熟悉四级考试的同学可能会发现，9月份和7月份的作文考题十分相似。首先，作文主题都和电子科技产品相关，如Online Dictionary、Online Library 和PowerPoint，和7月份的Translation Apps。其次，考题要求中都增加了文章首句的参考：The use of +作文主题+ is becoming increasingly popular. 由此可以看出这是常规的议论文写作，探讨使用新兴科技产品所带来的利弊，属于非常典型的论说文。
从文章字数要求等方面看，本次考试继续维持了120-180字数的要求，而就比较利弊的议论文写作来说，达到该字数要求不会有太大压力。虽然考题要求中给出了首句，但只是说可以使用，所以对于模板掌握得比较扎实的考生，或者说已经充分将模板内化为自己英语水平的考生而言，即使在文章首句给出的情况下，依然可以灵活变通使用模板。下文是一篇使用传统模板写成的文章，在没有重大错误的情况下，依然可以达到11分的档次：
The increasing popularity of using online dictionaries has aroused a heated discussion as to its benefits and drawbacks. Views on the topic vary greatly among people from different walks of life. Some believe that it is convenient for looking up new words but others believe that it does more harm than good.
On the one hand, an online dictionary is lighter than a traditional dictionary and it saves time. Instead of carrying a thick dictionary around, all you need to do is download an online dictionary on your phone. And a tap on the screen will rescue you from awkwardness when coming across a new word. On the other hand, using online dictionaries too much may hinder language learning, especially for students. Looking up words in a traditional dictionary takes time, but it can enhance your memory of the words at the same time. If students rely too much on online dictionaries, they would probably stop learning new words.
From my perspective, it is crucial that companies should update their apps regularly and improve the overall quality. Also, it is high time that people realized that online dictionaries are not only for looking up new words, but for vocabulary learning as well. Only by doing so can people truly enjoy the benefits brought by online dictionaries.
上文首段用了常见模板There has been a heated discussion as to …Views on the topic vary greatly among people from different walks of life. Some believe that …but others simply do not agree。该模板适配性比较高，适用于有正反两面的话题，上面出现的几个主题都可以完美契合。
观点段用On the one hand和On the other hand分别引出了正反观点，通过这组表达对比关系的词组，既使段落结构一目了然，也增加了段内句间的连贯性。其中第一个观点用比较级lighter than引出，接下来用instead of对比两种方法以突出电子词典的优势，支持正方的观点；接着由and连接一句补充，突出电子词典的便利性。第二个观点则是由现在分词引导的总起句，表明滥用电子词典会妨碍语言学习；总起句后首先是由but连接的复合句，通过转折强调了纸质词典的优点，接着由一个if引导的条件句来说明依赖电子词典的缺点，刚好和上一句形成对比，达到强化反方观点的作用。这段采用了两分式的结构，每个结构中选取多种句式来支持论点。结构清晰又不乏多样性，向考官展示了考生观点段落的展开能力。
末段用了两个建议，从电子词典公司和使用者两个角度入手，分别选取了should型虚拟和时态倒退型虚拟，加上建议原因，最后以倒装语序概况总结。体现了考生对语言的驾驭能力，但本质上依然是已构造好的模板的使用。对模板的灵活使用，可以为自己的写作增加重量，与此同时，考生也能从模仿到创新，逐渐形成自己的写作风格。
