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取得碩博士學位的最終步驟是完成論文，然而，撰寫論文的過程通常是既漫長又嚴謹的長期抗戰。本次學術專欄特別推出「論文撰寫六大準備技巧」，幫助你做好準備工作，順利完成論文。每一項準備技巧，將定期刊登於本專欄。
The final step in earning many master and doctorate degrees is completion of a thesis or dissertation. The process involved typically is lengthy and exacting. Following is one of 6 recommendations to help you get started on your dissertation in such a way that you can successfully complete it. Each tip in the series will appear on the TPS Fans page.

Tip # 5 – Crystallize a topic choice, and determine if it is researchable and manageable
釐清主題，確定內容與範圍適合研究

The final criterion in choosing a topic is, how well does it advance your candidacy for a degree? A topic sometimes appeals because it is not challenging enough, neither challenging your research skills, nor your peers’ intellect. The Council of Graduate Schools (an American. organization with affiliate members around the world) says a dissertation must “demonstrate breadth of scholarship, depth of research, and ability to investigate problems independently.” It also must significantly contribute to a body of scholarship. An easy topic will misserve you.
選擇主題最後一個標準，就是判斷該主題是否能讓你更有資格取得學位。有時候主題看來吸引人是因為不夠困難，無法激發你的研究技巧或激盪學術同儕的腦力。研究所委員會（美國組織，分會遍布全球）表示，一篇博士論文必須能「展現學識廣度、研究深度，以及獨立研究問題的能力」，同時必須對學識有重大貢獻；太簡單的主題無法展現你的能力。

Like any other academic writing, a dissertation reveals how well a writer can analyze raw research data and reports, interpret them fairly and correctly, and then bring together the material into a synergistic document. These research and composition skills are best displayed when the material being plumbed is deep enough to truly warrant “analysis.” Artfully restating what is obvious and shallow is not the same as critical discovery and original reporting. A chosen topic should lead to revelation and surprise, or at least to compelling fresh evidence.
論文就像其他學術文章，能展露作者是否善於分析原始資料與報告、公平正確的解釋，並綜合所有資料精華、加以發揮。要展現研究與寫作技巧，研究題材必須有深度，值得「分析」。投機取巧，把顯而易見、膚淺的內容換句話說，無法稱得上是重要發現與或原創研究報告。研究者所選的主題應該能帶來啟發或新意，起碼也要產生有說服力的新證據。

Finally, a chosen topic must be practicable in respect to the methodology used to produce it. An ethnographic study that requires actual assimilation into a foreign culture might not be possible for logistical reasons. An experiment requiring years of blind studies probably won’t work because of time constraints, whereas a survey often is suitable, or a case study, or exhaustive historical research. A topic often dictates methodology, which in turn can determine the feasibility of a topic. When choosing a topic, realistically determine if it can be accomplished.
最後，主題必須在研究方法上切實可行。稍加思索可預知，採用民族誌研究法，研究者必須實際融入外國文化，並不切實；由於時間限制，需要進行多年盲性試驗的實驗方法也不太可行，通常適合的是調查法、個案研究法或詳盡的歷史研究。研究方法多半依主題而定，也能反過來用以判斷主題是否適合研究。選擇主題時必須實事求是，判斷它是否具研究價值並能順利完成。

TPS的編輯教授在此歡迎關於學術文章的所有詢問，當然，其實他並沒有足夠的時間給你。他擁有終身教職的教授身份，也是著名的學術巨作作者。即便如此，他仍大方地接受你們的詢問。將關於學術方面的詢問寫在下方，你將獲得教授的親自指導，陶冶對學術的探索與啟發。
The professor awaits your query on academic writing, though in all honesty, he doesn’t have a lot of time for you. He is a tenured full professor, after all, and working on yet another magnificent academic tome. Even so, he has graciously consented to entertain your question. Submit it and prepare to be edified.

QUESTION: I write pretty good papers… sometimes. Other times, I hand in plodding, dull papers that embarrass me, papers that I wouldn’t hand in at all were a deadline not upon me. Any ideas on how I can do my best writing all the time?
我寫的論文有時候很不錯，但有時候卻很單調乏味，讓我很不好意思，要不是截稿時間到了，根本不想交出去。怎樣才能一直寫出最好的文章？

If you happen upon an answer to your question, patent it (and legally defend your patent); you will make a fortune. That’s because consistent excellence in writing of any kind is among the holiest of grails. So I commend you for your quest; critically examining your work is a very good first step in realizing it. As a rule, self-examination is better than being guided too much by the opinions of others, because acceptance and excellence are not always the same. The goal for an academic scholar is acceptance and excellence.
關於這個問題，如果你找到答案，別忘了申請專利並用法律保護它，你會大賺一筆。不管何種寫作，能持續寫出出色的作品就像找到最神聖的聖盃，你的追尋值得表揚，而追尋的第一步就是認真檢視自己的作品。比起過度遵循他人意見，立下規矩自我檢查更重要，因為能被接受的文章與傑出的文章不同。學術寫作不僅要寫出讓人接受的文章，還要精益求精。

Guidelines to help a writer consistently submit superior academic papers start with a writer wanting to maintain a high personal standard. Human nature seems to be for us to coast on success rather than to work to sustain its momentum. Don’t expect less of a paper than that it contain indisputable logic, fluid organization, substantial content, and conspicuously good word choices. Those are the markers of excellence. Settling for less than that means settling for a mediocre paper. It really is that simple.
若想持續寫出優秀的文章，作者首先必須保持高規格的個人標準，即使人性似乎傾向順水推舟，而非持續追求卓越。你必須要求自己，務求論文邏輯嚴謹、組織流暢、內容充實，遣詞用字無可挑剔，也就是具備傑出文章的特色。若對標準妥協，就表示對平庸的文章妥協，就這麼簡單。

But here is the rest of the story: Writers are individuals with unique cycles of creativity and peculiar work habits. Motivation, inspiration, and creation come together in many different combinations. If you think and write best in the morning—or sitting by the ocean—that is when or where you need to write. Don’t try to fool your muse. Also, write when you are rested; dozing is for dreaming, not thinking. Write when your biorhythms and externals come together for you. Know yourself and how you best write.
除此之外，每位作者都有獨特的創意發想週期與特定的工作習慣。動機、靈感、創意有各種不同的配合方式，如果你在早上思考和寫作的效率最好，或者坐在海邊效果最佳，你就應該在那個時間與地點寫作，不要想騙過你的靈感女神。另外，休息夠了再寫，想打瞌睡時應該去睡覺，而不是動腦，寫作應該配合生理節奏與外在條件。你應該了解自己，明白在什麼情況下寫作最為順利。

並非所有與學術議題相關的文章，就能稱之為「學術文章」。本篇專欄將節錄不同學術議題的內容，分析常見的寫作錯誤，並分享潤修與寫作的技巧。
Not all articles written on academic topics are written in proper academic English. In this "This is not academic writing" column we examine short excerpts from academic texts to illustrate common writing errors and explain how to correct them.

Unacceptable 不被認可的文章

“K’ung-fu-tzu, or Confucius, emphasized in his noble teachings the importance of individual study and individual learning. He encouraged his disciples to think for themselves and to harmoniously link society’s past, its present, and its future. Though he taught the virtue of societal order, Confucius didn’t like order being imposed by coercion and favored leaders leading by example. His ideal of human character was inner confidence and gentleness combined with outer benevolence and compassion. Confucius’s model for such ordering of humanity was the family.”
An ancient teacher still is teaching via this paragraph, which contains some questionable word selections. In the first sentence, the writer describes the teachings of Confucius as “noble.” While that might be true, it is a problematic description. Some observers might believe Confucius was daft. Freestanding opinion is not suitable in academic writing. The writer asserts Confucius “didn’t like” coerced order. Actually the likes and dislikes of ancient teachers are not as relevant as what they taught; the sentence should be rephrased. In the last sentence, the reader stumbles over “Confucius’s model…” A good rule to follow is that possessives ending in “s” should be written so that readers don’t have to slop around in “susses.” How else might the paragraph be improved?
經由這個段落，我們又從古代的至聖先師學到不少。此段落有些詞彙的選擇有待商榷，第一個句子形容孔子的學說很「高尚」(noble)，無論孔子的學說是否高尚，這樣形容都有問題，畢竟有些人可能認為孔子很愚昧，學術文章不適合使用沒有根據的意見。作者又宣稱孔子「不喜歡」強加命令於人民，其實先賢的教誨比他們的喜歡與否來得重要，此句應修改措辭。最後一句 “Confucius’s model…” 讀來相當拗口，所有格若以 “s” 結尾，寫作時應特別注意，以免讀者在 “susses” 之類的字尾打轉。本段落還可以如何進一步修改呢？

Acceptable 認可的文章

“K’ung-fu-tzu, or Confucius, emphasized in his teachings the importance of individual study and learning. He encouraged his disciples to think for themselves and to harmoniously link society’s past, present, and future. Though he taught the virtue of societal order, Confucius eschewed order being imposed by coercion and favored leaders leading by example. His ideal of human character was inner confidence and gentleness wedded to outer benevolence and compassion. The Confucius model for such ordering of humanity was the family.”

取得碩博士學位的最終步驟是完成論文，然而，撰寫論文的過程通常是既漫長又嚴謹的長期抗戰。本次學術專欄特別推出「論文撰寫六大準備技巧」，幫助你做好準備工作，順利完成論文。每一項準備技巧，將定期刊登於本專欄。
The final step in earning many master and doctorate degrees is completion of a thesis or dissertation. The process involved typically is lengthy and exacting. Following is one of 6 recommendations to help you get started on your dissertation in such a way that you can successfully complete it. Each tip in the series will appear on the TPS Fans page.

Tip # 4 – Brainstorm dissertation topic, with guidance from committee and chairperson
技巧四：與指導委員集思廣益，共同討論題目

Writing a dissertation, or any other academic paper, is at least twice as difficult when a topic is ill-chosen. It is like trying to hit the center of a target with an arrow without having a bull’s eye superimposed on the target. Yes, you can see the general direction you need to let fly, but your eye has no focal point to guide your hand. In the same way, a well-chosen and sharply defined topic will help you coordinate your research, manage your time, and focus your writing. The consequence will be a paper that is marked by organization, consistency, and completeness.
寫論文或各種學術文章，若題目選得不好，寫起來難度將會加倍，就好像射箭沒有靶心，你明知道要往那個方向射，卻沒有目標可以瞄準。同樣的，題目若選得好、界定清楚，能配合你的研究、幫助規劃時間、在寫作時集中焦點，寫出的論文才會有組織、有條理且內容完整。

The importance of a topic means that it should not be formulated whimsically. An appealing topic sometimes is quickly found—or even worse, discovered late in the writing process—to be without sufficient substance to merit in-depth examination. Disaster! Parsing ideas way before the start of the dissertation process is advised, sometimes letting it guide final course selection. A superior topic is one a writer can enthusiastically embrace, a graduate school will find eminently worthy, and the larger peer community will conclude is thought-provoking and instructive.
既然題目這麼重要，就不能心血來潮的隨意選定。有些題目看似吸引人，但你很快就會發現沒有足夠的內容可以深入探討，更慘的是，有時你已經寫到一半了才發現沒有題材可發揮，簡直是雪上加霜。最好提早在開始寫論文前仔細檢視題目，或許還可據此選修課程。好的題目會讓學生投注熱情、老師認為有探討價值，讓學術同儕認為具啟發意義、發人深省。

Dissertation committee members, and especially the chair, are instrumental in this process. They ultimately must approve a proposal and final dissertation, so it is wise for a writer to incorporate their thinking in the topic selection process. Their experience—as well as their self-interest in being associated with a well-received dissertation—recommends their recommendations. A dissertation is a team effort, with the committee helping you navigate treacherous shallows and initially plumb some depths. But ultimately it is your vision and strength that must bring it home.
選擇題目時指導委員的意見非常重要，尤其是主任委員的意見。論文提案和定稿最終需經委員通過，所以最好在選擇題目時參考他們的意見。指導委員提出建議時，會考量自己的經驗，這篇論文與他們有關，他們也會關心論文是否會得到好評。寫作論文是團隊合作，指導委員可以幫助你認清暗藏的陷阱，協助深入探討。不過要讓主題確實發揮，最終還是要靠自己的眼光與實力。

TPS的編輯教授在此歡迎關於學術文章的所有詢問，當然，其實他並沒有足夠的時間給你。他擁有終身教職的教授身份，也是著名的學術巨作作者。即便如此，他仍大方地接受你們的詢問。將關於學術方面的詢問寫在下方，你將獲得教授的親自指導，陶冶對學術的探索與啟發。
The professor awaits your query on academic writing, though in all honesty, he doesn’t have a lot of time for you. He is a tenured full professor and working on yet another magnificent academic tome. Even so, he has graciously consented to entertain your question. Submit it and prepare to be edified.

QUESTION: A couple of my friends here in school have read my papers and each has said that the papers seem “inconsistent.” They can’t very well explain what they mean and I am left to wonder where I am going wrong. Any ideas about that?
幾個同學讀了我的論文後，說我的文章有點「前後矛盾」，但他們也沒辦法解釋得很清楚，我不知道我的問題在哪裡。你覺得呢？

Friends can mess with your mind. An honest appraisal from someone you trust can knock the struts out from under you. I can’t fault your friends for being frank, but they might consider a more constructive approach to friendship. Still, their comments can be useful to you if you are genuinely interested in improving your writing of academic papers. The perceived inconsistency of your papers could be the result of any number of academic writing errors. It might be something you are doing, or not doing.
朋友的建議常常讓我們思緒大亂，聽到自己信賴的人對文章的直言不諱，的確會讓人從天堂跌到谷底。我不能責怪你朋友說話那麼坦白，不過如果他們的評語有些建設性，對友誼會更有幫助。話說回來，如果你確實想改善論文寫作，他們的建議還是有幫助。論文讀起來前後矛盾可能出自幾個學術寫作的問題，可能是你寫的內容有問題，或因為你沒有寫而造成問題。

Do you switch willy-nilly from first person to third person? Changing perspectives can jar a reader. Do you pick your words less carefully the longer you write? Such sloppiness, usually from haste or laziness, is noticeable. Do you get off track? Readers lose the thread of wandering presentations. Are your papers inconsistent in tone? Perhaps you begin in a formal way, then slip into a more casual mode, then return to a formal, didactic voice before ending with a blatant plea for acceptance of your argument. Horrors!
你是否不經意地從第一人稱換到第三人稱？改變說話立場會讓讀者困擾。你是否寫到後來遣詞用字愈來愈隨意？因為趕時間或怠惰造成的草率馬虎是很明顯的。你是否離題了？拐彎抹角會讓讀者摸不著頭緒。文章語氣是否前後不一？也許語氣一開始正式，後來放鬆了，最後又回到正經八百、諄諄教導的口吻，還冀望讀者接受你的論點。太糟糕了！

Any of these misguided approaches to academic writing reflect ignorance of the purpose of a paper. Do you remember what that is? The purpose is to professionally argue the case for new understanding of a subject via fresh information, preferably unearthed by you. If your writing is not consistent with this central purpose—from beginning to end—and is not coherent both in its information and its written delivery, you probably are guilty as charged by your friends.
這些錯誤的論文寫作方式表示你忽略論文的主旨。還記得論文的主旨是什麼嗎？是讓人感到耳目一新的資訊，最好是由你發現的訊息，提出專業的論證，並從嶄新的方向說明主題。除非你的寫作自始至終都符合中心主旨，訊息與呈現方式皆有條有理，否則你就可能如朋友所說，文章前後矛盾。

取得碩博士學位的最終步驟是完成論文，然而，撰寫論文的過程通常是既漫長又嚴謹的長期抗戰。本次學術專欄特別推出「論文撰寫六大準備技巧」，幫助你做好準備工作，順利完成論文。每一項準備技巧，將定期刊登於本專欄。
The final step in earning many master and doctorate degrees is completion of a thesis or dissertation. The process involved typically is lengthy and exacting. Following is one of 6 recommendations to help you get started on your dissertation in such a way that you can successfully complete it. Each tip in the series will appear on the TPS Fans page.

Tip # 3 – Carefully choose a dissertation committee
技巧三：審慎選擇論文指導委員

No man is an island, especially a man (or woman) about to undertake a dissertation. A project of this scale is a team effort. Because a dissertation unfolds over months or years, a writer has more than enough time to get lost in it. Having allies in the effort will help you keep your footing if you begin to be swept away by the minutiae of research or undercut by tangential ideas. For these reasons, choosing a faculty dissertation committee is a key part of your preparation. If you fail to do your committee homework, you will have many teeth-gnashing months to regret it.
沒有人是孤島，對準備寫論文的人來說正是如此。寫作論文工程浩大，需要團隊共同努力才能完成。寫作可能需進行數月甚至數 年，作者往往會不自覺而迷失方向。若你被研究細節弄得暈頭轉向，或因想法偏離主旨而感到困擾，只要擁有團隊盟友，就能幫助你站穩腳跟。所以在準備階段，選 擇擔任論文指導委員的教授非常重要。要是挑選指導委員的功課沒做好，你可能將花上好幾個月懊悔不已。

What criteria should you use in selecting committee members? This depends somewhat on the nature of the dissertation. If it is to be technically esoteric, your committee must possess relevant expertise. If the proposal is more interdisciplinary in nature, your committee should have faculty members from relevant disciplines. Academic credentials are not all that matter, however. The people you are choosing to guide and counsel you also should be people you trust. You must know they will be there when you lean on them, and will have your best interests at heart.
指導委員的選擇標準視論文性質而定。討論深奧技術的論文，應選擇有相關專業背景的指導委員；跨學科領域的論文，應選擇各相關學科的教授。教授的學術地位並非主要的考量重點，應尋找能信賴、倚靠，並且會為你設想的教授，讓他們引導你、給你意見。

Dissertation committee members should be tenured or otherwise available to you for the duration of your project. They and you should be able to work together, congenially and constructively. Your most critical choice is committee chairman. The chairman must support and encourage you without enabling any of your egregiously bad habits. (You say you don’t have any? You really need a chairman!) The chair also must be able to lead the committee—and you. You’re the boss of your dissertation project, but the chairman is the underboss you really want on your side.
指導委員應選擇 有終身職的教授，或是寫作論文期間能隨時指導你的教授。雙方對研究有所共識，並且能給予建設性的建議。指導委員中最重要的是主任委員，他必須支持你、鼓勵 你，但又不會縱容你的壞習慣。（你覺得你沒有壞習慣？問題大了！快找好你的主任委員吧！）主任委員也必須能領導你和其他指導委員。論文由你做主，但主任委員是你得拉攏的幕後老大。

TPS的編輯教授在此歡迎關於學術文章的所有詢問，當然，其實他並沒有足夠的時間給你。他擁有終身教職的教授身份，也是著名的學術巨作作者。即便如此，他仍大方地接受你們的詢問。將關於學術方面的詢問寫在下方，你將獲得教授的親自指導，陶冶對學術的探索與啟發。
The professor awaits your query on academic writing, though in all honesty, he doesn’t have a lot of time for you. He is a tenured full professor and working on yet another magnificent academic tome. Even so, he has graciously consented to entertain your question. Submit it and prepare to be edified.

QUESTION: My instructor told me before I began my latest paper that this time I should try to avoid a weak conclusion, which he says is a habit of mine. I guess I don’t understand how to write a good conclusion. Can you help?
我最近要寫一篇論文，指導教授認為我的結論總是太無力，希望我改掉這個習慣。我不知道怎麼寫好結論，能給我些建議嗎？

I don’t know if I can help. Writing habits are tough to change. A writer becomes comfortable assembling words in a familiar way. When a different sentence structure is attempted, it produces discomfort. Because no one is comfortable being uncomfortable, an uneasy writer typically tries to regain writing comfort by returning to a habitual style. So, to change your habit of writing inconclusively, you will have to be OK with change. To overcome writing weak conclusions, you will have to learn to write strong ones.
我不知道能否幫上忙，寫作習慣很難改，寫作的人喜歡用自己熟悉的方式組織字句，如果改變句子結構，就會覺得很不自在。沒有人喜歡不自在，一旦感覺不對就會重回習慣的寫作方式。所以，要改變寫作習慣，讓結論更堅定，首先你必須樂意改變。想改掉無力的結論，你得先學會如何寫出有力的結論。

First, I suspect your problem is mostly about organizing and thinking, not writing. We’ll get to the words in a moment. A paper’s conclusion should reiterate, but not mindlessly list, the paper’s central points. It should distill the paper into its essence. The goal is to have a reader put down your paper with that essence of it in his frontal lobe and well on its way to becoming a long-term memory. A simple reiteration won’t do this. An essential summary will. So you see, writing skill is valuable in a paper clear to the end.
首先，我想你的問題主要不是寫作，而是組織與思考。我們待會兒再談寫作。結論應重申論點，但不是草草列出論點，應該強調重點；結論應該去蕪存菁，讓讀者看完後能抓到文章菁華，並久久不忘，為此，不能只是簡單列出論點，必須寫出重點摘要才能達到效果。可見，要讓論文內容自始至終都很清晰，寫作技巧非常重要。

One more tip: Let your conclusion partially be a bridge to future research or discovery. Position yourself as the bearer of new information without presuming to have the last word on the subject. Modesty is a virtue. As to the actual writing, don’t mince words. Boldly state the fruits of your research—as if you believe them! Be declarative, not mousy, in affirming the truth of the paper and the weight of its evidence. If you trust your work, be confident about where it took you. If you hedge, you will arouse skepticism.
寫作結論還有個技巧，即結論有一部分要能推展到後續研究或發現，文章應該傳遞新資訊，但不要妄自為該主題的研究下定論。謙虛是種美德，但實際寫作時，不要 拐彎抹角，果敢地說明研究成果，就像你衷心相信這些成果很重要。不要畏畏縮縮，大方肯定自己的研究發現與重要佐證。如果你相信自己的努力，說明努力的成果 時要有自信，閃爍其詞會讓人懷疑。

取得碩博士學位的最終步驟是完成論文，然而，撰寫論文的過程通常是既漫長又嚴謹的長期抗戰。本次學術專欄特別推出「論文撰寫六大準備技巧」，幫助你做好準備工作，順利完成論文。每一項準備技巧，將定期刊登於本專欄。
The final step in earning many master and doctorate degrees is completion of a thesis or dissertation. The process involved typically is lengthy and exacting. Following is one of 6 recommendations to help you get started on your dissertation in such a way that you can successfully complete it. Each tip in the series will appear on the TPS Fans page.

Tip # 2 – Make this project a top priority
技巧二： 以寫作論文為重

Do you understand how your quest to write a dissertation will affect your life? It is one thing to take on a task of this magnitude; it is quite another to continue to live an ordered life while doing so. A dissertation project is not an addendum; it must necessarily become a priority in a schedule already crowded with primal activities. Setting priorities in any realm—social, professional, intellectual, spiritual—is an indispensable organizational principle. This has been learned from human experience, the chief lesson being that one cannot, at the same time, do two things well.
你知道寫論文會改變生活嗎？ 寫作論文是項艱鉅的任務，一邊寫論文還要維持生活井然有序，更是難上加難。儘管你的日常生活已經擠滿各種活動，還是必須將寫論文列為優先要務，不能等心血來潮才進行。規劃時，社交、工作、學術、精神等各方面都務必排定先後次序。我們從老祖宗過去的寶貴經驗中學到重要的一課，就是一心不能二用。

For example, it is virtually impossible to critically read a primary piece of literature for a dissertation while baby-sitting your active two-year-old. Nor can you simultaneously rest after a day’s work and stay up all night writing. Now is the time to evaluate how much time you will have for the project. Dissertation candidates often fail to be realistic. You may be admirably pragmatic in your study habits, but you also must be realistic in a project of this scope. For, as a practical matter, wanting to do something and being able to do something are not the same.
舉例來說，想一邊照顧活潑好動的兩歲幼兒，同時認真閱讀重要的研究文獻，幾乎是不可能的任務；下了班需要休息，也不能熬夜寫論文。好好評估自己有多少時間完成論文，寫論文不能只是不切實際的空想，就像讀書計畫必須確實可行，寫篇幅這麼長的論文更應該實事求是。因為事實上，想做不表示做得到。

Let’s consider a specific task: It usually is recommended that sections of a dissertation be roughly written as soon as researched material is created, rather than trying to write it all when research ends. What this means is that every week, or every other week, you must have a block of time to write, preferably when you are not exhausted, distracted, or sick. Will you? Which brings up another point: If you do get sick for a week, will you have enough extra time to recoup the lost days and stay on schedule? Better stop and ask yourself: Is this project really feasible?
說得更具體一點，建議你有了研究材料，即可先撰寫論文底稿，毋須等所有研究結束才起而動筆。這表示每一至兩周你就必須騰出一段完整的時間，精神飽滿、身體健康、專心一志地寫論文，你做得到嗎？其次，如果病了一個禮拜，你有時間彌補，趕上進度嗎？請先問問自己，你的論文寫作計畫是否行得通，再確實執行。

TPS的編輯教授在此歡迎關於學術文章的所有詢問，當然，其實他並沒有足夠的時間給你。他擁有終身教職的教授身份，也是著名的學術巨作作者。即便如此，他仍大方地接受你們的詢問。將關於學術方面的詢問寫在下方，你將獲得教授的親自指導，陶冶對學術的探索與啟發。
The professor awaits your query on academic writing, though in all honesty, he doesn’t have a lot of time for you. He is a tenured full professor and working on yet another magnificent academic tome. Even so, he has graciously consented to entertain your question. Submit it and prepare to be edified.

QUESTION: My professor faulted me for using rhetorical questions in my paper. I believe that the questions moved the paper along and served the reader well. What can I do to convince the professor of this?
我的教授認為不該在論文中使用反詰問句，但我認為反詰問句能推動文章發展，有助閱讀，我該怎麼說服教授？

I’m not sure you are in a position to convince professors of anything. Rather, they are in a position of authority precisely because they are more learned than you. For the most part, professors are the convincers and teachers and students are the learners. Yet a really good professor keeps an open mind on the off chance that he or she might yet have something to learn. So I don’t fault you for challenging an authorized view of academic writing. The tension thus created might shake out a new classroom paradigm.
你的學術資格可能不足以說服教授，因為教授學識比你淵博，所以擁有一定的學術威望。一般而言，教授負責說服與教導，學生負責學習。不過，如果真有需要學習之處，優秀的教授會虛心學習，所以我不會指責你挑戰學術寫作權威的想法，挑戰所帶來的張力或許有助創造新的課堂教學模式。

As for employing rhetorical questions, my first response is to ask, do you really mean questions— plural? That is, did you insert a question, or maybe two, in your paper, or was your paper rife with them? And were they truly rhetorical? A rhetorical question is intended to draw attention to a subsequent statement. Example: “Is the sky blue?” generally is not rhetorical; it actually is asked to elicit a response. Whereas, “So why is the sky blue?” is an introduction to, perhaps, a comment about a person’s state of mind.
至於反詰問句，我想先問清楚，你的文章中的反詰問句有正確使用嗎？你的文章是插入一兩個問句，或整篇文章都充斥著問句？重要的是，這些問句真的都是反詰問句嗎？反詰問句的用意在讓人注意後續的陳述。像是「天空是藍色的嗎？」並非反詰問句，而是用於引發回應。而「天空又為什麼是藍色的？」則是引介，其後或許接著介紹某人的心境。

While some professors frown on any use of rhetorical questions, others appreciate the power of such a question to introduce a point. It is a literary device that can effectively help bracket and, thus, organize and facilitate orderly expression of thoughts. Yet if the questions are overused—more than two of these questions probably are too many in a paper—they become patronizing and ineffective. My point? Don’t ask a question in a paper unless it really helps advance the narrative.
有些教授覺得文章不該出現任何反詰問句，有些則認為可以藉反詰問句引入重點。反詰問句是種文學技巧，能將想法有效地分類、組織，進而使表達更有條理。然而反詰問句若使用過量，在文章中出現兩次以上，就會顯得像在擺架子，效果也不佳。我的想法是，除非真的對敘事有幫助，否則不要在文章中使用問句。

取得碩博士學位的最終步驟是完成論文，然而，撰寫論文的過程通常是既漫長又嚴謹的長期抗戰。本次學術專欄特別推出「論文撰寫六大準備技巧」，幫助你做好準備工作，順利完成論文。每一項準備技巧，將定期刊登於本專欄。
The final step in earning many master and doctorate degrees is completion of a thesis or dissertation. The process involved typically is lengthy and exacting. Following is one of 6 recommendations to help you get started on your dissertation in such a way that you can successfully complete it. Each tip in the series will appear on the TPS Fans page.

Tip # 1 – Commit to finishing what you start
技巧一：下定決心，有始有終

Congratulations on pursuing an advanced degree. The question is, do you really intend to capture it? The pinnacle of the graduate degree process is completion of a dissertation or thesis. Every year, candidates for a degree stop their climb just short of the pinnacle. They become one of the many ABD (All But Dissertation) ex-students whose post-graduate education, while enhancing their lives, failed to produce a credential of value in the workplace. Employers generally are not impressed by applicants who almost earned a graduate degree.
能追求更高深的學位是件好事，問題是，你真的想獲得學位嗎？研讀碩博士學問的最高原則是完成碩博士論文。每年許多碩博士候選人只差一步就能抵達終點，卻無法堅持下去，成為「萬事俱備，只欠論文」 (ABD, All But Dissertation) 的肄業生。研究的所學所聞雖然提升了生活，卻因為沒有證書，無法為職場加分－雇主通常不會太看重「差一點」拿到學位的求職者。

If you have navigated the post-graduate process to this point, resolve to finish the course. A dissertation can take anywhere from a year to several years, depending upon how it fits in a program’s structure and the circumstances of a student’s life. A completed document can run anywhere from 15,000 to 150,000 words, a longer paper than most students have previously undertaken. It follows that completing a dissertation is a daunting prospect for almost any student, regardless of how much a degree is coveted.
如果你在研究所的求學階段一路走來，終於來到撰寫論文這一關，請下定決心完成挑戰。博士論文寫作可能耗費一至數年不等，端視論文是否結合課堂所學以及學生個人情況而定。論文完成後，篇幅可能短則一萬多字，多則近十五萬字都有，多數學生都未曾寫過如此長篇的文章。因此，不管學生多麼想得到學位，撰寫論文都令人望而生畏。

So it is important for any post-graduate degree candidate to understand the purpose and function of a dissertation: It is a tool to define you as a scholar. Because most research and writing for a dissertation occurs without close faculty scrutiny, a candidate must work alone. Must correctly evaluate and filter research material. Must plan and execute interim and final steps. Must recognize effective writing and rigorously self-edit. Must stay on schedule. As you begin your dissertation, now is the time to resolve to grow as a scholar and a person by finishing the task.
所以，碩博士研究生們必須瞭解，論文的目的與功能是用以判斷你是否稱得上學者。撰寫論文時，多數研究與寫作不會有老師從旁密切指導，必須獨立作業。研究生也必須評估與篩選研究資料、研究期間研擬計畫與步驟並逐步執行、找出有效的寫作方式以及謹慎編審文章，並且按照規畫確實進行。一旦開始撰寫論文，就必須下定決心，完成任務，以證明自己有獨立研究的能力。