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教授學者們通常會規範寫作標準，制定如何撰寫碩博士論文與學術文章以及格式要求。學術界所評定的標準植基於以何種撰寫方式會被認可，何種撰寫方式則會被拒絕。本專欄提出「12個獲得學術認可的論文撰寫技巧」，幫助你寫出符合規範與認可標準的文章。
The community of scholars has rules that govern how dissertations, theses and other academic papers are composed and formatted. Academic convention has established what is acceptable and what is not. Following is one of 12 recommendations to help you submit a conventional and acceptable paper.

Tip 7 –Wanted: Formal, unambiguous expression
技巧七：寫作要求－正式、明確的表達


This is the third tip devoted to language. To “precise word choice” and “appropriate voice” is added another writing consideration: tone. The word refers to the type or manner of expression required in academic papers. In a word, the tone is to be “formal.” Another word for it might be “professional,” in the sense that a writer conforms to a standard of the academic profession.
學術寫作注意事項中的第三點，除了技巧五「準確的遣詞用字」與技巧六「適當的第三人稱與主動」外，應該注意的下一個原則就是語調。所謂的語調就是學術論文所要求的表達風格。簡言之，寫作時應該使用「正式」的語調，換個詞來解釋，那就是「專業感」。寫作必須合乎學術界的專業要求。


“Formal writing” does not imply the use of pretentious language, which can be characterized as stilted or pompous or stiff. Rather, formal writing acknowledges a paper’s seriousness of subject and gravity of purpose. Formal language does not pretend to do anything beyond communicate clearly. Adjectives that merely adorn are unwelcome; florid prose is particularly inappropriate.
「正式寫作」並不意味著使用矯揉造作的用詞，因為這樣會讓文章顯得生硬、浮誇且僵化。正式寫作透露出，作者清楚瞭解到文章主題的嚴肅，撰寫目的之慎重。除了清楚表達旨意外，正式寫作不需無謂的矯飾：具裝飾目的的形容詞不受歡迎，華麗的行文更是格格不入。


Informal writing violates these principles because its purpose is entirely different. Informal language entertains, or casually conveys a message. It exaggerates for literary or humorous effect and otherwise embellishes a central thought with whimsical flourishes. All of this is laudable when in character. However, it is entirely out of character for a purposeful academic paper.
非正式寫作違反這些原則，主要原因在於寫作目的完全不同。非正式的寫作文章，目的是娛樂讀者，或以隨性表現來傳達訊息。為展現文學、幽默的口吻，非正式寫作的作者隨時可誇飾或以滑稽、華麗的詞藻修飾論文的中心論點。只要寫作得當，這些手法固然值得嘉獎；然而，對嚴謹的學術論文而言，這類風格顯然極不適當。


Nor is scholarly writing marked by emotional intrusions. Scholarship, after all, is an intellectual exercise. Academic papers are dedicated to ideas, not feelings. Thinking, not emoting, should drive a serious academic writer. The language employed in the paper should have the tensile strength of a tempered thought, rather than the ductile strength of an emotional appeal.
學術寫作也不應摻雜個人情緒。學術作品畢竟是智識的結晶，而論文的重心是論點，不該是情感。促使寫作者的動力應該是來自創新思考而非個人情緒。論文的論據應該是歷經千錘百鍊所獲的堅定實證，而非訴諸情感的柔弱論點。


As a rule, shorthand expression is not acceptable in an academic paper. Therefore, contractions are out. Abbreviations should be avoided. Jargon is inappropriate, whether elevated, as in specialized technical language, or demeaning, as in a pejorative gibe. Any truncated or colloquial expression invites ambiguity. For a paper to endure, it must be expressed in enduring language.
一般來說，「簡寫」難登大雅之堂。其中包括，縮寫不宜出現；長字不可被縮短；技術行話，不論多專業或是多富含技術性，此類意含嘲諷的寫法皆不宜使用。任何縮寫或口語的用法只會模糊句意。文章若想名垂不朽，就必須用經得起時間考驗的字詞寫作文章。


All of this should come naturally for a writer whose sole purpose is to honestly share insight and discovered truth. The substance of a paper should be enough to induce in a reader the hoped-for sense of pleasure and revelation. Attempts to artificially convey such sensations through artful word choice usually boomerang. Clear, unadorned writing lets a reader see a paper’s real worth.
學術論文作者的中心目的，只要忠實表達獨特洞見與發現新的實證論據，那麼他的寫作自然而然會合乎上述一切原則，單憑文章表述的內容就足以使讀者如獲至寶般的喜悅與受到啟發。倘若試圖以華麗造作的言詞來追求這種喜悅與成就，通常是自曝其短、行不通的。清楚、樸實的寫作手法，便足以讓讀者感受論文的真正價值。