浅析英文主题句

摘 要：主题句统领段落的主题，决定了段落的方向，写好主题句，是英文段落以及篇章的关键。

关键词：主题句；段落；有效

英语句子构成段落，而段落是文章的缩影，能够驾驭段落写作，对篇章写作就打下了坚实的基础。段落是由若干个彼此关联的句子构成的，通常用以表达一个中心思想或者从一个角度对文章的主题进行阐述，而主题句统领段落的主题，决定了段落的一致性。因此，要使段落有效地传达思想，写好主题句是关键。

1 主题句的作用

主题句通常由主题和作者的观点两部分组成，主题以及作者对该主题的观点和态度。作为段落传递信息的出发点，主题句简明扼要地告诉读者段落的线索和范围。主题句位置不是固定不变的，它可以位于段首，段中、段尾。主题句位于段首的情况比较多见。开门见山，直接点明段落主题，有助于确定段落的主线，使各个发展句围绕段落主题自然展开；说明性与论说性段落尤其如此。在英语教学中，教师常常发现，学生拿到一个题目时，心乱如麻，理不出头绪。学习主题句的写作技巧对如何把握段落的结构走向，提高写作能力大有裨益。段落的成败取决于主题句的优劣，因此，段落写作的训练往往从写主题句入手。

主题句位于段首：

This location did have a number of advantages. The district officer was happy to have the guests； the local native chief made them welcome. The location， in high open country with a magnificent view down through a gap to misty plains beyond， was beautiful， and the accommodations provided were good.

主题句位于段中：

Californians and New Englanders are both Americans. They speak the same language and abide by the same federal laws. But they are very different in their way of life. Mobility， both physical and psychological， has made a great impression on the culture of Californians； lack of mobility is a mark of the customs and morality of New Englanders.

主题句位于段末：

The Amazon River is the widest river in the world， with one-fifth of all the fresh water on earth moving through its mouth. In length it is second only to the Nile， and if stretched across the United States， it would reach from New York to Los Angeles. In addition， the Amazon covers the largest area of any river. Therefore， it can be argues that the Amazon is the mightiest river on earth.段尾主题句具有结论作用，是对前面句子的归纳总结。

有的段落没有主题句，但段落连贯地表达了一个清晰的观点。段落中每句话都围绕这一观点。主题句隐含于段落之中。

2 好的主题句应符合以下条件

2.1 完整

首先，主题句必须是完整的句子，而不是一个片段一个短语或词组。如“ Difficulties in Sam’s life” 不能成为主题句，它并未传达一个完整的含义。

2.2 清楚

由于主题句是一段话的唯一的中心思想，它必须清楚，明确而肯定。不能出现模棱两可的意思使读者困惑。下面两句中的第一句不适合成为主题句因为句子意思不明确只是一种暗示。读者不知道“ something” 指啥。

No one should go into the jungle without something.No one should go into the jungle without the right equipment.

2.3 主题句决定内容限定在一段落

作者为段落所定的主题应该适于一段话的长度。必须有明显的针对性，限定于话题的某个方面。一段话足以阐释清楚，倘若主题句过分笼统或宽泛，一段话不可能将中心思想说明白。如果太狭窄则不需要任何支撑句。如下面第一句话题过大，需用篇章或多段探讨，第二句发展阐释的空间狭窄。只是一件事实，难于深入讨论。

Writing composition in English is very difficult for the Chinese students.（ too general） .

Walt Disney World is a second huge amusement park outside of Orlando， Florida. （ too narrow） .

2.4 中心思想的表达有助于发展或进一步说明解释

用于陈述中心思想的关键词应准确地告知读者他们可在段落中了解到东西。也可说从主题句就得到一种暗示了。主题句也有助于作者紧扣中心写段落，不偏离方向。

Clothing style changes from country to country.

We had a hard time getting Mary out of the hole she had fallen into.

主题句往往包含主题和中心思想。中心思想可以扩充和阐释。如：Yellowstone Park is in America.没有扩充的余地，只是一个客观事实，改写为Yellowstone Park in America is noted for its hot springs.便可以用例子描述来扩展成一段话。

2.5 措辞精准

主题句优劣很大程度取决于词汇的选择和句子结构。构想主题句前应仔细推敲用词和句法。尽可能用最清楚，确切，得体的词语表达，而不是模糊含混笼统嗦的词语和结构错综复杂的句型。

根据以上要求，下列句子均不是恰当的主题句；

A. I read a novel written by Mark Twain last night.

B. My sister had her hair cut yesterday.

C. During her trip to London， she met one of her old friends.

D. I like China very much.

E. My hometown is famous because it is located by Huanguoshu Waterfall， which is very beautiful.

F. The Tames is is in England， and it is a mighty river.

G. Job interview’s importance