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能追求更高深的學位是件好事，問題是，你真的想獲得學位嗎？研讀碩博士學問的最高原則是完成碩博士論文。每年許多碩博士候選人只差一步就能抵達終點，卻無法堅持下去，成為「萬事俱備，只欠論文」 (ABD, All But Dissertation) 的肄業生。研究的所學所聞雖然提升了生活，卻因為沒有證書，無法為職場加分－雇主通常不會太看重「差一點」拿到學位的求職者。
If you have navigated the post-graduate process to this point, resolve to finish the course. A dissertation can take anywhere from a year to several years, depending upon how it fits in a program’s structure and the circumstances of a student’s life. A completed document can run anywhere from 15,000 to 150,000 words, a longer paper than most students have previously undertaken. It follows that completing a dissertation is a daunting prospect for almost any student, regardless of how much a degree is coveted.
如果你在研究所的求學階段一路走來，終於來到撰寫論文這一關，請下定決心完成挑戰。博士論文寫作可能耗費一至數年不等，端視論文是否結合課堂所學以及學生個人情況而定。論文完成後，篇幅可能短則一萬多字，多則近十五萬字都有，多數學生都未曾寫過如此長篇的文章。因此，不管學生多麼想得到學位，撰寫論文都令人望而生畏。
So it is important for any post-graduate degree candidate to understand the purpose and function of a dissertation: It is a tool to define you as a scholar. Because most research and writing for a dissertation occurs without close faculty scrutiny, a candidate must work alone. Must correctly evaluate and filter research material. Must plan and execute interim and final steps. Must recognize effective writing and rigorously self-edit. Must stay on schedule. As you begin your dissertation, now is the time to resolve to grow as a scholar and a person by finishing the task.
所以，碩博士研究生們必須瞭解，論文的目的與功能是用以判斷你是否稱得上學者。撰寫論文時，多數研究與寫作不會有老師從旁密切指導，必須獨立作業。研究生也必須評估與篩選研究資料、研究期間研擬計畫與步驟並逐步執行、找出有效的寫作方式以及謹慎編審文章，並且按照規畫確實進行。一旦開始撰寫論文，就必須下定決心，完成任務，以證明自己有獨立研究的能力。
論文撰寫六大準備技巧一：下定決心，有始有終
【學術專欄】
6 Tips in Preparing to Write Your Dissertation Tip 1: Commit to finishing what you start
論文撰寫六大準備技巧一：下定決心，有始有終
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 # 1 – Commit to finishing what you start
技巧一：下定決心，有始有終
能追求更高深的學位是件好事，問題是，你真的想獲得學位嗎？研讀碩博士學問的最高原則是完成碩博士論文。每年許多碩博士候選人只差一步就能抵達終點，卻無法堅持下去，成為「萬事俱備，只欠論文」 (ABD, All But Dissertation) 的肄業生。研究的所學所聞雖然提升了生活，卻因為沒有證書，無法為職場加分－雇主通常不會太看重「差一點」拿到學位的求職者。
If you have navigated the post-graduate process to this point, resolve to finish the course. A dissertation can take anywhere from a year to several years, depending upon how it fits in a program’s structure and the circumstances of a student’s life. A completed document can run anywhere from 15,000 to 150,000 words, a longer paper than most students have previously undertaken. It follows that completing a dissertation is a daunting prospect for almost any student, regardless of how much a degree is coveted.
如果你在研究所的求學階段一路走來，終於來到撰寫論文這一關，請下定決心完成挑戰。博士論文寫作可能耗費一至數年不等，端視論文是否結合課堂所學以及學生個人情況而定。論文完成後，篇幅可能短則一萬多字，多則近十五萬字都有，多數學生都未曾寫過如此長篇的文章。因此，不管學生多麼想得到學位，撰寫論文都令人望而生畏。
So it is important for any post-graduate degree candidate to understand the purpose and function of a dissertation: It is a tool to define you as a scholar. Because most research and writing for a dissertation occurs without close faculty scrutiny, a candidate must work alone. Must correctly evaluate and filter research material. Must plan and execute interim and final steps. Must recognize effective writing and rigorously self-edit. Must stay on schedule. As you begin your dissertation, now is the time to resolve to grow as a scholar and a person by finishing the task.
所以，碩博士研究生們必須瞭解，論文的目的與功能是用以判斷你是否稱得上學者。撰寫論文時，多數研究與寫作不會有老師從旁密切指導，必須獨立作業。研究生也必須評估與篩選研究資料、研究期間研擬計畫與步驟並逐步執行、找出有效的寫作方式以及謹慎編審文章，並且按照規畫確實進行。一旦開始撰寫論文，就必須下定決心，完成任務，以證明自己有獨立研究的能力。
