在美國的學生自小學起，就使用下述的五段基本英文作文結構。五段小八股非常好用，從小學作文到大學的小報告都不出這個寫法。托福、 SAT, GMAT 和 GRE 的短文寫作也都是使用這個方法。

下面是簡短的五段小八股大網 (Outline ), 打草稿時最好就開始使用這個結構。

題目 (Topic) ( 考試時，這個部分可以省略，直接從第一段開始 )

1. Introduction Paragraph 引言段 : 使用主題句 (thesis statement) 介紹 Main Idea ( 主題 ) , 三個主要原因 ( 原因也可加強或減少 , 三個是最常用的 .
2. Body: 3 developing paragraphs 申述段
   1. Reason 1 原因一
   2. Reason 2 原因二
   3. Reason 3 原因三
3. Conclusion Paragraph 結論段

寫作時，最好使用 topic sentence( 主旨句 ) 做為每段的第一句。主題句在第一段就要清楚的寫出來。如果主題句或主旨句寫不清楚，評分一定低。

這種五段寫作法不適用於 Creative Writing ( 文學創作 ) 。下列是比較詳細的英文作文結構解釋，希望你先仔細研讀後再對照與參考小犬的範文。

A Basic English Composition Structure

A composition is a longer piece of writing consisting of paragraphs. Each paragraph starts with a topic sentence. Every paragraph needs a topic sentence. The topic sentence is usually the first sentence of the paragraph. It gives the reader an idea of what the paragraph is going to be about. The supporting sentences need to be about the idea presented in the topic sentence. In a paragraph, every sentence should "belong".

( 上列英文原出處 Source: http://www.geocities.com/fifth_grade_tpes/longfellow.html)

A basic composition structure has three parts: introduction, body and conclusion. Each of these has a function, yet they all work together to communicate the writer’s main idea.

1. Introduction is where the main idea of the composition is being introduced. Three things should be accomplished: catch reader’s attention, set the tone, and present the thesis statement. A thesis statement is a sentence or two that announces your topic and your main idea about it. Usually three reasons are presented to support the main idea.

2. Body is where the writer states and develops the main idea. Three paragraphs are required to elaborate on the three reasons introduced in the first paragraph. When writing the body of the composition, the writer should keep in mind to arrange the information in coherent order, eliminate any details that do not support the thesis, and show the three ideas are connected.

3. Conclusion is the final part of the composition. In this final paragraph, the writer must leave the reader with a sense of completeness and reinforce the main idea.

A sample composition: My Trip to San Francisco, written by my son when he was in fifth grade, is posted at the elementary composition section of this blog. The sentence structures used in his composition are basic and simple. The overall composition structure is practical and useful from the elementary level on.

Related:

Five-Paragraph Expository Essay Model

5-Paragraph Essay and Outline 

About SAT Essay  Writing Strategies  (videojug.com)

http://www.videojug.com/interview/the-college-sat-essay

請參考: 

(1)本站的小班作文分類，這篇範文舊金山之旅  是小犬小五時所寫的。文法、用字都是最基本的。看完後，也試著寫一篇類似的小文章。

(2) Scholastic Parent Primer: Grammar

(3) 100 Most Frequent Idioms

(4) Grammar Book 

(5) Guide to Grammar and Writing 

(6) Purdue Online Writing Lab 

For more learning resources, please visit Happy Valley UDN City.