有童鞋在写作文时存在这样的问题：有话说的时候写着写着很容易跑偏，当然也有时候写着写着就写不下去了。我理解他的意思，这其中的问题，我想，应该是下笔之前就没怎么想清楚自己究竟要写几点，怎么布局估计也是没有事先考虑的。
那动笔之前要做什么？究竟该怎么列提纲？
If you don't spend some time planning your ideas, it's likely that you'll run out of things to write, or you'll go off-topic. When planning, keep checking the question to make sure that your ideas are relevant.
Read the question below, and then look at my example plan.
The older generations tend to have very traditional ideas about how people should live, think and behave. However, some people believe that these ideas are not helpful in preparing younger generations for modern life.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this view?
4-paragraph plan:
1. Introduce the topic of 'traditional ideas and modern life', then partly agree: some ideas are outdated, but others are still helpful
2. Paragraph about ideas which are not so helpful nowadays: Work - having a career for life is no longer normal
Relationships - 'rules' about who and when to marry are changing Gender roles - traditional fixed roles of men and women have changed
3. Paragraph about traditional ideas which we shouldn't forget: Work - work hard, do your best, take pride in your work
Behaviour - politeness, good manners, respect for others
Community - help others, be a good neighbour, look after local area
4. Conclusion: repeat / summarise the answer
有童鞋在写作文时存在这样的问题：有话说的时候写着写着很容易跑偏，当然也有时候写着写着就写不下去了。我理解他的意思，这其中的问题，我想，应该是下笔之前就没怎么想清楚自己究竟要写几点，怎么布局估计也是没有事先考虑的。
那动笔之前要做什么？究竟该怎么列提纲？
If you don't spend some time planning your ideas, it's likely that you'll run out of things to write, or you'll go off-topic. When planning, keep checking the question to make sure that your ideas are relevant.
Read the question below, and then look at my example plan.
The older generations tend to have very traditional ideas about how people should live, think and behave. However, some people believe that these ideas are not helpful in preparing younger generations for modern life.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this view?
4-paragraph plan:
1. Introduce the topic of 'traditional ideas and modern life', then partly agree: some ideas are outdated, but others are still helpful
2. Paragraph about ideas which are not so helpful nowadays: Work - having a career for life is no longer normal
Relationships - 'rules' about who and when to marry are changing Gender roles - traditional fixed roles of men and women have changed
3. Paragraph about traditional ideas which we shouldn't forget: Work - work hard, do your best, take pride in your work
Behaviour - politeness, good manners, respect for others
Community - help others, be a good neighbour, look after local area
4. Conclusion: repeat / summarise the answer