作文与阅读一样极为重要。在两篇作文中，小作文，就是应用文满分为10分，得高分比大作文容易一些，因为它更加套路化，对语言的要求也不如大作文那么高。可是考生的实际得分却不是很理想，2005年的平均分不到6分。出现这种问题的主要原因在于写作的格式、语言和要点等方面注意不够。我准备用三天的文章来阐述这几个问题。今天介绍的是小作文的格式问题。下面以2005年的小作文考题为例说明这一问题。

    Directions:

    Two months ago you got a job as an editor for the magazine Designs & Fashions. But now you find that the work is not what you expected. You decide to quit. Write a letter to your boss, Mr. Wang, telling him your decision, stating your reason(s), and making an apology.

    Write your letter with no less than 100 words. Write it neatly on ANSWER SHEET 2. Do not sign your own name at the end of the letter; use “Li Ming” instead. You do not need to write the address. (10 points)

    范文（选自胡敏编著的《2007年考研英语高分作文》）：

    Dear Mr. Wang,

    I am writing to inform you about my decision to resign from my current position. There are a few factors involved that I find intolerable. 来源：www.examda.com

    First of all, the salary has proven to be much lower than you originally promised, and I have a large family to support. In addition, the office is located in the downtown area, yet I live in the suburbs, so it is exhausting for me to spend over three hours commuting every day. Most importantly, I feel rather disappointed and left out on the job itself, as in the past two months I was never given any really important responsibility.

    I sincerely hope that you approve of my resignation. I am sorry for any inconvenience caused.

    Yours sincerely,

    Li Ming

    由上面2005年小作文考题以及范文可以了解小作文格式主要涉及称呼、正文与落款。

　　一、称呼

    1．Dear Sir or Madam

    这是对于不认识的团体或组织的负责人的称呼。

    2．Dear Mr. xx/Ms.xx

    这是对于认识但是关系很正式的团体或组织的负责人的称呼，也可用来称呼认识但是关系较正式的个人。上面的小作文中的称呼就属于这一情况。

    3．Dear John/Mary(or any other name)

    这是对关系较亲密的人的称呼：直呼其名。

    二、正文

    正文格式传统上采用缩进式，即每段开头空四个字母，段落之间不空行。现在流行的格式，尤其是打印文件的格式，一般采用齐头式，即每段开头不空格，但是各段之间空一行。上面的范文就属于齐头式。考试时可以根据自己的习惯选择一种，但要给人留下格式清晰的印象，为自己争取同情分。

    三、落款

    由于考试时不要求使用真实姓名，落款时可以使用下列万能格式：

    Yours sincerely,

    Li Ming

    上面的范文就使用了这一格式。

    综上所述，注意格式是小作文得高分的第一步。