Day 5 论证充实的关键——写好每个分论点的支持句
Clarity Counts

We are living in a world of growing complexity. That is exactly why we crave more brevity and clarity.

—Pat

英语议论文的四段式结构在每个主体段里各论述一方，每方各写2~3个分论点（即理由，也就是同学们平时常说的“ideas”）。五段式结构在前两个主体段里论述一方，在第3个主体段里论述另一方，在每个主体段里面各写1个分论点。

不论是四段式还是五段式，都必须在每一个分论点(也就是理由，idea)之后，对这个分论点进行合理的支持。缺乏支持句的分论点是没有说服力的分论点，而且很可能会被考官判为a lack of development或者not well supported。

中国同学由于缺乏对英语议论文的了解，往往把支持句想象成一种“遥不可及的存在”。但事实上，在国外大学里的学术写作课上，写supporting sentences一直是学生们最喜欢的环节之一，正如IELTS主办方British Council在《官指》里明确指出的：“Good arguments are well developed and are not difficult to understand.”

在英语国家的Academic Writing课堂上，老师们都会给学生讲授这个写支持句的原则：

比如这个分论点和它的支持句：

（分论点）Team sports can help children to develop social skills.（深入展开，分论点的第1个支持句）They need to work with and support their teammates on the field or on the court to achieve success.（深入展开，分论点的第2个支持句）As a result, they learn to communicate and cooperate with others by taking part in these sports.（分论点的第3个支持句：举例）For example, young basketball players need to discuss their game plans and work closely with their teammates to win, which can help them to improve their social skills.

需要注意的是：IELTS议论文并不是“八股文”。如果在每一个分论点的后面都是深入展开然后再举一个例子，无疑会让全文显得机械重复。所以，在考场实战时，选择全文里的1~2个分论点来举例就可以，不要把在全文里每个分论点的支持句都变成“炒栗子”的过程，让论证过程变得更加多样反而会更有说服力。

比如，这个分论点和它的支持句也同样是有效的逻辑论证：

（分论点）Another benefit of international food trade is that it encourages competition among food producers in different countries.（它的第1个支持句）They need to compete on the price, quality and marketing of food products.（它的第2个支持句）As a result, supermarkets and grocery shops can offer higher quality food to consumers at lower prices.