国际学术会议的发言机会仅为18%,你想抓住吗?
随着全球化进程加快,越来越多的老师想要出国参加学术会议,想要和国际英语教育界大咖面对面交流。
但想要参加国际会议必须要撰写自己的会议发言摘要,怎样撰写出成功的会议申请摘要是一大难题!
本周,三好教师联盟为老师们带来了这篇How to Write an ELT Conference Abstract,通过实例详细阐述了如何撰写一篇会议摘要,并一步一步分析出成功申请的方法。
此套实操方法适用于所有学段的英语教师。我们对原文内容做了重点步骤梳理,本文字数4393字,阅读时间大约需要9分钟。
重点梳理
How to Write an ELT Conference Abstract
如何撰写英语学术会议申请摘要
在最近一次TESOL国际会议暨英语学术交流会上,作者听闻了一些关于撰写会议摘要的看法:
“她获得了三个发言机会,一定很擅长写会议申请摘要。”
“我的提议没有被接受,我的会议申请摘要一定写得不太好。”
“今年摘要的接受率为18%,必须要写出好的摘要才有机会申请成功。”
虽然会议摘要不是能否被邀请参加会议的唯一决定因素,但它却是最重要因素之一。无论你的演讲时效性和关联性多么强,但如果会议摘要没有表明你的提案有价值,那你就有可能不被邀请。
作者在攻读研究生时曾与同学模拟会议摘要的撰写,虽然这次经历是为了帮助学习如何撰写有效的会议摘要,但结束后作者仍感到困惑。以此为契机,作者意识到不仅自身存在此问题,周围的同行也存在这类问题,并且最重要的是不清楚自己的申请为何没被通过。因此作者希望读者通过本文了解会议摘要,并对如何撰写有效的会议申请摘要有更深地认识。
PRELIMINARY CONSIDERATIONS
初步考虑
In this section, I outline important first steps for preparing to write a conference abstract: deciding what to present and understanding the proposal requirements.
在这一节中,我概述了准备编写会议摘要的第一步:决定提交什么内容,并理解提案要求。
Deciding what to present
决定要呈现什么
You might have already written a paper or have prepared a presentation that you would like to give at a conference. In this case, you would look for a suitable conference for your presentation—a conference that fits the topic and type of presentation you have prepared. Alternatively, you might first learn about a certain conference where you would like to present and then prepare your presentation. In this case, you might not even decide what you want to present until you know what the conference theme is.
你可能已写好一篇论文,或者准备好一个希望在会议上做的发言。在此情况下,你需要寻找一个适合你发言主题和类型的会议。或者你也可以先了解你想要发言的某个会议,然后再准备发言内容。
Understanding the proposal requirements
了解提案要求
The first step is to look for the Call for Papers. The Call for Papersis an announcement for an upcoming conference that is soliciting speakers.The Call for Paperswill announce the conference and explain how to submit a proposal. Read the Call for Paperscarefully, and follow the guidelines for submission. Falling outside the stated boundaries—no matter how interesting or relevant your proposal—could be grounds for dismissal
第一步是了解征稿启事。征稿启事是为即将召开的会议征集发言者的通知。征稿启事会说明如何提交提案。所以请仔细阅读征稿启事,并按照提交要求来做。无论你的提议多么有趣或关联度多么高,只要超出规定的范围就通过不了。
【注意】大多数会议要求提供两个摘要:一个长摘要和一个短摘要。长摘要是提交给委员会进行审查所需;短摘要则是用于会议手册(如果提议被接受),以便参会者决定是否听你的演讲。
In this article, I refer to the longer abstract, used for vetting, as the conference abstract and the shorter abstract, included in the conference program, as the abstract summary.
在本文中,用于审核的长摘要被称为会议摘要,用于会议手册中的较短摘要称为摘要概述。
Table 1 lists additional important guidelines for preparing a conference abstract.
表1罗列出了撰写会议摘要的其他重要准则。
表1从以下几个方面进行了说明:
1. 时间分配:此项是为了保证发言内容会在规定时间内完成,超时的话也无法通过申请。
2. 观众:此项是为了确保你发言的受众不偏离主题。
3. 各关键点的字数要求:会议摘要一般不超过300字,摘要概述约50字,标题一般不超过12字;但各次会议的要求各不相同。
4. 深度思考:在不超过字数限制的情况下,尽量要写得接近所限制的字数。研究表明较长的会议摘要与较短的会议摘相比具有更完善的内容、更大的信息量。
5. 其他要求:大多数会议通常需要个人简介(通常不超过50个字)。另外,部分会议也会要求在会议摘要和摘要概述中添加关键字。
6. 循环提案书:请注意,部分征稿启事会注明所提交的摘要不能再次提交给其他会议。
CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION OF ABSTRACTS
摘要评价标准
Before starting to draft your conference abstract, it is important to have an idea about the factors that might help an abstract succeed or cause it to fail. Check the Call for Papers or proposal guidelines for information on how your proposal will be evaluated.
在开始起草会议摘要前,了解可能有助于摘要提交成功或导致摘要提交失败的因素是非常重要的。查阅征稿启事或提交指南,了解你的提案将如何被评估。
THE PARTS OF A CONFERENCE ABSTRACT
会议摘要
This section explains the parts of the conference abstract.
本节将分析会议摘要中的各个部分。
What is a move?
什么是动作?
Conference abstracts feature certain rhetorical moves. A rhetorical move is basically a functional unit that serves a specific communicative purpose. There is no specific length for a move.
会议摘要具有一定的修辞动作。修辞动作基本上是为特定交际目的服务的一种功能单位。对于动作来说没有特定字数要求。
BREAKING DOWN THE MOVES: A FRAMEWORK FOR ANALYZING MOVES IN TESOL CONFERENCE ABSTRACTS
分解动作:以分析TESOL会议摘要中动作框架为例
Based on previous genre studies, Halleck and Connor developed a framework of moves they identified as occurring in TESOL conference abstracts. Payant and Hardy slightly adapted Halleck and Connor’s framework by adding two moves: Benefits to Attendees and Benefits to the Field.
基于之前的流派研究,Halleck和Connor开发了TESOL会议摘要中的动作框架。Payant和Hardy对前者的框架进行了微调,增加了两个步骤:对参会证的益处和对该领域的益处。
Table 2 identifies 11 moves and provides a brief description. The purpose of explaining each move is to clearly illustrate the parts of a conference abstract so that you can use them in your own writing.
表2罗列出了11个动作并给出了简要说明。通过解释每一个步骤的目的来清楚说明会议摘要的各个部分,从而帮助你在自己的写作中使用它们。
A conference abstract could possibly follow the sequence in Table 2. In the following descriptions of rhetorical moves, I give credit to several former colleagues for the examples that they generously shared.
会议摘要可以遵循表2中的顺序来写作。接下来在对修辞动作的描述中,作者将结合同事案例和自己创造的案例来进行说明。
Territory
领域
The Territory move establishes the background of your proposed presentation and as such is usually a broad, sweeping statement.
领域动作为你的提议确定了陈述背景,通常是广泛且全面的陈述。
【示例】
Reporting Previous Research (RPR)
汇报前的研究
The Reporting Previous Research (RPR)move indicates previous research related to the topic.
在汇报前的研究(RPR)动作是指预进行与主题相关的研究。RPR通常在领域动作后。
【示例】
Several researchers indicate that the use of citations is an important way to display insider status and to show how the current study or activity fits into the broader research context. The TESOL conference rubric specifically mentions citations or terminology related to the field for a high rating under its theory, practice or research basis criteria.
部分研究者认为,引用是表明同行现状和当前研究如何适应更广泛研究背景的重要方式。TESOL会议评估准则特别提到了在其理论、实践或研究基准下与该领域相关高水准的引用或术语。
Gap
信息差
The Gap indicates that something related to the Territory, or to the Territoryand RPR, is missing problematic. The Gap is the heartbeat of your presentation; it is, after all, the motivation behind your proposed study and presentation.
信息差是指与该领域或与该领域及RPR相关的信息漏洞。信息差是你演讲的脉动;毕竟它是你所提议的研究和发言背后的动机。
【示例】
Goal
目标
The Goal states the main aim or purpose of the study or presentation and appeared more frequently “than any other move”.
目标是指研究或发言的主要目的或目的,并比“其他任何动作”出现的频率都要高。
【示例】
Means 1
方法1
Means 1 denotes the actions that lead to the Goal, such as methods, tasks, and procedures.
方法1表示指向目标的操作,例如方法、任务和过程。
【示例】
Means 2
方法2
Means 2refers to the actual methods used in the presentation and was often positioned as the final move. In some cases, Means 2 specifically outlined what would be presented or discussed.
方法2是指在发言中使用的实际方法,通常被作为最后一步。在某些情况下,方法2具体概述了将要提出或讨论的内容。
【示例】
Means 2often made mention of audience participation, a handout, or both.
方法2常常会涉及与观众互动、讲义,或两者兼而有之。
【示例】
Outcomes
结果
The Outcomes move denotes the expected results or findings of the research or other activity; the Outcomes move often starts “either with a description of the results or with their pedagogical implications”.
结果动作是指研究或其他活动的预期结果或发现;通常开始于“对结果的描述或其教学意义”。
【示例】
Benefits
益处
The Benefits move shows how the Outcomes of the proposed activity can be useful in the real world.
益处表明了提议活动的结果如何有效运用到实践中。
【示例】
Importance Claim
重要性声明
The Importance Claim emphasizes the significance of the particular study or presentation.
重要性声明强调特定研究或汇报的重要性。
【示例】
Competence Claim
能力声明
The Competence Claim states why the presenter is qualified to deliver a presentation on the proposed topic.
能力声明说明了为什么发言人有资格就提议的主题进行汇报。
【示例】
Benefits to Attendees
参会者的益处
The Benefits to Attendees move shows what session attendees can expect to take away from the presentation.
参会者的益处说明了参会者希望从演讲中收获什么。
【示例】
FULL CONFERENCE ABSTRACTS
完整会议摘要
Here I present two full conference abstracts in order to illustrate how rhetorical moves might be presented in a conference abstract. Although only two samples are given here, further analysis of conference abstracts would likely reveal numerous variations of moves in successful conference abstracts.
下面将会分享两个完整的会议摘要,用以说明如何在会议摘要中提出修辞动作。虽然仅给出了两个样本,但深入分析会议摘要将会发现成功的会议摘要中不同的动作。
【示例1】
【示例2】
FORMATTING AND STYLE CONSIDERATIONS
格式和样式注意事项
One paragraph or more?
一段还是多段?
Most conference abstracts are written as one block of text, but some are divided into paragraphs.
大多数会议摘要都是作为一个段落所撰写,但有些也会分段。
Title of your conference abstract
会议摘要标题
The title of your conference abstract should clearly reflect your intended presentation and should interest potential conference-goers. While an attention-getting title might help your proposal stand out, do not favor a snappy title at the expense of clarity. Misleading titles can result in disappointed audience members who had different expectations.
会议摘要的标题应该清楚地说明你所准备的发言内容,并引起参会者的兴趣。虽然具有吸引力的标题能有助于你的摘要脱颖而出,但注意不要过于标题党、表意不清。存在误导性的标题会让带着期望来的参会者失望。
CHECKING YOUR CONFERENCE ABSTRACT
检查会议摘要
Give yourself enough time to check and revise your conference abstract. Conference abstracts that are written the night before the submission deadline will likely appear rushed and underdeveloped.
给自己预留足够的时间来检查和修改会议摘要。在提交截止日期前一晚撰写的会议摘要会显得仓促且不充分。
Use the checklist in Table 4 for self-evaluation or peer-evaluation to guide your revision.
使用表4中的清单进行自我评估或同行评估来指导摘要的修订。注意同行修订一定要给审阅者提供征稿启事。
ABSTRACT SUMMARY
摘要概述
Many conference proposals ask for an abstract summary that will be included in the conference program. If you need to submit an abstract summary, remember that the shorter abstract is a separate piece of writing; it is not a repetition of sentences from the abstract used for vetting purposes. Again, the purpose of the abstract summary is to help conference-goers decide whether to attend your presentation. Following are two abstract summaries.
许多会议提案都会要求提供一份能纳入到会议手册的摘要概述。若你需要提交摘要概述,请记住短摘要也是一篇单独的文章;它并不是为了应付审查从会议摘要中摘出的句子。同时摘要概述是用于帮助参会者决定是否观看你的发言。下面将分享两个摘要概述。
【示例1】
【示例2】
CONCLUSION
结论
Because of the elusive nature of the conference abstract, coupled with the fact that it is a high-stakes, promotional genre, writing a conference abstract can be a challenging task. However, it is well worth the effort to master the task because it will enhance your prospects of getting your proposal accepted.
由于会议摘要难以捉摸的性质,再加上它是一种高风险、宣传性的体裁,撰写会议摘要是一项具有挑战性的任务。然而努力掌握它也是很有价值的,因为它将会提高你提案被接受的概率。
I suggest starting by writing a mock conference abstract for a presentation you have done in the past or would like to do in the future. You can then use the checklist provided in Table 4 to self-edit your proposal, get feedback from a peer, or do both. After completing this exercise with one abstract, try another presentation idea.
作者建议先为你过去做过或将来想做的发言模拟写会议摘要,然后使用表4中提供的清单来自我修正摘要、从同行获得反馈,亦或者两者兼而有之。在完成一个摘要的练习后,再尝试另一个。
文章选自:English Teaching Forum 2019, Volume 57, Number 4
原文链接:
https://americanenglish.state.gov/resources/english-teaching-forum-2019-volume-57-number-4