A writer peering ahead at an academic writing project should respect the task. It not only will require research and writing abilities, it will tax the writer’s endurance and concentration. Learning to become efficient and self-regulating as a researcher and writer is the reason for this series, “7 Ways to Pace Yourself through a Paper.” Each of the suggestions will be presented on the TPS Fan page before being compiled.
若您即将致力于学术写作专题，应该好好重视这项工作。这不仅需要研究与写作技巧，也仰赖毅力与专注。「按部就班写作论文的七大步骤」将教您学会如何自律，提高研究与写作的效率。每项建议都会刊登在 TPS 粉丝专页，并在最后集结于 TPS 学术电子报中。
Way # 1 – Recognize pacing and admit you need it
建议一：了解按部就班的重要
Academic paper projects are not 100-meter dashes. They are marathons. They require intellectual and physical stamina. A writer who understands this stands a far better chance of completing a paper with the same levels of energy and inspiration shown at the beginning of a project. This is a significant advantage, because finishing a paper well is as vital as starting it properly. Burning out, getting off track, lowering standards—these are the results of a writer not pacing himself.
学术论文专题不是百米赛跑，而是马拉松，必须持续投入智力与体力。写作时若能了解这点，就比较有机会，能持续发挥专题写作之初的精力与灵感，完成整篇论文。这是个很大的好处，因为有个精彩的结尾与起头出色一样重要。如果无法按部就班地前进，往往落得精疲力竭、偏离路径、草率了事。
Returning to the running metaphor, sprinters are as strong as long-distance runners. They are as skilled. But they are not conditioned to endure an extended run. In the same way, wonderful essay exam-takers are not necessarily adept at in-depth writing projects. They might lack research skills, the ability to write complex explanations and analyses, or the talent to stay on course over weeks and months of exploring a subject. This is why academic writing assignments are called projects.
回到跑步的暗喻。短跑选手和长跑选手一样，他们强健有力，也一样技巧精湛，但他们却不适合长跑。同样地，短文比赛的常胜军也不一定善于深入的写作专题，他们可能缺乏研究技巧，无法应付复杂的阐释与分析，也不擅于持续几周甚至几个月，坚持到底探讨一个主题。所以学术写作才称为「专题」。
So the wisest approach to a “project” is to realize that planning is required to ensure that the project does not overwhelm the writer during its middle or late stages. To acknowledge this possibility is a sign of maturity as a writer. Though you as a writer might be especially bright, brilliance will not overcome disorganization or lack of fortitude. Whereas intellectual vigor coupled to a sustainable work pace can carry a writer across the finish line in a winning effort.
因此，进行一个「专题」最聪明的办法，就是知道必须仰赖规划，以确保作者不会在专题途中或最后关头江郎才尽，半途而废。能了解这一点，就表示作者成熟了。即使在写作时特别文思泉涌，也无法以才气克服漫无章法与缺乏毅力的弱点。写作时除了尽心思考，还必须结合可长可久的工作步调，才能志在必得，冲过胜利的终点线。
Way # 2 – Embrace deadlines and use them
建议二：善用截止期限
Every project of every kind—physical or intellectual—has a starting date and a finishing date. The author of a paper can’t begin until a topic is assigned or approved, at which point the clock starts ticking. A date to turn in the paper also is given, which is when the work must be completed. While these two mileposts are helpful in guiding the overall progress of a paper, they are too far apart to keep a writer on course. Interim deadlines are the critical benchmarks.
所有类型的每个专题，无论是必须动脑或动手，都有开始与截止的日期。题目被指派或通过核准后，就能开始写作论文，从那时候起时钟就滴滴答答开始计时了。缴交论文的日期，也就是工作该完成的时候。开始与截止就像两个里程碑，有助引导论文的整体进展，但这两个时间相距太远，无法帮助论文写作按计划进行。期中截止期限反而是更重要的指标。
The midpoint deadlines may vary according to the kind of paper being written. They also might be assigned by a professor with the expectation that the writer will show evidence at each checkpoint of continuing progress. Or a self-reliant writer might take the initiative to establish interim deadlines of his own. Whichever is the case, the interim goals—research done, outline created, first draft completed, and so on—can keep a writer steadily moving ahead.
随着写作的论文类型不同，期中截止期限也不一样。期限可能由教授订立，希望学生在每个时间点证明论文有持续的进展；若是独立写作论文，作者也可以主动订立自己的期中截止期限。不论是哪一种期限，目标或许是完成研究工作、写出大纲、完成论文初稿等等，都能让写作者不断向前迈进。
A seasoned writer will see these interim deadlines as stepping stones, as helpful indicators of a project being on schedule… or not. They let a writer know when he can take a breather from the project or when he needs to put in some overt
