【タスク2】基本の段落構成

タスク2で重要なポイントは、読み手に理解されやすい文章を構成することです。読みやすい文章を展開することで、評価観点の1つである “Coherence & Cohesion ” をカバーすること可能です。

以下の基本の段落構成を確認しておきましょう：

基本的に、「導入 → ボディ→ 結論」の流れで主張を展開していくことがエッセイの基本です。タスク1とは異なり、結論のパラグラフが必要になります。

以下のサンプル問題を用いて、それぞれの段落でライティングするポイントをまとめていきます。

• The older generations tend to have very traditional ideas about how people should live, think, and behave. However, some people believe that these ideas are not helpful in preparing younger generations for modern life.
• To what extent do you agree or disagree with this view?

段落1 導入

導入パラグラフは「フック」とも呼ばれ、これから展開される主張に関して読み手とイメージを共有して、自分のポジションを明確にすることが求められます。

導入パラグラフは、基本的に以下の2センテンスで構成していきます：

• センテンス1. 設問のパラフレーズ
• センテンス2. 主張

設問のパラフレーズとは、設問の英語表現とは違う語彙やフレーズを用いて同じ意図のセンテンスを再構築することです。

パラフレーズに続いて、設問に対する自分のポジションを明確に表現します。この部分は、”thesis statement” と言われる部分でライティングで最も重要なセンテンスになります。

• パラフレーズ：
• It is true that many older people believe in traditional values that often seem incompatible with the needs of younger people.
• 主張：
• While I agree that some traditional ideas are outdated, I believe that others are still useful and should not be forgotten.

段落2&3 ボディ

ボディパラグラフでは、導入で示した主張に説得力を付け加えることが求められます。

• 主張/アイデア：
• On the one hand, many of the ideas that elderly people have about life are becoming less relevant for younger people.
• 具体例：
• In the past, for example, people were advised to learn a profession and find a secure job for life, but today’s workers expect much more variety and diversity from their careers. At the same time, the ‘rules’ around relationships are being eroded as young adults make their own choices about who and when to marry.
• 主張の再定義：
• But perhaps the greatest disparity between the generations can be seen in their attitudes towards gender roles.
• 理由：
• The traditional roles of men and women, as breadwinners and housewives, are no longer accepted as necessary or appropriate by most younger people.

センテンスは「主張/アイデア」「理由」「具体例」のいずれか3つで構成されることが基本です。上記の例の場合、最初に挙げた主張が一般的だったため、具体例を述べた後に再度、違う視点から問題点を指摘しています。

段落4 結論

結論パラグラフでは、それ以前のパラグラフで述べたことをまとめて簡潔に表現します。

• In conclusion, although the views of older people may sometimes seem unhelpful in today’s world, we should not dismiss all traditional ideas as irrelevant.

導入で述べた主張をパラフレーズしましょう。

サンプル問題の回答例

以下に、先ほど挙げたサンプル問題の回答を挙げます。全体の流れを把握してください：

• 導入：
• It is true that many older people believe in traditional values that often seem incompatible with the needs of younger people. While I agree that some traditional ideas are outdated, I believe that others are still useful and should not be forgotten.
• ボディ1：
• On the one hand, many of the ideas that elderly people have about life are becoming less relevant for younger people. In the past, for example, people were advised to learn a profession and find a secure job for life, but today’s workers expect much more variety and diversity from their careers. At the same time, the ‘rules’ around relationships are being eroded as young adults make their own choices about who and when to marry. But perhaps the greatest disparity between the generations can be seen in their attitudes towards gender roles. The traditional roles of men and women, as breadwinners and housewives, are no longer accepted as necessary or appropriate by most younger people.
• ボディ2：
• On the other hand, some traditional views and values are certainly applicable to the modern world. For example, older generations attach great importance to working hard, doing one’s best, and taking pride in one’s work, and these behaviors can surely benefit young people as they enter today’s competitive job market. Other characteristics that are perhaps seen as traditional are politeness and good manners. In our globalized world, young adults can expect to come into contact with people from a huge variety of backgrounds, and it is more important than ever to treat others with respect. Finally, I believe that young people would lead happier lives if they had a more ‘old-fashioned’ sense of community and neighborliness.
• 結論
• In conclusion, although the views of older people may sometimes seem unhelpful in today’s world, we should not dismiss all traditional ideas as irrelevant.