[資訊] 哀不哀? 英語作文該不該使用 I 為主詞

[tengharold (RoadMan_A)]

版上不時有人丟文章出來改，熱心版眾修改文法之餘，對文章架構也會提許多建議，但有
個問題讓大家一直爭議不休，就是作文裡到底該不該出現 I 這個主詞?

(先總結：我個人認為主詞 I 絕對有它的必要)

我很快掃瞄一下 Google 前 3-5 項針對 I 的作文建議文章，再加上我個人非科學且不權
威的意見，提供以下建議：


何時該 I?

1) (對英文初、中階學習者很重要) 寫不好沒有 I 的句子時
多數以我為主詞的句子，如果不用 I，都會寫成被動，或將句子做大更動。你如果不習慣
被動，或是沒有那個把英文句子做乾坤大挪移的自信，那你請乖乖用 I。用 I 寫出正確
句子比不用 I 而寫出錯誤的句子好太多了。

I ate that apple => the apple was eaten by me.

I completed my doctorate under Dr. Chandrasekhar => My doctorate was
completed under Dr. Chandrasekhar.

2) 個人分享時
作者有時會分享他的個人經驗，這時不用 I 有點奇怪。

I was a captain in WW2, and it was bloody from beginning to end.

I spent three weeks travelling in Eastern Europe, and it was so much fun!

3) 建立個人專業/權威時
當你要建立你講話的資格時可以用 I。這包括應徵時的 cover letter，bio 等 (英文
 resume 時常忽略 I 主要是省字，而且 resume 這個獨特的文體也不太接受 I)。

I led the sales team to three consecutive years of 10%+ topline growth.

I won three research awards and co-authered several seminal papers published
in both Science and Nature.

I am the lead ballerina at the Moscow Ballet, and spent my entire life
training in classical dance.

(注意 resume 極少用 I) I was a volunteer at the homeless shelter, and was
awarded "best volunteer of 2013" => volunteer at homeless shelter, awarded
"best volunteer 2013"

4) 釐清不明朗的句子時
有時英文被動句會讓人搞不懂狀況，那乾脆改回 I 主詞算了，條理清晰比賣弄文筆好上
萬倍。

5 papers were written, 3 were co-authored, and 2 edited, all by me => I wrote
five papers, co-authored 3, and edited 2.

5) 釐清你個人的定位
有時你必須先把你自己的定位講清楚，才能開始討論某個話題

As a registered Democrat, I am offended by the corruption scandal that has
gripped this party.

6) 希望與讀者/聽眾建立聯繫時
在寫信或演講稿時 I 與 you 都很常用

I remember well how we used to sit by the river, sip lattes and talk about
the world.

I was born here, I was raised here, and I am now living here; your worries
are my worries, your problems are my problems, and your fears are my fears.
Elect me and I will make sure Washington hear your worries, solve your
problems, and calm your fears.



那何時不該 I 呢?

1) 學術文章盡量少用 I，因為學術文章一般是用來陳述事實及研究結果等，多 I 是畫蛇
添足。但應參閱「何時該 I」之2、3、5項。
My analysis suggests... => the analysis suggests...

from the data, I have established a clear correlation... => a clear
correlation can be established from the data...

但是
I observed an inexplicable shadow in the image, and this piqued my interest
in the field (何時該I之2)

As an oncologist with 20 years of experience, I was discouraged by the lack
of systematic analysis on the efficacy of chemotherapy (何時該I之3、5)


2) 你算哪根蔥 - 沒人要聽你的意見時 (用 I 反而會弱化你的論點)
除非人家刻意徵求你的意見 (what is your opinion on...)，你的職責就是提供意見的
顧問 (律師、法官、醫師等)，你的文章表述的完全是你的個人意見 (如讀者投書、社論
等) 等狀況，一般應避免使用 I think, I believe, in my opinion 等詞，因為這會弱
化你的論點。
In my opinion, the company should immediately expand into Eastern Europe =>
Sales data and research both suggest that the company should immediately
expand into Eastern Europe.

I believe the police acted brutally and violated the protesters'
constitutional rights; eyewitnesses saw... => The police acted brutally and
violated the protesters' constitutional rights; several eyewitness accounts...

(例外: It is the court's opinion that in this case the police acted brutally
and violated the protesters' constitutional rights = 本庭認為...)

Q: What is your opinion on the situation in the Crimea? A: I think Russia is
orchestrating referendums in the region.


3) (先前講過) Resume 幾乎沒有 I，因為要省字，而且 resume 文體也不太接受 I。

以上僅為一般守則，供大家參考，請多加補充~

--
'Cause it's a bittersweet symphony, this life
Trying to make ends meet, You're a slave to money then you die
        -Bittersweet Symphony, The Verve


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推 pigsosmall:大好文推！！正為此苦惱
推 vicario837:我也推這篇 不過被動式不一定非得寫by me啦 而主動時
→ vicario837:如果是發表研究成果會用we 畢竟不會是一人實驗室
→ vicario837:我個人在寫personal statement時 個人重要經歷時會用
→ vicario837:I的主動 如我受到什麼訓練 我有什麼專長 我是什麼的
→ vicario837:發現者等 但提到研究成果則是主被動參雜寫 也比較有變
→ vicario837:化 大部份用被動 然後部份用We當主詞講研究成果
→ tengharold:對呀，近年來academic writing越來越常用 I, we 等主詞
→ tengharold:我個人認為完全被動型態的 paper 有點落伍 XDDD