法律类话题在雅思写作中属于高频主题,涉及犯罪、司法制度、法律与社会等多个方面,这类题目要求考生具备清晰的逻辑、严谨的论证和丰富的词汇储备,想要在法律类话题中取得高分,需要掌握以下核心技巧。
理解题目要求,明确立场
通常以辩论形式出现,
- Some people believe that stricter punishments are the best way to reduce crime. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
- Should governments spend more money on prisons or education to prevent crime? Discuss both views and give your opinion.
在审题时,必须明确题目类型(同意与否/双边讨论/利弊分析),并迅速确定自己的立场,避免模棱两可的表述,It depends…”这类模糊观点会降低文章的清晰度。
高分策略:
- 在开头段直接表明立场(如“I firmly believe that…”)。
- 使用逻辑连接词(However, Therefore, Consequently)增强论证的连贯性。
构建合理的论证结构
法律类话题的论证需要严谨,建议采用以下结构:
开头段(Introduction)
- 背景句:简要引入话题(如犯罪率上升、法律的作用)。 用自己的话复述题目。
- 明确立场:清晰表达观点。
示例:
Crime rates have become a pressing issue in many societies. While some argue that harsher penalties deter criminal behavior, I believe that prevention through education and social welfare is more effective.
主体段1(Main Body 1)
- 主题句:提出第一个分论点。
- 解释:展开说明该论点。
- 例证:用数据、研究或实例支持(如“According to a study by the University of Cambridge, countries with rehabilitation-focused prisons have lower reoffending rates.”)。
主体段2(Main Body 2)
- 主题句:提出第二个分论点(或反驳对立观点)。
- 对比论证:分析另一种观点的局限性(如“Although imprisonment may seem effective, it often fails to address the root causes of crime, such as poverty or mental health issues.”)。
结尾段(Conclusion)
- 重申立场:用不同句式总结观点。
- 建议或展望:提出解决方案或未来趋势(如“Governments should invest in community programs to tackle crime at its source.”)。
使用法律类高分词汇
词汇的精准度直接影响分数,以下是一些法律类话题的核心词汇:
犯罪与惩罚
- Crime types: theft, fraud, assault, homicide, cybercrime
- Punishments: imprisonment, fines, community service, probation, capital punishment
- Legal terms: legislation, judiciary, defendant, prosecutor, verdict
社会与法律
- Prevention: rehabilitation, deterrence, social integration
- Justice: fairness, equity, human rights, rule of law
高分技巧:
- 避免重复使用简单词汇(如“bad” → “illegal”或“unethical”)。
- 使用学术化表达(如“The judicial system should prioritize rehabilitation over retribution.”)。
避免常见错误
语法与句式
- 被动语态:法律类话题常用被动语态(如“Laws should be enforced more strictly”),但需平衡使用,避免过度。
- 虚拟语气:讨论建议时使用(如“If governments invested more in education, crime rates might decrease.”)。
逻辑漏洞
- 以偏概全:避免绝对化表述(如“All criminals are dangerous” → “Some offenders pose a serious threat to society”)。
- 缺乏例证:单纯说理不够,需结合实例或数据增强说服力。
高分范文分析
以下是一篇Band 8+的范文节选,题目为“Should juvenile offenders be treated the same as adult criminals?”
Introduction:
The treatment of young criminals has sparked debate worldwide. While some advocate for equal punishment regardless of age, I argue that juveniles require a distinct approach due to their psychological development.
Main Body 1:
Adolescents’ brains are not fully developed, particularly in areas governing impulse control. Neuroscientific research from Harvard University indicates that the prefrontal cortex matures only by the mid-20s. Therefore, punishing teenagers as adults ignores their capacity for reform.
Main Body 2:
Moreover, rehabilitation programs tailored for youths, such as counseling and vocational training, have proven more effective. In Norway, where juvenile offenders receive education instead of harsh sentences, recidivism rates are significantly lower than in punitive systems.
Conclusion:
Justice systems must recognize the differences between adults and minors. Focusing on rehabilitation rather than retribution benefits both individuals and society in the long term.
练习建议
- 每日阅读:浏览BBC News或The Guardian的法律板块,积累专业表达。
- 模拟写作:每周练习1-2篇法律类题目,严格计时(40分钟)。
- 批改反馈:使用Grammarly检查语法,或寻求教师批改。
法律类话题的难点在于平衡逻辑与情感,既要体现对公正的追求,又要展现人文关怀,通过系统练习和词汇积累,任何考生都能在这一领域取得突破,写作时始终记住:清晰的观点、严谨的论证和精准的语言是征服考官的关键。