(2)Like lifetime goals, these are measurable and clearly stated.
(3)These goals are more performance oriented, and they help with achievement of intermediate goals.
5. 數字法(statistics)
數字法是運用資料來表明事物的本質和特點，準確合理的資料使文章精確可信。
【例】
(1)Nearly half of all Americans over age 20 wear a bridge or denture，and more than 20 percent have complete upper and lower denture. By age 50, one out of every two persons has gum disease.
(2)And it seems sensible to wait. One quarter of all marriages between people under twenty-one end in divorce. In Britain in 1972, there were 124,248 divorces.
1. 定義法(definition)
定義法是用下定義的方式去揭示事物本質特徵或概念內涵。它能使讀者迅速抓住本質屬性和基本特點。此法的句型：
① … is a/the … of … which/that …② … relate to/involve/refer to …
【例】
(1)Language is a system of arbitrary vocal symbols which is used for human communication. 語言是人類用來交際的.任意性的語音符號體系。
(2)Intermediate goals relate to outcomes during the next few years.
(3)Short-term goals involve outcomes expected during the next 12 months.
2. 舉例法(illustration)
舉例法就是舉出實際事例來說明事物的方法，是最常見，往往也是最有效的闡釋模式。
提醒
舉例時應挑選具體、典型且有能力表達清楚的例子，並注意按照一定的順序編排。
請看上述範文第二段：“For instance”引出“lifetime goals”的例項，如，贏得研究獎金、出版有影響書或文章、獲得大學的系主任職位、獲得國家自然科學基金及大公司穩定的顧問職位。
3. 分類法(classification)
分類法就是把說明的物件，按一定的標準劃分成不同類別分別加以說明的方法。如：上述範文介紹人生的三種目標，並按照時間的長短對終生目標、長期目標和短期目標做了分類說明。
4. 比較法(comparison)
比較法是用一個事物和與其有聯絡的其他事物加以對比的說明方法。目的是為了幫助讀者準確地區分事物，透過對比達到對該事物的深刻認識。
如：上述範文對三種人生目標在時間上和實際操作上進行了比較，並闡明瞭彼此的聯絡。
(1)Lifetime goals should be written out.
(2)Like lifetime goals, these are measurable and clearly stated.
(3)These goals are more performance oriented, and they help with achievement of intermediate goals.
5. 數字法(statistics)
數字法是運用資料來表明事物的本質和特點，準確合理的資料使文章精確可信。
【例】
(1)Nearly half of all Americans over age 20 wear a bridge or denture，and more than 20 percent have complete upper and lower denture. By age 50, one out of every two persons has gum disease.
(2)And it seems sensible to wait. One quarter of all marriages between people under twenty-one end in divorce. In Britain in 1972, there were 124,248 divorces.
說明文的說明方法除上面介紹的常見的幾種以外，還有諸如分項法、列舉法、比喻法及引用法等，只有綜合運用多種說明方法，才能多角度、多層次地全面、清晰、準確地展示客觀事物的本來面貌。