Student having difficulties in writing term paper


　　conversation：term paper of bird migration

　　Listen to a conversation between a student and his Biology professor.

　　S: Dr. Russell, I was hoping to discuss my term paper with you I'm getting a little bit stuck here.

　　P: Of course, so...what do you have so far? What's your topic?

　　S: Well, I wanted to write about bird migration, but I'm having trouble finding enough sources.

　　P: You're having trouble finding sources on bird migration

　　S: No, actually, on the particular aspect of bird migration that I want to write about.

　　The thing is, I wanted to write specifically on early theories of bird migration...describe some of the theories. Like how Aristotle thought that birds changed into different species during the winter. Or how other naturalists thought that bigger birds carried smaller birds to warmer spots for the wintertime. But I've only got a couple of books to work with right now.

　　P: Hm...I have to admit that it's an interesting topic, and you certainly seem excited by it. But remember I told you all to ask yourselves how your topic is going to help you show that you can apply what you've learned this semester. A summary or description is not really what I'm looking for as much as your analysis of a certain topic.

　　S: I guess it's not really what we're supposed to do, huh

　　P: Right. So, how about we think about some other ideas for your paper. I mean you don't need to discard the idea completely... but... take a really different focus. Um... for example...you could present what you think are some reasons-the rationale-behind some of the erroneous theories early naturalists had. But, you'll be supporting your views with current research; those are the sources you'll need to seek out.

　　S: Ok, I think I see what you're saying. So, like today...today we know that lots of small birds migrate at night, but maybe `cause people didn't see them-didn't see the small birds migrating-they only saw bigger birds, like geese migrating during the day. They thought that the big birds were carrying the small ones under their wings.

　　P: There you go! That's exactly what I mean. You're showing that you're thinking about the topic, not just telling me what you read.

　　S: Ok, I also have a really cool example of a migratory bird that I'd like to discuss in my paper. It's the Common Poorwill—I mean it seems that some Ornithologists believe that the Common Poorwill really does hibernate instead of migrating-that it's maybe the only bird that does.

　　P: If I were you, I would stick just with migration research. Remember, this is only a 15-page paper.

　　S: Ok, I see your point.

　　P: But it's great that you're finding this all so interesting. I want you to come back to see me in a week so we can take a look at the new direction in your paper and evaluate the sources you've found in the meantime.


　　Male Student：老师，我想跟你讨论一下我的学期论文。我卡住了，找不到这方面足够的数据。)

　　Female Professor：You can’t find enough sources on bird migration


　　Male Student：I wanted to write on theories early bird migration. 关于Aristotle对于这个题目的看法等等。

　　Female Professor：哦～你确实找到了一个好的题目，但是你要知道我的要求是你们的论文要反映你们这学期学了什么。不要只是做 summary or description，我想要看到你的special analysis。

　　Male Student：我想，总结和描述是不够的。

　　Female Professor：没错，不如我们想想其他的方向。其实你不需要完全放弃discard之前找的数据，你可以换种想法，用rational 的方式。可以写现在的新研究(current research) 如何支持(support)或者驳斥以前的(historically) old theory。

　　Male Student：我想可以写bird migrate at night。以前人们大多只看到大鸟，所以认为小鸟在大鸟的翅膀下迁徙什么的，其实新发现是，因为小鸟在夜间迁徙，人们看不到。

　　(通过说这个topic来验证自己理解了老师的意图change the topic from ancient to recent)

　　Female Professor：对，这正是我说的，你要展示你对这个主题的想法，而不是你读了哪些数据。

　　Male Student：I want to write about the birds that do not migrate. They hibernate during winter.

　　Female Professor：如果我是你，我就不会在一份15页的论文中写这么多。

　　Male Student：我知道妳的意思了。

　　Female Professor：希望你一周内再来找我，看看论文的新的方向(new direction)进行得如何。

　　Male Student：好的，谢谢。