叙述理由的文章需要先对某观点表明自己的态度和立场，然后再解释为什么要这么做，列举理由。
例如：
Why do I prefer to spend most of my time reading?
Why teaching is the job I like best?
Why is it a good place for you to live in?
这种类型的作文基本结构如下：
Paragraph 1
S(1) Topic
S(2) Thesis: My attitude towards it
Paragraph2
S(3) Thesis(more specific)
S(4) Reason1
S(5) Supporting detail
S(6) Reason 2.
S(7) Supporting detail
.
Paragraph3
Conclusion
第一段中的S(1)引出文章要讨论的主题， 如职业选择、交友、娱乐等等。S(2)则是作者对这个主题的基本态度，如选择A事情， 不要B事情，赞成或反对等。
第二段中S(3) 是一个承上启下的句子，即更具体的重复S(2)论点的内容，有简略的点一下为什么吃这样态度的一般理由。之后是几个具体的理由。可以用事实依据和数据等作论据解释理由。
最后一段是全文的总结，可以再次声明自己的态度，也可提出某些建议等等。
本期写作题目： A Letter to the University President
Direction: For this part, you are allowed thirty minutes to write a composition on the topic: A letter to the university president about the canteen service on campus, you should write at least 100 words, and base your composition on the outline given in Chinese below:
假设你是李伟，请你就本校食堂的状况给校长写了一封信，内容涉及食堂的饭菜质量、价格、环境、服务等等，可以是表扬，可以是批评建议，也可以兼而有之。
应试写作学与练第二期参考范文：
January 11th, 2003
Dear Mr. President,
As a regular student at our college, I have some complaint to make about the canteen service on campus.
Firstly, the canteen environment is very bad. Actually, it is becoming more and more crowded and noisy with an ever larger presence of vocational students every term. Secondly, the canteen workers are bad-mannered. Far from being warm and kind-hearted, they always seem to be cold and rude to us students. Thirdly and most importantly, the dishes at our canteen are too expensive, though they are by no means good quality or delicious. The survey the Student Union carried out last week reveals that on average a student will spend 10 to 12 yuan on meals every day. This is for more than the food expenses of students in the neighborhood colleges.
Nutritious and delicious meals well within the students means are very important for young students. I really wish measures could be taken to improve our canteen service.
Sincerely yours,
Li Ming