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論文撰寫六大準備技巧四：與指導委員集思廣益，共同討論題目
【學術專欄】
6 Tips in Preparing to Write Your Dissertation Tip 4: Brainstorm dissertation topic, with guidance from committee and chairperson
論文撰寫六大準備技巧四：與指導委員集思廣益，共同討論題目
取得碩博士學位的最終步驟是完成論文，然而，撰寫論文的過程通常是既漫長又嚴謹的長期抗戰。本次學術專欄特別推出「論文撰寫六大準備技巧」，幫助你做好準備工作，順利完成論文。每一項準備技巧，將定期刊登於本專欄。
The final step in earning many master and doctorate degrees is completion of a thesis or dissertation. The process involved typically is lengthy and exacting. Following is one of 6 recommendations to help you get started on your dissertation in such a way that you can successfully complete it. Each tip in the series will appear on the TPS Fans page.
Tip # 4 – Brainstorm dissertation topic, with guidance from committee and chairperson
技巧四：與指導委員集思廣益，共同討論題目
Writing a dissertation, or any other academic paper, is at least twice as difficult when a topic is ill-chosen. It is like trying to hit the center of a target with an arrow without having a bull’s eye superimposed on the target. Yes, you can see the general direction you need to let fly, but your eye has no focal point to guide your hand. In the same way, a well-chosen and sharply defined topic will help you coordinate your research, manage your time, and focus your writing. The consequence will be a paper that is marked by organization, consistency, and completeness.
寫論文或各種學術文章，若題目選得不好，寫起來難度將會加倍，就好像射箭沒有靶心，你明知道要往那個方向射，卻沒有目標可以瞄準。同樣的，題目若選得好、界定清楚，能配合你的研究、幫助規劃時間、在寫作時集中焦點，寫出的論文才會有組織、有條理且內容完整。
The importance of a topic means that it should not be formulated whimsically. An appealing topic sometimes is quickly found—or even worse, discovered late in the writing process—to be without sufficient substance to merit in-depth examination. Disaster! Parsing ideas way before the start of the dissertation process is advised, sometimes letting it guide final course selection. A superior topic is one a writer can enthusiastically embrace, a graduate school will find eminently worthy, and the larger peer community will conclude is thought-provoking and instructive.
既然題目這麼重要，就不能心血來潮的隨意選定。有些題目看似吸引人，但你很快就會發現沒有足夠的內容可以深入探討，更慘的是，有時你已經寫到一半了才發現沒有題材可發揮，簡直是雪上加霜。最好提早在開始寫論文前仔細檢視題目，或許還可據此選修課程。好的題目會讓學生投注熱情、老師認為有探討價值，讓學術同儕認為具啟發意義、發人深省。
Dissertation committee members, and especially the chair, are instrumental in this process. They ultimately must approve a proposal and final dissertation, so it is wise for a writer to incorporate their thinking in the topic selection process. Their experience—as well as their self-interest in being associated with a well-received dissertation—recommends their recommendations. A dissertation is a team effort, with the committee helping you navigate treacherous shallows and initially plumb some depths. But ultimately it is your vision and strength that must bring it home.
選擇題目時指導委員的意見非常重要，尤其是主任委員的意見。論文提案和定稿最終需經委員通過，所以最好在選擇題目時參考他們的意見。指導委員提出建議時，會考量自己的經驗，這篇論文與他們有關，他們也會關心論文是否會得到好評。寫作論文是團隊合作，指導委員可以幫助你認清暗藏的陷阱，協助深入探討。不過要讓主題確實發揮，最終還是要靠自己的眼光與實力。
論文撰寫六大準備技巧四：與指導委員集思廣益，共同討論題目
取得碩博士學位的最終步驟是完成論文，然而，撰寫論文的過程通常是既漫長又嚴謹的長期抗戰。本次學術專欄特別推出「論文撰寫六大準備技巧」，幫助你做好準備工作，順利完成論文。每一項準備技巧，將定期刊登於本專欄。
The final step in earning many master and doctorate degrees is completion of a thesis or dissertation. The process involved typically is lengthy and exacting. Following is one of 6 recommendations to help you get started on your dissertation in such a way that you can successfully complete it. Each tip in the series will appear on the TPS Fans page.
Tip # 4 – Brainstorm dissertation topic, with guidance from committee and chairperson
技巧四：與指導委員集思廣益，共同討論題目
Writing a dissertation, or any other academic paper, is at least twice as difficult when a topic is ill-chosen. It is like trying to hit the center of a target with an arrow without having a bull’s eye superimposed on the target. Yes, you can see the general direction you need to let fly, but your eye has no focal point to guide your hand. In the same way, a well-chosen and sharply defined topic will help you coordinate your research, manage your time, and focus your writing. The consequence will be a paper that is marked by organization, consistency, and completeness.
寫論文或各種學術文章，若題目選得不好，寫起來難度將會加倍，就好像射箭沒有靶心，你明知道要往那個方向射，卻沒有目標可以瞄準。同樣的，題目若選得好、界定清楚，能配合你的研究、幫助規劃時間、在寫作時集中焦點，寫出的論文才會有組織、有條理且內容完整。
The importance of a topic means that it should not be formulated whimsically. An appealing topic sometimes is quickly found—or even worse, discovered late in the writing process—to be without sufficient substance to merit in-depth examination. Disaster! Parsing ideas way before the start of the dissertation process is advised, sometimes letting it guide final course selection. A superior topic is one a writer can enthusiastically embrace, a graduate school will find eminently worthy, and the larger peer community will conclude is thought-provoking and instructive.
既然題目這麼重要，就不能心血來潮的隨意選定。有些題目看似吸引人，但你很快就會發現沒有足夠的內容可以深入探討，更慘的是，有時你已經寫到一半了才發現沒有題材可發揮，簡直是雪上加霜。最好提早在開始寫論文前仔細檢視題目，或許還可據此選修課程。好的題目會讓學生投注熱情、老師認為有探討價值，讓學術同儕認為具啟發意義、發人深省。
Dissertation committee members, and especially the chair, are instrumental in this process. They ultimately must approve a proposal and final dissertation, so it is wise for a writer to incorporate their thinking in the topic selection process. Their experience—as well as their self-interest in being associated with a well-received dissertation—recommends their recommendations. A dissertation is a team effort, with the committee helping you navigate treacherous shallows and initially plumb some depths. But ultimately it is your vision and strength that must bring it home.
選擇題目時指導委員的意見非常重要，尤其是主任委員的意見。論文提案和定稿最終需經委員通過，所以最好在選擇題目時參考他們的意見。指導委員提出建議時，會考量自己的經驗，這篇論文與他們有關，他們也會關心論文是否會得到好評。寫作論文是團隊合作，指導委員可以幫助你認清暗藏的陷阱，協助深入探討。不過要讓主題確實發揮，最終還是要靠自己的眼光與實力。
