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 A writer peering ahead at an academic writing project should respect the task. It not only will require research and writing abilities, it will tax the writer’s endurance and concentration. Learning to become efficient and self-regulating as a researcher and writer is the reason for this series, “7 Ways to Pace Yourself through a Paper.” Each of the suggestions will be presented on the TPS Fan page before being compiled.
若您即將致力於學術寫作專題，應該好好重視這項工作。這不僅需要研究與寫作技巧，也仰賴毅力與專注。「按部就班寫作論文的七大步驟」將教您學會如何自律，提高研究與寫作的效率。每項建議都會刊登在 TPS 粉絲專頁，並在最後集結於 TPS 學術電子報中。

Way # 4 – Know your writing strengths and weaknesses
建議四：了解自己寫作的長短處

The Greeks advised subsequent generations of mankind to “know thyself.” The adage acknowledges the difficulty an individual has in sorting through the many facets of his being and honestly acknowledging his character. We tend to make excuses or to wishfully inflate our abilities. An academic writer is no less prone to glossing over weaknesses. A long-term writing project is no place to fool oneself. Rather, it is when a writer should practice total self-honesty.
希臘人有句忠告流傳後世：「了解你自己」。這句格言說明，一個人要了解自己的特性，坦白面對自己的個性，其實並不容易。人容易為自己找藉口，或一廂情願地誇大自己的能力，寫作學術文章時也不例外，傾向粉飾自己的缺點。但論文寫作需要花很長時間，就不能自欺欺人。此時，作者應該練習完全坦率面對自己的能力。

Do you have the imagination and predisposition to “see” the general outline of a paper as you research it? Some writers can easily extrapolate what they know and roughly project it into a finished written product before they ever begin the actual word-by-word creative process. Or maybe your strength is your vocabulary. If you are word rich, enrich your paper. (Be careful, though, not to lard your paper with so much erudite language that it begins to get in the way.)
研究時，是否有足夠的想像力與天賦，「看出」論文的全貌？有些研究者在逐字撰寫論文前，就能輕鬆從已知推斷論文完稿的樣貌。或者文采是你的強項？若你詞藻豐富，大可用來充實自己的論文（只是要小心，不要堆砌太多深奧的詞彙，以免妨礙閱讀）。

Just as important is to know your weaknesses. Do you have difficulty concentrating for effective lengths of time? Do you write half an hour and then take an hour’s break? This is a problem. Recognize it and either schedule plenty of time for the project or learn to lengthen your focus. Do you habitually and extensively rewrite? Plan to finish a first draft in time to allow for successive ones. In short, pace yourself according to your actual writing skills and habits, not imagined ones.
認識自己的缺點也一樣重要。你是否很難長時間集中精神？會不會每寫半小時就休息一小時？你必須認清這個問題，或預留大量時間完成文章，或學習長時間保持專注。你是否習慣大幅修改重寫？你必須規劃及早完成初稿，後續才有時間修改。簡言之，你不能仰賴自以為是的技巧與習慣，必須根據實際的技巧與習慣，按部就班寫作論文。

 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 love poetry and wrote a paper on a favorite sonnet, but it was not well-received by the instructor. “Too much feeling, not enough analysis,” he said. On writing about subjects I love, what is the best way to downplay my feelings?
我迷戀詩歌，我以最喜歡的十四行詩為題寫了一篇論文，但是指導教授不怎麼欣賞，他說：「太多感覺，太少分析」。以我最喜歡的題材寫論文時，如何盡量淡化我的感覺？

You seem to be a passionate person, not only liking subjects or finding them interesting, but loving them. This is admirable and shows a verve for life and, perhaps, for academic writing, which bodes well for a career as a scholar. However, there is a distinction between aggressively and enthusiastically researching a topic and imbuing the subsequent paper with great emotion. The academic realm is built upon analytical and grounded thinking and composition; feelings are suspect because they can betray logic and deduction. Such betrayal is not rewarded in academia.
你似乎充滿熱情，對寫作主題不僅是喜歡或有興趣，而是迷戀。這種精神令人欽佩，展現對生活的熱情，或許也展現了對學術寫作的熱情，能助學術生涯一臂之力。不過，積極熱情地研究一個主題，然後在論文中注入強烈的感情，或許又另當別論。學術研究奠基於有條理、有基礎的思考與寫作，感覺並不可靠，因為感覺可能違背邏輯與推論，因此缺乏學術價值。

You don’t want to train yourself to “feel” less strongly in subsequent assignments—passion is not a weakness—but you would be wise to channel your feelings into substantive, factual analysis and conclusions. There is great power in strong writing that is not diffident about making a point, especially if it challenges conventional wisdom. But the strength of the writing should be in its intellectual vigor rather than its emotive underpinning. Choose words that characterize subjects in concrete terms rather than in illusory, heart-felt, disputable terms.
你不必在之後的作業裡，練習不去「感覺」，熱情並非弱點。但是你可以引導自己的感受，轉化為實在的、實事求是的分析與結論。如果你的文章不怯於提出自己的論點，特別是挑戰傳統觀念的論點，便能展現強大的力量。論文的優勢應該展現在活躍的知識分析，而非感情基礎。闡述主題時，遣詞用字應該具體，而非虛幻、強調感受、有所爭議。

Poetry, as an example, is full of imagery, structure, meter, and rhyme. The language of an academic paper also can effectively contain images and effortlessly flow to a conclusion like any other masterly writing. But the content is prose, and should be a work of hard analysis, discerning examination, deep understanding, and critical thinking. If you can work in flattering comment about a poet or poem without compromising your standing as a scholar, fine. Otherwise, let the love be felt in the intensity of the research and utter honesty of the writing.
以詩歌為例，詩自有其意象、結構、格律與韻腳。論文也能像其他精湛的文章一樣，包含有力的意象，並流暢自然地引出結論。但論文並非韻文，應該以確實的分析、敏銳的檢驗、深刻的理解，以及批判性的思考為重。如果你褒獎一首詩或詩人，但又不損及學術立場，那就無所謂。否則，你對主題的熱情應該展現在縝密的研究與勤懇的寫作上。

A writer peering ahead at an academic writing project should respect the task. It not only will require research and writing abilities, it will tax the writer’s endurance and concentration. Learning to become efficient and self-regulating as a researcher and writer is the reason for this series, “7 Ways to Pace Yourself through a Paper.” Each of the suggestions will be presented on the TPS Fan page before being compiled.
若您即將致力於學術寫作專題，應該好好重視這項工作。這不僅需要研究與寫作技巧，也仰賴毅力與專注。「按部就班寫作論文的七大步驟」將教您學會如何自律，提高研究與寫作的效率。每項建議都會刊登在 TPS 粉絲專頁，並在最後集結於 TPS 學術電子報中。

Way # 3 – Develop and employ systems
建議三：制定並善用有系統的方法

Writers of academic papers can be as guilty as any other kind of writer in believing that inspiration rules the creative process. While we should never underestimate how much inspiration can contribute to a creative enterprise, the fact is that perspiration and planning also are important to success. After all, creative geniuses whose brains deliver blinding flashes of inspiration often need their work systematically organized, edited, and prepared for publication.
寫作學術論文就像其他寫作一樣，如果你以為寫作主要仰賴靈感，那就大錯特錯了。雖然對於困難的創作來說，靈感確實不可忽視，但是要成功，辛勤工作與計畫也不可或缺。畢竟，創意天才即使腦中常閃現令人目眩神迷的靈光，但文章要發表，仍然需要有系統的組織、編輯與準備。

So even if you are a creative genius, your work will only be helped by becoming systematic in your approach to it. Like deadlines, systems are external aids through which a writer can channel his energy. Systems are like doors and stairs and sidewalks: They assist a writer in getting from Point A to Point E—the end. One such system is a work schedule. A writer who systematically works on a project for a set number of hours each designated work day is a disciplined worker.
所以，就算腦中靈感源源不絕，仍必須有系統地工作。有系統的方法就像截稿期限一樣，是種外在的機制，有助作者專注投入心力。有系統的方法就像一道道門、一節節階梯，以及一條條道路，讓你從起點甲地，通往終點戊地。時程規劃就是一種有系統的方法，讓你在每個固定的工作天，投入固定的時間，規律執行一項計畫，有紀律地工作。

Another system is organized research and note-taking. A researcher who flips willy-nilly through research volumes, making abstract notes on odd pieces of paper and in margins, is sure to waste time later revisiting the same text. The same is true of a researcher who doesn’t review his findings systematically each day to see where they are taking him. Such reviews can organize a paper in the mind. Being systematic is a key way to pace yourself and conserve your energy.
另一種有系統的方式，則是有組織地研究與作筆記。如果只是有一搭沒一搭地翻翻研究資料，隨便拿張紙或在書頁邊緣寫幾句模糊的筆記，之後必然得浪費時間修改這些筆記。同樣地，如果研究者沒有每天系統地回顧一下當天的發現，了解研究進展，日後也得多花時間。回顧研究發現能在心中組織論文。做事有系統，才能按部就班，節省心力。

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: I sometimes must cite a researcher with an unusual first name and I don’t know if the person is male or female. I can’t even find a photo to help me. This is a recurring problem. How can I avoid such confusion?
有時候，我必須引用的研究者有個很特別的名字，我不知道對方是男是女，甚至找不到照片幫助判斷。這個問題常常發生，該怎麼避免這種窘境？

Life would be a bit simpler if there were a universal rule about the naming of boys and girls. But then we all would break it, wouldn’t we? That’s because naming a child is too personal a thing to be regulated. No, we must carry the names we are given and, more to the point, sometimes puzzle out the gender of a person with a seemingly androgynous name. You are on a good track in researching for a photo, though occasionally photos can deceive, too. LinkedIn and other professional networking Internet sites often will contain valuable ID clues, including a photo.
如果為男孩女孩命名有個統一的規則，事情就好辦了。不過要是真有規則，我們也會打破規則，對吧？為小孩命名是很私人的事，無法規範；我們得用父母給我們的名字，更重要的，有些名字看起來很中性，難以判斷性別。你找照片是正確的，雖然照片有時也會騙人。LinkedIn 等專業網站通常包含有用的身分線索，例如照片。

If a person is only cited in a brief footnote or other addenda, the full name can be used without elaboration. However, if the style of the report requires titles in front of names and the person in question has not earned a doctorate, then Mr., Mrs., Ms., or Miss is required; it indeed poses a problem when the person’s gender—and marital state!—is unknown. This is exacerbated if the person is quoted more than once within a report. The second usage of the person’s name in text typically calls for a pronoun, and the only choices you have are she/her and he/him. Dilemma!
如果只是在簡短的註腳或其他附錄中引用某人，寫出全名就可以了，無須進一步解釋。但是，如果你用的論文格式必須在名字前加上稱謂，引用的人又沒有博士學位，就必須寫出 Mr.、Mrs.、Ms.、或 Miss，如果不知道對方的性別－以及婚姻狀態－確實會造成問題。若一篇報告中引用同一人兩次，問題就更嚴重，第二次提到同一個人時，一般必須用代名詞，你只好寫成「她／他」，或「她的／他的」了，真令人為難！

Here’s what I would do: 1) Scour the Internet for journal articles by the person, which might contain pronoun clues or photos; 2) Explore online for articles in professional publications that might give more identifying information; 3) Check with your librarian and professor—a person of sufficient stature for citation should be known to peers in the field; and 4) Contact the person directly with this request: “I am citing your excellent work in my paper and am wondering how you prefer to be addressed in a second reference.” Then wait for an answer from her/him.
我的解決方法是：1) 在網路上用對方的名字搜尋期刊文章，文章裡可能有代名詞或照片；2) 搜索網路上專業期刊的文章，或許會找到更多身份的訊息；3) 詢問圖書管理員或教授。若對方成就足以受到引用，同領域的研究人員應該都會認識；4) 直接連絡對方，詢問：「我在論文中引用您傑出的研究成果，不曉得文中第二次提到您時，該如何稱呼比較恰當？」接著靜候她／他的回音。

A writer peering ahead at an academic writing project should respect the task. It not only will require research and writing abilities, it will tax the writer’s endurance and concentration. Learning to become efficient and self-regulating as a researcher and writer is the reason for this series, “7 Ways to Pace Yourself through a Paper.” Each of the suggestions will be presented on the TPS Fan page before being compiled.
若您即將致力於學術寫作專題，應該好好重視這項工作。這不僅需要研究與寫作技巧，也仰賴毅力與專注。「按部就班寫作論文的七大步驟」將教您學會如何自律，提高研究與寫作的效率。每項建議都會刊登在 TPS 粉絲專頁，並在最後集結於 TPS 學術電子報中。

Way # 2 – Embrace deadlines and use them
建議二：善用截止期限

Every project of every kind—physical or intellectual—has a starting date and a finishing date. The author of a paper can’t begin until a topic is assigned or approved, at which point the clock starts ticking. A date to turn in the paper also is given, which is when the work must be completed. While these two mileposts are helpful in guiding the overall progress of a paper, they are too far apart to keep a writer on course. Interim deadlines are the critical benchmarks.
所有類型的每個專題，無論是必須動腦或動手，都有開始與截止的日期。題目被指派或通過核准後，就能開始寫作論文，從那時候起時鐘就滴滴答答開始計時了。繳交論文的日期，也就是工作該完成的時候。開始與截止就像兩個里程碑，有助引導論文的整體進展，但這兩個時間相距太遠，無法幫助論文寫作按計畫進行。期中截止期限反而是更重要的指標。

The midpoint deadlines may vary according to the kind of paper being written. They also might be assigned by a professor with the expectation that the writer will show evidence at each checkpoint of continuing progress. Or a self-reliant writer might take the initiative to establish interim deadlines of his own. Whichever is the case, the interim goals—research done, outline created, first draft completed, and so on—can keep a writer steadily moving ahead.
隨著寫作的論文類型不同，期中截止期限也不一樣。期限可能由教授訂立，希望學生在每個時間點證明論文有持續的進展；若是獨立寫作論文，作者也可以主動訂立自己的期中截止期限。不論是哪一種期限，目標或許是完成研究工作、寫出大綱、完成論文初稿等等，都能讓寫作者不斷向前邁進。

A seasoned writer will see these interim deadlines as stepping stones, as helpful indicators of a project being on schedule… or not. They let a writer know when he can take a breather from the project or when he needs to put in some overtime. By maintaining a steady pace, the writer will not have to make up ground in a hurry. That kind of crunch-time research and writing should be avoided because it never results in a writer’s best work. Use interim deadlines to pace yourself.
對經驗豐富的作者來說，這些期中截止期限就像踏腳石，是種有用的指標，能知道專題是如期進行，或是進度落後。作者可以從中知道自己可以喘口氣休息一下，或者需要再加把勁。如果有穩定的進展，就不必匆匆忙忙趕進度。論文研究與寫作應該避免急就章，因為這種結果必然不理想。期中截止期限能幫助你按部就班進行。

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: I nearly always open a paper by posing a question. Sometimes it is rhetorical, sometimes it is meant to be tantalizing. Either way, it is designed to get a reader’s attention. My professor suggests I try something else. But it if works, why do something different?
每次寫論文，我幾乎都用一道問題起頭，有時是個反詰問句，有時是為了讓人好奇，總之是為了引起讀者的興趣。但是教授卻建議我用別的開頭。問題是，如果這種方式有效，為什麼要換其他方式呢？

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it—that’s your theory? And you are correct that abandoning a proven outline and writing style for no reason doesn’t make much sense. But in this case, there are reasons to change. There are, in fact, good reasons to substitute another introductory style for one of your choice that has worked in the past. The first good reason is: Your professor has suggested it. Unless you have some reason to believe he doesn’t have your best interests at heart, you would do well to accept his suggestion as a valid one. Why else would he suggest it?
東西沒壞就不必修理－這就是你的看法，對嗎？雖然無故放棄效果良好的提綱寫作風格，確實沒有道理，不過，從你的情況來看，你確實必須改變，以其他方式，取代過去成效良好的開頭。第一個理由是：你的教授建議你改變。除非你認為教授不是為你著想，不然你最好還是接受他的意見。若不是為你好，他為什麼會這樣建議？

Another reason to try another lead is that at some point in your writing career you are going to be assigned a subject that simply does not lend itself to introduction via a question. No matter how clever you might be, in that instance you will not be able to effectively start your paper by asking a question. When that occurs, you will wish you had developed several lead paragraph techniques from which to choose a best one—a startling declaration, perhaps… announcement of new evidence and findings… affirmation of an old truth. These, too, can capture reader interest.
嘗試另一種開頭的理由是，在寫作生涯中，到了某一個時間點，你的題目就是無法用一個問題開頭。不管你多聰明，你都無法有效地用一個問題為論文起頭。到那時候，你會希望自己多練習過幾個不同的開頭技巧，好從中選一個最恰當的來用。可能是宣稱一鳴驚人的論點、公佈新的證據與發現，或是證實過去的事實。這些技巧也都能抓住讀者的興趣。

Possibly the most important reason to develop a variety of paper introduction methods is that it stretches your brain and adds to your expertise as an academic writer. The desire to keep learning and growing as a scholar is intrinsic in every facet of your work. If you are complacent about learning—in this case, learning additional ways to start a paper—you are exhibiting a serious defect in your intellectual make-up. A better attitude would see you welcoming such suggestions from teaching staff and showing them you have it in you to try new things and be successful.
學習運用各種不同的方法為論文開場，最重要的原因或許是，它可以鍛鍊你的腦力、增進學術寫作的能力。你的工作成果應該在各方面展現持續學習與學術成長的渴望；若你在學習上志得意滿，以你的情況來說，就是不願意學習其他論文起頭的方式，則你的知識體系就會呈現嚴重的缺憾。比較良好的態度，應該是接受教授的建議，展現自己能虛心受教，願意嘗試新的寫作方式，才能寫出優異的論文。

A writer peering ahead at an academic writing project should respect the task. It not only will require research and writing abilities, it will tax the writer’s endurance and concentration. Learning to become efficient and self-regulating as a researcher and writer is the reason for this series, “7 Ways to Pace Yourself through a Paper.” Each of the suggestions will be presented on the TPS Fan page before being compiled.
若您即將致力於學術寫作專題，應該好好重視這項工作。這不僅需要研究與寫作技巧，也仰賴毅力與專注。「按部就班寫作論文的七大步驟」將教您學會如何自律，提高研究與寫作的效率。每項建議都會刊登在 TPS 粉絲專頁，並在最後集結於 TPS 學術電子報中。

Way # 1 – Recognize pacing and admit you need it
建議一：了解按部就班的重要

Academic paper projects are not 100-meter dashes. They are marathons. They require intellectual and physical stamina. A writer who understands this stands a far better chance of completing a paper with the same levels of energy and inspiration shown at the beginning of a project. This is a significant advantage, because finishing a paper well is as vital as starting it properly. Burning out, getting off track, lowering standards—these are the results of a writer not pacing himself.
學術論文專題不是百米賽跑，而是馬拉松，必須持續投入智力與體力。寫作時若能了解這點，就比較有機會，能持續發揮專題寫作之初的精力與靈感，完成整篇論文。這是個很大的好處，因為有個精彩的結尾與起頭出色一樣重要。如果無法按部就班地前進，往往落得精疲力竭、偏離路徑、草率了事。

Returning to the running metaphor, sprinters are as strong as long-distance runners. They are as skilled. But they are not conditioned to endure an extended run. In the same way, wonderful essay exam-takers are not necessarily adept at in-depth writing projects. They might lack research skills, the ability to write complex explanations and analyses, or the talent to stay on course over weeks and months of exploring a subject. This is why academic writing assignments are called projects.
回到跑步的暗喻。短跑選手和長跑選手一樣，他們強健有力，也一樣技巧精湛，但他們卻不適合長跑。同樣地，短文比賽的常勝軍也不一定善於深入的寫作專題，他們可能缺乏研究技巧，無法應付複雜的闡釋與分析，也不擅於持續幾周甚至幾個月，堅持到底探討一個主題。所以學術寫作才稱為「專題」。

So the wisest approach to a “project” is to realize that planning is required to ensure that the project does not overwhelm the writer during its middle or late stages. To acknowledge this possibility is a sign of maturity as a writer. Though you as a writer might be especially bright, brilliance will not overcome disorganization or lack of fortitude. Whereas intellectual vigor coupled to a sustainable work pace can carry a writer across the finish line in a winning effort.
因此，進行一個「專題」最聰明的辦法，就是知道必須仰賴規劃，以確保作者不會在專題途中或最後關頭江郎才盡，半途而廢。能了解這一點，就表示作者成熟了。即使在寫作時特別文思泉湧，也無法以才氣克服漫無章法與缺乏毅力的弱點。寫作時除了盡心思考，還必須結合可長可久的工作步調，才能志在必得，衝過勝利的終點線。

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 am a slow, slow writer, or so people tell me. I admit I take longer than most people to complete a paper. It is because I try to choose each word rather than just to fill up a page with them. Isn’t it virtuous to select words carefully?
我寫論文的速度非常非常慢，至少其他人是這樣說的。我寫論文的時間確實比其他人久，但這是因為我仔細選擇每個詞彙，而非只是用詞彙塞滿頁面。仔細挑選詞彙應該是種優點吧？

An old maxim is, “Moderation in everything.” I don’t believe in it. (Is it better to swallow moderate amounts of water while swimming, or none?) But the saying does address the issue of being inflexible to the point of becoming an extremist. Most of us know where the line generally falls between being faithful to a principle and being obsessed by it. It really is a question of judgment. In regard to writing, while word choice indeed is a key ingredient in effective written communication, words ultimately must be chosen reasonably fast or nothing gets expressed.
有句古老的格言說：「凡事都要適量」，我並不同意（游泳時喝到「適量」的水就不是好事吧？）不過談到因為僵化而走極端，這句話說得倒也有道理。我們大多都知道遵守原則與過分執著的分界，重點在於你必須有判斷能力。在寫作方面，雖然遣詞用字對於有效的書面溝通的確很重要，但是最終選擇詞彙的速度還是必須合理，否則什麼都無法表達。

So, you are exactly right to care about each word. Such dedication is one mark of a good writer. If you are as careful in your research and attribution, you undoubtedly are producing scholarly papers to be admired. However, another virtue a writer should cultivate is efficiency. With notable exceptions, successful writers learn to write with certain dispatch, marshaling their thoughts and effectively matching the thoughts to words—and completing the creative exercise within a reasonable timeframe. This economy allows them to write at length in an allotted time.
所以，你注重每個詞彙的確很正確，這是好作家該有的特質，如果你在研究與推論時也一樣仔細，必定能寫出值得一讀的學術論文。不過，寫作時也該培養另一個優點，那就是有效率。除了幾個明顯的例子以外，好作家懂得以一定的步調寫作，引領他們的思緒，有效地將思想付諸文字－並且在合理的時間內，完成整個創作過程。有效率的寫作讓作家在有限的時間裡寫出許多內容。

The process is helped immeasurably by development of a vocabulary from which a writer can extract a perfect word. Reading, writing, thinking, and listening are tools that build vocabularies. A tool for learning to write more quickly is confidence. This comes into play in rewriting. A good writer can feel comfortable assembling words at a fast pace that captures fleeting thoughts, knowing that the wording can be revisited and revised as part of a general rewrite. A writer is freed from worrying over a first draft when he has an ample vocabulary and the rewriting habit.
充足的詞彙能讓寫作過程更有效率，有足夠的詞彙，寫作時就能想到最適當的字句。要增加詞彙，必須多讀、多寫、多想、多聽。要寫得更快，自信也是不可或缺的，能在修改時發揮作用。寫作技巧良好的人可以自在地快速組織詞彙，捕捉轉瞬即逝的想法，明白措辭可以在整體修改時，再重新審視和修訂。寫作時若詞彙充分，並養成修改的習慣，寫作初稿時便無須憂慮了。

投稿學術期刊若不僅能獲得進步的動力，甚至還能發展為個人嗜好，就能讓學者在學術生涯提早創造高峰。發表文章不只是需求，更該是一種渴望。如果您缺乏投稿動力，或不確定自己是否該投稿，接下來的新專欄可讓您重振精力，蓄勢待發。本專欄將詳細介紹發表論文的五大效益，讓您重拾寫作動力，拓展自身實力。Scholars reach a point early in their careers when publication of their scholarly work becomes not only a key to advancement but a personal desire. The impulse to seek publication moves from need to want. For those not yet motivated to publish or who might be second-guessing a decision to do so, the following series might help refocus their energies. Each of the 5 benefits will be presented and explained on the TPS Fan page before being compiled as a series.

Benefit # 5 – Reach across disciplines and into lay audiences
效益五：跨越學科分際並和大眾溝通

Scholarly writings are usually narrow in their scope and deep in their treatment. They are not popular surveys drafted for a mass readership. The publications a serious writer will consider for submission of a significant paper will be respected within a specific area of intellectual discovery, but hardly will be coffee table fare. Still, the very seriousness of their content can recommend the publications to serious readers across a surprisingly wide spectrum.
學術文章通常針對精確的範圍作深入討論，並非為大眾寫的通俗概要。認真的學者要投稿重要的論文時考慮的那些刊物，會在特定的學術領域中受人敬重，但很難成為一般人的消遣讀物。不過，正因為這些刊物的內容重要，各領域認真的讀者也會重視這些刊物。

The first extra-discipline appeal is to scholars in other fields whose developed sense of inquiry leads them to explore subject matter outside their area of expertise. Clear, accessible writing enhances the prospects of these scholarly associates assimilating their academic colleague’s thinking. As a practical matter, then, the writer has extended his influence from a small discipline into a larger academic community. His standing as a scholar takes on an added dimension.
這些學術讀物首先會吸引的學者，可能屬於其他領域，極富求知精神，因此有意探索非自身專業領域的學識。顯然的，論文的寫作若讓人容易理解，這些學者就比較容易領會其他領域專家的思維。從實用的觀點來看，寫作論文的學者也能將自身的影響力跨越特定學科，觸及更多學術領域的讀者，擴展自身學術地位。

Additionally, the writer of a published paper that communicates clearly to readers in another academic realm sometimes attracts the attention of professional and popular media. This can mean a further distribution of a paper’s content, or excerpts thereof. More to the point, it means a widening of a writer’s influence. All of this extra recognition for a scholar is made possible by clear language that neither insults a core constituency nor panders to a peripheral one.
此外，學者發表論文，若能向其他領域學者清晰傳達觀點，有時會引來專業與大眾媒體關注，或許能讓論文或其要旨更廣為人知。更重要的是，論文作者的影響力會擴大。學者要獲得這些額外的認同，寫作表達必須清晰，既不負主要讀者的期望，也不隨意迎合次要讀者的喜好。

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: In introducing a new subject in my paper, I wrote, “The dictionary defines…” My professor objected to the general dictionary citation. Is it better to give the name of the dictionary?
我在論文裡介紹新的主題時，寫道：「根據字典定義…」；但我的教授對這樣籠統地引用字典並不贊同。寫出字典的名稱是不是比較好？

Giving the name of a dictionary sourced for a particular citation is not a bad idea because being specific usually is better than being general. Such details give a paper weight and credibility. This rule would hold true for other citations, including encyclopedias and other reference materials. On the other hand, if a source is one of meager standing in academia—such as Wikipedia—it might be better to generalize and hope the professor doesn’t notice. In conversation or writing, dropping a name always is done to impress, so choose names carefully.
為某句引用寫出字典名稱也不壞，因為具體一般勝過籠統，有了字典名稱一類的細節，可以賦予論文份量與可信度，這項規則也適用百科全書等其他參考資料的引用。話說回來，如果資料來源的學術性較低－例如維基百科，或許還是籠統一點，然後希望教授不要注意到比較好。無論談話或寫作，提到名稱多半是為了讓人留下印象，所以要精心挑選。

That said, introducing a new element in a paper with the phrase, “The Cambridge (or Webster’s or whatever) dictionary defines…” often is no more than a cliché. In such cases, it is inserted not to substantiate what follows, but to help pad a paper. The writer is not as interested in establishing the legitimacy of a fact as he is in reaching a minimum level of words in a paper. A professor who reads such a padded paper is apt to have a quite opposite complaint—that identifying the source of a citation is another example of writing extra words to say nothing.
儘管如此，在論文中介紹新的內容時，如果寫：「根據劍橋字典（或韋氏字典等隨便一本字典）的定義…」，多半只是陳腔濫調，不會讓接下來的內容更具體，只能用來充版面。作者這樣寫不像是要讓論證更合理，比較像要湊論文字數。教授讀到這樣濫竽充數的文章，抱怨的可能剛好相反－在論文裡寫出這種引用文獻的來源，看起來就是要充篇幅。

So, unless the subject being introduced is especially esoteric and some extra authority is needed to properly establish its meaning, the best way for a writer to define a new element in a paper is to do so in his own words. Rather than use a dictionary as a crutch, use it as a foundation for a definition of one’s own creation. Original expression—imagine that! Academic writers sometimes forget that they are writing rather than transcribing. As writers, they are asked to put their thoughts and findings on paper using their own vocabularies and individual writing skills.
所以，除非你介紹的主題特別深奧，需要其他權威適當定義，否則寫論文時，定義新主題最好的方式就是用自己的話來表達。不要把字典當拐杖依靠，應該把它當作基礎，從中創造自己的定義。表達應該充滿原創力，多用點想像力！我們寫作學術文章時，有時候會忘記自己是在創作，而不是抄寫。寫作時，應該用自己的用語及寫作技巧，在論文裡闡述自己的想法與發現。