【编者按】作者的意图时指作者在文中表达的意思，也就是写作目的。只有掌握作者的写作意图， 我们才能了解文章的深层含义， 从而全面正确，深刻把握思想。作者的写作意图通常隐藏在字里行间， 所以需要从以下几个方面来看：

(1)熟悉文体

(2)寻找 key word, topic sentence

(3)善于把握讽刺，反语等常见修辞方法。

(4)把握作者的语气， 严肃或轻松， 幽默或讽刺， 平和或激动， 乐观或悲观。

通常有以下几种题型：

(1)What is the writer’s attitude towards _____ .

(2)The writer tries to tell us ___ .

(3)The author’s tone would be best described as _______ .

The big Town Hall clock was striking midnight when Frank began to cross the bridge . The dark night air was cold and slightly wet, and the street lamp gave little light .

Frank was anxious to get home and his footsteps rang loudly on the pavement . When he reached the middle of the bridge he thought he could hear someone coming near behind him . He looked back but could see no one . However , the sound continued and Frank began to walk more quickly . Then he slowed down again , feeling shame at having acted so foolishly . There was nothing to fear in a town as quiet as this .

Just then , he heard short , quick steps closely behind him . By the time he reached the other side of the bridge , he could almost feel someone at his heels . He turned round and there stood a man in a large overcoat . A hat was pulled down over his eyes and very little of his face could be seen . Frank said something about the weather , trying to sound friendly and calm . The man did not answer but asked rudely where Oakfield House was . Frank pointed to a big house in the distance and the stranger continued his way .

Then Frank wondered why the stranger had wanted to find Oakfield House at such an hour .

He knew that the people who lived there were very rich . Almost without realizing what he was doing , he began following the stranger quickly . The man was soon outside the house and Frank saw him look up at the windows . A light was still on and the man waited until it went out . When about half an hour had passed , Frank saw him climb noiselessly over the wall and heard him drop on the ground on the other side .

Now Frank realized what was going to happen . He walked quickly and silently across the street towards a telephone box on the corner .