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Answer: We believe the sentence is best completed this way:

“Even though attentive citizens can distinguish between tyrants and democratic leaders, some authoritarian figures are so slick, lies don’t stick to them.”

Public-spirited leaders who are in public life to improve the lot of citizens are strikingly unlike dictators whose first priority is to maintain power and perks. Each is human, but the resemblance ends there. Yet some who deceitfully rise to the top of a political system demonstrate tremendous political instincts. They seem to know what to say when to placate and appease an oppressed population. In this sentence, “slick” leaders are said to slip away without having to account for their lies and deceptions, wording that completes the image of an oily-tongued politician.
熱心公益的領袖在位時會努力改善人民生活，獨裁者則將保有權力與福利擺在第一位，兩者同樣是人，除此外截然不同。另外，有些靠著欺騙手段掌權者，則展現了敏銳的政治直覺，知道用什麼說詞，去安撫、討好被壓迫的民眾。本句中，“slick”（狡猾）的執政者說謊欺騙，也能成功脫身、不必負責，描繪出油嘴滑舌的政客形象。

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 5 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 7-11 / Starbucks Gift Certificate. Another Starbucks 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7-11／星巴克禮券；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:

“Even though attentive citizens can distinguish between tyrants and democratic leaders, some authoritarian figures are so slick, ___ ___ ___ ___ ___.”

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

“Steven Chen represents today’s technology experts, who took their expertise into the brave new realm of the Internet and literally took it over. The Taiwan native was born a little more than a decade before the Worldwide Web was invented and grew up with the big, new medium. Unlike in some earlier industrial times, the vast majority of today’s young entrepreneurs and technologists were attracted to the Internet, where imaginations were allowed to roam free across its vast landscape. For Chen, this meant starring at PayPal and Facebook before co-founding an Internet dynasty, YouTube.”

This excerpt of a piece on technology deals with a successful Internet innovator and businessman. The piece is overwrought. The excess is in the writing, not the subject. It infers that Steven Chen is the representative of modern tech leadership, rather than just one of many, and was a star, rather than mere employee, at some leading Internet companies. Chen’s company does not just succeed, it is a “dynasty.” The writer also lapses into clichés, such as “brave new (world) realm,” and “vast majority.” The imprecision continues with the phrase, “a little more than a decade.” It is OK to give an exact number of years. What other weaknesses do you see?
本段文章摘要與科技有關，討論網路新創事業家，文章寫作（而非主題）過分雕琢。文中提到，陳士駿不僅是當代科技領袖的一位代表，而且是獨一無二的代表 (the representative)；他不只是幾家網路龍頭公司的員工，更是公司的巨星。陳士駿的公司不僅事業成功，更是營造了一個 “dynasty”（王朝）。作者甚至用了許多套語，像是 “brave new (world) realm”（美麗新境界，來自小說名《美麗新世界》）、“vast majority”（絕大多數）；另一個片語繼續這種印象：“a little more than a decade”（略多於十年）。寫出確切的時間沒有這麼困難吧。你還發現其他的問題嗎？

Acceptable 認可的文章

“Steven Chen is a representative of the modern era’s technology experts, who took their expertise into the emerging realm of the Internet and took it over. The Taiwan native was born 11 years before the birth of the Worldwide Web and grew up with the towering medium. Unlike in earlier manufacturing eras, many present-day entrepreneurs and technologists were attracted to the Internet, where their imaginations roamed free across its electronic landscape. For Chen, this meant apprenticing at PayPal and Facebook before co-founding the Internet staple, YouTube.”

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 # 3 – Professional standing is enhanced
效益三：提升專業地位

Peer recognition is the prize an academic professional seeks in publishing a scholarly piece. The writer isn’t doing it for money—though such economic considerations as tenure and increased salary ultimately are pegged to it. Nor are public accolades the motivation, for scholarly publications by definition lack a mass audience. Academic journal readers are classroom and research peers whose opinions and networking clout are invaluable to the writer’s career.
學術專業人士投稿學術作品，是為尋求同儕認可，目的並不為錢，儘管職位與薪資調升等經濟考量終究會與之掛勾。寫作動機也非獲得大眾讚揚，因為學術論文的讀者本來就不是大眾。學術期刊的作者是學校師生與研究同行，他們的意見與整體的影響力對作者的生涯影響鉅大。

It follows that being published in an acceptable journal is almost as important as publication itself. If that sounds snobbish, welcome to the real world. Academic publications that are ranked highly by peers are the target. Not only is the name of a prestigious journal a stamp of approval on a resume, it is proof that a person’s work has been approved by the publication’s gatekeepers and has been exposed to top-ranked peers. The writer is now part of the collegial conversation.
由此可見，能發表在令人滿意的期刊上，幾乎和投稿發表這件事一樣重要。聽起來很勢利，不過實情就是如此。首要目標是獲得同行高度評價的學術期刊，履歷上要是添上有威信期刊的名字，就像蓋了核可印章，證明你的工作成果已經獲得期刊把關者核可，也有知名的同行看過，現在是學術話題的討論對象了。

So which publications are desirable? The answer to that is pegged to a writer’s discipline, each of which has a canon of publications. If a new writer is unfamiliar with the stable of relevant journals, a visit to a campus library will solve that. Perusal of the various publications will help in selection of one most apt to publish a preferred type of scholarly article. Also, a professor can help direct the search for a suitable publication, one that can boost a writer’s academic career.
所以應該選那一本期刊呢？這得看研究者的學術領域而定，每個領域有自己的經典期刊。初出茅廬的新手若不熟悉重要的相關期刊，可以到大學圖書館逛一圈自然就會明白。精讀多本相關期刊也有助判斷適當的學術文章類型，選擇最可能接受論文的期刊。此外，也可以向教授請益，幫助尋找適合的期刊，為作者的學術生涯助一臂之力。

Suggested answer: “The arborist dug the hole deeper than required and filled the bottom with the organic fertilizer that would stem the dormancy of the sapling.”

Bare-rooted young trees don’t die if kept relatively moist, but neither do they thrive. To stir new life and encourage rooting, gardeners and professional landscapers who transplant trees usually place fertilizers in the soil beneath the tree roots. The stimulant brings new growth and rooting. The writer uses the word “stem” advisedly. It describes a part of a plant, of course. When used as a verb, it means to slow or halt something. In this case, the arborist wants to slow the dormancy and start growth. Another word—stop, perhaps—might have been used, but not as pertinently.
根部裸露的小樹如果保持濕潤並不會枯死，但也無法生長茁壯。園藝家和專業庭園設計師移植樹木時，為促進植物新生、幫助根部生長，通常會在樹根底部放置肥料，以刺激生長與生根。作者用 “stem”（莖）一詞其實別有用意。顯然，stem 是植物的一部分，當動詞用時，則表示減緩或抑制某件事。本句中，植樹的人是要減緩植物的休眠狀態，啟動生長。諸如 stop 等的其他詞彙就沒有這麼貼切。

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 arborist dug the hole deeper than required and filled the bottom with the organic fertilizer that would s________ the dormancy of the sapling.”

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 lead ballet dancer maintained his graceful arabesque as the company of female dancers pirouetted around him like spintops in a toy store window.”
「芭蕾舞男主角保持優雅的阿拉貝斯克舞姿，四周圍繞的女舞者踮起趾尖旋轉，就像玩具店櫥窗裡的陀螺。」

Spintops, or tops, are toys that entrance children with their ability to maintain their equilibrium while turning rapidly in place. The technical wizardry of the simple toy is keyed to gyroscopic principles that were scientifically explained in the 19th century, but as a toy it has been around since ancient times. What is intriguing, especially to young people, is the spintop’s ability to turn so rapidly in place that it almost appears to be standing unmoving. It is mass- produced in a variety of forms today and spinning is induced in a variety of ways.
“Spintop”（陀螺）是兒童喜歡的一種玩具，能在原地快速旋轉又保持平衡。這種簡單玩具令人著迷的原理，與十九世紀時闡述的陀螺儀原理有很大的關係，但早在古時這種玩具就已隨處可見。陀螺最特別的地方，尤其對小孩來說，就是能在原地快速打轉，看來幾乎是直立不動。如今，各種陀螺大量製造，旋轉方式各有不同。

The pirouette is one of the better known ballet movements. In it, a dancer elevates to a vertical position on the toe of one ballet shoe, drawing up the other leg and placing the raised foot next to the supporting leg as the spin begins. In comparing pirouetting dancers to spintops, the writer draws upon the universal familiarity with tops to describe the less familiar action of the dancers. That the tops are said to be spinning in a toy store window helps to convey the impression of public performance. Using the familiar to depict the unfamiliar is a good writing habit.
趾尖旋轉 (pirouette) 則是一種常見的芭蕾舞姿。表演時，舞者抽身直立，踮著一腳的腳趾，提起另一腳靠著支撐腳，開始旋轉。本句將進行趾尖旋轉的舞者比喻為陀螺，用大家普遍熟悉的陀螺，形容較陌生的舞姿。文中提到陀螺在玩具店櫥窗旋轉，也傳達了公開表演的感覺。用熟悉描寫不熟悉是寫作的好習慣。

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 prefer complex words. I am told it is pretentious to use complicated words when simpler terminology will suffice. However, I believe the academic community communicates most clearly in multi-syllabic words that precisely express concepts, philosophies, or technical procedures. Am I wrong?
我偏好複合辭彙，有人告訴我，若精簡的術語便足供表達，用複雜的詞彙會顯得矯揉造作。然而，我認為學術群體要清晰明瞭的溝通，必須用多音節的字準確傳達博大精深的概念、哲學與專門程序。這樣應該沒錯吧？

You are only partly wrong. Consider your question phrased more simply: “I like big words. I am told I put on airs when I write that way. Yet I think the learned can best speak to each other in terms that are exact and clear as we share high-level thoughts.” That rendering of your thought uses mostly one-syllable words, yet conveys nearly the same information as your original sentences. There is nothing wrong with multiple syllables in words, nor should any writer strive to “dumb down” language in an effort to simplify it. But long words are not always the best ones.
也不完全錯。你的話用簡單的字來講，就是：「我喜歡用很長的字，有人說用這些字看起來像在擺架子，但是我覺得學者要清楚溝通，就要用清楚準確的字，分享高層次的想法。」這段換句話說的用字多半很簡單，不過表達的意思和原本差不多。用很長的多音節單字沒什麼錯，也沒有必要努力簡化用字，刻意拉低用語的難度。但是，字母多的辭彙不一定是最好的選擇。

The first rule of academic writing happens to be the first rule of any kind of writing: Express yourself clearly and accurately. It does not necessarily follow that one must use short or uncomplicated words. “University” is far more accurate than “school” in describing a higher-level, multi-discipline learning center. “Radiology” is not exactly equivalent to “X-ray,” so the simpler word cannot always be substituted. Good writing uses words precisely and if precision requires a complex word in a sentence, a writer shouldn’t shy from employing it.
學術寫作的第一守則，也是所有寫作的第一守則，就是清楚、準確地表達意思。這不表示一定要用短的、簡單的字，例如形容教授許多學科的高等教育場所時，“university” 就比 “school” 來得精確，而 “radiology” 也不等於 “X-ray”；所以並非總適合用簡單的字作代替。好文章必須用字精確，若精確表示句子裡必須用到複合辭彙，就不該畏縮不前。

What’s more, some academic writing is in areas of learning that allow little simplification. In such disciplines, scientific or technical names and terms hold special meaning to a particular community and convey a wealth of specialized knowledge. Where writers go wrong in such cases is to use such words indiscriminately and repeatedly. The result is a report blemished by jargon. So, yes, use long, fancy words when they are the best communication choice, but do not use them to impress. When that is your objective, you most often will embarrass yourself.
此外，有些學識領域的學術寫作處理不容簡化，在這類學科中，學術或專門辭彙對特定群體來說有特殊意義，蘊含豐富的專業知識。此時，如果不分青紅皂白，任意反覆使用這些詞彙，那就是寫作者的錯，會讓報告因充斥難懂的行話而失色。所以，沒錯，如果很長很炫的字在溝通時最清楚，那就用吧，但是不要為了賣弄而用，否則多半只會讓你出糗。

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TPS Team

Answer: We believe the sentence is best completed this way:

“Jean Piaget’s analysis of the cognitive development of children startled his esteemed colleagues in the same way a precocious child startles his teachers.”

Children are the theme of the sentence, the study of them by a researcher who began by studying his own children. His conclusions were ground-breaking in their perspective, though when seen in hindsight were quickly accepted as genuine insights into intellectual development. To give the sentence cohesion, a natural choice is to finish it in references to childhood intellect. Thus, we pull the sentence together by comparing the relationship of the researcher and his professional colleagues to that of a child with mature brainpower and his teacher. Compatible imagery can help unify a sentence for a reader.
本句的主題是兒童，討論皮亞傑對兒童的研究，他的研究先從自已的小孩開始，研究結論在觀點上極具突破性，雖然以後見之明來看，這些觀點確實是對智力發展了不起的見解，現在很容易就能接受。要讓句子保持凝聚力，結尾自然要提到兒童的智力。因此，這裡用智力早熟的兒童和老師的關係，比擬皮亞傑與學術同儕的關係，結合整個句子。適切的比喻有助讀者統合句子。