A reason says why your position is right, and an example proves it. A concrete example has a person, an action, a detail and a result, so the reader can see it happen.
This lesson follows a clear position in response to the task and belongs to argumentative composition. The samples are in Chinese, with English explanation.
What is the four-part builder?
Ask four questions of your reason, and answer each in a phrase.
- Who? A named or clearly described person or group.
- What did they do? One action.
- What detail? A number, time or object.
- What was the result? The outcome that proves the reason.
Then add a short sentence that ties the example back to the reason.
Worked example: a reason about saving
Task: 《青少年应该学会理财》, and the reason is 理财能培养责任感.
Vague version: 很多青少年学会了理财以后，就变得有责任感。
Nothing can be pictured here, because “很多” hides who and “变得有责任感” states the reason again without proof.
Concrete version: 阿明每个月有六十令吉的零用钱。他把其中二十令吉存进储蓄簿，准备买一本要四十令吉的参考书。两个月后，他果然买到了书，也不再随便买零食了。
这说明懂得规划金钱的人，会更负责任地做决定。
Check the four parts. Who is 阿明, what is 存钱, the detail is 六十令吉, 二十令吉 and 四十令吉, and the result is a bought book and fewer snacks. The arithmetic also holds, since two months of RM20 equals RM40, the price of the book.
The last sentence links back to 责任感, so the marker can see why the example belongs in the paragraph.
The mistake that costs marks
The common slip is to write a general statement and call it an example.
| Sentence | Verdict |
|---|---|
| 大家都知道存钱很好。 | Not an example: no person, no detail. |
| 我的同学常常这样做。 | Not an example: “常常” and “这样” are unspecific. |
| 阿明每月存二十令吉，两个月后买到了四十令吉的书。 | Concrete: a person, an action, figures and a result. |
Another slip is an example that proves a different reason. If your reason is 责任感, an example about earning money proves something else, unless you link it.
Check yourself
Reason: 参加课外活动能锻炼团队合作. Write a concrete example in two or three Chinese sentences, then check the four parts.
Answer
Model: 在校运会的四乘一百米接力赛中，四名队员必须在接力区内交棒。有一次，第三棒提前起跑，与第二棒配合得刚刚好，结果全队比上一次快了两秒。
这说明没有合作，个人跑得再快也赢不了比赛。
Who is 四名队员, what is 交棒配合, the detail is 四乘一百米 and 快了两秒, and the result is a faster team. The last sentence links back to 团队合作.
Your sentences will differ. Any example passes if all four parts are present and the last sentence returns to the reason.
What to study next
Next, learn to handle people who disagree in addressing an alternative view fairly. Sketch reasons and examples side by side with the Chinese composition structure planner.
For a teacher to read your Chinese paragraphs with you, see online one-to-one Chinese tuition.