It is said that dispensing advice is easy. What is difficult is getting anyone to listen to it," says Judith Martin, author of Star-Spangled Manners. Review these pointers before piping up:

1. Keep your goal in mind. What do you hope to achieve by intervening? Is it a worthy cause?
2. Be a friend. Although meddling can end a friendship, sharing the good and the bad is all part of the package. If you're close enough to this person that she would expect you to share your opinion unsolicited, and vice versa, you should be safe.
3. Use I statements. "Statements that begin with the word I followed by your feelings are usually better received than statements that begin with you, which can seem like personal attacks," says Jane Hight McMurry.
4. Brainstorm solutions and be available to help hash out the details. Dropping a bomb then ducking for cover is not nice. Be prepared to help with the aftermath if you're asked.
5. Let it go. You can't force anyone to make changes in his or her life. At the very least, the person now knows that should he or she want to make the change, you're available to talk about it.

 

英语新闻标题总是力求用有限的字数来表达新闻的内容,为此,在措词上尤其要狠下功夫,选词尽可能经济达意、简短明了,偏爱选用那些短小精悍或字母最少的动词。这是因为短小易懂、形象生动的措词不仅能增强新闻的简洁性和可读性,而且还能节省版面篇幅。如表示“破坏”或“损坏”一词意义的动词,标题一般不用damage,而用一些较之简短的词,如hit,harm,hurt, ruin或wreck等。又如表示“放弃”这一概念的动词,标题一般不用abandon,而用drop,give up,quit,skip或yield 等,表示“爆炸”之类的动词意义时,一般不用 explode,而用blast,crash, ram或smash等词。简而言之,英语新闻标题大都喜欢选用字形短小、音节不多而意义又比较广泛的词。

这类动词在标题中屡见不鲜,读者平时阅读时不妨多加留意,这对于提高英语水平,尤其是熟悉英语同义动词,无疑是大有裨益的。为便于读者更好地理解英语新闻标题,现再列举一些常见诸报端的标题小词,以备不时之需:
aid=assist(帮助,援助)

alter=change or modify(改变)

ask=inquire(询问)

assail=denounce(谴责)

axe=dismiss\\\\reduce(解雇,减少)

balk=impede(阻碍)

ban=prohibit or forbid(禁止)

bar=prevent(防止,阻止)

bare=expose or reveal(暴露,揭露)

blast=explode(爆炸)

begin=commence(开始)

bid=attempt(努力)

bilk=cheat(欺骗)

bolt=desert or abandon(放弃)

boost=increase(增加,提高)

check=examine(检查)

claim=ause the death of...(夺去……的生命)

clash=disagree strong1y(发生分歧,争议)

curb=control or restrict(控制)

dip=decIlne or decrease(下降)
ease=lessen(减轻,缓和)

end=terminate(结束,中止)

flay=criticize(批评)

flout=insult(侮辱)

foil=prevent from(阻止,防止)

grill = investigate(调查)

gut=destroy(摧毁)

head=direct(率领)

hold=arrest( ** )

laud=praise(赞扬)

lop=diminish(下降,减少)

map=work out(制订)

mark=celebrate(庆祝)

name=appoint\\\\nominate(命名,提名)

moot=discuss(讨论)

mull=consider(考虑)

nab=arrest( ** )

nip=defeat(击败)
ease=lessen(减轻,缓和)

end=terminate(结束,中止)

flay=criticize(批评)

flout=insult(侮辱)

foil=prevent from(阻止,防止)

grill = investigate(调查)

gut=destroy(摧毁)

head=direct(率领)

hold=arrest( ** )

laud=praise(赞扬)

lop=diminish(下降,减少)

map=work out(制订)

mark=celebrate(庆祝)

name=appoint\\\\nominate(命名,提名)

moot=discuss(讨论)

mull=consider(考虑)

nab=arrest( ** )

nip=defeat(击败)
slay=murder(谋杀)

soar=skyrocket(急剧上升)

spur=encourage(激励,鞭策)

swap=exchange(交流,交换)

sway=influence(影响)

trim=reduce(削减)

vie=compete(竞争)

vow=determine(决心,发誓)

weigh=consider(考虑)