一. 感想
一篇文章的开头和结尾，是通篇最重要的两个部分。
The most important sentence in any article is the first one... Therefore your lead must capture the reader immediately and force him to keep reading.
文章的伊始，往往是最考验作者功力的。从零开始，要在最短的时间内吸引住人，让读者了解主题和行文方向，并产生读下去的欲望，便是开头的作用。Eric早晨说到的新概念4的第18课《海豚》，就是nonfiction类中的一个极好的例子。前三句话，既激发了读者的好奇心，吸引人读下去，又随即引入了权威的观点，快速切入主题。
此外，我想来说说小说或故事的开头。在我的传统观念里，小说或故事（即便是四大名著）一上来通常都不会特别精彩，往往需要用一定的篇幅来交代人物关系或逐渐进入情节。我们常常需要“耐着性子看进去”，然后，引人入胜的情节才会逐渐出现，吸引着我们如饥似渴地读下去。直到前几年，我看了一本当代小说《遥远的救世主》，一下子改变了我的这一观点。它的第一页是这样的：
我记得特别清楚，在一个慵懒的周末下午，我随意翻开了这本书（我妈借的）的第一页，然后便一口气看了数章，这个开头一下子就把我带入了整个故事。因为它的人物出场和情节展开从一开始就生动自然、引人入胜。
结尾的作用不言而喻，收尾是否得当，直接决定了整个作品的成功与否。
The last sentence of each paragraph is the crucial springboard to the next paragraph... A good last sentence - or last paragraph - is a joy in itself. It gives the reader a lift, and it lingers when the article is over.
Zinsser说文章的结尾部分应该给读者一种升华和令人留恋的感觉。是呀，不虎头蛇尾只是最基本的要求，而如果能利用结尾让整个作品上升一个层面，亦或让读者意犹未尽、陷入深思，那将令整个作品大放异彩。Zinsser提到了“恰到好处”和“令人惊喜”两个行之有效的方法：
When you're ready to stop, stop. If you have presented all the facts and made the point you want to make, look for the nearest exit.
Surprise is the most refreshing element in nonfiction writing. ..., especially as you conclude your story and send them on their way.
当然，nonfiction类作品的结尾，通常担负了总结概括、提炼重点、再次强调等任务，其重要程度不言自明，无须赘述。
我还是来说说故事，其实很多故事的开头和主架构都很不错，就是结尾让人有种不解渴的感觉，有点遗憾。而《黎明之前》（一个国产谍战剧，我一直觉得它比《潜伏》好看）的结尾在我心目中堪称经典。前面的一切谜团在结尾全部解开时，不禁令人在惊叹中陷入了无尽地思考。最后一个镜头中，“兄弟”俩分道扬镳的那一时刻，我的内心感动而震撼，有种深深地意犹未尽之感。
二. 字词
1. leisurely
(1) 原文：They will stick with those writers for the pleasure of wondering where they will emerge as they move in leisurely circles toward the eventual point.
(2) 解释：relaxed and unhurried
(3) 造句：I read the novel in a leisurely way.
2. count on
(1) 原文：But I urge you not to count on the reader to stick around.
(2) 字典解释：
① If you count on something or count upon it, you expect it to happen and include it your plans.
② If you count on someone or count upon them, you rely on them to support you or help you.
(3) 造句：Don't count on others being in your shoes.
3. cajole / coax
(1) 原文：
① It must cajole him with freshness, or novelty, or paradox, or humor, or surprise, or with an unusual idea, or an interesting fact, or a question.
② Coax the reader a little more; keep him inquisitive.
(2) 字典解释：
① cajole: to gradually persuade someone to do something by being nice to them, or making promises to them （以甜言蜜语）哄骗
② coax: to persuade someone to do something that they do not want to do by talking to them in a kind, gentle, and patient way
(3) 造句：She cajoled / coaxed her son into going to kindergarten.
4. dwell on / upon sth.
(1) 原文：But don't dwell on the reason.
(2) 字典解释：to think or talk for too long about something, especially something unpleasant
(3) 造句：Don't dwell on those mistakes you've made.
5. arresting
(1) 原文：The five short sentences send the reader on his way quickly and with an arresting thought to take along.
(2) 解释：very attractive 引人注意的
(3) 造句：He wears an arresting suit.
