Whether you're sitting down to write a research paper for English class about Buddha or you're hours deep in the writing portion of SAT, you want to write a great essay. And although different people have different notions about what makes an essay truly "great," there are a number of things that educators and writers generally agree upon as gold-quality standards. Here are three of those qualities that can take your essay from basic to fabulous.

　　不管你是坐下来准备写一篇英语课上有关佛陀的研究报告，还是深思怎样完成入学考试的作文部分，你都会想要写得一手好文章。虽然不同的人对于优秀的文章有不同的观念，但是也有许多教育家和作家公认的黄金标准。这里有三个品质，是你的作文从普通向出色进步时需要具备的。

　　1. Language

　　语言文字

　　The usage of language in an essay is more than j4ust the actual words you use throughout. Things like sentence structure, stylistic choices, levels of formality, grammar, usage, and mechanics all come into play.

　　在一篇文章中，语言文字的使用不仅仅是你在全篇所使用的词语，句子结构、文体选择、不同的形式、语法、用法、文字处理等都可以发挥作用。

　　Good Language

　　好的文字

　　Good language in an essay is merely adequate. It's basic. There's nothing inherently wrong with your language, but there's nothing exceptional about it, either.

　　文章中好的语言文字只能说是差强人意，它应该作为基本的要求。可能你的语言没有什么内在的问题，但也可能没有什么新意了。

　　Good essay language means you're using some variety in your sentence structures. For instance, you may write a few simple sentences interspersed with some compound sentences. Your level of formality and tone are also appropriate to the essay. You're not using familiar language and slang, for example, when you're writing a research report in class. Good language in an essay does not disrupt your thesis. Your point gets across and that's all well and fine if you're happy with a good essay.

　　好的文章语言意味着你使用了不同种类的句子结构。例如，你可能会将一些简单句和复合句结合起来使用。你的文章形式和语气也要适合整篇文章，而不是一味使用自己熟悉的语言和俚语。比如说，当你在班里写一篇研究报告时，好的语言不会干扰到你的论点。如果你对一篇好文章满意，那么这篇文章肯定能够把你的论点讲清楚。

　　Example: When Jack walked into his grandmother's kitchen, he spotted the freshly baked cake on the counter. He helped himself to a huge piece. It was chocolate, and the frosting was a delicious vanilla buttercream. He licked his lips and took a gigantic bite.

　　例子：当杰克走进奶奶的厨房时，他发现了柜台上刚烘焙好的蛋糕，就给自己弄了一大块。蛋糕是巧克力的，上面的奶霜还是香草奶油的。他舔舔嘴唇，咬了好大一口。

　　Great Language

　　优秀的语言文字

　　Great language is fresh, full of sensory detail when appropriate and propels your essay forward in invigorating ways. Great language uses a variety of sentence structures and even some intentional fragments when appropriate. Your tone isn't merely adequate; it enhances your argument or point.

　　优秀的语言文字就是在你将文章内容向前推进时，使用充满活力和感官细节的语言。优秀的语言使用多种句子结构，甚至在合适的时候故意分段。语气的使用不应该仅仅差强人意，它可以作为你的论点或论据。

　　Your language is precise. It's chosen specifically to add nuance or shades of meaning. The sensory details you select pull your readers in, giving them goosebumps, and make them want to keep on reading. Great language makes readers take what you've said very seriously.

　　语言文字要精确。要用心地选择语言文字来增加一些细微差别或语义色彩，你选择的感官细节要能使读者身临其境，让他们起鸡皮疙瘩，有读下去的欲望。优秀的语言文字能使读者认真对待你表达的内容。

　　Example: Jack stepped over the threshold of his grandmother's kitchen and inhaled. Chocolate cake. His stomach rumbled. He walked to the counter, mouth watering, and took a rose-pattered china plate from the cabinet and a bread knife from the drawer. The slice he sawed off was enough for three. The first bite of rich vanilla buttercream made his jaw ache. Before he knew it, nothing was left but chocolate crumbs scattered on the plate like confetti.

　　例子： 杰克一踏进奶奶厨房的门槛就被吸引住了，那是一块巧克力蛋糕。他的肚子也叫了起来，走进柜台，杰克的口水都流了出来，他从橱柜里拿出一个玫瑰图案的瓷盘，又从抽屉里拿出一把切蛋糕用的刀。他切了三人量的一大块，第一口就咬到了满满的香草奶油，使他食欲大开。在他缓过神来之前，盘子里就只剩下巧克力碎末。