【芝麻开门】
Nurture passes nature.
教养胜过天性。今天我们要开始讲解图画式作文，近两年考研英语写作试题均为图画题型，所以我们应该认真对待。
考研英语图画作文讲究“画面简单，主题深刻”，从1998年到现在的6次图画作文均具备这个特征，考生在历年真题中见过：母鸡下蛋、船和鱼、油灯、微笑的美国女孩、温室里的花朵以及2004年到达终点的跑道上的人。我们进入了一个典型的图文世界，也是一个充满寓言象征的世界。若缺乏丰富的想象力便只能就图说图，写出只有小学水平的作文来。
【构思要诀】
图画作文的基本审题过程一定包含“以小见大，把握象征寓意”的过程。图画式写作是较难的题型之一，面对此类题型，考生应首先确定主题，然后再动笔。
第一步，看仔细。考生应对图画进行全面而细致的研究，尤其注意图画中人或物(人与物)的体貌表情特征和背景，确定人物之间，人物与背景之间的主要关系，以便正确掌握图画所传达的信息。如果图画以系列形式(即两幅以上)出现，还应该对图画之间的相应联系有所理解，从而在整体上把握图画所传达的信息。
第二步，拟提纲。根据图画内容的不同，采用不同的段落发展方式。如果画面内容是以描述为主，即按空间方位或时间先后顺序排列，可采用“开头——扩展——结尾”的写作方式。如果画面内容是以解释说明为主，写作时则先给出主题句，再围绕主题句完成各段落的写作，这是采用“主题句——扩展句——总结句”的写作方式。
第三步，突出主题。展开段落要根据画面内容进行，同时也要围绕每一段的主题句进行。
第四步，小修改。考生应重点检查图画内容是否准确地被表达出来，题目所给提示是否完整地反映在文章之中。如果存在与画面不相符的内容，或未能完全涵盖题目所给提示，应做出相应修订。
【实例点评】
接下来，我们分析一下2003年的漫画考题，并抽调当年的高分实考样卷，加以点评。
写作题目
Directions: Study the pictures carefully and write an essay about 200 words based on the following:
1. describe the set of drawings and interpret its meaning
2. point out its implications in our life
2003年的考试题为“温室中的花朵经不起风雨”，题目本身就显得话里有话，意犹未尽。我们提到，图画作文的基本审题过程一定包含“以小见大，把握象征寓意”的过程，画面虽然简单，但要把一个简单的事物和一个大的群体进行结合联想，还要联系实际，否则很难切入宏大的论述主题。
There is no garden without its weeds.
没有不长杂草的花园。观察两幅图画不能只看到温室和花朵，还要以小见大，与主题和现实意义挂钩联想。花儿可以代表“独生子女，成长中的青少年”；温室代表“父母的溺爱和优越的物质生活条件”等；风雨呢，可以理解为“逆境的考验，特别是现实社会中的残酷竞争”。
中国古训中有“宝剑锋从磨砺出，梅花香自苦寒来”的名句，结合现实中独生子女由于娇生惯养而不能独立面对困难的问题，通过两图对比得出现实意义，即父母要多给子女独立面对困难的机会，年轻人要多经历风雨、挑战和逆境考验才能走向成功。
参考范文：
The set of drawings above vividly depicts the destiny of a flower in two different living circumstances. As is shown in the first drawing, the flower is placed in a cozy greenhouse which shelters it from the severe wind and storm. With proper temperature and other good conditions, the flower is growing in full bloom. In contrast, when removed from the green house and exposed to the wind and storm, the flower immediately fades and withers, with most of its petals cast about on the ground.
The implied meaning conveyed by the drawings should be taken into account seriously. The weak flower is naturally associated with our young people, to be exact, the only children in our current society; the green house epitomizes our parents excessive doting care and material supplies that can protect the children from the wind and storm, to be specific, the harsh reality. Once our young people begin to seek independence and face challenges from the real competitive world, they are found too spoiled to be strong enough to endure the hardships and difficulties of various sorts.
In sum, it is essential for our young people to derive positive implications from the above thoughtprovoking drawings. Only by undergoing more predicaments can young people develop strong personality and ability needed in the future, and only in this way can they eventually become winners in our competitive changing world.
这篇作文在当年获18分的高分，文章结构衔接紧凑，紧扣题目要求，层次分明。大家如果能够达到这个要求，往往就不难拿到高分；另外，每一段的段首句是写作中的重中之重，老师阅卷时往往没有时间细看每一句，几秒钟就扫视完全篇，本文的段首句都是主题句，然后用一两句话分层次展开，简单分析，最后一段归纳升华，或者总结概况。
【友情提示】
揭示寓意，切忌盲目求新。譬如，2003年的作文题目是一组漫画，汉语标题为“温室花朵经不起风雨”。按出题者的本意，其中心思想应当是根据卷面所提供的两幅漫画和汉语标题注解，论述当今部分青少年犹如温室的花朵经不起风雨，其重点应当围绕青少年的挫折，发表自己的见解。而有人却反其道而行之，误解为我们应当保护青少年不受风雨侵袭。像这样的作文，不管描述多清楚，文字多优美，也别指望获取写作高分。
一定不要放过图中的文字提示。文字提示非常重要，文字提示通常十分清楚地提供一些写作要点。另外，面对漫画题型，考生应该展开合理而丰富的联想，用生动而恰当的言辞抒发自己对图画的所思、所想、所感。
【他山之石】
经典句式及惯用表达
我们在下面归纳总结出“秘密武器”式的经典句式、惯用表达等，供同学们借鉴使用。
1) As is known ....
2) It is a common saying that ....
3) It is clear that ....
4) It is hard to imagine ....
5) Its hard to say whether ....
6) It must be pointed out that ....
7) It is (has been) estimated that....
8) It must be kept in mind that....
9) It can be seen from this that ....
10) It seems certain that ....
11) The set of drawings above vividly depicts....
A man is only as good as what he loves.
一个人要用他所爱的东西有多好来衡量。 12) Simple as it is, the symbolic meaning the picture conveys is deep and profound.
14) As we know, it was not until recently that the problem was solved.
15) It is certain that we have a long way to go.
美文赏析
Wealth is the test of a mans character.
财富是对一个人品格的试金石。
Modesty
Modesty is one of the many qualities that young people should possess. It makes us foresee our imperfections. It gives us the impetus to go forward. Most important of all, it makes us accessible and creates favorable conditions for us in interpersonal contacts.
However, many young people do not seem to realize the importance of modesty. Some of them just feel satisfied with a little success, without the slightest desire to make further progress. Others have too high an opinion of themselves, totally ignoring other peoples suggestions and advice. Consequently, their immodesty often drives them up against the wall. Worst of all, immodesty takes many young people away from their colleagues and friends. Therefore, they find fewer people with whom they can confide.
To be modest, the first thing to do is to have a full understanding of your deficiencies. No matter who you are and no matter how talented you are, you are unlikely to be allpowerful. In fact, you will always, in spite of your talents, find things about which you feel helpless. Besides, you should also admit other peoples strong points and try your best to learn from them. If you keep these two points in mind, you are on the right path to developing modesty.
谦虚是一种美德，这是任何时候都不过时的话题。文章行文流畅，句式变换多样。