阅读技巧：从语篇功能的角度谈英语阅读技巧
1.平衡模式与篇章的理解
在语篇中，由于主位结构中的概念主位多为无标记主位，这就使得语篇中的大多数小句的信息出发点可以保持高度的一致性(即主位相同)，就构成了主位推进模式中的平衡模式。句子的主位常常位于句首，相对于小句的其他成分而言更可能是已知信息，述位的内容就成为信息焦点。一个语篇若所有主位相同，小句与小句之间的信息中心透明度较高，语篇的信息走向就突显出来了。如：
Lili began to learn French in her childhood . It was from then on that she became crazy about French . She listened to French programs ; she read French novels ; she took part in all kind of French lectures ; she often talked with people in French ; she(T7)thought in French; She even dreamed good dreams in French . In fact , she was oblivious of everything except French 。
Which of the following study methods applied by Lili are NOT mentioned here?
A. Reading B. Listening C. Speaking D. Writing
本短话的第三小句至结尾句都遵循了主位推进程序中的平衡模式，即各小句的主位相同，述位不同。语篇信息以主位为中心使述位呈放射状展开，即本段话的信息中心为“Lilibecame crazy about French”，第一小句的主位是Lili，以后各小句均以代词she来回指上文的Lili，成为已知信息。而每句的述位从不同方面说明Lili如何对法语感到痴迷狂热的，也就成为信息的焦点，构成新的信息内容。第三句和第五句述位谈到了listening，第四句述位涉及了reading，第六句述位讲到了talking and speaking，除此，文中还提到了thinking and dreaming，唯独没有谈到写作方面。所以，正确答案为D。
2.几种模式并存与篇章的理解
上面提及的主位推进模式一目了然，语篇的中心就在主位推进过程中逐步细化，新信息在已知信息的基础上层层地展现给读者，使得信息中心突显出来。然而，此类主位推进模式，多为单一的主位或述位同一型，所以语篇读起来比较单调乏味、缺乏生气。一般的语篇常会涉及比较复杂的主位推进模式，甚至同时几种模式并存，来展开信息的焦点。通常人们在谈论一个话题的时候会从不同的角度出发，信息展现的过程就不那么的平铺直叙，就主位推进而言可能会涉及多种主位推进程序。如：
例1： [1] Now let’s have a look at the general condition of Chinese people’s life. [2] At present, Chinese people’s living condition is quite low. [3] Compared with the large population, China doesn’t have sufficient materials and products. [4] So living abroad can provide Chinese people with sufficient supplies. [5] In addition, immigrating to other countries can relieve China’s heavy burden of large population. [6] Different from life in China, living abroad or immigrating means beginning a completely new life.
What is the main idea of this passage?
A.The general condition of Chinese people’s life.
B.Chinese people’s living condition is quite low.
C.The strong points of living abroad or immigrating.
D.Living abroad or immigrating means beginning a completely new life.
本段运用了两种主位推进模式：延续型和主位同一型，即第二句和第三句的主位呈主位同一型，都是由第一句的述位延续而来的。后三句的主位基本上呈主位同一型。只要通读其主位，就可清楚了解作者的思路及行文的发展方向，语篇所要传递的信息焦点也就显而易见了。本段话论证了在国外生活的可取之处：生活富足，同时还可以为国家减轻人口过多的压力。 所以正确答案应为C。
例2：[1] Aging is not a uniform process. [2] In fact, within individual human body different parts wear out at different rates. [3] There are great differences among people in their rate of aging. [4] Even the cells of the body differ in the way they age. [5] The majority of cells are capable of reproducing themselves many times during the course of a lifetime. [6] However, never cells and muscle fibers can never be replaced once they wear out.
What is the main idea of this passage?
A.Different parts of the human body wear out at different rates.
B.The cells of the body differ in the way they age.
C.Not all the people age in the same way and at the same time.
D.Never cells and muscle fibers age in the same way.
这段话简述了人们衰老的不同进程, 强调不同的人会在不同的年龄阶段衰老，正如人体内部细胞的衰老进程也是各不相同的。第一句的主位为概念主位，是已知信息。由这个已知信息引出的信息中心 not a uniform process构成述位，这个信息中心成为第二句的主位，第二句的述位部分又对其进一步地说明，使得信息焦点逐步具体化、明确化。所以，第二句的主位是延续第一句的述位而来，呈延续型的主位推进程序。而第三句的述位与第四句的述位呈同一型的模式。所以在第四句话中，作者为了强调，把旧信息放在述位而新信息则出现在主位上，即由主位引出新的话题，以人体内部的细胞衰老的不同进程来说明不同人的衰老进程也是如此不同的。这是一种以主位为信息中心的集中型的推进模式，它违反了常规，即违背了将新信息焦点置于小句末尾的“信息焦点尾重的原则”，而是将新信息突显在前，达到信息焦点的对比语用功能，使语篇节奏感更加强烈了。后面第五句和第六句的主位则是重复第四句的主位，所以此语篇的后三句话是以主位同一型的模式推进的。整个语篇的信息焦点在不同的主位推进模式、新旧信息交织的过程中逐步由笼统到具体地呈现于读者的眼帘，使读者对所述的话题、所要传递的信息有一个较清晰、明了的概念。很显然作者要传递的信息焦点是“Different people age differently, just like the cells age at different rates”，正确答案为C。