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Professor Pedantic 教授的考究學問
【學術專欄】
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 want to be an “original thinker” and to have it reflected in my writing. Yet when I read one of my finished papers, it doesn’t seem original at all. What is the key to academic originality?
我想成為「原創思考者」，寫出有新意的文章。但是我重讀舊作時卻覺得它們盡是陳腔濫調、已過時了。什麼才是學術原創性的關鍵呢？
We are veering into philosophy. A wise man long ago wrote that it is vain to believe that an “original thought” (or concept or statement) actually is original. The irony is that the wise man wrote down his observation as if it were something new! Perhaps he believed it needed repeating. The lesson there is that original truth indeed is quite rare, but rediscovered truth also is worthy of exposition.
這個問題就涉及哲學領域了。很久以前，有個聰明人曾經寫道，認為自己的「原創思考」（或是原創概念、原創宣言等）絕具創意，其實是相當自以為是的論調。諷刺的是，這位智者仍然慎重其事地寫出自己的觀察與感想，彷彿裡頭確實有著絲毫新意！也許他認為這個看法值得重複一遍吧。但我們從中學到一件事，真正原創的想法其實相當罕見，但事實的重新探究亦具有重讀的價值。
So in your papers, strive to produce something insightful, if not revelatory. Start at the earliest of stages—during topic selection. If a subject seems to have been examined from every angle, choose another one. Or when a topic is assigned, choose a proposition least visited by previous writers, and then rigorously dig into it. Academic writers who are willing to break ground in topic selection and research are more apt to produce a paper that breaks ground in its conclusions.
若是無法寫出全新的見解，至少可以努力於文章中提出令人印象深刻的想法。努力的起點就在首要階段—選擇題目。如果主題似乎已從各個角度被探討過，那就另起爐灶、重擬一個。倘若教授指定某個主題，作者應從最少被討論過的論點出發與進行深入研究。從事學術研究的作者，越是願意打破選題與研究的窠臼與框架，越能寫出發前人之所未見的主張與結論。
Finally, strive for originality in writing the paper. Even a tired topic or thesis has some hope of redemption if it is couched in fresh language. This means banning clichés and overused phrases, and using crisp, active language containing engaging imagery and lucid description. If there is a “key” to originality, it is to cultivate personal independence in thinking and writing. Think independently. Reject copycat language. Take the initiative. Be yourself. You are an original, aren’t you?
最後，請努力在寫作時創造獨特與新意。就算主題是老生常談，只要技巧性的使用新穎、生動的語句，此文章仍擁有獨具一格的新價值。換句話說，應避免隨處可見、俯拾即是的陳腐濫調，盡量使用簡潔、主動的語詞，並且搭配引人入勝的意境與清晰的敘述。如果真有通往「原創性」的關鍵，那就是多培養個人的獨立思考與寫作風格。思考獨立，戒除盲目模仿語句；採取主動，保有自我特色。畢竟「你」才是文章中最原創的部分，不是嗎？
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 want to be an “original thinker” and to have it reflected in my writing. Yet when I read one of my finished papers, it doesn’t seem original at all. What is the key to academic originality?
我想成為「原創思考者」，寫出有新意的文章。但是我重讀舊作時卻覺得它們盡是陳腔濫調、已過時了。什麼才是學術原創性的關鍵呢？
We are veering into philosophy. A wise man long ago wrote that it is vain to believe that an “original thought” (or concept or statement) actually is original. The irony is that the wise man wrote down his observation as if it were something new! Perhaps he believed it needed repeating. The lesson there is that original truth indeed is quite rare, but rediscovered truth also is worthy of exposition.
這個問題就涉及哲學領域了。很久以前，有個聰明人曾經寫道，認為自己的「原創思考」（或是原創概念、原創宣言等）絕具創意，其實是相當自以為是的論調。諷刺的是，這位智者仍然慎重其事地寫出自己的觀察與感想，彷彿裡頭確實有著絲毫新意！也許他認為這個看法值得重複一遍吧。但我們從中學到一件事，真正原創的想法其實相當罕見，但事實的重新探究亦具有重讀的價值。
So in your papers, strive to produce something insightful, if not revelatory. Start at the earliest of stages—during topic selection. If a subject seems to have been examined from every angle, choose another one. Or when a topic is assigned, choose a proposition least visited by previous writers, and then rigorously dig into it. Academic writers who are willing to break ground in topic selection and research are more apt to produce a paper that breaks ground in its conclusions.
若是無法寫出全新的見解，至少可以努力於文章中提出令人印象深刻的想法。努力的起點就在首要階段—選擇題目。如果主題似乎已從各個角度被探討過，那就另起爐灶、重擬一個。倘若教授指定某個主題，作者應從最少被討論過的論點出發與進行深入研究。從事學術研究的作者，越是願意打破選題與研究的窠臼與框架，越能寫出發前人之所未見的主張與結論。
Finally, strive for originality in writing the paper. Even a tired topic or thesis has some hope of redemption if it is couched in fresh language. This means banning clichés and overused phrases, and using crisp, active language containing engaging imagery and lucid description. If there is a “key” to originality, it is to cultivate personal independence in thinking and writing. Think independently. Reject copycat language. Take the initiative. Be yourself. You are an original, aren’t you?
最後，請努力在寫作時創造獨特與新意。就算主題是老生常談，只要技巧性的使用新穎、生動的語句，此文章仍擁有獨具一格的新價值。換句話說，應避免隨處可見、俯拾即是的陳腐濫調，盡量使用簡潔、主動的語詞，並且搭配引人入勝的意境與清晰的敘述。如果真有通往「原創性」的關鍵，那就是多培養個人的獨立思考與寫作風格。思考獨立，戒除盲目模仿語句；採取主動，保有自我特色。畢竟「你」才是文章中最原創的部分，不是嗎？
