nine errors that cause esl research papers to be rejected

NineNine Errors that Cause Errors that Cause ESL Research Papers to ESL Research Papers to

be Rejectedbe Rejected

Dr. Steve WallaceDr. Steve Wallace

IntroductionIntroduction

• Taught PhD students technical writing Taught PhD students technical writing at NTU, NCTU, NTHU and ITRI in at NTU, NCTU, NTHU and ITRI in TaiwanTaiwan

• Written 13 textbooks used in 28 Written 13 textbooks used in 28 universities, including: universities, including:

• Worked with 86 Colleges, Universities Worked with 86 Colleges, Universities and Research Institutes and Research Institutes

• Collected reviewers and editors Collected reviewers and editors comments from rejected paperscomments from rejected papers

The Publication The Publication ChallengeChallenge

• Consider the following statistic:Consider the following statistic:

•““The chance that a typical The chance that a typical paper of average quality will paper of average quality will get a favorable get a favorable recommendation from both recommendation from both referees is about 11% (= referees is about 11% (= 1/9).”1/9).”

• - 1993 - 1993 APS OBSERVERAPS OBSERVER newsletter, a publication of the American Psychological Society. newsletter, a publication of the American Psychological Society.

What Causes Rejection of ESL What Causes Rejection of ESL Papers?Papers?

• ““The little things” The little things”

• Editor, Journal of Retailing. Editor, Journal of Retailing.

• ““Maybe there are some good ideas in Maybe there are some good ideas in the paper, but after a couple pages the paper, but after a couple pages with mistakes, I think the paper is with mistakes, I think the paper is too high risk.” too high risk.”

Reasons for major revision or rejection of Taiwanese journal papers

4%

9%

7%

8%

13%

2%

16%

English Errors 27%

7% 7%

Faulty methodology

Inadequate references

Poor quality supporting figures

Outside the scope of journal

Not enough contribution to field

Authors did not follow manuscript instructions

Poor writing style and use of English

Title not representative of study

Subject of little novel interest or not generally applicable

Poorly written discussion

Writing Errors that Cause Revision and Rejection

17%

13%

16%

13%

7%

4%

4%

11%

15%Redundancy

Verb Tense

Passive Voice Errors

Weak Verbs

Verb Agreement

Omitting comparisons

Clear Pronouns

"It" and "There"

Noun Verb issues

Passive Voice ErrorsPassive Voice Errors

• ““Generally, I think you could Generally, I think you could improve the whole paper by improve the whole paper by using more active voice using more active voice sentences. It will improve the sentences. It will improve the flow and allow the reader to flow and allow the reader to follow your meaning.”follow your meaning.”1st Reviewer, Journal of Hydrology 1st Reviewer, Journal of Hydrology

IEEE GuidelinesIEEE Guidelines

• ““If you wish, you may write in the first If you wish, you may write in the first person singular or plural and use the person singular or plural and use the active voice. Remember to check active voice. Remember to check spelling. If your native language is not spelling. If your native language is not English, please get a native English-English, please get a native English-speaking colleague to proofread your speaking colleague to proofread your paper. paper.

• Template for Preparation of Papers for IEEE Sponsored Conferences & Template for Preparation of Papers for IEEE Sponsored Conferences & SymposiaSymposiaFrank Anderson, Sam B. Niles, Jr., and Theodore C. Donald, Frank Anderson, Sam B. Niles, Jr., and Theodore C. Donald, Member, IEEEMember, IEEE

IEEE Software Author IEEE Software Author Guidelines Guidelines

• ““Use active instead of passive voice Use active instead of passive voice and straightforward declarative and straightforward declarative sentences.” sentences.”

• http://www.computer.org/portal/web/peerreviewmagazines/acsoftwarehttp://www.computer.org/portal/web/peerreviewmagazines/acsoftware

AMA Manual of StyleAMA Manual of Style recommends that:recommends that:

• ““In general, authors should use the In general, authors should use the active voice, except in instances in active voice, except in instances in which the author is unknown or the which the author is unknown or the interest focuses on what is acted interest focuses on what is acted upon.“upon.“

• AMA Manual of Style: A Guide for Authors and Editors.AMA Manual of Style: A Guide for Authors and Editors. 10th ed. New York, NY: Oxford 10th ed. New York, NY: Oxford

University Press; 2007.University Press; 2007.

The Journal of Trauma and The Journal of Trauma and Dissociation:Dissociation:

""Use the active voice whenever Use the active voice whenever possible: We will ask authors that possible: We will ask authors that rely heavily on use of the passive rely heavily on use of the passive voice to re-write manuscripts in voice to re-write manuscripts in the active voice.“the active voice.“

Guidelines for authors. International Society for the Study of Trauma Web site: Guidelines for authors. International Society for the Study of Trauma Web site: The The Journal of Trauma & Dissociation.Journal of Trauma & Dissociation. http://www.isst-d.org/jtd/journal-trauma- http://www.isst-d.org/jtd/journal-trauma-dissociation-info-for-authors.htm. Accessed March 5, 2009. dissociation-info-for-authors.htm. Accessed March 5, 2009.

OphthalmologyOphthalmology

• "Active voice is much preferred to passive "Active voice is much preferred to passive voice, which should be used voice, which should be used sparingly....Passive voice...does sparingly....Passive voice...does notnot relieve relieve the author of direct responsibility for the author of direct responsibility for observations, opinions, or conclusions observations, opinions, or conclusions (e.g., 'The problem of blood flow was (e.g., 'The problem of blood flow was investigated...' vs. 'We investigated the investigated...' vs. 'We investigated the problem of blood flow...').“problem of blood flow...').“

• Guide for authors. Elsevier Web site: Guide for authors. Elsevier Web site: Ophthalmology: Journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology: Journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.Ophthalmology. http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/620418/ http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/620418/authorinstructions. Accessed March 5, 2009. authorinstructions. Accessed March 5, 2009.

The Journal of The Journal of NeuroscienceNeuroscience• "Overuse of the passive voice is a common "Overuse of the passive voice is a common

problem in writing. Although the passive problem in writing. Although the passive has its place—for example, in the Methods has its place—for example, in the Methods section—in many instances it makes the section—in many instances it makes the manuscript dull by failing to identify the manuscript dull by failing to identify the author's role in the research....Use direct, author's role in the research....Use direct, active-voice sentences.“active-voice sentences.“

• Westbrook G, Cooper L. Writing tips: Techniques for clear scientific writing and editing. The Society Westbrook G, Cooper L. Writing tips: Techniques for clear scientific writing and editing. The Society for Neuroscience Web site:for Neuroscience Web site:The Journal of NeuroscienceThe Journal of Neuroscience. http://www.jneurosci.org. Accessed March 5, . http://www.jneurosci.org. Accessed March 5, 2009. 2009.

British Medical JournalBritish Medical Journal

• "Please write in a clear, direct, and "Please write in a clear, direct, and active style....Write in the active active style....Write in the active [voice] and use the first person [voice] and use the first person where necessary.“where necessary.“

• The essentials of BMJ style. BMJ Publishing Group Web site: The essentials of BMJ style. BMJ Publishing Group Web site: British Medical Journal.British Medical Journal.

http://resources.bmj.com/bmj/authors/bmj-house-style. Accessed March 5, 2009.http://resources.bmj.com/bmj/authors/bmj-house-style. Accessed March 5, 2009.

The The Publication Manual of the American Publication Manual of the American Psychological AssociationPsychological Association (APA) has similar (APA) has similar advice:advice:

• "Prefer the active voice....The "Prefer the active voice....The passive voice is acceptable in passive voice is acceptable in expository writing and when you expository writing and when you want to focus on the object or want to focus on the object or recipient of the action rather than on recipient of the action rather than on the actor.“the actor.“

• American Psychological Association. (2001). American Psychological Association. (2001). Publication Manual of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological AssociationAmerican Psychological Association (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author. (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.

ScienceScience

• "Use active voice when suitable, "Use active voice when suitable, particularly when necessary for particularly when necessary for correct syntax.”correct syntax.”

• http://www.sciencemag.org/about/authors/prep/res/style.dtl. Accessed March 4, 2009. http://www.sciencemag.org/about/authors/prep/res/style.dtl. Accessed March 4, 2009.

Behavioral EcologyBehavioral Ecology

• ““Active voice is preferable to Active voice is preferable to the impersonal passive the impersonal passive voice.“voice.“

• Instructions to authors. Oxford Journals Web site: Instructions to authors. Oxford Journals Web site: Behavioral Ecology.Behavioral Ecology. http://www.oxfordjournals.org/our_journals/beheco/for_authors/general.html. Accessed March 5, http://www.oxfordjournals.org/our_journals/beheco/for_authors/general.html. Accessed March 5,

2009.2009.

NatureNature

• "Nature journals like authors to write "Nature journals like authors to write in the active voice as experience has in the active voice as experience has shown that readers find concepts and shown that readers find concepts and results to be conveyed more clearly results to be conveyed more clearly if written directly.“if written directly.“

How to write a paper: writing for a Nature journal. Nature Publishing Group Web How to write a paper: writing for a Nature journal. Nature Publishing Group Web site: site: Nature.Nature.

http://www.nature.com/authors/author_services/how_write.html..

Accessed March 4, 2009.Accessed March 4, 2009.

http://www.nature.com/authors/author_services/how_write.html

Cautions about the active Cautions about the active voicevoice• When can we use the passive voice? When can we use the passive voice?

• In Methods sections, In Methods sections,

• When we don’t know who completed When we don’t know who completed the actionthe action

• When we don’t careWhen we don’t care

• Don’t use the personal pronoun (I, we) Don’t use the personal pronoun (I, we)

• Use Research, Study, PaperUse Research, Study, Paper

HHow would you change ow would you change this sentence?this sentence?

Identification of Identification of poor food, bad housing, poor food, bad housing, inadequate hygiene and large families as inadequate hygiene and large families as the major causes of poverty the major causes of poverty was made was made byby Jones (2005). Jones (2005).

• Jones (2005) Jones (2005) identifiedidentified poor food, poor food, bad housing, inadequate hygiene bad housing, inadequate hygiene and large families as the major and large families as the major causes of poverty.causes of poverty.


Consideration of whether countries Consideration of whether countries work well on cross-border issues such work well on cross-border issues such as immigration is undertaken by Raul as immigration is undertaken by Raul (2007)(2007). .

• Raul (2007) Raul (2007) consideredconsidered whether whether countries work well on cross-countries work well on cross-border issues such as immigration.border issues such as immigration.


• Modification of the model was made bModification of the model was made by Johnsony Johnson (2007) to reduce Color Breaku (2007) to reduce Color Breakup (CBU). p (CBU).

• JohnsonJohnson (2007) (2007) modified the modelmodified the model t to reduce Color Breakup (CBU). o reduce Color Breakup (CBU).

Noun to verb change Noun to verb change correctionscorrections

• ““It seems that many of your errors It seems that many of your errors come from your using nouns come from your using nouns instead of verbs. This makes your instead of verbs. This makes your sentences longer because you sentences longer because you need additional “meaningless” need additional “meaningless” verbs to complete them.”verbs to complete them.” Associate Associate Editor, Journal of Retailing Editor, Journal of Retailing


Improvement of the system is Improvement of the system is achieved by variation of the control achieved by variation of the control frequencies .frequencies .

• Varying the control frequencies Varying the control frequencies improves the system.improves the system.


Enumeration of Enumeration of three reasons why the three reasons why the English language has become so English language has become so important important was made bywas made by Thompson Thompson (2006). (2006).

• Thompson (2006) Thompson (2006) enumerated enumerated three three reasons why the English language reasons why the English language has becomehas become so important. so important.


A slight increase occurred in the A slight increase occurred in the performance rate. performance rate.

• The performance rate slightly The performance rate slightly increased.increased.


Discussion of Discussion of the challenges and the challenges and strategies for strategies for facilitation facilitation andand promotionpromotion of ERP is performed of ERP is performed byby Smith (2007). Smith (2007).

• Smith (2007) Smith (2007) discusseddiscussed the the challenges and strategies for challenges and strategies for facilitating and promotingfacilitating and promoting ERP. ERP.

Creating strong verbsCreating strong verbs

• ““Another suggestion for your paper Another suggestion for your paper is to find a native editor to help you is to find a native editor to help you with your verb use. Strong verbs with your verb use. Strong verbs move sentences. Helping verbs move sentences. Helping verbs often confuse the reader in your often confuse the reader in your technical descriptions.” technical descriptions.” Reviewer, Reviewer, Journal of Technology Management Journal of Technology Management


Smith (2003) Smith (2003) asked theasked the questionquestion as toas to whether conventional methods provide whether conventional methods provide the best environment for execution. the best environment for execution.

• Smith (2003) Smith (2003) questionedquestioned whether whether conventional methods provide the conventional methods provide the best environment for execution.best environment for execution.


• This article This article made a comparisonmade a comparison ofof seve several scenario modeling sequences in orderal scenario modeling sequences in order to ensure market competitiveness. r to ensure market competitiveness.

• This article This article comparedcompared several scenario several scenario modeling sequences to ensure market cmodeling sequences to ensure market competitiveness.ompetitiveness.


Rao (2008) Rao (2008) made usemade use of of examples of examples of these various techniques as evidence these various techniques as evidence that innovation continues. that innovation continues.

• Rao (2008) Rao (2008) used used examples of these examples of these various techniques as evidence that various techniques as evidence that innovation continues. innovation continues.

Avoid starting sentences Avoid starting sentences with the words, “It” and with the words, “It” and “There.”“There.”

• Your sentences are too long, Your sentences are too long, especially your methods section! especially your methods section! Try cutting them into individual Try cutting them into individual units of complete thought instead of units of complete thought instead of stringing together thoughts without stringing together thoughts without stopping for breath.”stopping for breath.” – Reviewer, – Reviewer, Journal of Water Resource ManagementJournal of Water Resource Management


It is It is vitalvital that quantitative measures that quantitative measures usefully supplement and extend usefully supplement and extend qualitative analysis. qualitative analysis.

• Quantitative measures must Quantitative measures must usefully supplement and extend usefully supplement and extend qualitative analysis.qualitative analysis.


It is necessary that the best method It is necessary that the best method to adopt for this investigation is to to adopt for this investigation is to determined by the committee. determined by the committee.

• The committee must decide the The committee must decide the best method to adopt for this best method to adopt for this investigation.investigation.


It is imperative that scheduling of the It is imperative that scheduling of the work shifts be done by the section work shifts be done by the section supervisor. supervisor.

• The section supervisor must The section supervisor must schedule the work shifts.schedule the work shifts.


It is crucial that assessment of the It is crucial that assessment of the control strategy be performed by the control strategy be performed by the site manager. site manager.

• The site manager must assess The site manager must assess the control strategy.the control strategy.

Use pronouns clearlyUse pronouns clearly (they, (they, which, them, this, it, he, she, which, them, this, it, he, she, etc.)etc.)• ““Line 12 on page 3 of your paper Line 12 on page 3 of your paper

is an example of your ongoing is an example of your ongoing problem using pronouns clearly. problem using pronouns clearly. There are at least 3 different There are at least 3 different nouns “it” could refer to. You nouns “it” could refer to. You must make your pronoun must make your pronoun references clear!”references clear!” -3rd Reviewer, -3rd Reviewer, IEEE Transactions on Advanced IEEE Transactions on Advanced PackagingPackaging


• The study design significantly affected the The study design significantly affected the analysis of X. This indicates that Y can be analysis of X. This indicates that Y can be modified based on C.modified based on C.

• The study design significantly affected the The study design significantly affected the analysis of X. This ( finding, observation, analysis of X. This ( finding, observation, phenomenon) indicates that Y can be phenomenon) indicates that Y can be modified based on C.modified based on C.


• In most previous studies, In most previous studies, theythey do not co do not consider the effect of X on Y.nsider the effect of X on Y.

• Most previous studies do not consider Most previous studies do not consider the effect of X on Y.the effect of X on Y.


In most recent studies, In most recent studies, theythey measure measure X in four different ways X in four different ways

• Most recent studies measure X in Most recent studies measure X in four different ways .four different ways .

Deleting redundancy and Deleting redundancy and extra wordsextra words

• ““The whole paper should be The whole paper should be shorter. I am confident that you shorter. I am confident that you could say everything you need to could say everything you need to in 30% less space.”in 30% less space.” – Reviewer, – Reviewer, IEEE Journal of Engineering IEEE Journal of Engineering ManagementManagement


It may be said that It may be said that there are there are not not fewer than onefewer than one explanation explanation which which could explain could explain this result. this result.

• There are several possible There are several possible explanations for this result.explanations for this result.


The current study was unableThe current study was unable, insofar , insofar as we could determineas we could determine, to analyze , to analyze these variables. these variables.

• The current study was unable to The current study was unable to analyze these variables.analyze these variables.


• It is the systems analyst who makes a dIt is the systems analyst who makes a determination of the question as to whetetermination of the question as to whether the program should be implementeher the program should be implemented. d.

• The systems analyst determines whetheThe systems analyst determines whether to implement the program. r to implement the program.


• It may be said that It may be said that systems systems have the abhave the ability toility to incorporate incorporate types oftypes of equipment equipment iin ordern order that the user that the user is in a positionis in a position to in to interact with the system. teract with the system.

• Systems Systems cancan incorporate equipment so incorporate equipment so that the user that the user cancan interact with the syste interact with the system. m.

Two concerns as a technical Two concerns as a technical writerwriter

• Short Short – If the meaning stays the sameIf the meaning stays the same

• ClearClear– English has shades of meaningEnglish has shades of meaning– ThesaurusThesaurus

Examples of redundant Examples of redundant phrases that can be phrases that can be

simplifiedsimplified

SSpecific examples of pecific examples of redundancyredundancy

• the question as tothe question as to

• whetherwhether

What would be a better What would be a better substitute word?substitute word?

• serves the function ofserves the function of

• is is

What would be a What would be a better substitute better substitute word?word?

• reach a conclusion reach a conclusion

• concludeconclude


• put an end toput an end to

• end end


• provided thatprovided that

• ifif


• prior toprior to

• before before


• subsequent tosubsequent to

• after after


• in view of the fact thatin view of the fact that

• because, sincebecause, since


• in large measure in large measure

• largelylargely


• is in excess of is in excess of

• exceeds, surpassesexceeds, surpasses


• in casein case

• ifif


• after the conclusion ofafter the conclusion of

• afterafter


• notwithstanding the fact thatnotwithstanding the fact that

• althoughalthough


• manner in which manner in which

• howhow


• make inquiry regarding make inquiry regarding

• ask about, inquire aboutask about, inquire about


• it is possible that it is possible that

• may, might, could, canmay, might, could, can


• is found to beis found to be

• is is


• is capable of is capable of

• cancan


• in this casein this case

• herehere


• in some casesin some cases

• occasionally occasionally


• in no case in no case

• nevernever


• in all cases in all cases

• alwaysalways


• in most casesin most cases

• generally generally


• in many cases in many cases

• often often


• in close proximity toin close proximity to

• nearnear


• in a number ofin a number of

• several, many several, many


• if conditions are such thatif conditions are such that

• if if


• happens to behappens to be

• am/is/are am/is/are


• give indication ofgive indication of

• indicate/suggestindicate/suggest


• give consideration togive consideration to

• considerconsider


• for this reasonfor this reason

• since, becausesince, because


• for the reason thatfor the reason that

• soso


• for the purpose offor the purpose of

• for, tofor, to


• during the time that during the time that

• whilewhile


• due to the fact that due to the fact that

• because, sincebecause, since


• despite the fact that despite the fact that

• althoughalthough


• come to a conclusioncome to a conclusion

• concludeconclude


• by means ofby means of

• byby


• be deficient ofbe deficient of

• lacklack


• at this point in timeat this point in time

• nownow


• at the present timeat the present time

• nownow


• at such time asat such time as

• whenwhen


• ascertain the location ofascertain the location of

• findfind


• a majority ofa majority of

• mostmost

Examples of general words Examples of general words which can be made which can be made

preciseprecise

WWhat is a more hat is a more precise word?precise word?

• agreeagree

• correlate with, correspond to, correlate with, correspond to, concur concur

WWhat is a more precise hat is a more precise word?word?

• carry out carry out

• implement, execute, conduct, implement, execute, conduct, promulgate promulgate


• change change

• vary, evolve, adapt, adjust, vary, evolve, adapt, adjust, conform, transform conform, transform


• consider consider

• evaluate, assess evaluate, assess


• correct/incorrect correct/incorrect

• precise/imprecise, precise/imprecise, accurate/inaccurate, accurate/inaccurate, valid/invalidvalid/invalid


• find find

• obtain, derive, attain, locate, obtain, derive, attain, locate, identifyidentify


• help help

• assist, facilitate, guide, direct, aidassist, facilitate, guide, direct, aid


• importantimportant

• critical, crucial, essential, critical, crucial, essential, pertinent, relevant, significant, pertinent, relevant, significant, vitalvital


• little, few little, few

• slightly, seldom, negligibly slightly, seldom, negligibly


• problem problem

• obstacle, limitation, restriction, obstacle, limitation, restriction, shortcoming, drawback, shortcoming, drawback, phenomenonphenomenon


• way way

• method, means, approach, strategy method, means, approach, strategy


•figure out figure out

• distinguish, differentiate, distinguish, differentiate, discriminate, identifydiscriminate, identify


• suitablesuitable

• appropriate, adequateappropriate, adequate


• triestries

• attempts, aims, aspiresattempts, aims, aspires


• usuallyusually

• normally, typically, generally normally, typically, generally


• veryvery

• highly, rather, quite, extremelyhighly, rather, quite, extremely


• whole whole

• complete, entire, comprehensivecomplete, entire, comprehensive


• make clearmake clear

• elucidate, clarifyelucidate, clarify

Verb tense change within a Verb tense change within a sentencesentence

• ““Your discussion section changes Your discussion section changes verb tense often. Sometimes you verb tense often. Sometimes you change several times within a change several times within a sentence. It makes it difficult to sentence. It makes it difficult to understand what has been done and understand what has been done and what you are still planning to do” what you are still planning to do” – – Reviewer, IEEE Signal Processing LettersReviewer, IEEE Signal Processing Letters


All studies described as using the X All studies described as using the X procedure procedure are includedare included in the in the analysis. analysis.

• All studies described as using the X All studies described as using the X procedure procedure were includedwere included in the in the analysis.analysis.


X X will bewill be synthesized using the same synthesized using the same method that was detailed for Y, using method that was detailed for Y, using CO2 CO2

• X X waswas synthesized using the same synthesized using the same method that was detailed for Y, using method that was detailed for Y, using CO2.CO2.


“Concentrations of these compounds show no dependence on temperature and remained at a stable level…”

•“Concentrations of these compounds showed no dependence on temperature and remained at a stable level…”..

Which tense should you Which tense should you use?use?• Use past tense to describe methods and results• Use present tense to describe facts and the

implications of your findings• Literature review• Use present perfect tense for weak author

citations and general statements about the research

• Use tentative verbs to report suggestions or proposals

• Use modal auxiliaries in the complement to indicate tentative findings

Omitting comparisonsOmitting comparisons

• ““Line 20 of page 2 should read, Line 20 of page 2 should read, ‘The finance department focuses ‘The finance department focuses on profits more than the on profits more than the accounting department does.’”accounting department does.’” - -1st Reviewer, Finance Review1st Reviewer, Finance Review


• The finance department focuses on prThe finance department focuses on profitsofits more than more than the accounting departmthe accounting department. ent.

• The finance department focuses on profThe finance department focuses on profits its more thanmore than the accounting departmen the accounting department t doesdoes..


Country A funds high tech innovation Country A funds high tech innovation more thanmore than Country B. Country B.

• Country A funds high tech innovation Country A funds high tech innovation more thanmore than Country B Country B doesdoes..


• “The leachate fingerprint from the river was compared to the landfill.”

• “The leachate fingerprint from the river was compared with that from the landfill.”


The device formulated in this The device formulated in this experiment has higher luminance.experiment has higher luminance.

• The device formulated in this The device formulated in this experiment has higher luminance experiment has higher luminance than conventional models dothan conventional models do..


“Reactions with NaO-t-Bu were faster”

• “Reactions with NaO-t-Bu were faster than those with LiO-t-Bu”

Subject and verb Subject and verb agreementagreement

• ““Read the submission guidelines! Read the submission guidelines! English should be checked first! English should be checked first! There are many basic errors that There are many basic errors that should have been corrected should have been corrected throughout this paper.” throughout this paper.” Reviewer, Reviewer, IEEE Transactions on Visualization IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphicsand Computer Graphics


This paper This paper seekseek to address the to address the following questions: following questions:

• This paper This paper seeksseeks to address the to address the following questions:following questions:


• The The recent innovations recent innovations in imaging in imaging techniques, MRI in particular, techniques, MRI in particular, has has facilitated facilitated the diagnosis of spine osteomyelitis.the diagnosis of spine osteomyelitis.

• The The recent innovations recent innovations in imaging in imaging techniques, MRI in particular, techniques, MRI in particular, have have facilitated facilitated the diagnosis of spine osteomyelitis.the diagnosis of spine osteomyelitis.


However, there have been no However, there have been no controlled studies which controlled studies which comparescompares differences in X and Y. differences in X and Y.

• However, there have been no However, there have been no controlled studies which controlled studies which comparecompare differences in X and Y. differences in X and Y.


• The ratio The ratio of positive cells per 1000 of positive cells per 1000 cells cells were were defined as the positivity defined as the positivity index.index.

• The ratio The ratio of positive cells per 1000 of positive cells per 1000 cells cells was was defined as the positivity defined as the positivity index.index.

The Nine Taiwanese Writing The Nine Taiwanese Writing ErrorsErrors

(60% of all errors made) (60% of all errors made) • Passive Voice ErrorsPassive Voice Errors• Noun-Verb ErrorsNoun-Verb Errors• ““It” and “There”It” and “There”• Weak VerbsWeak Verbs• Omitting ComparisonsOmitting Comparisons• Verb TenseVerb Tense• Verb AgreementVerb Agreement• RedundancyRedundancy• Clear PronounsClear Pronouns

One more error: Criticizing One more error: Criticizing ReferencesReferences

• ““I think that the author knows his subject betI think that the author knows his subject better than I do. I usually use his references to finter than I do. I usually use his references to find a suitable reviewer” d a suitable reviewer” - Associate Editor, Jour- Associate Editor, Journal of Retailing nal of Retailing

• Don’t emphasize the importance of your papDon’t emphasize the importance of your paper by putting down on other papers. Your referer by putting down on other papers. Your references are probably your reviewers and they arences are probably your reviewers and they are sensitive. When citing other papers avoid usie sensitive. When citing other papers avoid using negative terms.ng negative terms.

Your research area is small.Your research area is small.

• It is very likely that either your reference It is very likely that either your reference or one of his friends will be your revieweor one of his friends will be your reviewer. r.

• Rejected for “Poor English” Rejected for “Poor English”

Examples of offensive citation:Examples of offensive citation:

• "The deficiency of Smith's approach is..." "The deficiency of Smith's approach is..." • "The problems with Smith’s paper are…" "The problems with Smith’s paper are…" • ““A serious weakness with Smith’s argument,A serious weakness with Smith’s argument,

however, is that ......” however, is that ......”• ““The key problem with Smith’s explanation The key problem with Smith’s explanation

is that ......”is that ......”• ““It seems that Smith’s understanding of the It seems that Smith’s understanding of the

X framework is questionable.”X framework is questionable.”

A better citation would be:A better citation would be:

• ““SmithSmith’’s model was effective in X probls model was effective in X problem, however in Y…”em, however in Y…”

• ““The X benefit of SmithThe X benefit of Smith’s ’s approach are approach are not applicable to Y…”not applicable to Y…”

Reviewers’ commentsReviewers’ comments

• ““I don’t think you treated Smith fairly I don’t think you treated Smith fairly in your literature review, his insights in your literature review, his insights deserve more respect.”deserve more respect.”

• ““You forgot to include Smith as a You forgot to include Smith as a reference in your paper. His work is reference in your paper. His work is fundamental to understanding your fundamental to understanding your research.” research.”

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nine errors that cause esl research papers to be rejected

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