定義
一般來說，英語短文就是指以英文來寫作的短文。它既可講述道理，也可抒發感情，亦可記敘事情，但因其篇幅短小，故要求用語簡潔，結構簡單，觀點簡明。
例文
英語美文
1． Learning：A Lifelong Career
【學習：一生的事業】
As food is to the body, so is learning to the mind. Our bodies grow and muscles develop with the intake of adequate nutritious food. Likewise, we should keep learning day by day to maintain our keen mental power and expand our intellectual capacity. Constant learning supplies us with inexhaustible fuel for driving us to sharpen our power of reasoning, analysis, and judgment. Learning incessantly is the surest way to keep pace with the times in the information age, and an infallible warrant of success in times of uncertainty.
Once learning stops, vegetation sets in. It is a common fallacy to regard school as the only workshop for the acquisition of knowledge. On the contrary, learning should be a never-ending process, from the cradle to the grave. With the world ever changing so fast, the cease from learning for just a few days will make a person lag behind. What's worse, the animalistic instinct dormant deep in our subconsciousness will come to life, weakening our will to pursue our noble ideal, sapping our determination to sweep away obstacles to our success and strangling our desire for the refinement of our character. Lack of learning will inevitably lead to the stagnation of the mind, or even worse, its fossilization, Therefore, to stay mentally young, we have to take learning as a lifelong career.
學習之於心靈，就像食物之於身體一樣。攝取了適量的營養食物，我們的身體得以生長而肌肉得以發達。同樣地，我們應該日復一日不斷地學習以保持我們敏銳的心智慧型力，並擴充我們的智力容量。不斷的學習提供我們用不盡的燃料，來驅使我們磨利我們的推理、分析和判斷的能力。持續的學習是在資訊時代中跟時代並駕齊驅的最穩當的方法，也是在變動的世代中成功的可靠保證.一旦學習停止，單調貧乏的生活就開始了。視學校為汲取知識的唯一場所是種常見的謬誤。相反地，學習應該是一種無終止的歷程，從生到死。由於世界一直快速地在變動，只要學習停頓數日就將使人落後。更糟的是，蟄伏在我們潛意識深處的獸性本能就會復活，削弱我們追求高貴理想的意志，弱化我們掃除成功障礙的決心，而且扼殺我們淨化我們人格的欲望。缺少學習將不可避免地導致心靈的停滯，甚至更糟地，使其僵化。因此，為了保持心理年輕，我們必須將學習當作一生的事業。
2．heavy schoolwork
【課業繁重】
In my opinion, the schoolwork now being assigned to high school students is too heavy. While it is true that students need to study, they need other things as well if they are to grow into healthy and well-rounded adults. High school students should be allowed more time for play. Playing is not wasting time, as some think. It gives them physical exercise, and also exercises their imagination. Which tends to be stifled by too much study. Finally, the pressure put on high school students by excessive schoolwork can cause serious stress, which is unhealthy physically and mentally. I do not advocate the elimination of schoolwork. I do think, however, that a reduction of the current heavy load would be beneficial to students and to the society as a whole.
我認為目前高中生的課業實在太重了，雖然說學生的確應當念書，但是要想長大成為健全的人，他們還需要一些其它的東西，所以應該給高中生較多從事娛樂的時間。娛樂並不如某些人所想的，是在浪費時間，它可以讓學生鍛鍊身體，發揮被繁重課業扼殺的想像力。最後，繁重的課業加諸在高中生身上的壓力可能引起嚴重的情緒緊張，這對身心都有害。我並非主張廢除學校課業，但是我認為減輕目前繁重的課業對於學生和整個社會都是有益的。
3．Time
【時間】
Lost time is never found again. This is something which I learned very clearly last semester. I spent so much time fooling around that my grades began to suffer. I finally realized that something had to be done. It was time for a change.
Now I have a new plan for using my time wisely. I have set my alarm clock ahead half an hour. This will give me a head start on the day. I have also decided to keep a log of what I do and when I do it. Looking back on what I’ve done will give me some ideas on how to reorganize my time.
時光一去不復返，這是我上學期清楚學到的教訓。我浪費很多時間四處遊蕩，以致於我的成績開始退步。最後我終於了解到我必須有所作為，該是痛改前非的時候了。
現在我有一個明智運用時間的新方法。我已將鬧鐘早撥半小時，這將使我這一天的作息提前開始。我也決定將我所做的一切及做這些事的時間記錄下來。回顧我所做的事情會啟發我如何重新安排我的時間。
4．Work and Play
【工作與娛樂】
Work and play do not contradict each other; in fact, they complement each other. As the saying goes, "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy." A life burdened with work leads you nowhere, for you would get tired and bored with your daily routine work. On the other hand, proper recreation will relieve the tension and discomfort of our monotonous life because it offers you various ways to let out your pent-up emotions.
What I usually do to relax after school is jogging and watching movies. Usually I don't spare time for exercise, but I value the physical education class at school. Jogging several rounds in the field certainly relieves the day's pressure. On weekends, I'll catch the morning movie for my visual enjoyment. I feel revived and energetic for another week's work-load.
工作與娛樂並不互相衝突，事實上，它們之間的關係還相輔相成。有句格言說：「整日工作而沒有休閒娛樂，會令人變得沉悶乏味。」被工作重擔壓得喘不過氣來的生活，將使你一事無成，因為你將對一成不變的例行公事感到厭煩。由另一方面來說，適度的娛樂活動能提供各種管道，來宣洩你被壓抑的情緒，減輕單調生活中的緊張與不悅。
放學之後，我最常做的休閒活動，便是慢跑與看電影。通常我並不特地撥出時間來做運動，但是我很重視學校的體育課。在操場上慢跑幾圈，無疑地可以減輕一天的壓力。在周末時，我都去看早場電影，享受視覺盛宴。如此一來，我將有如再生般的充沛活力，去面對下一星期的工作量。
5．My first Job
【我的第一份工作】
My first job was at a cramming school. It was three years ago when I just graduated from junior high school and finished the entrance examination. since I had nothing to do that summer, I decided to find a job, tasting the joy of independence.
I was responsible for answering the telephone and taking the message. I worked eight hours a day, six days a week. The work was not difficult nor heavy to me and I guess I did well. The most delighted thing was perhaps that I could spend the money I earned all by myself.
我的第一份工作是在一家補習班做事。那是三年前我剛從國中畢業，考完聯考時的事了。既然我整個夏天都閒著沒事，倒不如找份差事，嘗嘗獨立賺錢的快樂。
我負責接聽電話且紀錄留言的工,一天工作八小時，一星期工作六天。那份工作對我而言既不困難亦不沉重，所以我想我還滿稱職的。而最令人快樂的事大概莫過於花全部由自己賺來的錢了！
6．My Favorite Sports
【我最喜愛的運動】
Sports help everyone to keep healthy, happy and efficient. So I pay special attention to games, especially table tennis. Table tennis is my favorite game. I play it almost every day.
Table-tennis is an ideal game for us because it brings the whole body into action. It strengthens our muscles, expands our lungs, promotes the circulation of the blood, and causes a healthy action of the skin. Besides, it is very amusing and does not cost us much money. Table-tennis is very moderate; it is not so rough as football. It is an indoor game and can be played even on rainy days. Thus, it is my favorite kind of exercise.
運動能幫助每一個人保持健康、快樂和有效率。所以我特別重視運動，特別是桌球，桌球是我最喜歡的運動。我幾乎每天玩。
桌球對我們而言，是一項理想的運動，因為它可以使我們全身運動，它可以增強我們的肌肉，擴張我們的肺部，促進血液循環，並且使肌膚產生健康作用，此外，它很有趣而且所費不多。桌球是相當溫和適中的，它不像足球那么粗野。它是一種室內運動，甚至在下雨天也能玩。因此，桌球是我最喜愛的一種運動。
7．Fox and cock
【狐狸和公雞】
One morning a fox saw a cock.He thought,"This is my breakfast.''
He came up to the cock and said,"I know you can sing very well.Would you like to sing for me?''The cock was glad.He closed his eyes and began to sing.The fox saw that and caught him in his mouth and carried him away.
People in the field saw the fox.They shouted："Look,look!The fox is carrying our cock away.''
The cock said to the fox,"Mr Fox,do you understand?The people say you are carrying their cock away.Tell them it is yours.Not theirs.''
The fox opened his mouth and said,"The cock is mine,not yours.''Just then the cock ran away from the fox and fled into the tree.
一天早上，一隻狐狸看到了一隻公雞。他想：這是我的早餐。
他朝公雞走來，對他說：“我知道，你唱歌非常好聽，你能唱首歌給我聽么？”公雞很高興。他閉上眼睛開始唱歌。狐狸看到這些，抓住它放到自己的嘴裡走了。
在田地里的人們看到了狐狸。大喊大叫：“看，看！狐狸抓住公雞逃走了。”公雞對狐狸說：“狐狸先生，你能理解么？人們認為你叼走了他們的公雞。告訴他們這是你的，不是他們的。”
狐狸張開他的嘴說：“公雞是我的，不是你們的。”就在那時，公雞逃離了狐狸的嘴巴，跑到了樹底下。
8．The City Mouse and the Country Mouse
【城裡老鼠和鄉下老鼠】
Once there were two mice. They were friends. One mouse lived in the country; the other mouse lived in the city. After many years the Country mouse saw the City mouse; he said, "Do come and see me at my house in the country." So the City mouse went. The City mouse said, "This food is not good, and your house is not good. Why do you live in a hole in the field? You should come and live in the city. You would live in a nice house made of stone. You would have nice food to eat. You must come and see me at my house in the city."
The Country mouse went to the house of the City mouse. It was a very good house. Nice food was set ready for them to eat. But just as they began to eat they heard a great noise. The City mouse cried, " Run! Run! The cat is coming!" They ran away quickly and hid.
After some time they came out. When they came out, the Country mouse said, "I do not like living in the city. I like living in my hole in the field. For it is nicer to be poor and happy, than to be rich and afraid."
從前，有兩隻老鼠，它們是好朋友。一隻老鼠居住在鄉村，另一隻住在城裡。很多年以後，鄉下老鼠碰到城裡老鼠，它說：“你一定要來我鄉下的家看看。”於是，城裡老鼠就去了。城裡老鼠說：“這東西不好吃，你的家也不好，你為什麼住在田野的地洞裡呢？你應該搬到城裡去住，你能住上用石頭造的漂亮房子，還會吃上美味佳肴，你應該到我城裡的家看看。”
鄉下老鼠就到城裡老鼠的家去。房子十分漂亮，好吃的東西也為他們擺好了。可是正當他們要開始吃的時候，聽見很大的一陣響聲，城裡的老鼠叫喊起來：“快跑！快跑！貓來了！”他們飛快地跑開躲藏起來。
過了一會兒，他們出來了。當他們出來時，鄉下老鼠說：“我不喜歡住在城裡，我喜歡住在田野我的洞裡。因為這樣雖然貧窮但是快樂自在，比起雖然富有卻要過著提心弔膽的生活來要好些。”
9. The Old Cat
【老貓】
An old woman had a cat. The cat was very old; she could not run quickly, and she could not bite, because she was so old. One day the old cat saw a mouse; she jumped and caught the mouse. But she could not bite it; so the mouse got out of her mouth and ran away, because the cat could not bite it. Then the old woman became very angry because the cat had not killed the mouse. She began to hit the cat. The cat said, "Do not hit your old servant. I have worked for you for many years, and I would work for you still, but I am too old. Do not be unkind to the old, but remember what good work the old did when they were young."
一位老婦有隻貓，這隻貓很老，它跑不快了，也咬不了東西，因為它年紀太大了。一天，老貓發現一隻老鼠，它跳過去抓這隻老鼠，然而，它咬不住這隻老鼠。因此，老鼠從它的嘴邊溜掉了，因為老貓咬不了它。 於是，老婦很生氣，因為老貓沒有把老鼠咬死。她開始打這隻貓，貓說：“不要打你的老僕人，我已經為你服務了很多年，而且還願意為你效勞，但是，我實在太老了，對年紀大的不要這么無情，要記住老年人在年青時所做過的有益的事情。”
10.I really miss you, my dear girl! You are the light of my life! You wear a yellow coat, so lovely and pretty. I love you, Miss Yin. I devote myself to kiss you. Ahh! My dear sweetheart! Is night now. Stars are shining in the dark blue sky. The city is quiet! There are so many cars on the road. Last, I want to say something to you: I love you wherever you go!
我真的很想你，我親愛的女孩！你是我生命中的那盞燈！你穿著一件黃色的大衣，多么的可愛、漂亮。我愛你，尹小姐。我盡我的所能去親吻你。啊！我親愛的戀人！現在是夜晚。繁星在深藍的夜空中閃耀。這座城市很安靜！大道上有許多的汽車。最後，我想對你說：無論你走到哪裡我都愛你！
11.Today, I visited the Xishan Park with my parents. The sun shone in the sky and the sky was blue. The city was noisy, but park was quiet. The wind was cold, but my heart was hot.There are all kinds of trees stand there, just like solders protect ourhomeland.
今天，我和爸爸媽媽一起去西山公園。太陽在天空中照耀著，天是藍的。城市很喧囂，但公園裡很靜。風是寒冷的，但我的心是暖和的。那兒有各種各樣的樹站在那兒，就像士兵守衛著我們的家園。
12.Today,I along the road of this village. The wind was so cold that my face was hurt. The sky was blue, although a little cloudy. I love the village! Just like my mother loved me. Sweet…… The birds were singing in the tree.
今天，我沿著鄉間小路走。風很冷以致我的臉很疼。天空是藍色的，雖然有點兒多雲。我愛這個村莊！就像媽媽愛我那樣。甜甜的……鳥兒在樹上唱著歌。
