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No formula exists for the writing of a superior sentence, but this much is known: The best sentence has no weak part. The following sentence is incomplete. In five or fewer words, complete the sentence in a way that strengthens the whole of it. The first TPS Fan to complete the sentence as we believe it is best completed will win a NTD200 Eslite Bookstore and Shopping Mall Gift Certificate. Another Eslite certificate will be awarded to the first Fan to complete it in an alternate way that, in our estimation, also is effective. The explanation and the names of the winners will be published tomorrow on this TPS Fans page.
怎麼寫出好句子沒有標準答案，不過起碼我們知道，優秀的句子每個環節都很完美。下面有一句未完成的句子，請用五個字以內完成句子接龍，寫出完整的句子。最先完成句子，並寫出最佳解答的一位TPS 粉絲，將獲得兩百元誠品圖書商場購物禮卷；另增設特別獎一名，頒給符合文意又別具創意的粉絲。接龍解答與獲獎粉絲姓名將在明天公布於本 TPS 專頁，敬請密切鎖定、先睹為快！

題目Contest Sentence:

“The towering new skyscraper reached heavenward on the strength of its steely core, around which the structure swayed like ___ ___ ___ ___ ___.”

很多字詞並非表面所見的意思，字詞的組合會產生不同的解釋。這樣的慣用法，我們稱之為「比喻」。一個成功的比喻，作者本身必須相當瞭解字詞的源起。以下的句子為讀者介紹一個比喻及其來源。
Imagery buries itself in language and takes on new meaning. The transplanted and transformed sets of words are called “figures of speech.” For a figure of speech to be effective, however, a writer must first understand the original meaning of the phrase. The following sentence contains a common figure of speech. Its original meaning is explained.

“The research team was stumped by the experiment’s results until they realized the tested mice came from the batch of animals containing the mutant strain.”
「實驗結果讓研究人員遇到阻礙，直到後來他們發現作測試的這批小鼠帶有突變基因。」

In many pioneering places, pioneers felled trees and constructed their rudimentary homes with the logs. Most of these settlers were either ranchers or farmers; in any case, as they developed their properties, they proceeded to remove the stumps left from the log-felling. The rooted portion of the tree was dug around and chopped with axes before being pulled out with a team of livestock. Sometimes the stumps resisted all efforts to dislodge them and had to be dynamited. When a settler was unable to uproot and haul away a stump, he was said to be “stumped.”
在許多墾殖地，拓荒者會砍伐樹木，用木材建造簡陋的房子。他們多半從事農牧業，要進一步墾殖時，便會著手移除砍樹後留下的樹樁 (stump)；首先在深植土壤的根系附近挖掘，用斧頭砍伐，再用牲口將樹樁拉起。有時用盡各種方法，樹樁還是絲毫不動，得用炸藥去炸。若開墾者無法掘起、拔出樹樁，就代表他 “stumped”（遇到阻礙了）。

The research team also experienced failure as it interpreted the results of its experiment. The results didn’t square with the team’s expectations and it couldn’t discover why. Team members were “stumped” or stymied by the test results, and failure to understand the results of a controlled experiment does not help advance a scientific cause. Finally, the team realized that the test animals were not the intended ones and the confusion was cleared up. Imagery that enlivens language without falling into the category of cliché always is welcome in academic papers.
本句中，研究小組解釋實驗結果時，也同樣遇到問題，實驗結果和預期不符，但無法解釋。實驗結果讓研究小組 “stumped”（遇到阻礙），他們無法理解對照實驗的結果，找出科學的解釋。最後，研究小組終於發現實驗動物不符研究標準，解決了疑惑。學術論文中，應該多用這類活絡語言的想像力，避免落入俗套的窠臼。

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。

親愛的TPS Facebook粉絲與電子報的訂閱讀者，您們好：

您寫作論文時是否具備足夠的毅力與專注呢？還是容易懈怠、被其他事情分散注意力呢？新學術專欄「7 Ways to Pace Yourself through a Paper按部就班寫作論文的七大建議」幫助您更有條理地規劃論文進度與步調！

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。

「5 Benefits of Publication in an Academic Journal投稿學術期刊的五大效益」已經告一段落，而新學術專欄「7 Ways to Pace Yourself through a Paper # 1按部就班寫作論文的七大建議之一」也已刊登在TPS 粉絲專頁！

更多內容，請參閱TPS電子報、Facebook與 Blog的最新資訊。


TPS Team

Suggested answer: “The traditional musicians played lilting music on their bamboo pipes, the melodies drifting along the five-note scale like swallows wafting on the wind.”

The music played by the Chinese instrumentalists was described as “lilting,” with melodies “drifting.” Clearly, the tunes were buoyant and uplifting and the verb in the metaphor about swallows needs to mesh with the music’s description. In comparing the music to swallows “wafting” on the wind, the writer creates an image of smooth and graceful movements. Other “w” words that might have been chosen include “winging” and “wandering” and, possibly, “whistling,” but none carries the suggestion of buoyancy and gentleness that most accurately describes the music.
本句形容國樂家吹奏的音樂 “lilting”（輕快）、旋律 “drifting”（飄揚），顯然曲調活潑昂揚，因此句中燕子的比喻，必須選擇能和音樂的描述融合在一起的動詞。將音樂比喻為燕子在風中 “wafting”（飄盪），能創造一種流暢優美的動作形象。其他 w 開頭的字還有 “winging”（飛翔）、“wandering”（飄泊），或是 “whistling”（呼嘯），但都沒有活潑輕快的感覺，無法精準描述句中形容的音樂。

The sentence below is missing a verb. However, the first letter of the verb is provided. Insert a word that starts with the given first letter and best fits the tenor of the sentence, and then defend your word choice in five or fewer words. The first TPS Fan to respond with the judge’s choice of verb—or the most effective alternate verb— will win a ¬¬¬NTD 200 Starbucks Gift Certificate. The name of the winner will be published tomorrow on this TPS Fans page. Good luck!
以下句子缺少動詞，請加入一個最符合句子意思且符合空格開頭字母的動詞，以及五個字以內的理由，我們將提供7-11／星巴克咖啡禮券兩百元，頒給第一位想出最佳解答或是最佳替代字的第1位粉絲。解答與獲獎粉絲姓名將在明天公布於本 TPS 專頁。請將答案寫在下方，幸運兒可能就是你！

題目Contest Sentence:

“The traditional musicians played lilting music on their bamboo pipes, the melodies drifting along the five-note scale like swallows w______ on the wind.”

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

“Unlike some countries where people are fewer, China continues to rely on Labor-Intensive Ag Practices. The goal is to increase production from each and every acre of farm land, rather than from each farm worker. Employing many workers to produce crops is not only not a problem in China, it is a Beneficent Strategy designed to help drain the nation’s deep farm labor pool. Therefore, labor-saving machinery that is the hope of farms in more industrialized nations could be ruinous in China. However, this obviously antiquated National Policy can’t go on forever.”

This passage is about a central policy that seems to serve China, but would misserve a nation of different demographics. While the writer makes an interesting point, he does not do so using recommended academic writing practices. One failing is a penchant to capitalize words for no apparent reason; rules of capitalization are not that flexible. “Each and every” is a clichéd phrase; “each” is sufficient. The phrase “not only not a…” is awkward and needs rewriting. The final sentence is presumptuous and colloquial. What other weaknesses do you see in the writing?
本文討論一則中央政策，看起來似乎切合中國的需求，實際上卻忽略了中國各地不同的人口特性。雖然作者的論點很有意思，寫作技巧卻未同樣值得嘉許。一個問題是作者偏好無故用大寫，大寫應該有大寫的規則。“Each and every” 用詞老套，“each” 其實就夠了。另外 “not only not a…” 這個片語看來也很生硬，必須修改。最後一句有點過火，也略嫌口語。你還在文章中看到哪些缺點呢？

Acceptable 認可的文章

“Unlike some less populated countries, China still relies in the 21st century on labor-intensive agricultural practices. Its goal is increased production per unit of farm land, rather than per farm worker. Employing many workers to produce crops is not only a necessity in China, it is a virtue. The strategy helps draw down the nation’s deep and swelling farm labor pool. For this reason, the labor-saving machinery that is the hope of individual farmers in more industrialized nations is problematic in China. In the long run, however, this national policy may not be sustainable.”

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。

Correct best answer: Replace “flouts” with “flutes.”

“From the flutes of Ling Lun to the mental compositions of Ludwig Van Beethoven, the arc of classical music has played across the ages in perfect harmony.”

Ling Lun is traditionally credited with creating the standard pitch to which all instruments in China were tuned. Beethoven was the 18th century European composer who was said to compose orchestrations in his head. Neither man was in the habit of jeering less fortunate peers, yet the confusing uncorrected sentence speaks of Ling Lun’s “flouts,” or jeers. A quick reading of legend clarifies that Lun set the standard pitch using hollowed bamboo “flutes.” A spell check wouldn’t catch this error; logic and a little research would. Always re-read with brain engaged.
傳說伶倫制定音階，成為所有中國樂器依循的標準；貝多芬則是十八世紀歐洲作曲家，據說他能在腦海中譜寫交響曲。這兩人都不會嘲弄沒那麼幸運的同輩，但這個句子卻用錯了詞，誤把伶倫說成會 “flouts”（蔑視）、嘲笑他人。稍微讀過傳說就會曉得，伶倫是用空心的 “flutes”（竹笛）建立音階。雖然拼字檢查不會發現這個錯誤，但運用邏輯並稍微研究一下就能發現。寫完文章一定要花心思重新讀過。

撰寫學術文章時，每字每句都需要謹慎著墨。改變幾個字就會使完整的一句話變得令人摸不著頭緒。下列的句子中，為使這句話能完整且有意義的表達，請選出你認為會令人感到困惑的字，我們將提供7-11/星巴克咖啡NTD200元禮券，給予挑出混淆字，並寫出最佳替代字的第1位粉絲，最適的解答與獲獎的粉絲姓名，將於明天公佈於本TPS的專頁。請將你的答案寫在下方，獲得免費購物禮券的幸運兒可能就是你哦!
Every word is important in a well-written academic paper. Changing just a word or two can turn a clear sentence into a confusing one. Tell us what word you would change in the following puzzling sentence to render it more meaningful. The first best answer will receive a NTD200 7-11/Starbucks Gift Certificate.

題目Contest Sentence:
“From the flouts of Ling Lun to the mental compositions of Ludwig Van Beethoven, the arc of classical music has played across the ages in perfect harmony.”