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寫學術論文的人常聽說不要用幽默來表達觀點。雖然這個告誡用心良苦，但完全不用幽默又太過頭了。幽默是有效的溝通方法，而寫作學術論文本就該懂得運用各種溝通方法。本系列文章說明如何用適當的方式，在學術論文中有效運用幽默。文章將刊登在 TPS 粉絲頁，最後集結於電子報。
Writers of academic papers are cautioned against employing humor to communicate their points. The caution is well-intentioned, but outright prohibition of lightly humorous material goes too far. Humor is a valid method of communication and authors of academic papers should have every method at their disposal. This series of columns will describe how humor can be effective and acceptable in scholarly writing. Each part in the series will be presented on the TPS Fan page before being compiled.

1st Humor Guideline – Use it Carefully
幽默守則第一條－幽默要小心運用

One of the rules laid out for writers of serious papers is… don’t try to be funny. There is wisdom in such counsel. It indeed is wise not to try to be funny. Every comedian who has died on stage when his humor falls flat can attest that nothing is more painful than failing to connect with an audience. Academic writers often present their material to an audience of one, who grades the material even more mercilessly than a nightclub crowd. So, yes, if humor is not your forte, don’t try to force it on your professor. But if you do have talent for turning an amusing phrase, use it.
寫作嚴肅文章有一條清楚的規定－不要假裝風趣。這條忠告是有道理的，假裝風趣確實不聰明。喜劇演員如果曾經因為幽默失靈在台上尷尬不已，都可以告訴你，最討厭的莫過於和觀眾失去交流。學術論文的觀眾只有一位，而且評論起來比喜劇觀眾更不留情。所以，如果幽默不是你的強項，不要硬塞給教授，但如果你真的擅長寫作幽默風趣的文字，就儘管寫吧。

Nearly every person—of course, some don’t have a clue—knows whether he is amusing in his expression. Yet even those who have such talent don’t always employ it effectively. They joke too much, and too much of any good thing usually is bad. They try to amuse people at inappropriate times, when solemnity clearly is preferred. They perhaps get too raw in their jesting or become slapstick in their delivery. Scholarly writers certainly will not impress anyone with any of the above. So, as much thought should be given to the context of humor as to the humor itself.
幾乎每個人都知道自己的表達是否風趣（當然就是有些人會搞不清楚），但有幽默感的人也不是每次都能運用自如，他們可能開太多玩笑，而任何好事情一旦過頭往往就成了壞事。他們想逗人笑的時機不對，有時顯然嚴肅正經比較好。有時他們也可能把玩笑開得太粗俗或變成一場鬧劇。寫作學術文章如果犯了上述毛病，就絕對寫不出優秀作品。所以除了幽默本身必須仔細構思，運用幽默的場合也要好好思考。

Knowing when to inject an amusing comment is even more delicate in academic writing than in show biz. That’s because the goal is not to amuse per se but to communicate a larger point. If a humorous expression distracts a reader from a thread of thought, it is detracting from the paper rather than contributing to its success. Therefore, in a paper as in every other venue, timing is important. A light comment should slip into the flow of thought as naturally as any other element of the writing and for the same reason: to move the reader toward a desired conclusion.
比起喜劇表演，寫作學術文章時更難拿捏下筆詼諧的適當時機，因為學術文章的宗旨不是討好讀者，而是溝通重要的觀點。如果幽默會分散讀者對文章脈絡的注意力，那就對論文有害無益。因此，寫論文時如果要運用幽默，一如在其他場合運用幽默一樣，時機最重要。詼諧妙語就像其他的寫作技巧，必須沿著文章理路自然融入，因為它們的目的都是要說服讀者接受文章的結論。

學術界的人都很忙，永遠有比寫學術論文更要緊的事，論文截稿或發表期限往往一不小心就被忽略了，最後只能在緊要關頭手忙腳亂地完成。這種被死線追著跑的過程可謂苦不堪言。其實，輕輕鬆鬆按時交稿跟任何習慣一樣，是學得來的。此系列將逐一介紹有哪些習慣可減少面對截稿期限的恐懼，還能增進論文的品質，最後會在TPS粉絲專頁為各位做個總整理。
Authors of academic papers have other things to do. In the general busyness of academia, the deadline for a paper to be handed in or published can get overlooked. The subsequent scramble to complete the paper on time can be painful. Painless deadline-meeting can be learned like any other habit. This series will describe some habits that not only make deadlines less threatening but can improve the quality of the papers themselves. Each of the habits will be presented on the TPS Fan page before being compiled.

Good Habit # 5 – Give yourself some margin (to start over!)
好習慣之五：給你自己一點緩和的空間 (有時間重頭再來)

It is said that the best laid plans of mice and men are for nought when the unexpected occurs. That being true as well for writers of academic papers, it is wise to include the prospect of failure in your planning. By doing so, you virtually eliminate the possibility of failure. The truth is, a conscientious scholar-author will not fail to deliver a paper by the due date. Such people cannot countenance the idea of failing. Yet unless they recognize that circumstances beyond their control can indeed make hash of their plans, they might have to scramble to submit a weak, thin paper.
我們常說：再怎麼謹慎的計畫也會有出錯的可能，這樣的意外對於專精論文的學者也都無法避免。聰明的做法唯有在計畫研究時就考慮將來失敗的可能性，並想好遭遇困難的應對方法，如此一來你可以完全避免最終失敗的結果。其實有良心的學者們絕對會準時交稿，因為對他們而言實在無法接受失敗的挫折，除非真的是因為一些超出他們所能控制的因素，他們才有可能草草地交出一篇欠佳的文章。

So, yes, failure is possible for any academic writer if only failure to uphold a standard of excellence. The way around this is to build into a writing schedule an awareness that a writing path first taken might prove to lead nowhere, requiring a retreat to a more fruitful one. Sometimes it means a subject must be approached from another angle using a whole different set of sources. Sometimes it means a premise proves faulty and must be adjusted to fit the facts. But occasionally it means a subject turns out to be thin grist and must be tossed for something more substantial.
因為有些學者對論文的要求非常高，所以只要沒達到對自己的要求他們就認為研究失敗了。想避免這個困擾的學者們必須明白，最初的假論可能無法證明你的學說，因此你得有另一個可能成功的假論。也許你必須從另一個角度和換個方法想想，也可能你必須從其他新的方向起步。有時你起初的假論出錯了，你必須根據事實及證據重新確認你的學說。或是最後的研究發現沒有辦法強烈地支持學說，而需要重新找出更具說服力的因素。

The solution, I repeat, is awareness. One can only allot so much time to a paper, after all; it is not possible to always leave lots of time to start over. What is possible is to constantly monitor the viability of a project and the rate of progress in completing it. By so doing, a writer can recognize early on that he is caught up in a false start. Are the early sources not as productive as anticipated? Red flag. Is early material not substantiating the whole operating theory of a paper? Red flag. Are evidentiary contradictions piling up? Red flag. Evaluate as you research and retreat if necessary.
我再次強調，避免研究失敗的方法就是在計畫研究時就考慮將來失敗的可能性。 每篇論文都有交稿的期限，學者們終究無法一直重頭開始，但是你可以監督你的研究進度，並安排時間表讓你可以按照進度進行。如此一來你才能盡早發現錯誤，盡早處理。以下情形為當您作研究時需要提高警覺之處：初步的研究發現是否為你所預期的？初步發現的證據不支持你的最終論點？或者相互矛盾的證據不斷增加？當你遇到上述情形時，如果有必要就請重新衡量你的研究。及早發現便能及時調整與修改論文了。

學術界的人都很忙，永遠有比寫學術論文更要緊的事，論文截稿或發表期限往往一不小心就被忽略了，最後只能在緊要關頭手忙腳亂地完成。這種被死線追著跑的過程可謂苦不堪言。其實，輕輕鬆鬆按時交稿跟任何習慣一樣，是學得來的。此系列將逐一介紹有哪些習慣可減少面對截稿期限的恐懼，還能增進論文的品質，最後會在TPS粉絲專頁為各位做個總整理。
Authors of academic papers have other things to do. In the general busyness of academia, the deadline for a paper to be handed in or published can get overlooked. The subsequent scramble to complete the paper on time can be painful. Painless deadline-meeting can be learned like any other habit. This series will describe some habits that not only make deadlines less threatening but can improve the quality of the papers themselves. Each of the habits will be presented on the TPS Fan page before being compiled.

Good Habit # 4 – Take a Break
好習慣之四：適時地休息，釋放壓力

At some point in the development of your academic paper, you need to take a break. I know this flies in the face of the whole idea of meeting a deadline. However, as important as systematically working ahead on a project is walking away from it at the right time. The old maxim is, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” That could read, “All work and no play makes for a dull paper.” Unrelieved immersion in research or writing of an academic piece is likely to produce unrelieved yawning—or worse—among readers. Taking a break helps avoid this consequence.
寫作論文讓你的精神持續緊繃，這時你需要暫時放下手中的工作、釋放壓力。這聽起來似乎和準時交稿的目標背道而馳，然而，適時地休息和努力不懈、有條不紊地完成工作一樣重要。俗話說的好：「整天埋頭苦讀而不願意停下來喘口氣，天才都會悶成呆頭鵝。」換句話說：「光顧著埋首寫作而不懂得釋放壓力的人，只會寫出艱澀難讀的蹩腳文章。」一味埋頭鑽研字句、沉浸在論文寫作不作他想，對讀者而言只是在創造難以理解的學術篇章，更甚的像是將研究成果放在學術的高塔，讓人高攀不了。適度的休息能夠避免這種狀況發生。

However, make it a structured break. I know, that also flies in the face of usual counsel about the value of spontaneity in vacations. Yet the purpose of the break is to replenish mental strength, not become flaccid in your thinking. So some mental calisthenics are a good idea during the break. Write a long, chatty letter to your mother, or sister, or fiancé. Why? You tap into the emotional side of your vocabulary and flush the impersonal, academic stuff. It is an exercise in grounding. Also, read a good book or articles written by an admired writer. It might inform your own writing.
然而，即使是休息也必須是精心策劃、有目的而為的。我了解這和休息的動機南轅北轍。在這說的休息，是為了達到有效釋放心理壓力，暢通停滯思路的目的。建議你作些轉換心情、感性的活動，像是寫封真情流露的信問候父母、兄弟姊妹，或是許久不見的朋友。將自己從嚴肅、一板一眼的氣氛中抽離，能夠幫助你緩和心情、沉澱思緒。你也可以在這時讀些喜歡的書、短文，因為透過閱讀能幫助你修正和增進自己的寫作技巧。

How long a break is advisable? You might drop the work for a few days, perhaps a week. This will not be possible, even for a day, if you haven’t scheduled the break at the start of the project and stayed on schedule. In that sense, the break is a reward for good planning and good work. The real reward is a brain that has been rested a bit, and eyes that can see the project with fresh, new perspective. Portraitists work intensely, close to the canvas, and then step back to see what they have wrought. Writers must do the same, stepping back for a few days for a better view.
休息多久才恰當？如果事先周全計劃，你就有暫時放下手邊工作幾天或一星期的餘裕。休息是對自己努力工作達成目標的犒賞，同時能讓思緒重整，為大腦注入新的刺激，讓你從不同的角度檢視工作成果。畫家不眠不休地對著畫布的一角作畫，最後總會起身、退後幾步，從完整的角度重新審視自己的作品，作最後修正。寫作學術論文也應如此，試著放下已完成的章節，跳出原本的框架再次檢視，能幫助你將文章修飾得更加完美。

學術界的人都很忙，永遠有比寫學術論文更要緊的事，論文截稿或發表期限往往一不小心就被忽略了，最後只能在緊要關頭手忙腳亂地完成。這種被死線追著跑的過程可謂苦不堪言。其實，輕輕鬆鬆按時交稿跟任何習慣一樣，是學得來的。此系列將逐一介紹有哪些習慣可減少面對截稿期限的恐懼，還能增進論文的品質，最後會在TPS粉絲專頁為各位做個總整理。
Authors of academic papers have other things to do. In the general busyness of academia, the deadline for a paper to be handed in or published can get overlooked. The subsequent scramble to complete the paper on time can be painful. Painless deadline-meeting can be learned like any other habit. This series will describe some habits that not only make deadlines less threatening but can improve the quality of the papers themselves. Each of the habits will be presented on the TPS Fan page before being compiled.

Good Habit # 3 – Expect Obstacles
未雨綢繆，為突發狀況提早作準備

Good academic writers are good project managers. They must be to balance their other work with the urgent work of planning, researching, writing, and finishing an academic paper. Like all good managers, they are able to multi-task, to do the daily tasks of researching and writing at the same time they methodically complete the overview tasks, such as organizing material and keeping track of where they are in a project. Keeping these juggled balls in the air is a developed skill: the habit of looking ahead to anticipate and avoid potential obstacles to completing a paper on time.
優秀的學者一定是傑出的專案經理，他們能妥善安排時間，讓自己在被期限追趕的研究、實驗、假設、論證、發表論文和私人生活間游刃有餘，如同專案經理般日理萬機，一邊進行著論文寫作，另一邊還能繼續分析、統整資料，確保進度不落後。其實這樣得心應手掌握全局的能力是可以培養的：只要養成凡事先規劃的習慣，預想可能發生的突發狀況，就能不急不徐地避開障礙，持續工作，準時交稿。

Anyone who has ridden a bicycle or motorcycle knows the importance of a rider keeping his eyes down the road to more easily maintain balance and smoothly adjust the path of the two-wheeler to the obstacles ahead. The same is true of writers in lengthy research-and-writing projects. You must keep “pedaling” (or in the case of motorcycles, keep a hand on the throttle) while you scan ahead for obstacles. What sort of obstacles? A suspect source that proves unfruitful. A holiday schedule that blocks access to research materials. A personal agenda item that disrupts the work.
就像騎單車或摩托車，眼睛直視前方能讓你清楚地看到路面上的石頭或坑洞，適時地調整方向、避開障礙，保持車身平穩及行車順暢。進行冗長的論文寫作如同踩著單車踏板〈若是騎摩托車則是不斷轉動把手催油門〉往目的地前進，若你能防患於未然，就能讓自己安全抵達終點。發生了什麼事會讓你在寫作時分心？預想的假設無法成立？假日圖書館沒開不能查資料借書？還是有無法拒絕的重要聚會？

Then there are the inexplicable obstacles that can’t be anticipated—a funeral in the family or an apartment fire that engulfs research notes. Those major disruptions generally result in deadline extensions. It is the foreseeable obstacles that professors hear about most often… and discount. They tend not to sympathize with writers who simply have not built flexibility into their thinking and their schedules. Here is the truth: There will be problems in the course of an academic writing project, there will be obstacles, and the writer who plans ahead for them can still arrive on time.
世事難料，有些狀況確實會讓你措手不及，像是親戚家人過世、突如其來的大火將完成的稿子付之一炬。遇到這樣的事通常能得到教授的通融，允許你延後交稿。然而教授最常聽到請求延遲交稿的理由往往不是這些無法避免的狀況，對於沒有事先作好計劃而導致遲交的藉口教授是半信半疑，不了解輕重緩急來安排優先順序的學生，教授往往不會給予任何同情和寬容。再一次強調，在寫作學術論文時難免會遇到難題和阻礙，但未雨綢繆、事先做好規劃的人在面對困難時總能迎刃而解，順利在期限內交稿，絕不拖延。

學術界的人都很忙，永遠有比寫學術論文更要緊的事，論文截稿或發表期限往往一不小心就被忽略了，最後只能在緊要關頭手忙腳亂地完成。這種被死線追著跑的過程可謂苦不堪言。其實，輕輕鬆鬆按時交稿跟任何習慣一樣，是學得來的。此系列將逐一介紹有哪些習慣可減少面對截稿期限的恐懼，還能增進論文的品質，最後會在TPS粉絲專頁為各位做個總整理。
Authors of academic papers have other things to do. In the general busyness of academia, the deadline for a paper to be handed in or published can get overlooked. The subsequent scramble to complete the paper on time can be painful. Painless deadline-meeting can be learned like any other habit. This series will describe some habits that not only make deadlines less threatening but can improve the quality of the papers themselves. Each of the habits will be presented on the TPS Fan page before being compiled.

Good Habit # 2 – Do the worst first
從最討厭的部分開始

This habit is a good one to develop for any sort of task. It plays to a writer’s psychology (or anyone else’s psychology) through deferred gratification. It holds in reserve something to do that a person happily anticipates doing rather than dreads doing. Dread is not a motivator. It doesn’t spur movement. Thus, when a dreaded part of a task is still ahead, people put it off till… “later.” They drag out the enjoyable tasks, milking them more than being enriched by them. The impact is very much like the spinning of wheels: Momentum is slowed just when a final push is needed.
養成這項習慣，做任何工作都將無往不利，就是把喜歡做、想做的留到最後再做，而不要將畏懼做的留到最後。這項習慣操弄了作者或任何人的心理，給人倒吃甘蔗的錯覺，畢竟畏懼是激不起鬥志的，無法鞭策行動。當還有令人害怕的工作等在前頭，最常見的反應就是「等一下」再做，但一旦拖延，連喜歡做的也一起延後了，不但沒有因為做喜歡做的事感到滿足，反而只會感到被榨乾般精疲力竭，好比轉動中的輪子，正需最後衝刺之際，轉速反而慢了下來，動力漸失。

To use thisstrategy of worst-first, it is important that a writer-researcher know himself.He should acknowledge to himself his least favorite tasks. Example: If perusingbound, published material is more enjoyable than compiling data from loose-leafand online sources, do the tedious collection before the reading. Also, researchrequires meticulous note-taking and ordering of notes, or else it is wastedeffort; if you don’t like taking and ordering notes—do them now, carefully, without deferring them till… “later.”You know what you don’t like. Go ahead and get it out of the way.
要從討厭的部分開始做，作者或研究者首先要了解自己，承認自己最討厭做哪些事情。比如說，如果覺得細讀裝訂好的文獻刊物比整理網路或散裝資料來得愉快，就在開始閱讀前先把枯燥的資料蒐集部分做完。又例如做研究需鉅細靡遺地作筆記並整理筆記，否則一切努力都是徒勞。如果你不喜歡作筆記、整理筆記，現在就做，謹慎小心地做，不要「等一下」。你很清楚自己不喜歡甚麼，就先把它們做完，別讓這些絆腳石拖累你的進度。

Once again, this habit of ordering necessary tasksaccording to personal likes and dislikes can only be developed if awriter-researcher has discipline. When someone has proceeded to a point whereacademic writing is a regular part of his life, the assumption is that theperson can regulate his activity. He can do what he knows he needs to do, rather than wants to do.Another example: If second drafts are a problem for a writer, he should do itwithin a day or two of the first draft, rather than waiting till… “later.” Whenthe worst is behind, such procrastination is not a problem.
我再次強調，這項根據喜好排列工作優先順序的習慣，唯有當研究者能自律才培養得起來。如果學術寫作早已成為你生活中的一部分，你就必須懂得約束自己的行為，知道自己必須做甚麼，而不是想要做甚麼。再舉個例子。如果寫第二份草稿是你最討厭的部分，就應該在完成第一份草稿的一、兩天內寫完第二份草稿，千萬不要「等一下」。 只要先解決最討厭的部分，拖延的症頭就會不藥而癒了。

學術界的人都很忙，永遠有比寫學術論文更要緊的事，論文截稿或發表期限往往一不小心就被忽略了，最後只能在緊要關頭手忙腳亂地完成。這種被死線追著跑的過程可謂苦不堪言。其實，輕輕鬆鬆按時交稿跟任何習慣一樣，是學得來的。此系列將逐一介紹有哪些習慣可減少面對截稿期限的恐懼，還能增進論文的品質，最後會在TPS粉絲專頁為各位做個總整理。
Authors of academic papers have other things to do. In the general busyness of academia, the deadline for a paper to be handed in or published can get overlooked. The subsequent scramble to complete the paper on time can be painful. Painless deadline-meeting can be learned like any other habit. This series will describe some habits that not only make deadlines less threatening but can improve the quality of the papers themselves. Each of the habits will be presented on the TPS Fan page before being compiled.

Good Habit # 1 – Get started
好習慣之一 開始做就對了

For all the talk about a deadline being a motivator and a planning tool, it mostly is an unforgiving date looming in the distance. As one draws nearer to it, it looms higher. In the shadow of it, a deadline can be quite terrifying. A disciplined academic writer knows this and accepts this. A smart disciplined writer goes one step further and takes steps to remove the terror from a deadline so that it doesn’t loom at all. It becomes simply another date on a calendar. The first habit about deadlines that a smart writer develops is to start working on a paper as soon as it is assigned.
常有人說期限是督促你努力的動力來源，讓你事先規劃的工具，但多數人仍視它為遠方若隱若現的無情猛獸，越靠近它，它就越是張牙舞爪。時時刻刻籠罩在它的陰影下，期限著實令人畏懼。自律的作者了解、也接受這點，而聰明的作者懂得搶先一步，採取行動，屏除期限如影隨形的恐懼。期限不過是行事曆上的一個日期，而聰明的作者培養的第一個好習慣，就是在知道有這篇論文要寫之後，就馬上著手進行。

Early starts aren’t all about use of time and making every day count, though that is important. Writers who take a small sabbatical at the beginning of every paper project are not just wasting time—though they are—they also are indulging themselves. We all know some indulgences are better than others, with timing often being the critical issue. A runner who lets himself be distracted at the start of a race pays a price and curses his luck. A writer who gives his mind a break when he should be brainstorming a subject will find other excuses as a project goes along.
早點開始並不單只是為了充分利用每一天的時間，當然這點很重要。而是若在每篇論文寫作開始前都先放自己一點假，想當然耳時間是一定浪費了，還放縱了自己。適時放縱、寵愛自己是好的，但時間點常常是關鍵。賽跑選手若在比賽一開始就讓自己分心，一定會付出慘痛的代價，根本是自掘墳墓。同理，明明是該全神貫注思考的時候卻讓自己的心放大假，在寫作期間一定還會不斷找藉口拖延。

This falls under the heading of Discipline. I repeat, starting a project on day one is not just about use of time. It is about becoming mentally engaged in a project at the outset, rather than at some later date. After all, an academic paper should not be a dreaded assignment. It is an opportunity to stir your intellect, learn something new, and advance your academic career through research and writing. What is to dread about that? Neither should a deadline be dreaded. It is just another appointment on your academic calendar, just another part of your scholarly routine. Get started!
這就是自律。我再強調一次，從知道有這篇論文的第一天就開始著手，不僅是為了充分利用時間，而是讓自己在一開始就做好投入的心理準備，免得之後措手不及。畢竟學術論文不該是件可怕的工作，而是一個機會，讓你透過研究和寫作來鍛鍊腦力、學習新知、提升學術涵養，這有甚麼可怕的呢？截稿期限也一樣，沒有甚麼好怕的，不過是行事曆上的另一件代辦事項，學者生涯的例行工作之一而已。開始做就對了！

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: I once listened as a scholar talked about the need to make an academic paper not only content-rich and weighty, but also “charming.” That sounded too trendy to me and not very scholarly. Is there anything to the scholar’s suggestion?
我曾聽一位學者說，學術論文不只要言之有物，有所貢獻，還要「有魅力」。這觀念我是頭一次聽到，似乎不符學術規範，想請教您對這位學者的建議有何看法？

Do you wish to be charming? Do you wish to charm your professor? If we were honest, each of us would admit to wanting to be charming. After all, to charm is to be found extremely pleasing or delightful. How is that not desirable? The problem is that while all children are deemed charming, the quality usually is ascribed to someone of the opposite gender. Women find men charming and vice versa, whereas men usually aren’t “charmed” by other men, and so on. There is an unspoken seductive import to the word as it usually is employed in our conversations.
你希望自己有魅力嗎？希望博得教授的青睞嗎？捫心自問，每個人都會希望自己是個有魅力的人。畢竟所謂有魅力，便意味著你非常討人喜歡，讓人賞心悅目，這樣的特質怎可能有人不愛呢？不過，雖然我們會說小孩子討喜，魅力這個詞通常用來形容異性，例如有魅力的男性讓女性一見傾心，有魅力的女性讓男性傾國傾城，而同性之間則較少互相「吸引」。對話中若形容誰有魅力，往往隱含著一種無法言喻的誘惑。

The professor was not strictly thinking of seduction in recommending that writers strive to be charming. He was talking about writing appealingly. Some scholars believe that turgid writing is the way to capture the attention of peers, with pomposity always preferable to simplicity. Others have convinced themselves that colorless, didactic, and wooden writing is the way to communicate with academic peers. The scholar you mention obviously believes story-telling, vivid imagery, light humor, and irony are not prohibited in formal writing. They are effective.
當然，那位學者絕不是建議作者在字裡行間散發魅力，誘惑讀者，而是要寫得引人入勝。有些學者認為花俏的寫作方式能吸引論文評審，畢竟華麗向來比簡約容易入眼。但亦有人深信，樸質無華、循規蹈矩、一板一眼的寫作方法最能與學術圈同行溝通。你說的那位學者顯然不介意在正式學術論文中講故事、描繪生動畫面、表現詼諧風趣或譏諷挖苦。而這些方法確實有效。

After all, a reader who is charmed is more likely to be persuaded to a point of view, to be convinced of a proposition. The perhaps unfortunate truth is that men and women who are presentable and likeable are more promotable than unkempt and surly people, no matter their credentials. In the same way, while substance and research should not be compromised, nor the formatted rules of academic writing violated, there is wisdom in writing papers that are enjoyable, even fun, to read. Academic peers and professors are not immune to the appeal of charm.
若讀者深受文章吸引，便較可能被論點說服，接受某種見解。事實是，不論實力高低，登得了檯面、受人喜愛的人比起蓬頭垢面、陰沉抑鬱的人往往更有賣點。同理可證，若學術內涵與研究深度達一定水準，且不違反學術寫作格式，能運用點巧思讓論文讀起來趣味盎然，甚至引人發噱也未嘗不可，畢竟論文評審和教授們可不是一群不苟言笑的老學究啊。

身為一名學者及學術文章作者，有責任要以批判的角度進行閱讀。這對一個致力於學術研究的人來說並非難事，因為批判性思考是一項天賦。即便如此，有時候在閱讀與思考之間的界線還是有些模糊，甚至是最後寫作的部分。這兩項步驟是用來檢視如何將內心想法轉化為更有內容的學術文章。
As a scholar, an academic writer has a responsibility to read critically. This is not a difficult task for a person dedicated to scholarship; critical thinking comes naturally. Even so, sometimes there is a tenuous relationship between reading, thinking and, ultimately, writing. This 2-part series examines how mental activity translates into richer academic papers.

Part 2: Be a thinking writer
第二步：當個會思考的作者

Having developed skills as an engaged and reflective reader, an academic writer’s next step in enriching a paper is to become an engaged and reflective writer. By doing so, a scholar is able to critically analyze a subject and paper as a writing project proceeds. This leads to constant refinement of a paper. Status quo is not a mental condition that serves a scholar well. The better condition is progressive evaluation, in which a writer keeps an open mind to fleeting thoughts, tangential considerations, and nuanced angles. In this way, a writer can surprise even himself.
學會做一個積極閱讀的反思性讀者（reflective reader）後，學術寫作的下個步驟即是豐富文章內容，成為積極並具反思性的作家。只要做到這點，在寫作的過程中便能從批判的角度來分析主題和文章。要達到這個目的，必須不斷地精煉文章。作為一名學者，切忌安於現狀，最好是不斷檢討，並時時放開胸懷捕捉偶發想法、注意相關細節、見微知著，這樣一來，就連作家也會對自己的作品感到驚訝。

Where beginning writers sometimes go wrong in this is to become chronic in their open-mindedness. While an open mind assures that the topic of a paper is explored thoroughly, resulting in few if any gaping holes in logic or fact, only pure philosophers perched on mountaintops have the luxury of pondering endlessly. The rest of us must reach conclusions and, in respect to academic papers, express them conclusively. So at some point, exploration must cease. Shallow scholarship can occur from too much indecisive exploration just as it can from material-skimming.
初次嘗試撰寫學術性文章，常犯的錯誤即是習慣性地維持「心胸開闊」。雖然維持心胸開闊有助於深入探討文章主題，並減少邏輯或事實論據上的錯誤，不過只有純粹的哲學家才有那樣的餘裕來仔細琢磨深思。一般人只能總結文章，特別是學術文章方面，應盡力作出結論。因此，對主題的探究終須止息。不光是在學術方面的不足，淺薄的學術成就也一樣能在絮絮叨叨的探究下展現出來。

To avoid the embarrassment of being unable to sum up and finish a paper, a writer should be systematic in his exploration. Don’t just have a flash of insight, ponder it a moment, and work ahead with the good intention of returning to it. Rather, take time to write down the essence of the thought in a ledger. Then in a free moment, return to the noted thought and really examine it. Does it have sufficient merit to develop and include in the paper? Does it add value to the paper? If not, dismiss it. If it has possibilities, take time to explore it. Stay alert to insight; it can change a paper.
為了避免無法作出結論的尷尬，身為作者應當系統化其研究方式，避免在有寫作靈感後廢時思量，繼續埋頭苦幹。相反地，作者應當花時間記下重點看法，並於閒暇之時回顧，然後才檢討這些想法：是否值得在文章中發展討論呢？能替文章內容加分嗎？如果不行，就應當放棄。如果有發展的可能，花時間探討。只要維持警醒的洞察力，必能改變文章內容。

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: I have been told I write well in two languages, but I also have been told that my English writing runs too long. Is there a guideline that helps academic writers write succinctly in a second language?
曾經有人稱讚我使用兩種語言的書寫能力相當良好，但是也曾有人說過我的英文寫作內容過於冗長。請問是否有一些指導方向可以幫助學術文章撰寫者能夠以第二種語言寫文章寫得更簡潔？

First of all, never devalue in your own mind your ability to communicate in two languages. Many people around the world would like to express themselves in a second language and wouldn’t care one whit if they “ran long” in doing so. Your interest in refining your writing in a second language is an indication of your professionalism and ambition as a writer. Languages, as you know, don’t always translate exactly in terms of number of characters, imagery, and, yes, number of words. So first of all I would suggest that word count not be a deciding factor in a translation.
首先，永遠不要自我貶低你的雙語能力。這個世界上有許多人想要使用第二種語言來表達看法，並且絲毫不介意他們的敘述內容是否「冗長」。你想要精進第二語言寫作能力的想法充分地展現了一個作者應該有的專業以及野心。眾所周知，語言是無法精準地逐字或依樣畫葫蘆進行翻譯。所以，首先我認為字數並非是影響一篇翻譯最關鍵的因素。

The “length” standard in a translation or in an original language always is… however many words are needed to produce clarity. That might seem like an unhelpful guideline, but it is absolutely valid. A professor never will complain about wordiness if each word has value and helps express a thought. That might be two words or ten. The trick is to become proficient in choosing words so that excessive numbers of words are not employed. This is a skill that comes to a writer only one way: by writing and re-writing. Experience teaches a talented academic writer about succinctness.
談到翻譯文章或是原文「長度」的標準，可以有很多不同的答案。無論文章字數，都必須讓讀者們清晰明瞭文章內容。這句話聽起來可能很像廢話，但這是真的。如果你能做到字字珠璣，並善用文字表達想法，教授永遠不會抱怨你寫太多，不管是你只寫了兩個還是十個字。訣竅在於慎選用字，即可避免多餘的贅字。對於一名作者來說，唯一的金科玉律就是：寫跟重寫。一個厲害的學術文章撰寫者可以從經驗中學習如何言簡意賅。

The task is doubly difficult when a thought conceived in one language must be communicated in a second one. So I would suggest that little or no effort be made in a rough draft to write succinctly. The better course is to write an original draft freely, with little concern for numbers of words used to explore a thought or to express an argument. Second and, if necessary, third drafts are where tightening should occur. That is when you should look for extraneous language and other padding. After a while, lean writing will come naturally to you—in both languages.
不過當想法是由一種語言而生，卻必須以第二種語言加以溝通傳達時，要做到這點就特別困難。所以我會建議在擬定草稿時不要拘泥於維持文章簡潔的問題。最好就是隨心所欲的書寫，完全不需要擔心應該使用多少字來表達某個想法或者是論點。再者，如果有必要的話，於第三次的草稿加強內容。這就是你檢查是否有冗贅拖沓，或是殘缺脫漏等問題的時候。經過一段時間訓練，在兩種語言的文章寫作上，你都將句句鏗鏘、簡潔有力。

身為一名學者及學術文章作者，有責任要以批判的角度進行閱讀。這對一個致力於學術研究的人來說並非難事，因為批判性思考是一項天賦。即便如此，有時候在閱讀與思考之間的界線還是有些模糊，甚至是最後寫作的部分。這兩項步驟是用來檢視如何將內心想法轉化為更有內容的學術文章。
As a scholar, an academic writer has a responsibility to read critically. This is not a difficult task for a person dedicated to scholarship; critical thinking comes naturally. Even so, sometimes there is a tenuous relationship between reading, thinking and, ultimately, writing. This 2-part series examines how mental activity translates into richer academic papers.

Part 1: Be a thinking reader
第一步：當個會思考的讀者

Sometimes we sit and read for pure pleasure. The book being read often is escapist material of some sort—an adventure story, perhaps—and our conscious minds usually don’t play an active role in evaluating what we are reading. But when we research books and other materials in preparation for writing a paper, unthinking reading is verboten. A scholar collecting material must be fully engaged during his reading of relevant material to extract from it not only the facts, but the nuances, such as valuable contextual material and allusions to previously unknown sources.
有時候，坐下來閱讀純粹只為了享受。所讀的書，像是冒險小說等，通常是我們用以逃避現實的工具，而我們的理性邏輯思維並不會特別深究我們正在閱讀的題材。但是當我們為了寫報告而鑽研書籍以及其他素材時，未經思索的閱讀是不被允許的。當一名學者蒐集資料時，他必須完全置身於閱讀或是其他相關素材之中，以摘取枝微末節，像是有價值的上下文內容以及一些來源不明的典故。

Being fully engaged means more than following the gist of an author’s argument or report. That is important, of course; when we don’t understand what we are reading, we have a problem right from the start. Presuming we can follow the thread of an author’s writing, we have only begun our engagement with the author. A critical thinker is free to challenge a writer’s assertions, or question a premise. A scholar should not be a sponge reader, soaking up every word and opinion. Rather he should be a reflective reader, actively evaluating what he is taking into his head.
「完全置身其中」意指明白作者的論點或者報告綱領。這當然是相當重要的；如果我們不能明白正在閱讀的內容，那麼研究一開始就出問題了。假設我們能夠理解作者寫作的脈絡，就能與作者一同置身作品之中。具批判性的思考寫作有可能挑戰作者的主張，也可能質疑作者假設的論點。一個學者不能當一個只進不出的海綿，把每一個字或想法都吸收進去。相反地，他應該要當一個反思性讀者（reflective reader），能積極地評斷所獲得的想法。

Reflective reading is facilitated by reading with pen or pencil in hand. A sentence that seems brimming with truth or falsehood might be underlined. A conclusion that seems very awry might deserve a notation in the margins of the page. A phrase that stirs your emotions—negatively or positively—warrants underlining for later examination. This is how a thinking person explores research material. The fruit of it is better grounding in a subject, finer understanding of an author, and perhaps inspiration for a related academic paper that he didn’t even know he had in him.
閱讀時準備一支筆或是鉛筆以供書寫，能有助於反思性的閱讀。看起來不確定正確或錯誤的句子都可畫線註記，看似怪誕模糊的結論也可在頁面上加以註釋。遇到帶有情緒性字眼的片語，不論是正面或是負面的，都應當先畫線，待稍後回頭檢查。這就是一個會思考的讀者面對研究素材的態度。這麼做會建立更穩健的論點基礎，更瞭解作者，甚至透過這樣的啟發，進而讓自己撰寫出全新領域的學術文章。