Essay Writing Prompts and Analysis 1 Flashcards

What does '审题' (shěntí) refer to in the Gaokao essay writing process?

Answer: Carefully reading and analyzing the prompt to identify its core requirements and scope

'审题' (shěntí) means 'examining the topic' — it is the critical first step of dissecting the prompt to determine what it is really asking, its implied boundaries, and which angles are permissible. Misreading the prompt (偏题) is one of the most penalized errors in Gaokao scoring.

How many points is the major composition (作文) section worth on the Gaokao Chinese language paper?

Answer: 60 points

The Gaokao Chinese paper totals 150 points, and the major essay accounts for 60 of those points — making it the single highest-value item on the paper and a decisive factor in overall Chinese scores.

In a Gaokao '材料作文' (material-based essay), what primary function does the provided material serve?

Answer: It acts as a stimulus or springboard from which students develop their own argument or perspective

In '材料作文', the material (a passage, quote, or scenario) is not meant to be copied or summarized — it sets the context and triggers the student's independent thinking. Students must derive a '立意' from it and argue or reflect in their own voice.

Which essay genre (文体) is most commonly expected and rewarded in Gaokao Chinese composition prompts?

Answer: Argumentative essay (议论文)

While prompts often allow genre freedom, the argumentative essay (议论文) is by far the most commonly chosen and rewarded format in Gaokao grading because it directly demonstrates logical reasoning, structured '论点-论据-论证' thinking, and clarity of position — all core evaluation targets.

What distinguishes a '话题作文' (topic-essay) prompt from a '命题作文' (titled-essay) prompt in the Gaokao?

Answer: 话题作文 gives a broad theme or topic but allows the student freedom to choose the title, angle, and genre

The key feature of '话题作文' is its openness: the prompt supplies a theme or concept (e.g., 'sincerity') but grants students autonomy over the title, genre, and argumentative angle. '命题作文', by contrast, fixes the title and narrows the scope significantly.

In the framework of Gaokao argumentative essays, what is '论据' (lùnjù)?

Answer: The evidence, examples, or reasoning used to support the thesis

'论据' means 'argument evidence' — it encompasses the facts, historical examples, logical reasoning, or literary allusions a writer deploys to substantiate the '论点' (thesis). Strong Gaokao essays are expected to feature varied and well-chosen '论据' to earn high marks in the content dimension.