豐富多變的句型能使文章讀起來更為生動活潑。一段文字中若有很多句子都以相同的結構呈現,而且長短也差不多,讀起來會相當單調乏味。改變句型和結構能夠用來突顯重要的資訊並讓文章讀起來不再單調。
一個長長的句子能納入很多資訊,但也容易讓讀者抓不到重點。反之,簡潔有力的短句更能把重要的資訊傳達給讀者知曉。
下面舉出兩個能讓文句型態更豐富多變的小技巧:
1. 以長短句交錯的方式改變文字的節奏
把一堆結構和長度相似的句子湊在一起會令讀者感到十分無趣。因此,最好能讓文句型態充滿變化,如此比較不會讓人昏昏欲睡,而且長短句參雜的形式更能將重點突顯出來。
範例:
The Winslow family visited Canada and Alaska last summer to find some native American art. In Anchorage stores they found some excellent examples of soapstone carvings. But they couldn’t find a dealer selling any of the woven wall hangings they wanted. They were very disappointed when they left Anchorage empty-handed.
修改:
The Winslow family visited Canada and Alaska last summer to find some native American art, such as soapstone carvings and wall hangings. Anchorage stores had many soapstone items available. Still, they were disappointed to learn that wall hangings, which they had especially wanted, were difficult to find. Sadly, they left empty-handed.
2. 換句話說
如果有很多英文句子都以同樣的方式起頭,尤其是用 “The...”、“It...”、“This...”、“I ...” 這樣的方式起頭會讓讀者感到索然無味。因此,要換一種說法來讓人耳目一新。
請注意一句話起頭的方式一改變,不僅結構會產生變化,連所強調的內容也會發生變化。因此,修改過的句子未必能直接替換例句,而是前後文的句子也需要做出適當的修改。僅僅是修改一個句子,便足以讓整個段落都產生豐富的變化。
下面舉出一個很普通的例句和各種不同的 “換句話說”。
範例:
The biggest coincidence that day happened when David and I ended up sitting next to each other at the Super Bowl.
各種可行的修改方式:
- Coincidentally, David and I ended up sitting right next to each other at the Super Bowl.
- In an amazing coincidence, David and I ended up sitting next to each other at the Super Bowl.
- Sitting next to David at the Super Bowl was a tremendous coincidence.
- But the biggest coincidence that day happened when David and I ended up sitting next to each other at the Super Bowl.
- When I sat down at the Super Bowl, I realized that, by sheer coincidence, I was directly next to David.
- By sheer coincidence, I ended up sitting directly next to David at the Super Bowl.
- With over 50,000 fans at the Super Bowl, it took an incredible coincidence for me to end up sitting right next to David.
- What are the odds that I would have ended up sitting right next to David at the Super Bowl?
- David and I, without any prior planning, ended up sitting right next to each other at the Super Bowl.
- Without any prior planning, David and I ended up sitting right next to each other at the Super Bowl.
- At the crowded Super Bowl, packed with 50,000 screaming fans, David and I ended up sitting right next to each other by sheer coincidence.
- Though I hadn’t made any advance arrangements with David, we ended up sitting right next to each other at the Super Bowl.
- Many amazing coincidences occurred that day, but nothing topped sitting right next to David at the Super Bowl.
- Unbelievable, I know, but David and I ended up sitting right next to each other at the Super Bowl.
- Guided by some bizarre coincidence, David and I ended up sitting right next to each other at the Super Bowl.