在應(yīng)試型（或新2010年托福等）議論文寫作中,通常遵循introduction- body-conclusion（引言段-主體段-結(jié)論段）的三步曲。Body（主體）段落提供了論證觀點的理由,是整個文章的主體,在評分中占有很大的比重。例如一篇滿分的作文（9分）必須presents a fully developed position in answer to the question with relevant, fully extended and well supported ideas。這里的fully extended / well supported,必須通過主體段來體現(xiàn)。新2010年托福的滿分作文（5分）也要求is well organized and well developed, using clearly appropriate explanations, exemplifications, and/or details,同樣必須通過主體段落發(fā)展來實現(xiàn)。

　　一般來說,一篇議論文必須包含至少兩個主體段。每個主體段都必須有明確的主題句topic sentence和若干支持句supporting sentences。他們共同組成文章的理由段,對全文的論點提供理由支持。建議初學(xué)者在練習(xí)議論文寫作時,必須遵循理由段發(fā)展的幾個簡單原則,這對迅速完成理由段、構(gòu)建連貫和理由充分的議論文大有幫助。這幾個簡單原則包括：

　　1. Write a topic sentence for each paragraph you plan to write. Each topic sentence should relate to your thesis statement and introduce what the paragraph will be about. If you find that the topics you want to discuss do not support the thesis statement you have written, revise your thesis statement or reconsider your topic sentences.

　　（每個主體段都必須有一個明確的主題句）

　　2. Write ideas that support your topic sentences. The topic sentence for each paragraph tells the reader what the paragraph will be about. The ideas stated in the rest of the paragraph should all relate to the topic sentence.

　�。ㄖС志浔仨殗�繞主題句展開）

　　根據(jù)第2條的原則,我們來看看下面這個主體段：

　　Hobbies are important for many reasons. First, a hobby can be educational. For example, if the hobby is stamp collecting, the person can learn about the countries of the world and even some of their history. Second, engaging in a hobby can lead to meeting other people with the same interests. A person can also meet other people by going to the school. Third, a persons free time is being used in a positive way. The person has no time to be bored or get into mischief while engaged in the hobby. Finally, some hobbies can lead to a future job. A person who enjoys a hobby-related job is more satisfied with life.

　　這段話的topic sentence很明顯-Hobbies are important for many reasons,之后的支持句從三方面闡述hobby的重要性（first, second, third）,但段中這句話A person can also meet other people by going the school與hobby重要的原因沒有關(guān)系,因此削弱了整個段落的連貫性與統(tǒng)一性,應(yīng)該被去掉。

　　3. Add details. To write a more fully developed paragraph, you need to add details to your supporting ideas. Your details can be facts, examples, personal experiences, or descriptions.