每個學科的學生、教授和研究員都使用學術寫作來傳達思想、進行論證和進行學術對話。學術寫作的特點是以證據為基礎的論證,擁有精確的詞語選擇,按邏輯組織並採用客觀的語氣。雖然有時被誤認為要長篇大論或寫得高深莫測,但強有力的學術寫作恰恰與此相反:它應以直截了當的方式告知、分析和說服,並使讀者能夠進行批判性的學術對話。
Students, professors, and researchers in every discipline use academic writing to convey ideas, make arguments, and engage in scholarly conversation. Academic writing is characterized by evidence-based arguments, precise word choice, logical organization, and an impersonal tone. Though sometimes thought of as long-winded or inaccessible, strong academic writing is quite the opposite: It informs, analyzes, and persuades in a straightforward manner and enables the reader to engage critically in a scholarly dialogue
學術寫作示例
Examples of Academic Writing
當然,學術寫作是在學術環境中產生的任何正式的書面作品。雖然學術寫作有多種形式,但以下是一些最常見的形式。
Academic writing is, of course, any formal written work produced in an academic setting. While academic writing comes in many forms, the following are some of the most common.
文學分析:一篇文學分析文章用於對一部文學作品進行檢查、評價和論證。顧名思義,一篇文學分析論文不僅僅只是總結。它需要仔細仔細閱讀一個或多個文本,並且通常集中在一個特定的特徵、主題或目標上。
Literary analysis: A literary analysis essay examines, evaluates, and makes an argument about a literary work. As its name suggests, a literary analysis essay goes beyond mere summarization. It requires careful close reading of one or multiple texts and often focuses on a specific characteristic, theme, or motif.
研究論文:研究論文是利用外部信息來源來支持論點或進行論證的研究論文。研究論文在所有學科中都出現,其特徵可能是評估、分析或批評。常見的研究來源包括(自己得到的)數據、主要來源(如歷史記錄)和次要來源(如同行評議的學術文章)。寫一篇研究論文需要用你自己的想法綜合這些外部信息。
Research paper: A research paper uses outside information to support a thesis or make an argument. Research papers are written in all disciplines and may be evaluative, analytical, or critical in nature. Common research sources include data, primary sources (e.g., historical records), and secondary sources (e.g., peer-reviewed scholarly articles). Writing a research paper involves synthesizing this external information with your own ideas.
學位論文:學位論文是在博士課程結束時提交的文件。這篇論文是對這位博士生研究成果的一本書似的總結。
Dissertation: A dissertation (or thesis) is a document submitted at the conclusion of a Ph.D. program. The dissertation is a book-length summarization of the doctoral candidate’s research.
學術論文可以作為一門課的一部分,存在於一個研究項目中,或者由不同的作者在學術期刊或學術書籍中發表。
Academic papers may be done as a part of a class, in a program of study, or for publication in an academic journal or scholarly book of articles around a theme, by different authors.
學術寫作特徵
Characteristics of Academic Writing
大多數學科都採用自己的習慣文體。然而,一切學術寫作都享有一些共同特點。
Most academic disciplines employ their own stylistic conventions. However, all academic writing shares certain characteristics.
清晰而有限的焦點問題。學術論文的焦點論點或研究問題是由最先出現的論題聲明(thesis statement)確立的。論文的每一段和每一句話都與這一焦點聯繫在一起。雖然論文可能包含背景或背景信息,但所有內容都是為了支持論題聲明。
Clear and limited focus. The focus of an academic paper—the argument or research question—is established early by the thesis statement. Every paragraph and sentence of the paper connects back to that primary focus. While the paper may include background or contextual information, all content serves the purpose of supporting the thesis statement.
邏輯結構。所有的學術寫作都遵循邏輯、直截了當的結構。在最簡單的形式中,學術寫作包括引言、正文段落和結論。引言部分提供了背景資料,闡述了本文的研究範圍和方向,並對論題進行了聲明。正文段落用於支持論題聲明,每個正文段落闡述一個(對所聲明的論題的)支撐點。結論部分回顧論文,總結論文的主要觀點,並強調論文研究結果的意義。每一個句子和段落都與下一個句子和段落有邏輯聯繫,以便提出一個明確的論點。
Logical structure. All academic writing follows a logical, straightforward structure. In its simplest form, academic writing includes an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The introduction provides background information, lays out the scope and direction of the essay, and states the thesis. The body paragraphs support the thesis statement, with each body paragraph elaborating on one supporting point. The conclusion refers back to the thesis, summarizes the main points, and highlights the implications of the paper’s findings. Each sentence and paragraph logically connects to the next in order to present a clear argument.
基於證據的論證。學術寫作需要見多識廣的論證。聲明必須有證據支持,無論是來自學術來源(如來自某研究論文)、研究或實驗的結果,還是來自對主要文本(如文學分析文章)的引述。證據的使用使得論證可信。
Evidence-based arguments. Academic writing requires well-informed arguments. Statements must be supported by evidence, whether from scholarly sources (as in a research paper), results of a study or experiment, or quotations from a primary text (as in a literary analysis essay). The use of evidence gives credibility to an argument.
非個人語氣。學術寫作的目的是從客觀的角度表達一個合乎邏輯的論點。學術寫作應避免情緒化、煽動性或其他偏頗的語言。無論你個人同意還是不同意一個觀點,你的論文必須準確、客觀地陳述它。
Impersonal tone. The goal of academic writing is to convey a logical argument from an objective standpoint. Academic writing avoids emotional, inflammatory, or otherwise biased language. Whether you personally agree or disagree with an idea, it must be presented accurately and objectively in your paper.
大多數發表的論文也有摘要:這是對論文要素的簡要總結。摘要會出現在學術資料庫的搜索結果中,這樣讀者就可以快速確定論文是否與自己的研究相關。
Most published papers also have abstracts: brief summaries of the most important points of the paper. Abstracts appear in academic database search results so that readers can quickly determine whether the paper is pertinent to their own research.
論題(命題或主題)聲明的重要性
The Importance of Thesis Statements
假設你剛剛完成了文學課的一篇分析文章。如果一位同學或教授問你這篇文章是什麼,關於這篇文章的重點是什麼,你應該能夠用一句話清晰簡潔地回答。這句話就是你的論題聲明。
Let’s say you』ve just finished an analytical essay for your literature class. If a peer or professor asks you what the essay is about—what the point of the essay is—you should be able to respond clearly and concisely in a single sentence. That single sentence is your thesis statement.
處在第一段結尾處的論題聲明是一個你文章主要思想的一句話概括。它用於引出一個總體論點,也可以確定論點的主要支持點。從本質上講,論題聲明是一個路線圖,告訴讀者論文要去哪裡,以及如何到達那裡。
The thesis statement, found at the end of the first paragraph, is a one-sentence encapsulation of your essay’s main idea. It presents an overarching argument and may also identify the main support points for the argument. In essence, the thesis statement is a road map, telling the reader where the paper is going and how it will get there.
論題聲明在寫作過程中起著重要的作用。一旦你寫了一個論題聲明,你就為你的論文確立了一個明確的重點。經常引用論題聲明可以防止你在起草階段偏離主題。當然,論題聲明可以(也應該)修改,以反映論文內容或方向的變化。畢竟,它的最終目標是清晰而具體地抓住你論文的主要思想。
The thesis statement plays an important role in the writing process. Once you』ve written a thesis statement, you』ve established a clear focus for your paper. Frequently referring back to that thesis statement will prevent you from straying off-topic during the drafting phase. Of course, the thesis statement can (and should) be revised to reflect changes in the content or direction of the paper. Its ultimate goal, after all, is to capture the main ideas of your paper with clarity and specificity.
需要避免的錯誤
Common Mistakes to Avoid
各個領域的學術作者都在寫作過程中面臨著相似的挑戰。你可以通過避免這些常見錯誤來提高自己的學術寫作水平。
Academic writers from every field face similar challenges during the writing process. You can improve your own academic writing by avoiding these common mistakes.
冗長。學術寫作的目的是以清晰、簡潔的方式表達複雜的思想。不要用令人費解的語言來混淆視聽。如果你發現自己寫了一個超過25個單詞的句子,試著把它分成兩個或三個獨立的句子以提高可讀性。
Wordiness. The goal of academic writing is to convey complex ideas in a clear, concise manner. Don’t muddy the meaning of your argument by using confusing language. If you find yourself writing a sentence over 25 words long, try to divide it into two or three separate sentences for improved readability.
模糊的或缺失的論題聲明。論題聲明是學術論文中最重要的一句話。你的論題聲明必須清晰明了,每一個正文段落都必須與論題相聯繫。
A vague or missing thesis statement. The thesis statement is the single most important sentence in any academic paper. Your thesis statement must be clear, and each body paragraph needs to tie into that thesis.
非正式語言。學術寫作在語氣上是正式的,不應包括俚語、習語或口語。
Informal language. Academic writing is formal in tone and should not include slang, idioms, or conversational language.
沒有分析的描述。不要簡單地重複參考文獻中的想法或論點。相反,分析這些論點並解釋它們與你的觀點之間的關係。
Description without analysis. Do not simply repeat the ideas or arguments from your source materials. Rather, analyze those arguments and explain how they relate to your point.
沒有引用消息來源。在整個研究和寫作過程中都要跟蹤你的原始資料。使用一個格式(MLA格式、APA格式或芝加哥格式,取決於項目開始時提供的指南)來引用它們。任何不是你自己的想法都需要被引用,不管是被轉述還是直接引用,以避免抄襲。
Not citing sources. Keep track of your source materials throughout the research and writing process. Cite them consistently using one style manual (MLA, APA, or Chicago Manual of Style, depending on the guidelines given to you at the outset of the project). Any ideas that are not your own need to be cited, whether they're paraphrased or quoted directly, to avoid plagiarism.
原文:Valdes, Olivia. "An Introduction to Academic Writing." ThoughtCo, Aug. 27, 2020, thoughtco.com/what-is-academic-writing-1689052