Unit 2 课下参考资料

Unit 2Professional Papers1. Definition of professional papersA professional paper is a typewritten paper in which professionals present their views and research findings on a chosen topic. It is variously known as the “research paper”, “course paper”, “thesis paper” or “library paper”. Despite the various names, the task of the author of a paper is essentially the same: to read on a particular topic, gather information about it, and report the findings in it.A professional paper can not be written randomly. It must conform to a special format, which governs the entire paper from the placing of the title to the width of the margins, and to the notation used in acknowledging material drawn from other sources.A professional paper differs from other non-professional essays in that it involves the u se of library sources from which facts, quotations, and the opinions of others are drawn to explain, support, or authenticate ideas in the paper. These sources are identified by num bered notes, places at the end of the paper or at the bottom of the page. A professional paper usually conclu des with a bibliography, and an alphabetical list of all sources cited.2.Classification of professional papersThe four kinds of papers usually assigned in universities and colleges are (1) report papers; (2) research papers;(3) course papers, and (4)thesis papers.1) Report PaperThe report paper summarizes and reports the findings of an other on a particular subject. The writer neither judges nor evaluates the findings, but merely catalogs them in a sensible sequence.2) Research paperA research paper can be intelligent, well informed, interesting, and original in its conclusions. It draws its material from many sources and aims to assemble facts and ideas by studying them to draw new conclusions on the basis of obtained data observed facts, or to present the material in the light of a new interest.3) Course PaperDifferent from report papers and research papers, course papers are written after a specific course is learned or are designed at the end of a term. This type of paper is, therefore, also called “term paper”.4) Thesis PaperUnlike report papers, the thesis paper takes a definite stand on an issue. A thesis is a proposition or point of view that a writer or speaker is willing to argue against or defend. A paper that argued for ratification of a certain event would therefore be a thesis paper.3. Linguistic Features of Professional Papers1) Formal StyleA professional paper deals with the study of some objective facts or problems, and the conclusion that is drawn should be based on relevant data, not on personal likes and dislikes. It is particularly important in any kind of scientific inquiry; it does not matter who is conducting the experiment or investigation. Being impersonal and free from emotional factors is one of the important features in professional writing. The focus of professional writing is upon the data and upon the analysis of the data, for example, instead of writing:I carried out an experiment to investigate the effect of light on plant growth.It would be more conventional to say:An experiment was carded out to investigate the effect of light on plant growth.Generally speaking, formal writing sets an unusually high value on objectivity, meticulousness, accuracy, and restraint. It is directed to the reader’s mind and makes little efforts to appeal to his emotions. Its purposes are utilitarian, and it is usually intended for readers who already have, to some degree, a special interest in the subject matter or are even experienced colleagues in the same trade.2) Specialized TermsThe terms in professional papers are typically specialized. A great number of professional words and terms can only be understood by the specialists in the fields, e.g., decoder (译码器), multi-quantum transition (多量子跃迁), Read Only Memory (只读储存器) and conversational implicatures (会话含义), etc. Examples like these are too numerous to mention one by one.3) Rigid Sentence StructureAs we know, the function of professional papers is to reveal creative research achievements and exchange latest research information. The arguments in professional papers will be convincing if they are presented concisely and concretely. A rigid sentence structure is therefore reflected to meet this requirement.4) Formatted ElementsThough there are no set rules, a complete professional paper in its finished form usually has a regular format composed of the following elements: the title, author(s), affiliation(s), abstract, keywords, introduction, body of the paper (theoretical description including calculation, inference, reasoning, conclusion, etc. or experimental description including techniques, methods, materials, results and analysis, etc.), acknowledgments, appendices, references or bibliography, etc.4. Search for Professional PapersDifferent kinds of papers can be found from various sources:1) JournalsJournals are usually edited and published by learned societies or associations monthly, bi-monthly, or quarterly; for example, transactions, published by the American IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers), and circulated widely in academic circles all over the world.2) ActaActa are mainly published by institutions of higher learning. Their contributors are chiefly university professors and regional research scholars, including graduate students, in academic institutions.3) Bulletins, Circulars or GazettesSuch bulletins are mainly edited and designated for the publication of briefs of research findings, preliminary results on some research programs, science news or notices of scientific seminars and conferences. Among the most famous of such publications are the Bulletin of the American Physical Society and the Bulletin of American Mathematical Society, etc.4) Rapid CommunicationsThis kind of publication belongs to the public correspondence and letter-form publications. Their contributors are mainly scientific workers, professional technical information and data workers, editors of professional journals and engineers. Rapid Communications enjoy popularity among professionals for being quick, direct and brief.5) ReviewsCommentary or summary articles are usually carried in specialized journals called Reviews, such as Comments on Modern Physics (published by the Physics Society under the Royal Academy of Sciences, U.K.) and Physical Review (published by the American Society of Physics, U.S.A.). The articles and papers published in such reviews are various in length and scope. They may include original research papers, comments and reviews on some authors and their papers or books, survey of current developments and research tendency analysis. Many famous international scholars, researchers and physicists are invited to work for and contribute to these reviews. 6) ProceedingsProceedings are collections of papers of the corresponding academic conferences at which these papers or commentaries are presented. Such proceedings are often published in the form of special issues, supplements or proceedings series. Category titles like “technical”, “scientific”, “academic”, “research”, “development”, etc. are usually put before the paper titles to help the readers in their choice.7) Dissertation Abstract InternationalDissertation Abstract International (DAI) is published monthly by University Microfilms International and includes abstracts of doctoral dissertations submitted to UMI by 550 participating institutions in North America and throughout the world.Each author-prepared abstract, up to 350 words in length, describes in detail the original research project on which the dissertation is based. Most of the approximately 35,000 dissertations published by UMI each year are abstracted in DAI and may be purchased in microform or as paper copies.8) Comprehensive Dissertation Index (CDI)Comprehensive Dissertation Indent (CDI) provides citations from 1861. It includes international coverage of engineering and technological literature. Corresponds to the printed Engineering Index. There are monthly updates. Abstracts and keywords are provided. American Doctoral Dissertation is included.9) On line Access to DissertationOn line Access to Dissertation describes searching the Comprehensive Dissertation Index database on DIALOG. General background and file content are presented. Numerous DIALOG search techniques are demonstrated and illustrated with actual examples. Notes the lack of in-depth subject indexing and stresses the need to search the title field. Other online sources of dissertations are briefly noted.Reflections and Practice (1)Translation Skills (2): DictionBy “diction” we mean the proper choice of words and phrases in translation on the basis of accurate comprehension of the original.In the practice of translation, what perplexes a translator most is how to find the equivalents in the language to be translated into. Great care is called for in the translation of “familiar” English words into Chinese, as their meanings vary with the change in collocation or context.In comparison with Chinese, English words are more flexible both in form and in meaning: English words of different parts of speech often assume different forms and the meaning of each word mainly depends on the context. Therefore it is often a hard task for a translator to find the Chinese equivalent of a given English word. Take the word “story” for example:(1) This war is becoming the most important story of this generation.(2) It is quite another story now.(3) Some reporters who were not included in the session broke the story.(4) He'll be very happy if that story holds up.(5) The Rita Haywoth story is one of the saddest.(6) A young man came to Scotti's office with a story.Each of the six “story” here manifests its own connotation. In sentence (1) it refers to “event”; (2) “situation”;(3) “inside information”; (4) “statement”; (5) “experience”; (6) “law case.” And therefore, the corresponding Chinese versions are:(1)这场战争将成为这一代人经历的最重大的事件。