0114 TPS One Word Away From Confusion Contest－Win Your NTD200 7-11/Starbucks Prize! 你能找出混淆字嗎? 有機會獲得200元7-11/星巴克咖啡禮券!
2013-01-14
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:
“The new perfume formula made no scents to the lab assistant, who experimented with several fragrant oils before finding the correct combination.”
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 new perfume formula made no scents to the lab assistant, who experimented with several fragrant oils before finding the correct combination.”
Last Update at 2013-01-22 AM 11:03 | 0 Comments
What does that mean? 你真的瞭解這個慣用語嗎?
2013-01-10
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 word or set of words is called a “figure of speech.” For a figure of speech to be effective, however, a writer must first understand the original meaning of the word or phrase. The following sentence contains a common figure of speech. Its original meaning is explained.
“In stalking the white-tailed deer, the hunter becomes a throwback to an era when only four-legged predators walked the earth.”
「跟蹤白尾鹿時，獵人好像回到過去只有四肢食肉動物橫行地球的時代。」
A throwback is a return to a precedent. When an entrepreneur moves from assembling his product one at a time to setting up an assembly line to mass produce the product, the advanced process can said to be a throwback to Henry Ford, who introduced mass production. Most animate and inanimate activities are recurring—instincts and scientific principles are timeless—but only when an activity alludes to a precedent set several generations previously is it considered a throwback.
回到過去是指回到先前的狀態。譬如，有位企業家從一次組裝一個產品進步到設立大量生產產品的組裝線時，我們可說這樣的進步過程是「throwback」到Henry Ford的時代，因為他是第一個介紹大量生產概念的人。大部分生命和無生命的活動是反覆發生的－像是永恆不變的天性和科學原理－因此只有提到世代以前的先例時，一項活動才能被稱為「throwback」。
In saying the hunter becomes a throwback, the writer refers to the history of predatory activity. Before there was man, let alone manmade weapons, there were predators stalking their next meal. They did so using the same tactics used by hunters today, such as remaining unmoving for long periods of time and scanning an area, or moving quietly and pausing to listen for sounds of approaching game. Human hunters and leopards are of the same long and lethal lineage.
描寫獵人回到過去，作者提到了過去動物捕食的活動。在人類出現以前，更別提人造武器出現前，掠食性動物總是虎視眈眈地盯著下一餐。牠們和現今獵人使用的手法相同，例如長時間不動，悄悄地移動，或是在獵物接近時暫停動作並仔細聆聽。獵人和獵豹都屬於這類存在已久的獵取手法。
Imagery buries itself in language and takes on new meaning. The transplanted and transformed word or set of words is called a “figure of speech.” For a figure of speech to be effective, however, a writer must first understand the original meaning of the word or phrase. The following sentence contains a common figure of speech. Its original meaning is explained.
“In stalking the white-tailed deer, the hunter becomes a throwback to an era when only four-legged predators walked the earth.”
「跟蹤白尾鹿時，獵人好像回到過去只有四肢食肉動物橫行地球的時代。」
A throwback is a return to a precedent. When an entrepreneur moves from assembling his product one at a time to setting up an assembly line to mass produce the product, the advanced process can said to be a throwback to Henry Ford, who introduced mass production. Most animate and inanimate activities are recurring—instincts and scientific principles are timeless—but only when an activity alludes to a precedent set several generations previously is it considered a throwback.
回到過去是指回到先前的狀態。譬如，有位企業家從一次組裝一個產品進步到設立大量生產產品的組裝線時，我們可說這樣的進步過程是「throwback」到Henry Ford的時代，因為他是第一個介紹大量生產概念的人。大部分生命和無生命的活動是反覆發生的－像是永恆不變的天性和科學原理－因此只有提到世代以前的先例時，一項活動才能被稱為「throwback」。
In saying the hunter becomes a throwback, the writer refers to the history of predatory activity. Before there was man, let alone manmade weapons, there were predators stalking their next meal. They did so using the same tactics used by hunters today, such as remaining unmoving for long periods of time and scanning an area, or moving quietly and pausing to listen for sounds of approaching game. Human hunters and leopards are of the same long and lethal lineage.
描寫獵人回到過去，作者提到了過去動物捕食的活動。在人類出現以前，更別提人造武器出現前，掠食性動物總是虎視眈眈地盯著下一餐。牠們和現今獵人使用的手法相同，例如長時間不動，悄悄地移動，或是在獵物接近時暫停動作並仔細聆聽。獵人和獵豹都屬於這類存在已久的獵取手法。
Last Update at 2013-01-11 PM 2:14 | 0 Comments
Professor Pedantic 教授的考究學問
2013-01-09
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: When I research a subject, I find many ancillary facts that seem pertinent. However, usually I leave them out of a paper because they don’t seem pertinent enough. How much material of that nature should I try to incorporate into a paper?
在研究某項主題時，我發現似乎有許多次要事實資料和主題有關。不過，由於這些資料不夠貼近主題，因此寫作時通常會將這些部份刪去。在報告中應該包含多少這類次要性質的材料呢？
This is an excellent question because it addresses the processes of elimination and inclusion. The line between relevant and irrelevant material is not as bright as it might seem. A sculptor was asked to explain his skill at carving a horse and replied that he simply chiseled away everything that didn’t look like a horse. Just so does a skilled writer include in a paper every researched fact that belongs there and eliminates the rest. What skilled sculptors and academic writers confidently understand is that their “horse” will be wholly of their creation and can look like none before it.
這的確是個好問題，因為涉及了寫作的取捨過程。其實相關與非相關材料的界線並不若我們想像的那麼明顯。曾有個故事：有人請雕塑家解釋他雕刻馬時使用的技巧，雕塑家回答他不過是把所有看起來不像馬的部份鑿掉罷了。同樣地，一個經驗豐富的作者也會在文章中涵蓋所有仔細研究且切合主題的資料，並將多餘部份捨棄。經驗豐富的雕塑家和學術作者充分瞭解，他們的「馬」完全是自己的創作，並非承襲古人。
Three kinds of information come to light in researching a paper. Some kinds of information will be totally irrelevant and of no value. Some will be totally relevant and key to giving the paper substance and weight. The third kind of information is relevant, but not directly so. It is this source material that gives writers pause. It perhaps gives credence to an argument, but only indirectly or by inference. It is outdated, yet contains elements of truth and perspective. Toss it or include it? If it helps advance a postulate, include it. The question is, how can it be incorporated?
在研究一篇報告時，會遇見三類資訊。某些資訊和研究主題毫不相關，甚至是對研究毫無價值。有些資訊則是和主題絕對相關，並且對論文的實質內容與價值扮演關鍵角色。第三類資訊則是和主題有關，不過並非直接產生關聯。第三類的引用文獻就是讓作者停下寫作腳步的原因。或許這類資訊能強化論點，不過僅能間接或透過推論來產生影響。雖這類資訊過時，但仍具備真實性（truth）和觀點（perspective）的元素。然而問題是，要如何在文章中納入這些資訊呢？
The answer is to synthesize the material. That is, to connect the more peripheral material to the main body of content and thereby enhance the whole body of work. This is not a padding process. You are not trying to bulk up the paper. Rather, synthesizing outlying material can give a paper context, perspective, and depth. The challenge is to find natural connecting points along which a reader can move smoothly without feeling he is on a tangent. When this is accomplished, a writer has expanded his academic writing skills and produced a paper of enriched content and appeal.
問題的解決是，將寫作材料綜合，亦即連結次要資訊與主體內容，從而強化整體論文架構。這可不是胡亂填塞，也不是寫得越多越好。相反地，綜合次要資訊能豐富論文內容、強化觀點以及加強深度。真正的挑戰在於發現合理的關聯處，讓讀者在閱讀時覺得行文平順，不會感到文章離題。只要做到這點，作者就能擴充學術寫作技巧，並發表一篇內容豐富有趣的論文了。
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: When I research a subject, I find many ancillary facts that seem pertinent. However, usually I leave them out of a paper because they don’t seem pertinent enough. How much material of that nature should I try to incorporate into a paper?
在研究某項主題時，我發現似乎有許多次要事實資料和主題有關。不過，由於這些資料不夠貼近主題，因此寫作時通常會將這些部份刪去。在報告中應該包含多少這類次要性質的材料呢？
This is an excellent question because it addresses the processes of elimination and inclusion. The line between relevant and irrelevant material is not as bright as it might seem. A sculptor was asked to explain his skill at carving a horse and replied that he simply chiseled away everything that didn’t look like a horse. Just so does a skilled writer include in a paper every researched fact that belongs there and eliminates the rest. What skilled sculptors and academic writers confidently understand is that their “horse” will be wholly of their creation and can look like none before it.
這的確是個好問題，因為涉及了寫作的取捨過程。其實相關與非相關材料的界線並不若我們想像的那麼明顯。曾有個故事：有人請雕塑家解釋他雕刻馬時使用的技巧，雕塑家回答他不過是把所有看起來不像馬的部份鑿掉罷了。同樣地，一個經驗豐富的作者也會在文章中涵蓋所有仔細研究且切合主題的資料，並將多餘部份捨棄。經驗豐富的雕塑家和學術作者充分瞭解，他們的「馬」完全是自己的創作，並非承襲古人。
Three kinds of information come to light in researching a paper. Some kinds of information will be totally irrelevant and of no value. Some will be totally relevant and key to giving the paper substance and weight. The third kind of information is relevant, but not directly so. It is this source material that gives writers pause. It perhaps gives credence to an argument, but only indirectly or by inference. It is outdated, yet contains elements of truth and perspective. Toss it or include it? If it helps advance a postulate, include it. The question is, how can it be incorporated?
在研究一篇報告時，會遇見三類資訊。某些資訊和研究主題毫不相關，甚至是對研究毫無價值。有些資訊則是和主題絕對相關，並且對論文的實質內容與價值扮演關鍵角色。第三類資訊則是和主題有關，不過並非直接產生關聯。第三類的引用文獻就是讓作者停下寫作腳步的原因。或許這類資訊能強化論點，不過僅能間接或透過推論來產生影響。雖這類資訊過時，但仍具備真實性（truth）和觀點（perspective）的元素。然而問題是，要如何在文章中納入這些資訊呢？
The answer is to synthesize the material. That is, to connect the more peripheral material to the main body of content and thereby enhance the whole body of work. This is not a padding process. You are not trying to bulk up the paper. Rather, synthesizing outlying material can give a paper context, perspective, and depth. The challenge is to find natural connecting points along which a reader can move smoothly without feeling he is on a tangent. When this is accomplished, a writer has expanded his academic writing skills and produced a paper of enriched content and appeal.
問題的解決是，將寫作材料綜合，亦即連結次要資訊與主體內容，從而強化整體論文架構。這可不是胡亂填塞，也不是寫得越多越好。相反地，綜合次要資訊能豐富論文內容、強化觀點以及加強深度。真正的挑戰在於發現合理的關聯處，讓讀者在閱讀時覺得行文平順，不會感到文章離題。只要做到這點，作者就能擴充學術寫作技巧，並發表一篇內容豐富有趣的論文了。
Last Update at 2013-01-11 PM 2:12 | 0 Comments
TPS 年度活動「你投票了沒！」公布幸運得主
2013-01-08
親愛的TPS Facebook粉絲與電子報的訂閱讀者，您們好：
TPS年度最佳專欄/競賽 —「你投票了沒！」已順利圓滿結束，感謝各位粉絲熱情分享。「你投票了沒！」活動，是請所有喜愛TPS、熱愛英文的朋友與粉絲們，在過去2012這一年裡TPS所刊登的英文競賽與學術專欄中，選出最喜歡的前二項並寫上簡單的理由/建議，再從參加者中隨機抽出兩名幸運兒，贈送統一超商購物禮券，價值新台幣三百元。TPS團隊已於2013年1月4日抽出幸運得主，在此特別感謝賴O薇小姐與陳O吟小姐為抽獎過程進行公平見證。以下公布得獎者名單，我們將於5個工作天內寄出獎品。我們亦從所有粉絲們寫的理由/建議中挑選出精選填答，您心中的想法將是未來TPS進行競賽/專欄的方向與重要依據。再次感謝粉絲們踴躍參加！
得獎幸運兒：陳傑揚、徐翠雲
精選填答：
未來TPS將推出更多豐富與實用性的活動，敬請期待！更多內容，請參閱TPS電子報、Facebook與Blog的最新資訊。
TPS Team
TPS年度最佳專欄/競賽 —「你投票了沒！」已順利圓滿結束，感謝各位粉絲熱情分享。「你投票了沒！」活動，是請所有喜愛TPS、熱愛英文的朋友與粉絲們，在過去2012這一年裡TPS所刊登的英文競賽與學術專欄中，選出最喜歡的前二項並寫上簡單的理由/建議，再從參加者中隨機抽出兩名幸運兒，贈送統一超商購物禮券，價值新台幣三百元。TPS團隊已於2013年1月4日抽出幸運得主，在此特別感謝賴O薇小姐與陳O吟小姐為抽獎過程進行公平見證。以下公布得獎者名單，我們將於5個工作天內寄出獎品。我們亦從所有粉絲們寫的理由/建議中挑選出精選填答，您心中的想法將是未來TPS進行競賽/專欄的方向與重要依據。再次感謝粉絲們踴躍參加！
得獎幸運兒：陳傑揚、徐翠雲
精選填答：
| One Word Away From Confusion Contest你能找出混淆字嗎? |
1. 混淆字在文章內很需要被注意，我之前也有把BOILED跟SPOILED搞混過，那時候也是讓老師困惑好久，所以我很喜歡這個競賽，他讓我知道很多混淆字/努力找出混淆字真的滿有趣的!
2. 有趣，增加知識，又能拿獎品!
3. 會自己試試看能否找出混淆字。
4. I like this contest because it helps me to note the commonly mistakes learners may make when choosing appropriate words.A slight different of spelling may change the meaning of the sentence in an opposite way.
5. 有趣味性。
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| Finish the Sentence Contest你是接龍的高手嗎? |
1. This challenge attempts to familiarize ourselves with the accuracy of prepositions and organize our thoughts in speaking and writing. Love it^^
2. 接龍也是非常有趣的單元。
|
| Verbalize Contest你能找出關鍵的動詞嗎？ |
1. 可訓練自己掌握句子的核心語意。
2. 在學習英文上，一直覺得動詞是英文中最難掌握的，有些單字可能同時有動詞和名詞的解釋，透過這個活動，可以增進對動詞掌握的靈敏度。
3. This contest inspires learners to explore appropriate verbs, which fosters them to use their creativity while learning English.
4. Although this is a difficult contest, I find it challening and helpful to learn more verbs as choosing a good verb can polish the sentence and make it appear in a vivid way.
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| Punctuation Mastery Contest你是善用標點符號的高手嗎？ |
1. 英文標點符號真的很重要，就連我幾個朋友都說他們不太會用；有一個這個專欄來討論標點符號真的滿好的，也釐清很多觀念!
2. As some learners tend to ignore the importance of punctuation while composing sentences, this contest helps learners to pay attention to subtle errors that learners may make.
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| 學術專欄-避免抄襲的七大方法 |
1. 避免犯錯！
2. 很實用,幫助自己從事論文創作。
3. 值得參考。
|
| 學術專欄-按部就班寫作論文的七大建議 |
1. 有個幫助寫作依據。
2. 對正在寫論文的我非常實用!
3. 因為本身有寫論文，所以針對貴單位提供相當多有用的建議及方法，對自己有實質的效益。
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| What does that mean? 你真的瞭解這個慣用語嗎? | 寫得很清楚一目了然。 |
| This is not academic writing 學術文章不是這麼寫的 | The publication of the academic journal could be a task of precision and accuracy in wordings. This column indeed clarified our confusions in academic writing structures and assists us as graduate students on the right track of preparation for the thesis. It serves as a reminder of S-V-O parallelism and the transitional words which could lead your work to a diaster. I do benefit great from this forum. |
未來TPS將推出更多豐富與實用性的活動，敬請期待！更多內容，請參閱TPS電子報、Facebook與Blog的最新資訊。
TPS Team
Last Update at 2013-01-08 PM 12:04 | 0 Comments
0107 TPS Finish the Sentence Contest－Answer and Explanation你是接龍的高手嗎? 正確解答!
2013-01-08
Answer: We believe the sentence is best completed this way:
“When the theater began to shake, startled students looked up from their scripts and bounced to their feet like jerked marionettes.”
Nothing causes a sudden shift in emotions and activity like an earthquake. When a person standing on the ground or—on a floor that previously exhibited rock-solid characteristics— suddenly senses movement under his feet, reaction is usually swift, if shaky. In this sentence, when a tremor struck the theater, the students immediately “bounced” up as if jerked skyward by a puppeteer. By comparing the students’ abrupt movement to that of a marionette on a string, the writer not only conveys the suddenness of the scramble but ties it in with the students being in a theater, where puppetry often is staged. Descriptions that honor an entire sentence satisfy.
沒有任何情況能如地震般地給予人在情緒和行動上的立即轉變。當某人站在地面或看似堅若磐石的地板上時，對於腳下突然的劇烈震動，他通常能立即作出反應。本句描寫地震襲擊劇院時，學生們「bounced」（彈起），就像操偶師猛然將木偶向上提拉一般。將學生突發的動作比喻成被細繩操縱的木偶，這裡作者不光是傳達了動作的倉促，也成功將學生動作位置與經常上演木偶劇的劇院做連結。如此的敘述手法才能替整個句子增色並讓人滿意。
“When the theater began to shake, startled students looked up from their scripts and bounced to their feet like jerked marionettes.”
Nothing causes a sudden shift in emotions and activity like an earthquake. When a person standing on the ground or—on a floor that previously exhibited rock-solid characteristics— suddenly senses movement under his feet, reaction is usually swift, if shaky. In this sentence, when a tremor struck the theater, the students immediately “bounced” up as if jerked skyward by a puppeteer. By comparing the students’ abrupt movement to that of a marionette on a string, the writer not only conveys the suddenness of the scramble but ties it in with the students being in a theater, where puppetry often is staged. Descriptions that honor an entire sentence satisfy.
沒有任何情況能如地震般地給予人在情緒和行動上的立即轉變。當某人站在地面或看似堅若磐石的地板上時，對於腳下突然的劇烈震動，他通常能立即作出反應。本句描寫地震襲擊劇院時，學生們「bounced」（彈起），就像操偶師猛然將木偶向上提拉一般。將學生突發的動作比喻成被細繩操縱的木偶，這裡作者不光是傳達了動作的倉促，也成功將學生動作位置與經常上演木偶劇的劇院做連結。如此的敘述手法才能替整個句子增色並讓人滿意。
Last Update at 2013-01-08 AM 10:21 | 0 Comments
0107 TPS Finish the Sentence Contest－Win Your NTD200 Eslite Bookstore and Shopping Mall Gift Certificate! 你是接龍的高手嗎? 有機會獲得200元誠品圖書商場購物禮卷！
2013-01-07
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！
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.
題目Contest Sentence:
“When the theater began to shake, startled students looked up from their scripts and bounced to their feet like ___ ___ ___ ___ ___.”
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.
題目Contest Sentence:
“When the theater began to shake, startled students looked up from their scripts and bounced to their feet like ___ ___ ___ ___ ___.”
Last Update at 2013-01-07 PM 3:26 | 0 Comments
This is not academic writing 學術文章不是這麼寫的
2013-01-03
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. This column examines short excerpts from academic texts to illustrate common writing errors and to explain how to correct them.
Unacceptable 不被認可的文章
“Researchers found the stillness of the forest disconcerting. Typically buzzing with sounds, the vast forest seemed deathly silent. Nothing tweeted or even hooted. Nothing rustled anywhere or creaked. Where scampering squirrels once chatted, leafless tree branches now poked out at all angles into the April air like skeletal skyscrapers. The research team set up its equipment in an area without trees. Teams of bird and insect specialists surveyed the property and began to methodically investigate the natural disaster. They worked with the silent dedication of true scientists determined to show the world how the enormous power of nature can destroy.”
This introductory paragraph about a scientific field trip tries to establish a setting in introducing readers to the examination of a natural disaster. Unfortunately, it does so in language that interferes with the mood setting. The first sentence is too passive. The second sentence talks about the absence of “buzzing” forest sounds, then goes on to enumerate sounds that don’t buzz at all. Imagined squirrels “chat” instead of chatter. Wordiness permeates the paragraph, with leafless branches unnecessarily identified as “tree” branches, for example. Scientific specialties are not properly identified. And what is a “true” scientist? The writing is weakened by such sloppiness.
此篇為科學實地考察的介紹文，目的在於向讀者介紹自然災害研究。不過，作者使用的文字和語氣有所抵觸。文章的首句語氣過於被動。第二句則提到森林裡的「buzzing」（嘈雜聲）消失，接著竟然描寫根本就不算嘈雜的聲音。作者想像松鼠「chat」（談天）而非「chattered」（吱吱叫）。過度雕琢的用字也貫穿全文，譬如用無葉的枝條描寫「樹枝」。至於科學專業部分也未明確寫出。還有何謂「true」（真正的）科學家呢？這樣草率的寫作自然減弱了文章的張力。
Acceptable 認可的文章
“Researchers were disconcerted by the stillness of the forest. Normally resplendent with sound, the vast acreage of trees seemed a cocoon of quietness. Nothing buzzed or twirped or hooted. Nothing rustled or creaked. Where red squirrels once chattered, leafless branches now poked disconsolately into the April air like unfinished skyscrapers. The research team set up its equipment in a clearing. Teams of ornithologists and entomologists platted the property and began to methodically chronicle the depth of the natural disaster. They worked with the hushed resolve of scientists determined to bear witness to the destructive power of nature.”
Not all articles written on academic topics are written in proper academic English. This column examines short excerpts from academic texts to illustrate common writing errors and to explain how to correct them.
Unacceptable 不被認可的文章
“Researchers found the stillness of the forest disconcerting. Typically buzzing with sounds, the vast forest seemed deathly silent. Nothing tweeted or even hooted. Nothing rustled anywhere or creaked. Where scampering squirrels once chatted, leafless tree branches now poked out at all angles into the April air like skeletal skyscrapers. The research team set up its equipment in an area without trees. Teams of bird and insect specialists surveyed the property and began to methodically investigate the natural disaster. They worked with the silent dedication of true scientists determined to show the world how the enormous power of nature can destroy.”
This introductory paragraph about a scientific field trip tries to establish a setting in introducing readers to the examination of a natural disaster. Unfortunately, it does so in language that interferes with the mood setting. The first sentence is too passive. The second sentence talks about the absence of “buzzing” forest sounds, then goes on to enumerate sounds that don’t buzz at all. Imagined squirrels “chat” instead of chatter. Wordiness permeates the paragraph, with leafless branches unnecessarily identified as “tree” branches, for example. Scientific specialties are not properly identified. And what is a “true” scientist? The writing is weakened by such sloppiness.
此篇為科學實地考察的介紹文，目的在於向讀者介紹自然災害研究。不過，作者使用的文字和語氣有所抵觸。文章的首句語氣過於被動。第二句則提到森林裡的「buzzing」（嘈雜聲）消失，接著竟然描寫根本就不算嘈雜的聲音。作者想像松鼠「chat」（談天）而非「chattered」（吱吱叫）。過度雕琢的用字也貫穿全文，譬如用無葉的枝條描寫「樹枝」。至於科學專業部分也未明確寫出。還有何謂「true」（真正的）科學家呢？這樣草率的寫作自然減弱了文章的張力。
Acceptable 認可的文章
“Researchers were disconcerted by the stillness of the forest. Normally resplendent with sound, the vast acreage of trees seemed a cocoon of quietness. Nothing buzzed or twirped or hooted. Nothing rustled or creaked. Where red squirrels once chattered, leafless branches now poked disconsolately into the April air like unfinished skyscrapers. The research team set up its equipment in a clearing. Teams of ornithologists and entomologists platted the property and began to methodically chronicle the depth of the natural disaster. They worked with the hushed resolve of scientists determined to bear witness to the destructive power of nature.”
Last Update at 2013-01-07 PM 3:24 | 0 Comments
6 Essential Rules for Persuasive Writing # 6 – Finish with energy 發揮寫作說服力的六大準則之六：持續不懈地支持論點
2013-01-02
不管是自己選擇或教授指定，若要寫作論說式學術文章，必須先做好心理準備。你必須說明個人意見，選定觀點也很重要，結構與表達尤其攸關文章成敗。本專欄介紹六大關鍵準則，讓你寫作時發揮說服力，每項準則都會刊登在 TPS 粉絲專頁，並在最後集結於 TPS 學術電子報。
Whether by choice or assignment, when an argumentative academic paper is the task at hand, the writer must approach it with an appropriate mindset. Subjective values come into play. Point of view becomes important. Organization and presentation become even more critical to success. The elements of successful persuasive writing are explained in this series, “6 Essential Rules for Persuasive Writing.” Each of the rules will be presented on the TPS Fan page before being compiled.
Rule # 6 – Finish with energy
準則六：持續不懈地支持論點
Argumentative writing is, almost by definition, energetic. More so than some academic papers, it is not in tone or substance a laid-back exercise in writing. While presentation of the subject must be logical and methodical and be constrained by the rules of academic discourse, the writing nevertheless must have an underlying intensity to it. After all, the object is to persuade someone to embrace a conclusion advanced by the writer and this cannot be done without expending effort.
撰寫論說文（argumntative writing） 就如字面上的意思，必須夠力（energetic）。和一些學術論文不同的是，論說文在語氣或實質上都不是隨性的寫作。雖然介紹主題必須合乎邏輯、有條理並嚴守規則，但寫作內容仍須具備內在強度。畢竟文章的目標是說服讀者接受作者提出的論點，而這並非輕易就能做到的。
So it is important to stay resolutely on point with an argument and to not exhaust support for the argument before the paper’s end. A race horse can run a magnificent race and be far ahead in the final turn and still lose the race because of poor pacing. Similarly, an argumentative paper must still be strong in substance and surprising in presentation right up through its conclusive paragraphs. Having the last word in an “argument” requires planning and intellectual stamina.
因此，緊咬主題非常重要，並得要通篇支持論點。這就像參加盛大的賽馬比賽一樣，一路維持領先的馬，在最後可能還是因步調問題而輸了比賽。同樣地，論說文必須通篇維持有力內容和高潮迭起的呈現手法。而維持文章的「argument」（論點）則必須計劃詳盡且保持一貫的力度。
“Energy” is an elusive quality in a persuasive paper. It has nothing to do with the number of words used in the paper, nor to the brashness of a viewpoint. Rather, an energetic argumentative paper is a focused one. It is unremitting in making the case for a point of view. It is not marred by tangential, distracting passages. It is lean and purposeful. While it is courteous in its language, it is makes no attempt to disguise its rejection of opposing views. And it is that way clear to the end.
「energy」是論說性質的文章中難以理解的一個概念。文章的力度與字數或觀點的直白程度無關。相反地，有力的文章是集中的，能持續不懈地重述論點，不受周遭或其他分散焦點的概念影響。文章論點必須一致且具目的性。維持文字謙遜的同時，也不應隱藏對相反意見的摒棄。而這正是維持通篇論點一致的不二法門。
Whether by choice or assignment, when an argumentative academic paper is the task at hand, the writer must approach it with an appropriate mindset. Subjective values come into play. Point of view becomes important. Organization and presentation become even more critical to success. The elements of successful persuasive writing are explained in this series, “6 Essential Rules for Persuasive Writing.” Each of the rules will be presented on the TPS Fan page before being compiled.
Rule # 6 – Finish with energy
準則六：持續不懈地支持論點
Argumentative writing is, almost by definition, energetic. More so than some academic papers, it is not in tone or substance a laid-back exercise in writing. While presentation of the subject must be logical and methodical and be constrained by the rules of academic discourse, the writing nevertheless must have an underlying intensity to it. After all, the object is to persuade someone to embrace a conclusion advanced by the writer and this cannot be done without expending effort.
撰寫論說文（argumntative writing） 就如字面上的意思，必須夠力（energetic）。和一些學術論文不同的是，論說文在語氣或實質上都不是隨性的寫作。雖然介紹主題必須合乎邏輯、有條理並嚴守規則，但寫作內容仍須具備內在強度。畢竟文章的目標是說服讀者接受作者提出的論點，而這並非輕易就能做到的。
So it is important to stay resolutely on point with an argument and to not exhaust support for the argument before the paper’s end. A race horse can run a magnificent race and be far ahead in the final turn and still lose the race because of poor pacing. Similarly, an argumentative paper must still be strong in substance and surprising in presentation right up through its conclusive paragraphs. Having the last word in an “argument” requires planning and intellectual stamina.
因此，緊咬主題非常重要，並得要通篇支持論點。這就像參加盛大的賽馬比賽一樣，一路維持領先的馬，在最後可能還是因步調問題而輸了比賽。同樣地，論說文必須通篇維持有力內容和高潮迭起的呈現手法。而維持文章的「argument」（論點）則必須計劃詳盡且保持一貫的力度。
“Energy” is an elusive quality in a persuasive paper. It has nothing to do with the number of words used in the paper, nor to the brashness of a viewpoint. Rather, an energetic argumentative paper is a focused one. It is unremitting in making the case for a point of view. It is not marred by tangential, distracting passages. It is lean and purposeful. While it is courteous in its language, it is makes no attempt to disguise its rejection of opposing views. And it is that way clear to the end.
「energy」是論說性質的文章中難以理解的一個概念。文章的力度與字數或觀點的直白程度無關。相反地，有力的文章是集中的，能持續不懈地重述論點，不受周遭或其他分散焦點的概念影響。文章論點必須一致且具目的性。維持文字謙遜的同時，也不應隱藏對相反意見的摒棄。而這正是維持通篇論點一致的不二法門。
Last Update at 2013-01-07 PM 3:22 | 0 Comments
New Year’s Blessing
2012-12-29
Dear Fans,
The last day of 2012 is nearly upon us and with it the end of the year’s potential for you. We hope you were fulfilled professionally and personally during the course of the year.
And we hope you enjoy the upcoming holiday weekend, Dec. 29 through Jan. 1. We will take a break as well and look forward to being here for you again as 2013 gets underway in earnest. Happy New Year!
TPS Team
The last day of 2012 is nearly upon us and with it the end of the year’s potential for you. We hope you were fulfilled professionally and personally during the course of the year.
And we hope you enjoy the upcoming holiday weekend, Dec. 29 through Jan. 1. We will take a break as well and look forward to being here for you again as 2013 gets underway in earnest. Happy New Year!
TPS Team
Last Update at 2013-01-02 AM 11:48 | 0 Comments
TPS年度最佳專欄/競賽 —「你投票了沒！」圓滿結束
2012-12-28
親愛的TPS Facebook粉絲與電子報的訂閱讀者，您們好：
TPS年度最佳專欄/競賽 —「你投票了沒！」已順利圓滿結束，感謝各位粉絲熱情參與，能感受到您們對英文的喜愛與付出，而我們也會繼續分享實用且有趣的專欄內容，期許未來有更多的好朋友一起加入這個英文學習樂園！本活動將於2013年1月4日抽獎，1月8日於TPS Facebook官網公佈幸運得主。祝您幸運中獎！
Dear TPS Facebook Fans and E-paper Readers,
The deadline for voting for your favorite TPS Facebook column has passed. We thank everyone who took time to participate and we enjoyed reading all your comments and ideas. We will be drawing for our lucky winners on January 4, 2013, with names posted on our Facebook page on January 8. So stay tuned and see if your 2013 gets off to a lucky start!
Sincerely,
TPS Team
TPS年度最佳專欄/競賽 —「你投票了沒！」已順利圓滿結束，感謝各位粉絲熱情參與，能感受到您們對英文的喜愛與付出，而我們也會繼續分享實用且有趣的專欄內容，期許未來有更多的好朋友一起加入這個英文學習樂園！本活動將於2013年1月4日抽獎，1月8日於TPS Facebook官網公佈幸運得主。祝您幸運中獎！
Dear TPS Facebook Fans and E-paper Readers,
The deadline for voting for your favorite TPS Facebook column has passed. We thank everyone who took time to participate and we enjoyed reading all your comments and ideas. We will be drawing for our lucky winners on January 4, 2013, with names posted on our Facebook page on January 8. So stay tuned and see if your 2013 gets off to a lucky start!
Sincerely,
TPS Team
Last Update at 2012-12-28 PM 2:02 | 0 Comments
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