专业英文写作(On
Professional Writings
Using English)
邓治东 (Jyh-tong Teng)
中原大学机械系教授兼
国际事务中心资深顾问
1
大纲 (Outline)
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1.引 言 (Introduction)
2.英文的标点符号 (Punctuations)
3.专业的传统表述 (Mechanical
Conventions)
4.文章的起承转合 (Transitions)
5.专业论文的写作 (Technical Article
Writing)
6.文章的常见错误 (Common Errors)
7.结 论 (Conclusions)
2
1.引 言 (Introduction)




世界约85%之专业出版物系以英语撰写
专业英文系以特定方式撰写
非英语体系作者常因格式与方式不符或
英语欠通顺而被退件
若能突破英语撰写上的障碍要在专业出
版物上发表文章并非难事
3
2.英文的标点符号 (Punctuations)

Summarized from Judith S. Vanalstyne,
Professional and Technical Writing:
Communication in Technology and Science, Sixth
Edition, Prentice-Hall International, Inc., 2004
2-1 Apostrophe (所有格符号)



for the plural of letters, numbers, symbols,
and cited words
Your r’s look like your n’s.
You use too many and’s.
the 2000’s (2000s)
4
2-2 Colon (冒号)

for a formal salutation
Dear Mr. Wang:

Gentlemen:
for introducing a phrase or clause which
explains or reinforces a proceeding
sentence or clause
The position sounds attractive: high
salary, moderate amount of work, and
close to home.
5
for a clause which contains an anticipatory
expression (the following, as follows, thus,
these) and directs attention to a series of
explanatory words, phrases, or clauses.
The requirements for the master degree are
as follows:

1.twenty-four units of class work,
2.a master thesis, and
3.no more than four years of study.
6

for expression ratios, for separating hours
and minutes, and for indicating other
relationships
5:1 signal : noise
A:B 10:20 P.M.
12:50-55 (Vol. 12, pp. 50-55)
7
2-3 Comma (逗点)

for compound and compound-complex
sentence
a. for separating independent clauses
joined by a coordinating conjunction
Nearly everyone has heard of love at first
sight, but I fell in love at first dance.
 b. after an introductory dependent clause
When Peter was ready to write, his pen ran
out of the ink.

8

c. after a conjunctive adverb
introducing a coordinate clause
The system is easy to use; however, we
suggest that you read the directions
carefully.
9
On Coordinate (对等) and
Subordinate (从属) Clauses
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1. Coordinate Clauses
1.a Independent (独立) clause
independent clause.
, but
, for
, nor
, or
, so
, yet
, and
10





1.b Independent clause;
independent clause.
1.c Independent clause; consequently,
independent clause.
; further,
; hence,
; however,
11









;
;
;
;
;
;
;
;
;
indeed,
in fact,
likewise,
moreover,
nevertheless,
rather,
then,
therefore,
thus,
12
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







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2. Subordinate Clauses
After dependent (从属) clause,
independent clause.
Although
As
Because
Before
If
Since
Until
When
While
13


for separating items in a series
These instructions will teach you how
to create, edit, or proofread a file.
Note: The comma is often omitted in
company names:
Jones, Smith and Woods

for separating a series of adjectives or
adverbs not connected by a conjunction
The computer blinked haphazardly,
noisily.
14


in a date to separate the day and year
October 8, 2000
the December 1, 2000, deadline
Note: Do not use a comma in the
military or British form: 8 April 2000


for grouping numbers into units of three in
separating thousands, millions, and so
forth: 7,890 85,386 8,476,235
for the salutation of an informal letter or
the complimentary close of most letter:
Dear Joseph,
Sincerely yours,
Cordially,
15

for expressions that introduce direct
quotations
The President said, “We must fight
back the financial blockages set up by
the competing businesses.”
16
2-4 Dash (破折号)

for setting off emphatic and abrupt
parenthetical expressions
The idea of this program – it has been
tested thoroughly – is to simplify
spelling correction.

for marking sharp turns in thought
He was an arrogant man – with little to
be arrogant about.
17
2-5 Ellipsis (three spaced
periods) (省略号)
for indicating any omission in quoted
material
Martin stressed, “The technical writer … must
master punctuation.”
(The words as well as professional writer
have been omitted.)
•for indicating the ellipsis (four periods) at
the end of a sentence
The consultant stressed, “Write carefully ….”
(The words and edit endlessly have been
omitted.)

18
2-6 Parentheses (括号、括号)

for enclosing an abruptly introduced
qualification or definition within a
sentence
You may place your program diskette in
drive A and your storage diskette (the
one with your file on it) in drive B.
for enclosing figures or letters to
enumerate points
To use this program (a) insert your DOS
diskette in drive A, (b) turn on your
computer, (c) type in the date, and (d) press
the Enter key.
19

2-7 Period (句点)
• for an outline (概述、轮廓)
I. Analysis
I.1 Assumptions
I.2 Theoretical Development
I.2.1 Conservation Laws
I.2.2 Constitutive Equations
I.3 Perturbation Method
20
2.8 Question Mark (问号)
at the end for an interrogative
question
Do you own a personal computer?
Note: Do not use one after an indirect
question.
He asked me if I owned a personal
computer.


21
2-9 Quotation Marks (引号)
for setting off direct speech and
material quoted from other sources
Dr. Jack Chen writes, "Before …. Most
doctors,” he points out, “forbade … to
the refrigerators.”

22
2-10 Semicolon (分号)


for used in compound and complex
sentences
for used between coordinate clauses not
connected by a conjunction
The new system will use low-powered
transmitters; it is called cellular radio.

for before a conjunctive adverb including a
coordinate clause
The system is easy to use; however, we
suggest that you read the directions
carefully.
23

for before a coordinating conjunction
introducing a long or loosely related clause
Niobium, which is … an alloy, is a
metallic element that … without losing
strength; and it is widely available ….


in a series for separating elements
containing commas
J. Chen, member of the board; P.
Wang, president; C. Chang, committee
chairperson; and I attended the
conference.
24
3. 专业的传统表述
(Mechanical Conventions)


Summarized from Professional and Technical
Writing Strategies by Judith S. VanAlstyne,
Sixth Edition, Prentice-Hall International, Inc.,
2004
3-1 Abbreviations (简写字)

Explain the first time you use it
He has worked for the Department of
Transportation (DOT) and the Office of
Mental Health (OMH).
25

Omit most internal and terminal
punctuation in abbreviations
BTU (Btu) lb

psi
ft DNA rpm
Use internal and external punctuation if the
abbreviation forms another words
in. A.M. gal. No.

Use uppercase (capital) letters for
acronyms and degree scales
NASA VHF OEM oC
oF
K
R
Use lowercase (small) letters for units of
measure: gph
cc rpm mph bps
26

Write the plural in the same form as the
singular
20 in. 47 lb 5 hr 30 gph 10 cc
3-2 Capitalization (大写字)

Capitalize all proper nouns (专有名词)
Jack Wang Ace Electronic Company
Professor David Chu
National Basketball Association (NBA)
Introduction to Communication
Monday November
a Honda Civic

the Civil War
Capitalize adjectives derived from proper
27
nouns: Elizabethan Victorian Reaganomics

Capitalize words like street, avenue,
corporation, and college when they
accompany a proper name
Powell Street Seventy-Second Street
Ace Company, Inc. Harvard University
Chabot Community College
 Capital north, east, midwest, near east, and
so on when the word denotes a specific
location
the South the Midwest the Near East
105 Northwest Second Street

Capitalize brand names
Kleenex tissues Scotch tape
28
3-3 Hyphenation (连字符)

Use between some compound names for
family relationship
Hyphenated: brother-in-law’s company
One word: my stepfather’s portfolio
Two words: my half brother

Use hyphen in compound numbers from
twenty-one to ninety-nine and in fractions
twenty-five cartons
fifty-eight years
three-fourths of the book
one-tenth meter
29
all-, ex-,
self-, and before the suffix -elect:
• Use hyphen after the prefixes
all-American ex-wife self-contained
president-elect

Use hyphen in some compound nouns
kilowatt-hour foot-pound

Use in compound adjectives when the letter
precedes the word it modifies
alternating-current (ac) motor
closed-circuit television
high-pressure system
easy-to-build model
30

Use between a number and a unit of
measure when they modify a noun
6-inch ruler 12-volt charge
a 3-week-old prescription
3-4 Italics (斜字号)

Use italics (underline in handwritten or
typed material) to indicate the names of
books, newspapers, and other complete
works published separately
the book Introduction to Boxing
the magazine Time
the movie Gone With The Wind
31

Use to indicate the names of ships and planes
the H.M.S. (His or [Her] Majesty’s Ship) Ark
Royal
the U.S.S. (United State Ship) Independence
 Use to indicate words, symbols used as
words, and foreign words which are not in
general English usage
 Note: Do not italicize foreign expressions which
are established as part of the English language,
such as: a priori (既定的) bona fide (真诚的)
ad hoc (特别的) etc. status quo (现状)
per annum (每年的，按年计的)
pro rate (按比例分配)
32
3-5 Numbers (数字)

Write out single digit numbers from zero
through nine when the number modifies a
noun
five disks two printers

Use numerals for zero through nine when the
number modifies a unit of measure, time,
dates, pages, chapters, sections, percentages,
money, proportions, tables, and figures
2 inches 3-second delay 5 gph 2:30 A.M.
9 years old
July 5, 2001 page 5 (p. 5)
pages 5-15 (pp. 5-15) Chapter 7 Section 3
Figure 5 (Fig. 5) Table 3 2 percent $75 1:5
a 5% decrease $0.05 (5 cents) 5 to 3 odds

Use numerals for decimals and fractions
0.5 5.56 2/5 (two fifths) or 0.4
¼ (a quarter) or 0.25
3/32 (three thirty seconds) in.
5 1/2 kg (five and a half kilograms)
 Use numerals for any number greater than
nine
10 psi (pounds per square inch)
85
employees
45 lb 234,567 people
 Write out numbers which are approximations
a half cup of tea three quarters of a mile away
three sevenths of the energy
approximately five times as often
34
Place a hyphen after a number of a unit of
measure when the unit modifies a noun
5-inch handle
7-inch-diameter sphere
20 1/2-kg can 25-gal. capacity
 When many numbers, both smaller than
and greater than nine, are used in the
same section of writing, use numerals


Buy 5 sheets of 8-inch by 11 1/2-inch
paper, 12 sheets of 8-inch by 20-inch
paper, and 5 manila envelopes.
Note: If none of the numbers are
greater than nine, write them all out.
35
• When one number appears immediately after
another as a part of the same phrase, avoid
confusion by writing out the shorter number
nine 50-watt bulbs two 6-inch wrenches
thirteen 20-kilogram packages
twenty-five 3,000-component circuit boards
 Place a comma in numbers in the
thousands
1,500 15,678 234,567
 Write numbers in the millions in one of two
ways
2,500,000 or 2.5 (two and a half) millions
17,000,000 or 17 millions
36
$1,600,000 or $1.6 million

Do not begin a sentence with a numeral
Fifteen inches of rain fell.
15 inches of rain fell. (Wrong!)
3-6 Symbols (符号)



Use symbols sparingly
Define the symbols when they first appear
in an article
use nomenclature (符号表) to collect all
symbols in a table
3-7 Spelling (拼字)
Use a dictionary when in doubt about
the proper and preferred spelling of a
word.
37
4.文章的起承转合 (Transitions)

4-1 For this study, the curved microchannel was
constructed by standard etching processes; the
curved microchannel was etched on a silicon wafer
with a 4-inch diameter and a 550 m thickness.
The processes included SiO2 deposition, photoresist
coating, developing, baking, etc. Subsequently, an
inductively coupled plasma (ICP) process
accounting for the crystal directional characteristics
was used to finish the fabrication of the curved
microchannel structure. (to be continued)
38

To quantify the surface roughness of
the curved microchannel, a profilometer
(made by Mitaka, Model NH-3N) was
used to measure the surface profile of
the curved microchannel. It was
concluded from the measured results
that the peak-valley roughness of the
silicon microchannel was lower than 20
nm. Since the minimum dimension of all
length scales measured in this study
was 40 µm, the effect of the roughness
of the scale of 20 nm (or 0.02 µm) was
deemed to be negligible.
39

4-2 It is observed that, over a range of
channel sizes and flow rates, as seen in Figs.
4 and 5, the numerically simulated results
provide a good prediction of the experimental
data for the six types (see Table 1) of curved
microchannels used in this study, with an
average discrepancy of 8%. Consequently,
for the incompressible and isothermal laminar
flow, and as far as the pressure drop is
concerned, the fluid behavior of curved
microchannels still follows the predicted
values based on classical Navier-Stokes
equations when the Dh value is on the order
of 70 μm or larger. In addition, the results
obtained from the measured pressure drop 40
(continued)

In addition, the results obtained from
the measured pressure drop show that
the geometrical channel aspect ratio
has a significant influence on the
pressure drop, and an increased
channel curvature radius results in
higher pressure loss.
41

4-3 However, it can be seen from Fig. 7 that,
for Types C4 to C6 curved microchannels
which have aspect ratios in the range of 0.2
to 0.1, experimental data and empirically
obtained curves on the relationship between
friction factor and Reynolds number are
shown to have a different pattern, and most
of the experimentally-determined data of
friction factors are above the predicted curves
estimated by Eq. (12). It should be noted
that the smaller the value of the aspect ratio,
the more deviation the configuration from the
square shape.
42
(continued)

Since Eq. (12) was based on data obtained
for a square channel, the friction factors of
curved microchannels with relatively low
values of aspect ratio (0.2 to 0.1) lead to a
relatively large discrepancy between the
experimentally-obtained data in this study
and the predicted values using Eq. (12).
Hence, the comparison implies that the crosssectional shape of the curved microchannel
has a substantial effect on the friction factor
43
for low values of the aspect ratio.

4-4 Another factor which may have an impact
on the friction factors in curved microchannels is
the effects of the electrical double layer (EDL)
near a solid-liquid interface of the rectangular
microchannel, as indicated by Ren et al. [13]
and Ko and Gau [21]. It can be seen from [13]
that EDL plays a minor role for curved
microchannels with a minimum dimension on
the order of 40 µm, which is the lowest
dimension used in this study. In addition, the
Navier-Stokes equations used in this study do
not account for the effects resulting from EDL,
and in this study, the results obtained from
simulations are in good agreement with the
experimentally-obtained data. As a result, the 44
(continued)

As a result, the effects of EDL in this
study are deemed to be minor for the
curved microchannels for the lowest
dimension size of 40 µm or higher.
45

4-5 Moreover, under the condition of the same
aspect ratio, it can also be seen in Fig. 8 that the
predicted curve estimated by Eq. (13) for the
relationship between the friction factor ratio and
De number is in good agreement with those
obtained from the experimental data for the Type
C1 (with an aspect ratio of unity) curved
microchannel in the range where De < 60.
However, discrepancy among friction factor ratios
of experimental data obtained for the Type C1
curved microchannel and the numerical results
suggested by Wang and Liu [25] is observed to
become larger as the De number becomes larger
than 60. This can be explained by the fact that
the Eq. (13) presented by Wang and Liu [25] was46
(continued)

This can be explained by the fact that the Eq.
(13) presented by Wang and Liu [25] was
obtained from a numerical simulation of a
curved microchannel with a curvature ratio of
5×10-6, and the relatively small value of the
curvature ratio of the curved microchannel led
to a moderate increase of the friction factor as a
result of the minimal centrifugal force
presented. Hence, the comparison of the friction
factor ratio between the experimental data for
Type C1 and numerical calculated curve
determined by Eq. (13) shows that, by
increasing the channel curvature radius while 47
(continued)

Hence, the comparison of the friction factor
ratio between the experimental data for Type
C1 and numerical calculated curve
determined by Eq. (13) shows that, by
increasing the channel curvature radius while
keeping the aspect ratio the same, leads to a
mild increase in the Poiseuille number. It
should be noted that the Po number for Type
C1 to C3 varies approximately linearly with an
increasing De number, as shown in Fig. 8.
48

4-6 In addition, as shown in Fig. 10, it is
observed that, for the range of Re numbers (Re
= 10 ~ 450) and the low range of aspect ratio
values ( = 0.1 ~ 0.2) used in this study, the
pressure drops obtained analytically from the
conventional Poiseuille flow theory (that is, Eq.
(8)) for straight channels are in good agreement
with those obtained experimentally for Types C4
to C6 curved microchannels. Furthermore, a
linear relationship between the pressure drop
and the Reynolds number is observed.
49
5.专业论文的写作
(Technical Article Writing)


5-1 Use present tense for discussing
results. (以现在式进行结果讨论)
e.g., Experimental results are reported
for the mass transfer in pipe flow for an
aqueous 4% sodium chloride solution
under Newtonian and non-Newtonian
conditions.
50



5-2 Use past tense for discussing
experiments, test apparatus, data
taking, and observation from the
experiments. (以过去式叙述实验、测试
设备、资料撷取、自实验之观察等事项)
e.g.: (1) The non-Newtonian runs were
carried out with concentrations of 50
and 1000 wppm of Polyox WSR 301.
(2) The pump housing was made of
cast iron and was coated with a
layer of Bitumastic No. 300-M (Koppers
Co.) to protect the surface from the
51
corrosive salt solution.


(3) Measurements were made of the
limiting current associated with the
reduction of dissolved oxygen at the
cathode surface.
(4) It is noted that no variations were
observed during a run except for those
resulting from a slight temperature rise
that was sometimes noted.
52


3. Use present tense for discussing
graphs and charts. (以现在式讨论图与
表所呈现信息)
e.g.: The experimental system
consisted of the recirculating loop, test
section, pump, control valves and
storage tank, which are shown
schematically in Fig. 1.
53


4. Use present tense for discussing
equations and formulas (以现在式讨论
各项方程式).
e.g.: From Faraday’s law and the
definition of the mass-transfer
coefficient we obtain:
h = m/(cb-cw),
(2)
where m is the mass flow rate, cb is the
bulk concentration and cw is the wall
concentration.
54


5. Use present tense for discussing theoretical
analysis (以现在式讨论理论分析).
e.g.: An alternative procedure for the moderate
concentration condition is to use the expansion
method of Tien, Wasan and Wilke [23,25] in
conjunction with the measurements of Clapp
[4,5]. Omitting the details, the results for the
velocity profile near the wall are given by Teng
[26]:
u=y
(10)
and the eddy diffusivity is given by:
e=p+q
(11)
with p = 5 and q = 3.
55


6. Use past tense for discussing
derivation of equations. (以过去式讨论
方程式之推导)
e.g.: Eq. (13) was obtained by
integrating Eq. (12) in conjunction with
Eqs. (8) and (9).
56


7. Use past tense for discussing
calculations. (以过去式讨论论文中之各
项计算)
e.g.: Calculations were also carried out
to determine the mass transfer for the
case of the 1000 wppm concentration
of Polyox WSR 301.
57



8. Use perfect tense for discussing the
conclusion. (以完成式叙述结论)
e.g.: (1) In summary, experimental
results have been reported for mass
transfer in pipe flow.
(2) For the 1000 wppm concentration,
the work of previous investigators has
been modified and there is an indication
of good agreement.
58
Principles of Technical
Article Writing




Rule 1. Use plain rather than elegant or
complex language.
Rule 2. Delete words, sentences, and
phrases that do not add to your
meaning.
Rule 3. Use specific and concrete terms
rather than vague generalities.
Rule 4. Use terms your reader can
picture.
59





Rule 5. Use the past tense to describe
your experimental work.
Rule 6. Make the technical depth of your
writing compatible with the background
of your reader.
Rule 7. Break up your writing into short
sections.
Rule 8. Keep ideas and sentence
structure parallel.
Rule 9. Opt for a formal rather than an
informal style.
60
6.文章的常见错误 (Common
Errors)



6. Improvement in English is needed,
and the authors should read the
manuscript thoroughly and carefully to
enhance the readability of it. Some of
the revisions are as follows:
Line 4 on p. 2: etc.. → etc.
Line 57 on p. 3: we should to balance
→ we should balance
61





Line 4 on p. 4: more details → for more
details
Line 18 on p. 4: following properties →
the following properties
Line 24 on p. 6: one use → one uses
Line 6 on p. 7: get following modified
scheme → get the following modified
scheme
Line 46 on p.8: is agree with → is in
agreement with
62



Lines 43-45 on p. 9: throughout
following subsections → throughout the
following subsections
Line 45 on p. 9: is locate at → is
located at
Unless the above comments are
addressed, the paper in its present form
is not recommended to be published.
63
以英语撰写文章须注意事项



1.拼字精进(一般字、专有名词)
2.用词精进
3.文法精进(标点符号、惯用法、主词受词
一致性、句子完整性、冠词、其它文法)
64
7.结 论 (Conclusions)



撰写专业英文者必须了解撰写該類文章
之特定撰写方式，否则作者常因格式与
方式不符或英语欠通顺而被退件
要能突破英语撰写上的障碍则在专业出
版物上发表文章并非难事
一位来自越南的博班生，于了解撰写专
业英语文章之特定方式，在近三年内发
表21篇学术论文；而硕班陆生于半年内
即发表1篇顶级学术论文
65
多谢聆听，并请指教。
66
67