「Well begun is half done」, 這句英文的諺語告訴了我們，好的開始是成功的一半。
在雅思寫作中，一個好的開頭段不僅抓住讀者的注意力，引起閱讀興趣，亦要點明中心論點，統領全文， 其重要性可見一斑。在雅思大作文的寫作中， 開頭段一般由general statement，argument， thesis statement兩部分構成。
1General Statement
General Statement的主要作用是介紹寫作背景，引入話題。
但是值得注意的是：不能照抄題目，應用同義詞、近義詞替換題目中的相關詞語，
並用不同的句子結構來改寫題目中的句子結構。例如：
Example 1:
It is widely believed that mothers are by nature better parents than fathers. It is therefore more important for mothers to spend time with children than fathers. Others think fathers make equally good parents. What is your opinion?
在這個題目中，首先我們可以看到題幹表述用了三個句子，首先我們要區分哪句是general statement， 哪句是arguments. 其實很容易發現，通常句中間有明顯闡述觀點表達的，就是arguments, 而做客觀陳述的就是general statement，其位置一般是題目的第一句。上題中 It is widely believed that mothers are by nature better parents than fathers， 就是我們要拿來做同義改寫，放到我們開頭段作為背景的句子。同義改寫可以採取以下技巧：
1 同義句型轉換。
如 It is widely believed that… 這個句套表達某事情是眾所周的，它有很多同義句型，如 It is generally assumed that…, Common knowledge is that…, 等。
2 同義詞，近義詞，同義結構轉換。
如by nature 這個介詞詞組表達的含義是，自然天性上的，在原句中作為be動詞的表語，我們可以改寫為一個同義名詞詞組，nurturing instinct，自然天性的意思。相應的，前面的謂語動詞要發生變化，搭配have。
3 造並列結構。
有的時候我們可能發現原題中的表述無論詞語還是句型都不是很輕易的可以找出同義結構出來，那麼我們可以採取並列結構，即並列兩個近義詞語義，或者反義詞再加否定結構。
上題中的better parents than 可以改為 better or less dispensable parents than
通過上面的三個步驟，我們就可以成功的將原題的背景句改寫為我們開頭段的general statement。
原題：It is widely believed that mothers are by nature better parents than fathers.
改寫完後：It is generally assumed that women have a 『nurturing instinct’that somehow makes them better or less dispensable parents than fathers are.
General Statement常用句型：
With the development of science and technology, great changes have taken place in…in the past few years. (雖常用，但已被濫用，建議減少使用)
Along with the increasingly rapid _____________, more problems are brought to our attention.
The issue of whether or not __________ has been widely/ heatedly/ debated currently/recently.
When it comes to whether …, some… are strongly against it, claiming….
It is generally accepted/ It is indeed the case that most countries have seen an increase in _______ over recent years.
2Argument(爭議)
Argument即為題目表述的觀點的立場，不同題目的立場表述大有不同。
(1)有的題目中只有一個立場
e.g. Countries with a long average working time are more economically successful than those countries which do not have a long working time. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
在我們寫的開頭段，在寫完general statement後，直接用One point is that…把原題的立場(countries with a long average working time are more economically successful than those countries which do not have a long working time) 同義轉述即可。
值得注意的是，這個題目本身沒有背景句，所以寫general statement的時候，需要我們根據題目的argument進行總結。
亦或者可以general statement 和argument這兩個部分合併為一個部分，
這個題目可寫成：The issue of whether or not countries with a long average working hours are more successful in terms of economic development than those countries which do not have a long working time has been heatedly debated currently. As far as I am concerned, …
(2)有的題目中包含兩個互相否定或者相關的立場
e.g. Some scientists think it is very soon that computers will be more intelligent than human. Some people think it is a positive development, while others think it is a negative development. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
e.g. Some people think the best way to reduce crimes is to give longer prison sentence. Others,however, think there are better alternative ways to reduce crime. Discuss and give your opinion.
這樣的題目，在開頭段寫完general statement後，要把題目雙方的立場都轉述，不可減少或刪除一方立場。
如 Some people think it is a positive development, while others think it is a negative development. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
可以轉述為：Quite a few people claim that it has brought great benefits. On the other hand, those who think differently argue that it inevitably would has negative influence.
3Thesis Statement (總論點)
Thesis Statement簡單來說就是作者對某一寫作話題所持的明確觀點。例如：
1 In my opinion/ As far as I am concerned/ To my mind, students should wear uniforms in school.
2 While the majority may like to live in a large family, I prefer to the small one.
在雅思寫作中，文章的立場，也就是全文的總論點，
主要分兩種：有傾向性立場和兩邊支持
有傾向性(一邊倒)
有傾向性的立場一般在文章的開頭即表明本文的立場，同意或者不同意，或者多大程度地同意和不同意。
在劍橋雅思的考官範文中，有一個題目涉及對教育免費的商榷：All education,primary, secondary school and further education, should be free to all people and paid for by the government. Do you agree or disagree with the statement?
考官在範文的開頭段中即明確表明自己的立場：I certainly agree with the statement that this should be the case.
當然，有傾向性的立場還包含讓步的觀點，這種立場的文章多見於以to what extent do you agree or disagree?提問的論題。
如：Environmental problems should be solved by the government instead of individuals and private companies. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
在考官範文的開頭段中，立場是這樣表明的：I concede that the government should lead the efforts in addressing the environmental problems. Nevertheless, cooperation and participation from the cooperations and individual citizens are essential as well.
讓步的立場並不需要糾結於在句子中回答到底agree 或者disagree沒有, 清楚的說明自己的觀點即可。
值得注意的是，觀點有傾向性並不代表思路有局限性。在辯論中，作者既要證明自己的觀點，同時也要回應對方的觀點，也就是說能夠站在不同的角度看同一個事情，並且能看到各自的優劣。
兩邊都支持
這種文章立場一般常見於discuss both view and give your opinion這種提問方式的題目。立場一般建議在結尾段點明，並且要在結尾段明確題幹兩者之間的關係。
(4) 開頭段的兩種常用寫作方法
將以上三個部分組合起來，我們步難得出開頭段的以下兩種寫法：
A. General Statement – Positive+Negative Idea – Thesis Statement
The issue of whether or not students should take a part-time job has been widely/ heatedly debated currently/ recently. Quite a few people claim that it would not only widen their horizon but also help shape their personalities. On the other hand, those who think differently argue that the task of a student is to make good use of his limited time and acquire necessary knowledge and skill for the future career. As for me/ As far as I am concerned/ In my opinion, I believe that part-time jobs play a positive role in the development of university students.
這種方法的一個變形形式是：
General Statement – Opposite Idea – Thesis Statement
Nowadays the incomes of many sport stars are truly astounding. Some people claim that the salaries of athletes are too high and the athletes themselves attract too much attention. Yet, in my opinion, such benefits are well deserved.
B. General Statement – Concession – Thesis Statement
When it comes to whether students should be allowed to work outside the school hours, some educators vote against it, claiming that part-time work may have a negative influence on their study. Obviously, too large amount of time a student is employed may contribute to a poor academic performance. However, if they do a part-time job over reasonable hours, it is extremely beneficial for them, providing financial support for their study and broadening their horizon.
When evaluating a job applicant, most companies would place much weight on one’s educational certificate. Of course, one’s educational certificate does tell something about the applicant. However, it is not the only means through which we can judge whether the applicant is qualified or not.
作者簡介：章曦，長沙新東方國外部老師，主講雅思寫作、託福寫作、CI全科
最新熱文推薦：
2018，一起出發！——留學考試備考規劃
2019年QS世界大學排名Top200完整版
高考後留學：2018年認可高考成績的美國大學匯總
英國留學一年要花多少錢？算算這筆留學帳
芝加哥大學取消本科申請中SAT/ACT成績要求
（編輯：JIE）