我以美國社會學者Douglas V. Porpora的The Concept of Social Structure（1987）的導論第一二段為例，針對其英文做深入的分析與延伸討論。光是這兩段，已經有很多值得學習或模仿的寫作方式。
第一段：
This work is concerned with the concept of social structure and the relationship between social structure and the individual actor. In particular, the first half of the book is concerned with the Durkheimian conception of social structure, which is (arguably) the dominant way in which social structure is conceptualized by sociologists. The second half of the book attempts to develop an alternative conception of social structure based on a reading of Marx.
（一）用語解析
1. This work is concerned with ... 是學術寫作常見的開場句型。Be concerned with可用以下動詞代換：examine、investigate、address、explore。
2. the relationship between X and Y：標準的學術用語，用於討論兩個概念的關係。可依自己討論的問題，視需求代換以下用語：the connection/interplay/interaction between X and Y。
如果要表達X與Y之間的關係很複雜，可寫成如：complex/nuanced/multifaceted/intricate relationship。
3. In particular的作用是引入更具體的說明，是學術寫作重要的「過渡詞」（transition words）。類似的表達方式：specifically、more precisely、to be more specific。
4. 關於過渡詞，可參考這篇的解說。
5. arguably 這個用語也很實用，可用來表達作者謹慎或保留的態度，承認這個觀點可能有爭議，英文叫做「避險」（hedging）。類似功能的用語如：presumably（據推測）、ostensibly（表面上，強烈暗示實際情況不同）、supposedly（據說、應該是，帶懷疑）、purportedly（據稱、據傳，對真實性存疑）。
簡單例句：Jürgen Habermas is arguably the most influential theorist of deliberative democracy.
複雜例句：Social media use may arguably contribute to increased rates of depression among teenagers, though the causal relationship remains complex and multifaceted.
6. based on a reading of Marx也可以寫成：on the basis of/grounded in/informed by a reading of Marx。
（二）文法解析
1. … the Durkheimian conception of social structure, which is (arguably) the dominant way in which social structure is conceptualized by sociologists
說明：“…social structure, which is…”這裡使用了「非限定」的形容詞子句，所以用逗點隔開。使用時機：用來「補充說明」前面的名詞，但「不會」改變或限定這個名詞的基本身份。
