From Learning English, this is the Education Report.
Many secondary and university students have returned to classes, or soon will. And some of you have told us that you worry about academic writing writing for school. We know that writing papers can be hard even a little frightening. This is especially true if you are not writing in your first language.
So we have asked some writing experts in the United States for advice. From time to time as part of the Education Report, we will share some of their suggestions with you in their own words.
Today we hear from Mary Ann Allison, a professor in the journalism, media studies and public relations department at Hofstra University in New York. She is also a poet and a writer. She says starting a paper is often the most difficult part of writing for school.
Mary Ann Allison, suppose the teacher or professor gives you a choice of a topic, a subject, within a given field.
Well, I have a couple of thoughts. The first, if you have any choice at all of a topic, is to do something that youre really interested in, because the more youre interested in it naturally, the better youll write and the easier itll be.
After you have found a subject you think you would like to write about, what comes next?
Once youve decided on something, another consideration would be how much information you can find. So, often if Im starting something, Im considering a topic, I do, oh, 10, 15 minutes worth of looking at information to see if theres enough for me to be able to easily research and write what I want to write. And if theres not, then I might choose something else to write on. So those two things, I would say, sort of balance your interest and information availability. And then the next thing that I would do is what I call a back-of-the-envelope outline.
Back of the envelope, and what is that?
So thats when I sit down, maybe not at my desk, not at my computer, maybe even at a caf, or with a cup of coffee, but where I sit. And I just kind of think about it, and I think about the topic like, what would I say to a friend? And I just write down short notes about whatever whatever comes to mind. What would I say to a friend about this? Or, what do I want to know about this? And when I have - oh, I dont know - anywhere between five and 10 points, I stop.
Then, do you start to write?
And then I wait a whole day, so I sleep on it, because your brain will work on it while youre sleeping. And then I take those notes and I make an outline. And then I take the outline and again check how much information is there. Is there easy information on all these points? And if the signals are all yes, then I might start writing.
So a lot of your preparation is preparation?
Its preparation, and its doing preparation, but its also letting your unconscious do a lot of work for you. Because if you sit down and try to write it right now, you dont give your unconscious any time to organize things bring together other ideas.
Is it time to write yet?
So do some research, which gives your subconscious something to think about. Right? Then let it rest for a night. Youll often find that its much easier the next day. Also, the more rested you are, the better it will be.
And thats the Learning English Education Report. Im Jeri Watson.
词汇讲解:
1. return v.回转,返回
例句:Bill sees you return home during the evening party end.
比尔晚会结束时看见你回家。
2. academic adj.学院的,大学的,学会的
例句:She already has good academic qualifications under her belt.
她已获得良好学历.
3. suppose vt.假定; 猜想
例句:Suppose it rained, we would still go.
假如下雨的话,我们还是要去。
4. interest vt.使产生兴趣; 使参与
例句:Dorset had apparently shown marked interest in the girl.
多森一向公开地显示他对那姑娘怀有特殊的好感。
5. consideration n.考虑,考察
例句:We do appreciate your consideration.
我们很感激你的考虑。
6. consider vt.考虑; 认为
例句:You could even consider designing your own internship.
甚至可以考虑自己设计实习机会。
7. preparation n.准备,预备
例句:You cannot pass an examination without preparation.
你不准备就不可能通过考试。
8. subconscious adj.下意识的; 潜意识的
例句:Tucked away in our subconscious is an idyllic vision.
我们的潜意识里藏着一派田园诗般的风光!
短语讲解:
1. And some of you have told us that you worry about academic writing writing for school.
worry about 担忧, 烦恼
例句:If not, dont worry about it.
如果没有,也别担心。
2. Today we hear from Mary Ann Allison, a professor in the journalism, media studies and public relations department at Hofstra University in New York.
hear from 收到的来信; 从听到
例句:Wed love to hear from you.
我们很乐意倾听你的话。
3. Im considering a topic, I do, oh, 10, 15 minutes worth of looking at information to see if theres enough for me to be able to easily research and write what I want to write.
be able to 能够
例句:How I hope to be able to show you what I feel!
我多么希望我能让你看出我现在的感情!
4. And I just kind of think about it, and I think about the topic like, what would I say to a friend?
think about 考虑 捉摸 对有
例句:Maybe you should think about moving.
也许你该考虑搬家了。
5. Because if you sit down and try to write it right now, you dont give your unconscious any time to organize things bring together other ideas.
bring together 使相合[连接]; 使相识
例句:The advantage is that partners can bring together ideas, talents, and money.
好处是合伙人可以集思广益,聚集人才和资金。
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