(1)What is your view on the idea that
success can begin with failure?
When we dance waltz, what we do is two
steps backwards, and then one step forward. Without the first two steps, waltz
would be like ugly jumps. Similarly, failure, at most time, acts as a necessary
preparation for earning success and for warning people.
(2)Do you think that ease does not
challenge us and that we need adversity to help us discover who we are?
Life is like a boat. When the storm comes,
some boats may sink and only the boat that has weathered the storm can bear
life’s difficulties. Life isn’t easy. It is adversity that makes us know who we
are. To the brave, adversity is never a devil but an angel.
2. 提问法
引文 + 分析 + 观点。
Do changes that make our lives easier not
necessarily make us better?
Changes, most of which refer to
technological innovations, have obviously enhanced the overall standard of
living and comfort level of people. While technological innovations have taken
place, has the overall condition of humanity become better than it has been
expected? Technology in essence fails to improve our lives.
3. 引言法
引经据典,说古道今。
(1)Do we need other people to help
understand ourselves?
As a Chinese poem said, “When you are in a
mountain, it’s hard to see its real shape.” Likewise, understanding ourselves
on our own is relatively difficult since we cannot assess ourselves objectively
and accurately. Sometimes, by means of other people can we really understand
ourselves? This can be demonstrated by both history and reality.
(2)Do you think that teaching
something to another person can help you to learn or master a subject or
process?
Tryon Edwards took a firm stand, saying
that “if you would thoroughly know anything, teach it to others. One who ceases
to learn cannot adequately teach.” This means that teaching something to another
person can help you to learn a subject well. To me, I definitely believe it is
true—teaching can make the teacher master a process better because I have
experienced such things in my daily life.
4. 故事法
What can motivate people to change?
There is an ancient European fable, in
which a young hero ventures to battle a mighty dragon. At first, his wooden
sword is no match for the dragon’s fiery breath, but the hero learns to fight
with an iron sword and returns to conquer his enemy. Like the hero, we often
fail in our first attempts. These shortcomings reveal our limitations and what
we need to change. Thus, it is our initial failures that are our greatest
motivations for change. Three persons who exemplify this fact are Abraham
Lincoln, Chad Bradford, and William Darcy of Jane Austin’s Pride and Prejudice.
5. 让步法
让步是典型的以退为进,在形式上退一步,而事实上是在逻辑上进一步。
(1)Is it important to question the
ideas and decisions of people in positions or authority?
Many historical eras are defined by the
ideas of the ruling classes, those who have money and power, and are eager to
maintain a dominant position in society. However, modern society has not
achieved technological, social, and cultural progress by listening blindly to
kings and popes. Questioning authority has been, and still is essential to
mankind’s advancement; without fresh ideas and challenges to defy convention,
society would rot under the control of autocrats and plutocracy.
(2)Is it essential to take the advice
of other people?
Although it is good to stand out and make
one’s own decision, sometimes it is beneficial to take the advice of others. We
can see this point through the demise of King Lear who ignored Kent’s warning
that he should not disown Cordelia. The ignominious lose of Sweden in the Great
Northern War also demonstrates that others should listen to his advisers.
(3)Do you agree that progress is
always positive?
Every day our endeavors focus on progress.
Aiming at achieving goals, people work diligently, and sometimes, blindly,
without thinking about whether the progress is positive. On the contrary, progress
can be negative.
6. 开门见山法
开篇提出观点。
(1)Can any obstacle be turned into
something good?
Every adversity can be changed into
something good, if one has the right attitude or perspective. People holding
this attitude are confident, and welcome challenges and misfortune. My personal
experience is a compelling example to demonstrate it.
(2)Is there always another explanation
or another point of view?
There is always a “however”. Each situation
has its benefits and its drawbacks. In the field of market finance, we find a
compelling example that supports this thesis.
(3)Do actions, not words, reveal a
person or a group’s true
attitudes and intentions?
Actions, not words, reveal a person’s or a
group’s true attitude and intention. It is what each does that truly states the
person’s or group’s values.