12 Recommendations to Help you Submit a Conventional and Acceptable Paper Tip 4: Organize and group the material and outline the paper 12個獲得學術認可的論文撰寫技巧之四:分類資料並勾勒論文大綱

教授學者們通常會規範寫作標準,制定如何撰寫碩博士論文與學術文章以及格式要求。學術界所評定的標準植基於以何種撰寫方式會被認可,何種撰寫方式則會被拒絕。本專欄提出「12個獲得學術認可的論文撰寫技巧」,幫助你寫出符合規範與認可標準的文章。
The community of scholars has rules that govern how dissertations, theses and other academic papers are composed and formatted. Academic convention has established what is acceptable and what is not. Following is one of 12 recommendations to help you submit a conventional and acceptable paper.

Tip 4 – Organize and group the material and outline the paper
技巧四:分類資料並勾勒論文大綱

At this point, the author of an academic paper should have chosen a subject and thesis and thoroughly researched it. The author also should have determined what format is required for the paper by the assigning professor, and made certain that enough information has been gathered to satisfy citation requirements. Now it is time to create the structure of the paper.
在這個準備階段,作者應已選定研究主題,根據研究論點搜集許多相關資料,並且作者也應已確定指導教授要求的論文格式,妥善準備證明與證據。一切準備就緒後,現在就讓我們進入論文的架構。

An academic paper is built around the thesis. Every point made in the paper should support the argument voiced in the thesis. Every statement should be a brick in the argument’s foundation. Every assertion should, directly or indirectly, lead the reader to the conclusion summarized in the thesis. (Conversely, if a point has the potential to lead a reader astray, it should be discarded.)
論文是根據論點來架構內容,每一個論點背後皆需要有支持理論的證據,也就是說,每個引據、每個證明,就像是磚塊需一層層堆砌起來,才能穩固論點存在的基礎。每一項研究主張都應該以直接或間接的方式,逐步、清楚的引導讀者進入論文總結 (相反的,若是論點的發展將可能誤導讀者、迷失論文重點,作者就應當機立斷,捨棄這個方向)。

The collected material should be organized, a process that probably began during the collection stage. The material should be arranged by function—for example, introductory material near the top of the list. It also should be grouped according to sub-topic or supporting evidence. This grouping process will reveal any areas of argumentation that are weak and need more research.
所有收集的資料都要進入整理過程。資料根據不同功能進行分類。例如,介紹、敘述方面的資料,就應放置於資料庫的最前面。進而,作者可以次主題或不同的支持論證進行第二層分類。這樣分群分類的過程,將有助於掌控現有資訊,是否那些論證薄弱,或者那些方面需要加入更多資訊。

Next comes the outlining of the paper. While the grouped material might suggest an outline, a set of facts can be employed in more than one way. A paper on Copernicus, for example, might chronologically relate his solar system studies, or it might juxtapose his various discoveries with the misconceptions of his peers. Facts are not malleable, but they are moveable.
接下來進入勾勒論文綱要。從分類的資訊所引導出來的脈絡來看,或許已透露出大綱的輪廓。然而,同樣的事實論據卻可應用於不同的需求與情境。舉例來說,同樣是以哥白尼的研究為主題,有的人會以時間順序與他的太陽運行學說為研究方向;有的人也可能以不同於那個時代的觀點與角度切入研究。所以,事實盡管無法改變,它卻可在你的論文中隨需求調整合適的位置。

A professor may suggest a structure for a paper, but usually only in general terms. The content of the paper, as a result of research, ultimately decides the most effective structure. This might be a narrative approach. Or it could be a side-by-side comparison, or a sequential presentation of evidence. In every case, the goal is to assemble the facts into a convincing final argument.
指導教授或許會要求論文的架構,但通常指的是大方向的論文結構。事實上,論文內容將因研究方向的不同,而產生獨特的架構組合。不論是以敘述的手法表現,或是集合所有論點進行比較,或是一系列論據的呈現等等,在每一件論文作品中,首重目的在於有效整合論據並提出令人信服的論點。

Before writing begins, purposefully evaluate the chosen outline. Ask questions. Does it function convincingly? Does it stay on course in support of the thesis? Is it logical and comprehendible? Does it sail from introduction to conclusion without running aground somewhere? Can it be strengthened by alteration, or addition? Be sure. The outline becomes the blueprint for the paper.
在撰寫論文之前,仔細檢視確定好的綱要,好好回答下列的問題:這樣的內容鋪陳具有說服力嗎? 這些論據有成功的佐證論點嗎? 內容符合邏輯且容易瞭解嗎? 從介紹到結論的閱讀過程中,有正確引導讀者、不使讀者迷失困惑嗎? 論文是否還有再加強或再修改的空間與必要? 一定要確實檢視上列問題。 別忘了,綱要是論文寫作成功的重要藍圖。


Posted at 2012-04-06 10:58:12

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