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在學術寫作中，「完美」是相對的，但也是我們追求的理想。想寫出完美的研究報告，首先選擇題目必須明智。本次學術專欄特別推出「完美撰題八大原則」，為大家介紹選擇題目的原則，每項原則將定期刊登於TPS專頁。
“Perfect” is a relative term in academic writing, but it always is the ideal. The first rule in the pursuit of perfection in a paper is to choose a topic wisely. This essay introduces and explains one guide in selecting a topic. Each guide is contained in “8 Guides in Choosing a Perfect Research Paper Topic” and will be posted on the TPS Fan page as introduced.

# 3 – Be alert to potential topics in course material and elsewhere
原則三 留意潛藏在教材與其他地方的研究主題

Sometimes the perfect topic is perfectly hidden … right under your nose. When an assignment is given in a class, the tendency is to focus on the assignment as if it exists separate from the rest of your intellectual activity. Not true. Assignments do not occur in vacuums. They are part of what is going on around you in the class—and outside the class. All knowledge is part of the same intellectual continuum; the sooner this is understood, the fuller a learning experience becomes.
有時候最棒的研究題目藏在最意想不到的地方－就藏在你的眼皮底下。一般人常把教授出的作業和其他研究分開來看，殊不知作業並不是單獨存在。作業不僅與課堂上的一切有關，也與課堂外的一切有關。所有學問都屬於一個連續的知識體系，早點明白這個道理，才能讓所學更為完整。

So the first place to begin a search for a topic is in the class material itself. Lectures. Textbooks. Laboratory or field experiences. Even conversations with classmates contain the seeds of ideas. This might seem to be a superfluous suggestion, yet too many students turn off their minds when the class bell rings, or a formal discussion period ends. Learning to listen engagingly at unstructured times and to critically explore material in depth will help the topic search.
因此，首先可以從課堂教材尋找研究主題，無論是授課內容、教科書、實驗或研究過程都能多加探索，班上同學的對話討論也可能成為靈感來源。這個建議聽起來或許有點多餘，但許多學生往往下課鈴一響，正式討論時間一結束，就把研究心思關起來。如果能學會在平日就積極聆聽，認真、深入探索教材內容，對尋找研究題目一定助益良多。

The other great place to look for topical revelation is in wholly unrelated reading material. Almost regardless of how specialized a research assignment is, valuable insight can be gleaned from general circulation publications. Sometimes a popular writer’s approach to a completely different subject can suggest a new academic approach. Or a word might jump out that sparks fresh thinking. The world is awash with ideas. Splash around in it and see what you can find.
與研究無關的讀物是另一個尋找研究題目的好地方；不論研究領域多專門，幾乎都可以在一般讀物裡尋獲寶貴的洞見。有時發現暢銷作家處理完全不同主體的方法，可進而助於找出新的學術研究方法；有時某個詞彙突然跳出來，也能激發新鮮的想法。世上充斥著各式各樣的想法，探索世界，你一定能有所收穫。

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 am frustrated—maybe even peeved—by the disinterest shown my research by scholars in other disciplines. For various reasons, I would feel more fulfilled if they showed more interest in my work. What can I do to elicit their interest?
有時候，其他領域的研究者對我的研究沒興趣，會讓我很沮喪，甚至不太高興。基於種種理由，我很希望不同領域的研究者能注意我的研究。怎麼做才能引起其他研究者的興趣呢？

It is interesting to me that you want your peers in other scholarly disciplines to show interest in your work. I mean, if you have a particular peer in mind, possibly the one with the dimpled smile and terrific hair, well, yes, I understand that and offer a one-word piece of advice: flirt. However, if your concern is more general in scope and intellectual in nature, your dilemma is much more interesting to me. Let me note that some scholars simply confine themselves to notoriously narrow fields of interest. Don’t take it as a personal affront that they don’t have time for you.
你希望其他學術領域的研究者關注你的研究，讓我覺得很有趣。如果你只想讓某一位學者注意你的研究，特別是那位笑起來有酒窩、頭髮光滑迷人的學者……好吧，那我了解，我的建議很簡單：放電吧。不過，如果你的重點是想讓更多人關注學術研究，那就更有意思了。我知道有些學者把注意力集中在極為狹窄的範疇裡，所以如果他們沒有時間關注你的研究，並不是特別針對你。

Still, there is much to be said for interdisciplinary fraternization as an intellectual exercise. While the aforementioned scholar who becomes a mental hermit can be applauded for his intense focus, approval is given with a caveat: Such narrow vision is unlikely to produce anything of broad significance. Academic research and writing always are deeper than they are wide, but both research and writing fall short of excellence when they lack context. Context is the “outside” information that gives a paper parallel meaning. Hermit-scholars often lack such perspective.
跨領域學術交流確實大有可為；過度專精於自己領域的學者專注力驚人，這點固然令人欽佩，但也應心存警惕－如果視野狹隘，所作的研究就沒有重要的影響力。學術研究與寫作多半務求精深，不以廣博見長，但若缺乏脈絡，兩者都無法卓然有成。脈絡是外在的資訊，讓研究得以與其他事物互相呼應。過於專注在自己所屬領域的學者，通常無法洞察這一點。

Your sense of wanting to interact with scholars across disciplines is a good one. The benefits of doing so are mutual. I would suggest that the surest way to attract the interest of such academic researchers is to demonstrate genuine interest in their research. Not only will you then win their interest in your work, you will likely come away with some arcane tidbit discovered by them in the course of their work. It is interesting how such esoteric knowledge can spur fresh thinking in an entirely unrelated field. Good luck with encouraging your peers to open their minds to you.
想與其他領域的學者交流是個很好的想法，雙方都能從中受益。我認為要吸引那些學者的注意，最有效的方法就是對他們的研究領域展現真誠的興趣。如此一來，不僅能讓他們關注你的研究，你或許也能發現對方研究的吉光片羽。某個領域的專業知識，能在完全不相干的領域中，激起富有新意的想法，讓人覺得很有意思。祝你能順利打開同事的心。

在學術寫作中，「完美」是相對的，但也是我們追求的理想。想寫出完美的研究報告，首先選擇題目必須明智。本次學術專欄特別推出「完美撰題八大原則」，為大家介紹選擇題目的原則，每項原則將定期刊登於TPS專頁。
“Perfect” is a relative term in academic writing, but it always is the ideal. The first rule in the pursuit of perfection in a paper is to choose a topic wisely. This essay introduces and explains one guide in selecting a topic. Each guide is contained in “8 Guides in Choosing a Perfect Research Paper Topic” and will be posted on the TPS Fan page as introduced.

# 2 – Clearly identify the parameters of an assigned topic
原則二：確認研究報告的主題範圍

This suggestion is closely related to the first one, which was to understand an assignment. But rather than dealing with miscommunication between student and instructor, this suggestion has to do with a writer’s judgment. Case in point: A clear-thinking student in a culinary curriculum who is assigned an academic paper on tuna should ultimately conclude that a paper on the health benefits of tuna salad is more appropriate than a paper on the economics of tuna fishing.
上週提到的原則一是了解研究報告的題目，原則二與原則一有關，但不是處理師生溝通不良，而是與作者的判斷有關。舉例來說，如果讀烹飪的學生要寫一份與鮪魚有關的學術文章，清楚思考後，應該知道比起討論鮪魚捕撈的經濟，更適合討論鮪魚沙拉對健康的好處。

Yet professors are regularly surprised by topical tangents. Students sometimes ending up fishing for good grades in strange and irrelevant places. Unfortunately for them, the result is a marked-down paper. This doesn’t mean that instructors don’t appreciate writers who bring fresh ideas and subjects to a topical mix. Willingness to stretch a topic is an indication of intellectual heft and confidence. But stretch a topic too far and usually it will collapse into irrelevancy.
即使如此，教授還是經常收到文不對題的報告。有些學生想獲得好成績，報告內容卻莫名其妙又與主題南轅北轍，當然就拿不到好成績。教授並不是不欣賞學生在題目中整合新鮮的想法與主題，願意擴展題目展現了學生的學術能力與自信；但若是擴展太遠，往往因為離題而寫出失敗的文章。

A general guideline to follow in evaluating the relevancy of a subject is to work outward from the core. If the assigned topic is tuna, for example, a concentric line of reasoning might go like this: Tuna – Fresh / Canned – Properties of canned tuna in water / oil – Albacore vs. Pacific bluefin – Mercury vs. low fats – Protein content – Tuna hash vs. Grilled tuna – and so on. While the process can go on for some time, it should end well before Charlie the Tuna is considered.
評估主題是否相關有一條通則，就是寫作時從核心向外探索。舉例來說，如果題目是鮪魚，思考論證的同心圓邏輯應該是：鮪魚－罐頭或新鮮鮪魚－水煮與油漬鮪魚的特性－長鰭鮪魚與太平洋藍鰭鮪魚－含汞量與低脂肪－蛋白質含量－鮪魚馬鈴薯或煎烤鮪魚…等等。諸如此類的清單可以延伸下去，但如果討論到鮪魚罐頭品牌的卡通吉祥物 Charlie the Tuna ，就表示你離題太遠啦。

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 encouraged to make my papers more “charming.” That seems like an odd word to use in describing an academic paper. Is my professor setting me up to fail?
我的教授一直鼓勵我文章要寫得「誘人」，我覺得用這個字來形容學術文章很奇怪。教授是不是要陷害我啊？

You sound oddly distrusting of your professor. In my experience, classroom instructors work hard to help their students succeed, not fail. Of course, there is the occasional miscreant standing in front of the classroom who encourages student failure as a backhanded compliment to his self-declared high standards. Tenure is wasted on such people, and I am sorry for you if you are stuck with such a don. However, I will assume for the purposes of this column that your professor has your best interests at heart in advising you to become more “charming” as a writer.
很奇怪，你聽起來好像不太信任教授。根據我的經驗，老師總是努力幫助學生，而不是陷害學生。當然，偶爾會有一些不稱職的老師當著全班的面，因為學生達不到他所謂的高標準，出言諷刺，挖苦學生。這種老師不該獲得終身職，如果你也遇上這種老師，我很同情你。不過，在這個專欄中，我假設教授是為了你著想，才提出建議，希望你的文章可以更「誘人」。

In fact, I rather like the professor’s word choice. The definition of “charming” is “extremely pleasing or delightful.” Is there something in the DNA of an academic paper that precludes writing that is delightsome and pleasant? I think not. Too many academicians—though certainly not all—seem to labor under the weight of accumulated degrees; their capacity for joy has been squeezed right out of them. Delightful writing always is acceptable and should be joyously received. Yes, academic writers must be substantive, but they should try to delight their readers.
其實我滿欣賞你教授的用字，「誘人」的意思是「讓人非常開心、愉快」。難道學術文章天生就不該讓人讀了開心、愉快嗎？我可不認為。有些學者為了累積學術地位，榨乾了精力，已經與歡笑絕緣了。我們應該接受讓人讀來愉快的文章，並且開開心心地讀。學術寫作確實必須有份量、內涵，但也應盡可能讓人讀來愉快。

A writer charms readers by pleasantly surprising them. It is true that academic writing seriously examines important topics, so it is not a place for frivolous composition. Papers are straight-line writing projects without room for detours, even pleasant ones. Yet fresh expression of ideas through imagery and imaginative word choice doesn’t sidetrack a paper. Subtle wit that is pertinent is not a defect. Writing a paper so that the eventual reader might actually enjoy it is not a perverse impulse. Remember, academic writers are two people in one: academics, and writers.
文章要吸引讀者，必須帶給讀者驚喜。誠然，學術文章必須認真檢視重要的主題，不能太輕浮；必須直截了當，沒有拐彎抹角的空間，即使這種拐彎很有趣也一樣。不過，如果文章用字能充滿意象與想像力，用耳目一新的方式表達想法，也不算是走偏了路。微妙的機智用得貼切就不算缺陷，想寫篇讓人全心全意樂於欣賞的文章也很正常。別忘了，學術作者既是學者，也應該是作家。

在學術寫作中，「完美」是相對的，但也是我們追求的理想。想寫出完美的研究報告，首先選擇題目必須明智。本次學術專欄特別推出「完美撰題八大原則」，為大家介紹選擇題目的原則，每項原則將定期刊登於TPS專頁。
“Perfect” is a relative term in academic writing, but it always is the ideal. The first rule in the pursuit of perfection in a paper is to choose a topic wisely. This essay introduces and explains one guide in selecting a topic. Each guide is contained in “8 Guides in Choosing a Perfect Research Paper Topic” and will be posted on the TPS Fan page as introduced.

# 1 – Understand the assignment
原則一：了解研究報告題目

When a professor assigns a paper to a class, the implicit understanding is that a student will produce a paper in harmony with the assignment. The submitted paper may or may not be competently researched and well-written, but at the very least it is expected to be in the assigned area of research. Yet instructors still are disappointed to receive papers on, say, William Shakespeare’s classic family tragedies when the assignment was on the Bard’s sonnets.
教授指派報告時，通常預期學生的文章必須切合作業題旨。無論學生繳交的文章是否研究周詳、寫作優美，起碼必須符合指定的研究領域。不過，如果教授指派的作業是莎士比亞的十四行詩，收到報告卻討論他的經典家庭悲劇，這份報告還是達不到標準。

Researching and writing a paper that almost meets the assigned criteria isn’t good enough. Professors are the experts in their disciplines and in their classrooms. They are familiar with the many facets of a subject. They intentionally assign papers on one slice of a broader subject in the expectation that students will examine that slice in some depth. When a student chooses to write on another facet of the subject, it not only is disappointing, it portends a failing grade.
研究與寫作報告不能只求差強人意。教授是該學科的專家，也很了解班上的學生。教授對一個主題的諸多面向知之甚詳，如果有意從廣泛的主題中指定一個面向研究，表示期望學生深入探討此面向。學生如果轉而研究主題的另一個面向，作業不但達不到標準，成績大概也不及格。

Sometimes the fault lies with a professor for not clearly laying out the assignment. Sometimes it is the student who fails to grasp an assignment and to question it. As Cool Hand Luke famously said, “What we’ve got here is a failure to communicate.” But ultimately it is the student who will suffer the most when such confusion occurs, so it is the student who must clear away the confusion before proceeding. Always know the assignment before beginning to fulfill it.
有時候教授沒有把題目解釋清楚，有時則是學生沒有領會題目，也沒有問清楚，就像《鐵窗喋血》電影中的對白：「我們溝通不良」。但說到底，如果釐不清狀況，受罪的是學生，所以學生在開始寫報告前一定要先釐清題目。記住，開始進行撰寫前，務必確實了解作業題目。

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 generally enjoy writing papers assigned by my professor, regardless of the subject. But sometimes I get so hung up on a word or a section that I can’t go on. What is the best way to overcome writer’s block or whatever you want to call a sudden inability to write?
不管是什麼題目，我通常都很喜歡寫教授指派的論文，但是有時候我會因為一個詞或一段句子卡住，寫不下去。如果我突然寫不出東西，要怎麼克服這個寫作障礙？

Most writer’s block is easily overcome by momentarily quitting. It’s that simple. Of course, professional writers on deadline—and students who have procrastinated working on an assignment—can’t step away from a writing project for long. Yet giving the right side of the brain some rest now and then tends to revive it. Straighten up the room or wash dishes instead, go jogging, watch a Lady Gaga music video. Let your thoughts wander down less disciplined lanes. Then sit again at your desk and see if your brain hasn’t regained its capacity to breach a barrier.
多數的寫作障礙只要先暫時停止寫作，很容易就可以克服，就這麼容易。當然，職業作家面臨截稿，或是學生拖拖拉拉作業寫不完時，也不能暫停太久，不過偶爾讓大腦休息一下可以讓思緒恢復活力。起來收收房間、洗碗、慢跑，或是看看女神卡卡的音樂錄影帶，放鬆思緒、任其漫遊，然後再回到座位上，看看大腦是不是已經跨越障礙，重拾寫作能力。

If the micro-vacation hasn’t recharged you, stronger measures are required. A first one is to determine if the fault lies with your brain or with the material it is being called upon to process. If you are trying to communicate a murky thought in writing that is so turgid that your brain can’t follow it, this tells you all you need to know: Start over. Clarity of thought and clarity of expression work in tandem. When an argument is clear in your mind, writing it clearly is easy. While subsequent word choices still may be difficult, they shouldn’t block the way
如果稍事休息還是沒辦法讓大腦重振活力，就得採取更有力的做法。首先要確定問題是出在你身上，還是你要處理的句子上。如果你想說的事很模糊，表達起來複雜難懂，讓你的腦袋轉不過來，這表示你該做的只有一件事：重寫。思想清晰才能表達清晰，如果腦海中的論點很清楚，要寫清楚就很容易了。即使之後遣詞用字要費點腦筋，你還是能順利寫下去。

One other impediment to the flow of copy onto a page is plain old stubbornness. A writer sometimes will fall in love with a word, or a phrase, sometimes with an entire idea, and refuse to relinquish it even though it leads nowhere. The word or phrase or idea might, in fact, be a perfectly beautiful one. Yet if it interrupts or entirely blocks the writing process, it clearly is the wrong word or phrase or idea for that moment. Eliminate it. Delete as far back as necessary to get a clean start on another word or phrase or idea. It is the only way to get moving ahead.
阻礙寫作另一項常見的原因，就是執迷不悟。作者有時會著迷於某個字詞或語句，有時候會對某個想法抓著不放，即使無法繼續發展，也不願意放棄。這些詞句或想法或許很出色，但是如果干擾寫作或使寫作無法持續，此時該詞句或想法顯然就不適合。刪掉吧，按住刪除鍵不放，直到可以重新來過，發展出另一個詞句或想法。想順利寫下去，這是唯一的辦法。

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

“During four decades of observing chimpanzees in Tanzania, Jane Goodall found some presumed truths about the animal’s behavior to be wildly untrue. She also shattered a few myths about anthropological methods. In her study of several chimp families, for example, Goodall learned to recognize each individual and to give each a name. She thus anthropomorphized the chimps—attributed to the chimps human characteristics—an approach that some of her scientific peers found wanting. Her unconventional methods stemmed from Goodalls’ background as an unlettered researcher, the absence of dogma giving her freer reign in her studies.”

This paragraph about a famed anthropologist and her discoveries passes muster if merely skimmed. More careful reading finds weaknesses. The “four decades” reference can be more simply expressed as “40 years.” In the second sentence, “presumed truths” can be more succinctly stated as “assumptions.” The phrase “found wanting” is not wrong, but it is imprecise; “criticized as unscientific” specifically states her peers’ complaint. In the last sentence, the phrase “freer reign” is a common misuse of “reign” instead of “rein,” and is further weakened by the absence of the modifier “intellectual.” Can you find the two errors in the use of the apostrophe to denote possession? One is “animal’s…” instead of “animals’…” What is the other?
本段文章描述著名的人類學家珍古德以及她的研究發現，大略讀過後看來沒有問題，但仔細讀後就會找到一些缺陷。“Four decades” 可以寫成 “40 years” 就好，第二句 “presumed truths”（假定的事實）改成 “assumptions”`（假設）會更精簡。“Found wanting” （缺失）並沒有錯，但改成 “criticized as unscientific” （不科學）更精確，以具體點出同儕的批評。最後一句 “freer reign” 犯了常見的錯誤，誤將 “rein”（拘束）寫成 “reign”（疆域）了，此外若加上 “intellectual” 會更清楚。有兩個代表所有格的符號有誤，其中一個是“animal’s…” 應改為 “animals’…”，另一個你找得到嗎？

Acceptable 認可的文章

“During 40 years of observing chimpanzees in Tanzania, Jane Goodall found some assumptions about the animals’ behavior to be false. She also dispelled a few myths about anthropological methods. In her study of chimp families, for example, Goodall learned to recognize each individual and to give each a name. She thus anthropomorphized the chimps—attributed to the chimps human characteristics—an approach that some of her scientific peers criticized as unscientific. Her unconventional methods stemmed from Goodall’s background as an unlettered researcher, the absence of dogma giving her freer intellectual rein in her studies.”

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 # 6 – Roughly outline the paper; adopt a research schedule and method of note-taking
技巧六－撰寫論文大綱、安排時間表、勤作筆記

Having committed to writing a dissertation and chosen a topic acceptable to a dissertation committee, a candidate for an advanced degree is almost ready to begin researching and writing a paper—almost, but not quite. One final phase of preparation is left, one as important as any that preceded it, for now is the moment when the theoretical begins to yield to reality. Now is when the machinery of creation is oiled, the belts checked, tires kicked. These preparatory actions ensure that steady production will ensue once the research/writing engine actually is cranked up.
立定決心撰寫論文，也選擇了適合的論文題目，研究者差不多準備好進行研究與撰寫。注意，只是快要準備好，但還差一步。把想法付諸行動之前，還要完成準備步驟的最後一步，這個步驟和前面的準備步驟一樣重要。現在寫作論文的工具已經上好油、安全帶也繫上了，輪胎也檢查完畢準備上路了，就等研究/寫作的引擎開始運轉，這些準備工作就能讓一切穩定進行。

First, a rough outline of the paper should be composed. A general understanding of the paper’s structure should already exist, but getting it on paper is critical. Like a roadmap, a rough outline will help keep research on track. The outline is rough because it will be adjusted as new material and ideas are integrated. After all, research should produce new material! The outline also should correlate to the project’s calendar; stress is what a dissertation writer feels when a quarter of research is complete at the halfway point of the schedule. Management of time is crucial.
首先，研究者應該先寫論文大綱。研究者心中應該已有論文的大致結構，但應該將結構付諸文字。論文大綱就像地圖，能幫助研究時程步上軌道。這只是暫時的大綱，有新的資料與想法時可以再修改，因為研究一定會產生新的資料。論文大綱應該符合論文計畫的時間表，如果時間過了一半，研究才進行四分之一，研究者一定壓力很大，所以時間管理非常重要。

Finally, as research actually begins, a writer should establish an effective method of note-taking and materials organization. Any long-form writing project, especially one involving much research, must be systematically undertaken. This is because, as time passes, the key to deciphering cryptic notes sometimes is lost, rendering the notes worthless. A writer should at the outset choose one method to record notes, observations, and insights in an orderly, rational, and transparently understandable way. This will speed writing, reduce errors, and never be regretted.
最後，研究正式開始後，研究者應該找出有效的方法做筆記和組織資料。任何長篇的寫作計畫，特別是涉及許多研究的計畫，一定要有系統地進行。因為等時間一長，你可能已經忘記當初潦草的筆記在寫些什麼，筆記就派不上用場了。寫作論文時，一開始就應該用有條理、合理、清楚易懂的方式，把心得、觀察與靈感記錄下來，這樣可以加快寫作速度，減少錯誤，也不會留下遺憾。

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 friend read two of my papers and told me I wasn’t a confident writer. I asked her how she could tell, and she couldn’t say. But it is true: I am not overly confident. How can I seem to be confident until I actually gain confidence?
朋友看了兩篇我的論文，說我的文章讀起來很沒有信心，我問她是怎麼看出來的，她也說不上來，但我確實不是很有信心。在實際獲得信心前，我該如何讓文章讀來有信心呢？

Without reading your papers, I can’t really tell you how your lack of confidence manifests itself in your writing. Yet it is true that writers of uncertain mastery always run the risk of showcasing their shaky command of the writing craft. Their shakiness ripples through a sentence. But supremely confident writers sometimes produce weak writing, too, victims of their hubris. Given the choice, I would rather be an under-confident writer and use it as a prod to improve. So don’t lose faith in yourself and in your ability.
沒有看過你的論文，我也不知道你的文章哪裡顯得缺乏信心，不過如果作者無法完全掌握文章，確實會從游移不定的寫作技巧中顯示出來，猶疑不安的感覺會在句子間蔓延。但是充滿自信的作者若過於自大，有時也會寫出差勁的文章。要讓我來選，我寧可作信心不足的作者，督促自己努力改進。所以對自己和自己的能力要有信心。

Your objective—to fool a professor into thinking you are a confident academic author—is legitimate and worthwhile. Confident writing is a tool of persuasion. Even the appearance of confidence is more apt to persuade. So how can you do it? One way is to write emphatically. That is, use forceful, declarative words that unmistakably make a point. Stay away from diffident word choices. Avoid fuzzy words like “probably” and “things” and “kind of” and phrases like “stuff like that.” (I joke. You wouldn’t dare.)
你想讓教授覺得你的論文看來充滿自信，這麼想沒錯，而且很值得努力。寫作要有信心，才能說服讀者，即使只是看起來有信心，也更具說服力。該怎麼做呢？寫作時，語氣應更加堅定，運用強而有力、決斷的字詞，明白提出觀點，不要膽怯，不要用模糊的字詞，像是「可能」、「之類的」、「有點」，或是「這一類的東西」（開玩笑的，你還不至於這麼寫吧！）

Another way to show confidence is to have your sentences lead somewhere. If they wander to and fro, they suggest that you as a writer are lost. A sentence should declare itself, rather than hint and mince. Let a sentence introduce a thought to be embellished or completed by a following sentence. Such tight construction, rife with thoughtful word choices, leaves a reader so caught up in reading that questions of confidence never arise. It is simple: Research thoroughly; organize cleanly; write as if you believe it.
想表露自信還有個方法，就是保持句子意思明確。如果句子不停兜圈子，代表作者大概也迷路了。句子的意思應能一目瞭然，而非吞吞吐吐、意有所指。先寫一個句子介紹主旨，再用後面的句子修飾、補足意思。如果文章結構緊密、用字遣詞思考周到，讀者就會完全沉浸在文章中，絲毫不會懷疑作者沒有信心。記得充分研究、巧妙組織，相信自己所寫的內容，就是這麼簡單。

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

“Political science studies government, and thoroughly examines nations and the institutions that guide and direct them. As a society grows older and incorporates more of its citizens in political decisions, the science also expands. New attention is paid to cultural and social blocs that come into being and begin to influence how government operates and how a general public relates to their government. A primary concern of political science is power and how one organized center of public influence develops and imposes its will upon another organized center of public influence.”

This paragraph about the social science dealing with politics contains near-misses in word choices. For example, it is not accurate to say political science “studies government.” The study also explores political parties, interest groups, and the mechanisms of public authority. It also is wrong to say political science studies “nations,” because political science also focuses on jurisdictions within a nation. The phrase “guide and direct” is mostly redundant and trite. After the word “expands,” a semi-colon is better used than a period because the following sentence actually expands on the previous one; the sentences are closely related. Can you spot the errant pronoun in one sentence? How else might the paragraph be improved?
這段文章與社會科學有關，討論的是政治，用字遣詞上有許多「擦邊球」。例如，說政治學「研究政府」並不正確，因為政治學也研究政黨、利益團體，以及政府的機制。說政治學研究國家 (nations) 也有問題，因為政治學也關注一國內部的司法。片語 “guide and direct” 基本上是多餘的陳腔濫調。“expands” 一字後最好不要接逗號，改接分號，因為其後的句子其實進一步詳述了前一個句子；兩個句子關係密切。此外，你看得出有個句子的代名詞有問題嗎？本段還可以如何修改呢？

Acceptable 認可的文章

“Political science studies public governance, and empirically and analytically examines states and their institutions. As a society matures and incorporates more of its citizenry in political decisions, the science also expands; new attention is paid to cultural and social blocs that arise to influence how government operates and a general public relates to its government. A primary concern of political science is power and how one political unit imposes its will upon another political unit.”