小题八股文简论

On the Xiaoti (Narrow-theme)-Baguwen (Stereotyped Writing)

八股文可以分为大题和小题两类。仅从题目本身不能判断一篇八股文是大题抑或小题。一般而言,乡会试所考的是大题;而小题则有两种:一为童生所考的题目,一为八股名家出于技痒而为。名家的小题八股文可与小品相媲美。

Baguwen(Stereotyped Writing) can be classified into two categories: Dati(Broad-theme) and Xiaoti(Narrow-theme).However,from the title of Baguwen,one cannot tell whether it is of Dati or of Xiaoti.Generally speaking,Dati is employed in Xiangshi(triennial examination) and Huishi (metropolitan examination),while Xiaoti can be divided into two types: the question for Tongsheng(Pupil) and the one for the great writers of Baguwen to write for showing their skills.Usually,Xiaoti written by the great writers of the Baguwen is almost good as the essay.