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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.

#7 – Don’t be afraid to explore the edge of a subject
原則七 勇敢探索學科的邊緣領域

As in the previous guideline about an original topic, this suggestion is about how to make a paper distinctive from hundreds of similar papers. The recommendation is to look toward the edges of a subject where previous researchers have been reluctant to explore. After all, while plowing the same ground sometimes turns up new topical material, an aspiring researcher is very likely to find fresher, more compelling information by turning over rocks on the edge of the field.
這項守則類似前一項「力求主題創新」守則，都能讓論文從數百篇類似的文章中脫穎而出，而方法就是關注學科的邊緣領域，探索過去研究者未加探究的主題。在同一塊領域鑽研，或許有時能發現新的主題，但是若研究者充滿抱負，在邊緣領域不懈地耕耘，或許能發現更新鮮、更有說服力的資訊。

Working the edges of a subject doesn’t lessen the value of a paper. Content is king regardless of where it is found. Relevancy is not related to how central a topic is, but how it contributes to the overall understanding of a subject. For example, everyone might know that a minor emperor was a stout man, yet no one know that he secretly wore a padded cummerbund to enhance his girth, believing it befit his rank. Such revelation can introduce new psychological perspective.
論文的價值不會因為主題較邊緣而減少，因為不管資料從哪裡發現，內容才是重點。論文的價值無關主題是否為學科重心，重點是能否促進了解整體學科。例如，多數人都曉得minor emperor是不具影響力的君王，即使他會暗地裡配戴有填充物的寬腰帶增加腰圍，想藉此與他的地位相襯，世人也不覺得重要或值得探究。其實，像這類人們口中所謂的「小事」，若深入去研究，反而說不定能找到特別的新發現，對於心理學研究者而言，這樣的發現或許有機會引入新的心理學觀點。

Looking to the edge of a subject for new topical material is not the same as being edgy, though being edgy is OK. Edgy might be defined as flirting with irrelevancy by looking “way out there” for a topic. The key is not to drift so far from a core subject that one loses sight of an assignment. Professors are not amused by such independence. Nevertheless, one should feel free to explore the entire range of a subject, hither and yon, with an open mind about what you discover yon.
探索學科的邊緣領域，尋找新的主題，不代表就是急躁，雖然急躁也沒什麼不好。另一方面，急躁也可說是尋找主題時「扯太遠」，沒有認真思考主題是否適切。關鍵是拿捏得當，勿過度偏離學科核心，導致無法掌握作業主旨。教授不會喜歡你離題太遠的。然而，你還是可以任意探索整個學科範圍，毋須設限，並用開放的心態看待彼處的發現。

Correct best answer: Replace “burley” with “burly.”

“The old farmer parked his tractor next to the field of flax and climbed nimbly from the machine, his burly frame alighting with practiced grace.”

“Burley” and “burly” sound exactly alike and almost are spelled the same. Yet there is a world of difference between them. “Burley” is a kind of air-cured tobacco that contains less nicotine than some darker varieties of tobacco. Because burley is a farm product, the writer might have had a mental lapse in the course of writing a piece about an agricultural activity, accidentally typing burley instead of “burly,” which describes a person of strong and heavy build. Or perhaps it was just a spelling error. Any word that a writer uses infrequently always should be double-checked to avoid embarrassing episodes of word confusion.
“Burley”（白肋菸草）與 “burly”（魁梧的）發音相同，拼法也非常相似，但還是有一個字母不同。“Burley” 是一種煙燻處理過的菸草，尼古丁比一般深色菸草少。因為白肋菸草是農產品，作者可能在描述農業活動時，一時失誤，不慎將 burly 打成 burley，而 “burly” 是形容一個人體格強壯厚實。也可能作者就只是拼錯字了。若使用自己不常用的字，切記多檢查幾次，以免寫錯出糗。

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，我們將提供統一超商/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:
“The old farmer parked his tractor next to the field of flax and climbed nimbly from the machine, his burley frame alighting with practiced grace.”

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.

“Unable to wait, the docent jumped the gun and began his museum tour before the last of the tourists got off the bus.”
「導覽員迫不及待，最後一位觀光客還沒下遊覽車，就先偷跑而開始介紹博物館。」

“Jumped the gun” is a phrase originating in the sports world, specifically, in track and field competition. Some foot races are started by a race official pointing skyward a gun loaded with blanks and pulling the trigger. The runners can leave their blocks or the starting line upon hearing the blast. Should a runner try to anticipate the shot and inadvertently start running too soon, the gun is fired again to cancel the first firing. The errant runner than is disqualified from the race, which is restarted. Thus, jumping the gun connotes doing something too quickly.
“Jumped the gun”（偷跑）源自運動用語，特別用於田徑比賽。有些賽跑須由裁判拿了裝空包彈的槍，對空鳴槍，表示比賽開始，選手聽到槍響，才可以從起跑台或起跑線出發。如果選手估計槍響時間，不小心太早起跑，裁判就會再度對空鳴槍，取消第一次起跑；先跑的選手會被取消資格，比賽重新開始。因此，“jump the gun” 有倉促採取行動的涵義。

In the sentence above, a museum tour guide is said to have jumped the gun. Obviously, this is not literally true, no weapon having been fired, shattering the museum’s tranquility. Rather, the anxious docent, perhaps worrying about completing his tour on schedule, begins it before the last of the tour participants to be on the tour has arrived. This use of the “gun” figure of speech is apt because it accurately conveys the idea of a premature start that undoubtedly will not end well for the docent, nor for the disappointed tourists.
以上句子形容博物館導覽員 “jumped the gun”，顯然並非字面上的意思，因為並沒有裁判對空鳴槍，劃破博物館寧靜的氣氛。應該是解說員心裡焦急，可能擔心不能及時完成導覽，所以在參加導覽的觀光客還沒到齊前就先開始解說了。用 “gun” 形容解說很貼切，確實傳達出一場倉促開始的講解，無論對解說員或失望的觀光客來說，想必效果都不理想。

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 a problem moving smoothly between paragraphs, and sometimes between sections of my papers. My friend calls it herky-jerky. My professor describes it as “uneven pacing.” How can I smooth out my papers so they flow?
寫論文時，我的段落銜接不太通順，有時章節連接也不流暢，朋友說文章讀起來「卡卡的」，教授則說我「節奏起伏不定」。我該怎麼讓文章更流暢呢？

An academic paper indeed should “flow,” as you say, though there are times when the flow should be interrupted, too. Formal papers aren’t casual conversations in tone or content, but they do share with chit-chat the goal of communication. I imagine your everyday conversation is not herky-jerky. When you pause in conversation, you do so because you have completed a thought. When you are in mid-thought, you link your sentences in ways that signal to your listener that you are not done talking, you are only taking a breath. Write in the same fluid way you talk.
如你所說，學術論文確實應該「流暢」，不過有時候也該適時停頓。正式的文章無論語氣與內容都和日常對話不同，但目的卻相同，都是要溝通。我想你平常說話應該不會「卡卡的」吧？談話中停頓下來，是因為你已經把事情說完了。如果一件事還沒說完，你連結句子的方式會讓聽的人感覺到你還沒說完，只是先喘口氣。寫作時，也應該像說話一樣流暢。

Words and phrases, as well as punctuation, can function as transitional tools. Their purpose is to smoothly connect sentences, paragraphs, and sections. Probably the most common transitional word is “and.” A common transitional punctuation mark is the comma. Without these two aids, lists become choppy, and sequential explanations stop and start. Some transitional words—such as “although”—redirect the flow, but all transitional tools share a common goal: They introduce continuity to written thought, thereby helping a writer hold reader interest clear to the end.
字句和標點符號一樣，都有銜接的功能，能夠順暢連接句子、段落與章節。最常用的銜接詞是「和」(and)，最常用的銜接符號則是逗號 (comma)，沒有這些銜接方法，列舉不同事物時會支離破碎，有先後順序的說明則會顯得斷斷續續。「雖然」(although) 一類的銜接詞會轉折語氣，不過所有銜接方法都有同樣的作用，就是讓寫出的事情前後連貫，讓作者抓住讀者的興趣，直到文末。

The key in mastering transitions goes back to the overall injunction to think well before trying to write well. If you tend to prattle on in conversation, it is a reflection of your thinking. In the same way, if your thoughts are jumbled and disconnected, your writing will truly reflect it. So, first organize your thoughts, then tie the end of one sentence to the beginning of the next one using a phrase, a word, a variation in sentence structure. Incrementally build to a conclusion rather than trying to leap to one. Your readers will follow you without break if given these helpful bridges.
想要掌握銜接用法，必須回歸總體原則，那就是寫作要清晰，首先思考要清晰。如果你講話常喋喋不休，那表示你的思考方式也是如此。同樣地，如果思路糾纏不清，文章必然也是如此。所以，首先想法要條理分明，然後利用詞句或不同的句子結構，使前後句子首尾相連；要逐步歸納出結論，不要驟然拋出結論。有了這些技巧幫助，讀者就能一路順暢地讀下去。

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

“The statue of the giant seated Buddha in Sichuan Province exudes a peacefulness quite unlike the nearby river waters, which insidiously tumble and boil.”

Those four words complete the sentence on several levels. First, the sentence is intended to showcase contrasts, and the four words succeed in contrasting the calming presence of the Buddha with the constant roil of the river water. The Buddha is comfortably seated and silently peering down on water that, by contrast, is tumbling and boiling. Not only is the moving water agitatedly alive, readers are told it is moving “insidiously.” “Insidious” denotes threat, seduction and corrosion, all qualities that are foreign to the unworldly realm of Buddhism. Lesson: By choosing words carefully, tension in a sentence can be created or resolved.
填上這四個字，讓句子在各層次上都更加完整。首先，本句意欲呈現對比，這四個字讓平靜的臥佛與不停翻攪的河水間產生對比，臥佛安祥端坐，靜靜俯視腳下洶湧翻騰的河水，兩者互相對照。此外，河水不僅翻攪奔騰，而且暗潮洶湧。“Insidious” （暗自）帶有威脅、誘惑與侵入的含意，與臥佛超凡脫俗的境界大異其趣。由此可知，注意遣詞用字，便能適時創造或消除句子的張力。

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，將獲得兩百元統一超商／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:

“The statue of the giant seated Buddha in Sichuan Province exudes a peacefulness quite unlike the nearby river waters, which ____ ____ ____ ____ ____.”

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

“Figuring out the value of objects required that some system of value first be set by someone. This occurred when “value” began to be represented by objects besides the items being valued. In other words, a representation of value—coins and paper money—began to be subbed for actual valued property—a cow, a house, a cloak. In this way did “monetary systems” come into being, replacing the bartering of trade goods like tea and the swapping of prized possessions. Jurisdictions began to give monetary values to things and to make metal and paper money that could be exchanged the same everywhere. This fixed value let people accumulate wealth in money alone.”

While this excerpt about the beginning of monetary systems is interesting, it also illustrates failure to polish a first or second draft. By settling for this version, the writer fell short of producing a finished paper. The flaws begin with the first two words—“figuring out”—which are a colloquial expression of the more erudite “determining.” The entire first sentence is awkwardly constructed, inexact, and wordy. The writer also puts quotation marks around words for no apparent reason; no one is being quoted and the words do not need setting apart. Toward the end of the excerpt, the writer writes about monetary value being given to “things.” Beware: “Thing” is a catch-all word, which is by definition imprecise. Use it carefully, if at all.
本段文章討論貨幣制度的源起，內容有趣，但品質介於初稿或第二版草稿，必須多加修改才能定稿。一開始的兩個字 “figuring out”（搞清楚）就有問題，這種說法較為口語，不如較為正式的 “determining”（確定）。第一個句子整體結構不理想、敘述不精確，而且用字冗贅。在 “value” 兩字加上引號也不明所以，此處並未引述他人說法，也沒有必要特別區隔。本段最後一句描述 “things”（東西）有了價格，請注意，“thing” 是個泛稱，本身含意就不精確，如果使用就必須多加留心。

Acceptable 認可的文章

“Determining the value of objects first required invention of a value system. This occurred when value itself began to be represented by objects other than the items being valued. In other words, a representation of value—coins and paper money—began to be substituted for actual valued property—a cow, a house, a cloak. Thus, monetary systems came into being, supplanting bartering of trade goods and swapping of individual pieces of property. Cities and states began to establish uniform monetary values and to produce metal and paper money for exchange at a fixed rate. These assigned values permitted the accumulation of wealth in money alone.”

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.

#6 – Strive for originality in a topic
原則六 力求主題創新

The old saying is that there is nothing new under the sun. Even sayings are old. It is true that the first writer of an academic paper could choose from a longer list of unwritten-about topics than is possible to find today. Consequently, a search now for an original topic is much longer. In fact, a wholly original subject might not exist, depending upon the discipline. Still, enough nuances do exist to allow today’s writers to bring fresh perspective to a topic, and that is sufficient.
俗話說，太陽底下沒有新鮮事，不過這些俗話也不新鮮了。確實，比起現在的研究者，初期的研究者有更多從未研究過的題目可以選擇，因此現在想尋找創新的題目，必須花更長的時間，有些學門甚至可能完全缺乏原創的題目。不過，題目間還是有些細微的差異，可以讓現在的研究者為主題帶來新意，而這樣就足夠了。

The first rule in the search for an original topic is that a writer must want to find one. While a student’s willingness to tiresomely revisit a tired subject will satisfy an assignment, it will not land the student a grade in the upper echelon of scores. Those are reserved for fresh thinkers. So in considering a topic, examine it from the standpoint of (1) how often it has been addressed and (2) how much fresh insight is possible this time around. If it fails this freshness test, drop it.
尋找原創主題的第一守則，就是你要願意去找。學生寫作業時，如果不厭其煩地討論一個老掉牙的題目，或許可以交差，但分數大概不會太高。只有想法新穎，才能拿到好成績。所以思考題目時，可以從兩個觀點來檢驗：第一，這個題目是否常常討論？第二，這次討論是否能帶出新穎的見解？如果從這個小測試裡，發現題目毫無新意，那麼最好放棄。

Selection of a topic gives a professor a glimpse of the character of a student. Academic writers are first of all academic thinkers whose brains are attuned to challenge, discovery, and the search for information that expands the common base of knowledge. Any student unwilling to put real effort into this process is only loitering in the academic realm, rather than establishing himself there. A serious search for original material is one of the defining markers of a serious student.
教授從學生選的題目裡，可以大概了解學生的個性。學術研究者的思考會表現出學術特質，偏好挑戰、追求新發現、熱衷於尋找資訊以擴展知識的基礎。不願真正投入這個過程的學生，只是在學術圈胡混，不會有所建樹。嚴謹地尋找原創題目的材料，才是認真學生的寫照。

Answer: “abstinence” should be “absence”

“Tracking the temperature of the sea’s surface is made more difficult by the absence of up-to-date monitoring stations that work in tandem with satellite surveys.”

Error: The writer absentmindedly wrote one word when he meant to use another word of similar spelling. Tracking the sea temperature is hindered by the “absence,” not “abstinence,” of modern monitoring stations. Absence refers to something that is missing or nonexistent. Abstinence is the voluntary decision to abstain from doing something, from satisfying a craving. Monitoring stations don’t abstain, whereas they might be nonexistent. Using wrong words is easily done and a cursory reading will not reveal the errors. This is why a critical final reading of an academic paper—preferably by someone other than the writer—before its submission can save the writer from embarrassment.
作者寫作時一不留神，誤把一個詞寫成拼法相近的另一個詞。紀錄海水溫度之所以困難重重，是因為 “absence”（缺乏）現代的監測站，而非 “abstinence”（戒絕）監測站。“Absence” 意指缺乏或不存在某種東西，“abstinence” 則指自願放棄做一件事，不去滿足強烈的渴望。監測站不會「戒絕」什麼事，它可能根本不存在。寫作時錯字難免，只大略讀過也很難發現，所以送出學術文章前，要最後再仔細讀過一遍，最好是由作者以外的人來讀，以免犯錯出糗。