rules for scientific writing
DESCRIPTION
Writing that is simple and direct is most easily understood. It also tends to be the most forceful and memorable. Use no more words than necessary and never use a complicated word if a simpler one will do just as well. Many people seem to feel that writing in a complicated way makes one sound serious, scholarly and authoritative. While this type of writing may sound serious, it is no more authoritative than writing that is simple and direct. Certainly, it is more difficult to understand. Often, it sounds pompous and overbearing.TRANSCRIPT
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In general, the best writing is simple and direct. Writing that is
simple and direct is most easily understood. It also tends to be
the most forceful and memorable. There is certain rules for
scientific writing. Use no more words than necessary and never
use a complicated word if a simpler one will do just as well.
Many people seem to feel that writing in a complicated way
makes one sound serious, scholarly and authoritative. While this
type of writing may sound serious, it is no more authoritative
than writing that is simple and direct. Certainly, it is more
difficult to understand. Often, it sounds pompous and
overbearing. If your purpose is to be understood in a way that is
both forceful and memorable, adopt a style that is simple and
direct.
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1. Interest, inform, and persuade the reader
2. Write for your reader and write clearly
3. Eliminate unnecessary redundancy
4. Avoid digressions
5. Don’t over explain and avoid overstatement
6. Avoid unnecessary qualifiers
7. Use consistent tenses
8. Use the precise word
9. Simpler words are preferred over complex words and use
concrete words and examples
10. Simpler sentences are preferred over more complicated
sentences
11. Use the active voice (except generally in methods)
12. Make sure the subject and verb agree
13. Use affirmative rather than negative constructions
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14. Avoid use of the indefinite “this”
15. Use transitions
16. Cite sources as well as findings
17. Proofread your paper carefully; spell check does not catch
everything; “there” is spelled correctly but not if you
meant “their”
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