make me see exactly what you're trying to say.

給我原因可行，但用例子說明更能讓我明確的知道你想表達的

Very easy for me to understand what you're trying to say.

輕而易舉就能理解

Now, in terms of flow, in terms of the way the reader can approach the paragraph, you

為求流暢，讓讀者更能理解你的段落，你

have to have bridges. What is, what do bridges mean? Basically, when you have one idea in

要架好橋樑，什麼意思？基本上，你在這個句子闡述一個想法

this sentence, you must connect it to the next sentence, you must connect it to the

你得讓它與下一句連結，不斷連結

next sentence. Every sentence must have a link to the next sentence. This creates flow,

句子間都要有關聯，這產生了流暢感

makes it much easier to read and understand, and it keeps you on the one topic.

讓讀者更容易閱讀與理解你的段落，也讓你不易離題

Now, key terms. If you're talking about something specific and you have to use a key term, use

關鍵術語，如果你在談特定的某件事，你要用關鍵術語

it as many times as you need to. Otherwise, avoid repetition.

儘管去使用它，否則，避免用字重複

Try not to use the same word more than once in one paragraph. Okay? For example: if you're using the word "moreover"

試著別在同一段用同樣的字超過一次，可嗎？舉例：如果你在段落裡用了moreover(此外)

in the paragraph, don't use it, don't use "moreover" again -- use "in addition to",

別再用moreover了，替換成in addition to、

use "furthermore", "another", etc. Try to avoid using one word more than once, especially

furthermore、another…盡量避免用相同的字超過一次，尤其是

in the same paragraph. But sometimes you'll get words, like for example you're writing

在同一段。但有時有一些字，例如你寫的

an essay about parents. Not many words you can replace for "parents" so if you have to

文章與父母有關。能替代parents(父母)的字並不多，那麼如果你得一直

say "parents", "parents", "parents", "parents", so be it, do that. Once in a while:

講parents, parents, parents的話，就這樣吧！偶爾幾次用

"mom and dad", "mother and father" but you don't want to add like "mother and father" three words,

mom and dad, mother and father，但你不會想要這樣用，mother and father，三個字

"parents" one word. Shorter is better, so keep that in mind.

parents，一個字。簡潔便有力，記起來吧

At the end of your paragraph when you're coming to the end, if this is part of your body -- means

在段落的最後要收尾時，如果這是你的正文，那就意味著

there's another paragraph coming -- leave me some sort of bridge to the next paragraph.

新的段落要開始了，做些橋段銜接下個段落

Or if you can't do that, then just conclude the paragraph, make sure it's a very clear

如果你無法做到那樣，就為段落總結，確定敘述明瞭

statement that this idea is finished; I'm done talking about this idea and then start

都把想法提完了。我談完這個想法就開始

your next paragraph with some bridge to the previous one. So one paragraph connects to

下個段落，而且事先有連接好前一段。一個段落連接到

the next paragraph. Same idea with flow: sentence connects to sentence, paragraph connects to

下個段落，同樣是為求流暢。句子連接句子，段落亦然

paragraph. Okay? Now of course the easiest way to understand all this is to look at an

了解了嗎？當然最簡單的方式就是實際去看一個

actual paragraph and see all these points in it. Okay? So let's do that.

文章做參考，以及看它囊括了這幾點，可以嗎？那就做做看吧！

Okay, don't be scared. This is a paragraph. Okay? First, before we do anything, let me

別害怕，這是一個段落。首先，在開始之前，讓我

read it to you so in case you can't see it clearly.

先念給你聽以防你不太明白

"Great changes require a powerful hand to guide them and push them forward. Governments

「丕變需要隻強力的手引導，向前推進。政府

have the power and influence of the law to support them. Moreover, they have access to

擁有權力和影響法律以表示支持。此外，政府有管道去

means with which to enforce the law and punish offenders. Individuals and corporations that

執行法律，懲罰違法者。汙染空氣及水源的

pollute our air and waters will not stop doing so as long as they can profit from this action

個人或法人團體從不止息，只要他們有利可圖

and do not fear consequences. A steel producer, for instance, will not cease dumping waste

也不畏懼污染的後果。舉例來說，鋼鐵製造業一直傾倒廢棄物

in a nearby river if it does not affect its bottom line. Taxing this company, on the other

在附近的河川，除非影響到盈虧。另一方面，向這些公司課稅

hand, might make it change its way of doing business. Yet, it is this very question of

也許能改變他們做生意的方式。然而，這項成本問題

costs that limits anyone but the government to act against pollution."

讓所有人力不從心，而政府則可以以此來抵制汙染。」

Okay, here's my paragraph. First of all, let me back up a little bit. My essay, what is

好了，這就是我的段落。首先，我先拉回一點點。我的文章，

my essay about? General topic: pollution. What is the question? Who is responsible to

是在談什麼？主軸是：汙染。出了什麼問題？誰有責任去

fix it? I say government is responsible to fix it. I suggested three reasons in my introduction:

修正它？我說是政府的責任。我在引言提出了三點：

power, cost, credibility. Okay? This is my first body paragraph. I listed three reasons:

權力、成本、信用。這是我正文的第一段，我列出三個原因：

power, cost, credibility. My first paragraph will also be my first reason mentioned.

權力、成本、信用，第一段就會是最先提到的原因

I mentioned power in my introduction, I will talk about power in my first paragraph. Okay?

我在引言中提到權力，我就會在第一段談權力

So first of all, I have my indent, okay? I prefer indent, some people prefer spacing.

首先，我有縮格書寫，我偏好縮格書寫，有的人偏好空行

But to be honest, figure out what style guide your professor or your company or whoever

老實說，弄清楚你的老師、公司，或任何人要求你的寫作格式

is asking you to use. There is MLA, APA, Chicago Manual of Style, each of them will tell you

MLA、APA，芝加哥格式手冊，每個都會告訴你

how to do this; to indent or to leave a line, etc., capitalization. Style guides are actually

要怎樣的格式，縮格還是空行，大小寫的規定…寫作格式是

very good sources of learning English. Very boring books, but very useful books.

非常好的學英文來源。枯燥乏味，但十分受用

Okay. Oh sorry, let me just mention also: OWL, OWL at Perdue is a very good website;

好的，抱歉，我再提一下：OWL at Perdue是很棒的網站

lots of information to help you with writing. Okay, so I have my indent. Now, "Great changes

裡面有大量幫助你寫作的資訊。好的，我有縮格書寫。再來，「丕變

require a powerful hand to guide them and push them forward." Have I said anything here?

需要隻強力的手引導，向前推進」我在這裡有提任何東西嗎？

No. All I did was talk about change because that's what my general topic of the essay

沒有，我只不過是在說我文章的主軸是改變

is, and power because that's my first focus. I'm going to talk about the power. Okay? Very,

而權力是第一個重點。我接下來就要談權力，好嗎？非常、

very general. "Governments have the power and influence of the law", so now here we

非常籠統。「政府擁有權力和影響法律，」我們繼續

go, I had... Where'd I go? "Powerful" and I'm still talking about power. I'm connecting

我剛剛…提到什麼？權力。我仍然談著權力，再連接

the two sentences. Next, I introduce a new idea: "the law". Much

兩個句子。接著，我提到新的想法──法律。

more specific. Where does their power come from? It comes from the law. "...influence

更加具體，政府的權力來自哪？來自法律。「影響

of the law to support them. Moreover," now, I'm not going to a new idea; I'm adding to

影響法律以表示支持。此外，」這裡我不是在提新的想法，我只是在補充

this idea that I just mentioned. "...they have access to means" - means ways of doing

我剛提到的。「政府有管道去」表示實行的方式

things - "with which to enforce the law". So here, again, another idea. Enforce means

「執行法律」，在這裡，再一次有新的想法，enforce指的是

put into effect, make sure that it actually happens. "...enforce the law and punish offenders."

付諸實行，讓事情能確切發生。「執行法律，懲罰違法者」

So they have the power of the law, with this power they can enforce and punish. Everything,

政府握有法律的權力，這樣就能執行和懲罰。每件事

I'm connecting everything to everything. Offenders, now here I'm talking about offenders.

彼此間都要環環相扣。違法者，這裡談到了違法者

"Individuals and corporations that pollute", these are the offenders. So one sentence flows

「製造汙染的個人或法人團體」這些是違法者，這樣一個句子連貫至

into the next sentence, into the next sentence. "...pollute our air and waters will not stop

下個句子，「汙染空氣及水源從不止息

doing so as long as they can profit". Okay? So here's my next idea. They will not stop

只要他們有利可圖。」可嗎？我下個想法是，他們不會停止

polluting because we're still talking about pollution. Okay? They will not, as long as

汙染環境因為我們還在談汙染，對吧？他們不會停止汙染，只要

they can profit, as long as they're making money. Why do people pollute? Because it pays

他們有利可圖，只要他們能大賺一筆。為什麼要汙染環境？因為能獲利

to pollute. "...action and do not fear consequences." So they don't fear punishment and the law

「不畏懼污染的後果」所以他們不怕處罰而法律

doesn't scare them. Okay? And again, we're still talking about pollution.

像是鋼鐵製造業的廠牌，那更好。但我不想冒犯任何人

"A steel producer, for instance," I'm introducing an example. Okay? If you can introduce a real

「舉例來說，鋼鐵製造業」我在引用例子，如果你能舉出實例

example like the name of the steel company, even better. But I don't want to offend anyone;

像是鋼鐵製造業的廠牌，那更好。但我不想冒犯任何人

I'm keeping it a little bit more general. "The steel producer will not cease", now before...

讓它有點籠統。「鋼鐵製造業一直…」

Here's the word "stop", I don't want to use the word "stop" again. Why? Because I have

這裡stop這個字我不想再用了，為什麼？因為我有

other words. I have the word "cease", "cease" means "stop". Okay? Vocabulary variety very

其他的字來替換，我用了cease，一樣是停止的意思

important. "...will not cease dumping" - it means throwing in or throwing away - "waste

很重要。「一直傾倒廢棄物」

in a nearby river" - waste, pollution, I'm still on the same topic - "...if it does not

在附近的河川」廢棄物汙染，我還在同個主題上「除非

affect its bottom line." Now I'm not sure if everybody knows what "bottom line" is,

影響到盈虧」我不確定是否每個人都知道什麼是bottom line

but "bottom line" basically means "profit". I'm still connecting the ideas using different

bottom line主要指的是盈利。我用不同的字連接這些想法

words. "Taxing this company", so taxing is a form

「向這些公司課稅」課稅是種懲罰的形式

of punishment for companies especially. "Taxing this company, on the other hand," - so now

尤其是對公司。「另一方面，向這些公司課稅」這裡

I'm giving the other side of the situation - "might make it change its way of doing business."

我從另一角度來看「也許能改變他們做生意的方式」

Again, what is business? Business is all about making money, costs. "Yet, it is this very

什麼是business？就是跟賺錢有關。「然而，

question of costs" - and I'm connecting it. Where? Sorry, to business - "that limits anyone

這項成本問題」我在連接，在哪？生意。「讓所有人力不從心

but the government to act against pollution." I bring it right back to government acting

而政府則可以以此來抵制汙染。」我又回到政府要

against pollution. This is my overall thesis: governments must act to stop pollution. Right?

抵制汙染。這就是我整篇的議題：政府得有所作為以制止汙染，對吧？

So remember: the paragraph, everything must connect to itself, but the paragraph must

記好：段落裡每件事都要環環相扣，而段落必須

connect to the essay, to the whole idea. Now, what else did I do here? I introduced the

連接好文章，還有整篇構思。那我這邊做了什麼？我引進了

topic of "costs". What is my next paragraph going to be? Remember: I had three reasons

下個主題「成本」。我下一段會是什麼？我有三個原因

for thinking government must act; power, costs, credibility. My next paragraph is costs.

思索政府必要的作為：權力、成本、信用。我下一段就會是成本

I've already introduced this idea, I've started the bridge. In the next paragraph, I will

我已引進了新的想法，而我開始銜接。下個段落，我就

end the bridge, get into my new topic. Costs and power are two different ideas. One paragraph:

銜接完，開始新的主題。權力和成本是兩碼子事，一段

power, one paragraph: cost, one paragraph: credibility, and then of course your conclusion.

寫權力，一段寫成本，一段寫信用，再來當然是你的結論

Okay? So you have all these things, everything connects, sentence variety. Make sure that

可以嗎？現在你知道了這些，一字一句要有關聯，句型多樣化。確定

you're sticking to one topic, make sure you're preparing the reader for the next topic, and

你衷於同個主題，確保能讓讀者預先知道下個主題

make sure that everything connects to the overall idea of the essay. Okay?

也確保每件事都與你的整篇構想相關，好嗎？

If you need some more help with this and you have some more questions, go to www.engvid.com.

如果你需要協助或有問題的話，來www.engvid.com這個網站

You can leave me a comment and I will get back to you. There will also be a little bit

你可以發表意見，我會回覆給你。這裡有些

of a quiz there to make sure you understand all this. Excuse me. And don't forget to go

小測驗，讓你確認自己是否都了解。不好意思，別忘了去

to YouTube and subscribe to my channel. And of course, come back, see me again. Thank you.

YouTube訂閱我的頻道。當然，還要收看我的影片喔！謝謝！