Style and flow in Scientific Writing

Considerations in Academic Writing

Scientific writing must take into account the following considerations:

• Who is the audience or the reader to whom this is addressed?

• What style of wring is most appropriate?

• How can this be written to flow most smoothly through the topics to be included?

• What is the purpose of writing this?

• How can this writing be best organized to accomplish that purpose?

• How can it be best presented?

• Thermal systems is a very broad field involving many separate fields of

engineering.

• Thermal systems is an interdisciplinary field which involves the traditional

disciplines of thermodynamics.

• Extractives are substances in wood that can be removed by certain solvents

without affecting wood structure.

• Extractives are substances in wood, not an integral part of the cellular

structure, that can be removed by solution in hot or cold water, ether, benzene,

or other solvents that do not react chemically with wood components.

• Those descriptions are written for two quite different audiences who have

different reasons for reading what you have written. In each case the audience

for the first is reading for general information, while the audience for the

second is reading for scientific or technical information.

1. Audience - For whom were these written?

• If the audience knows more than the author, as in thesis defense, for example, the purpose is to demonstrate a logical approach to the work and a thorough understanding of your analysis and conclusions.

• If the audience knows less than the author, the purpose may be instructional and to display familiarity and expertise in the subject area and ability at scientific presentation.

2. Purpose

3. Style• Academic writers need to use a style

appropriate for the subject and the audience. That usually involves a vocabulary shift to a more formal use of words. This usually means choosing the more formal verb, noun, or other part of speech, and doing it consistently.

Researchers looked at the way strain builds up around a fault.

Researchers observed the way strain accumulates around a fault.

4. Verb UseScientific writing is clearer and better understood when the appropriate

verb is used in place of an expression of two or three words or more

that might be common in conversation or informal writing. You

should be careful to select verbs that denote the exact meaning.

1. The implementation of computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM)

has resulted in some serious problems.

2. The implementation of computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM)

has generated some serious problems.

3. Plans are being made to come up with a database containing

detailed environmental information for the region.

4. Plans are being made to develop a database containing detailed

environmental information for the region.

Exercise 1

Substitute a single verb for the words in italics below:

• Proposals to construct new nuclear

reactors have met with great resistance

from environmentalists.

• Subtle changes in the earth’s crust were

picked up by these new instruments.

• The process should be done over until the

desired results are achieved.

Exercise 2

Which is more suitable?

1. The government has made good/considerable

progress in solving environmental problems.

2. We got/obtained encouraging results.

3. The results of lots of/numerous different

projects have been pretty good/encouraging.

1. The analysis didn’t yield any new results.

2. The analysis yielded no results.

3. The problem doesn’t have many viable solutions.

4. The problem has few viable solutions.

Avoid contractions

Limit the use of “run on” expressions

1. These semiconductors can be used in robots,

CD players, etc.

2. These semiconductors can be used in robots,

CD players, and so forth.

3. These semiconductors can be used in robots,

CD players, and other electronic devices.

Avoid addressing the reader as “you”1. You can see the results in Table 1.

2. The result can be seen in Table 1.

3. Table 1 presents the results.

Limit the use of direct questions1. What can be done to lower costs?

2. We now need to consider what can be done to lower costs.

3. We now need to consider how costs may be lowered.

Place adverbs with the verb

1. Then the solution can be discarded.

2. The solution can then be discarded.

3. The blood is withdrawn slowly.

4. The blood is slowly withdrawn.

Reduce informality

1. If you fail the exam, you can’t enter the university.

2. If you fail the exam, you cannot enter the university.

3. You clearly can see the difference between the

treated and untreated specimens.

4. The difference between the treated and untreated

specimens can be clearly seen.

5. FlowFlow relates to the way in which the writer moves

from one statement to the next to establish a clear connection of ideas.

The following two sentences are clearly related:

• Lasers have found widespread application in medicine. Lasers

play an important role in the treatment of eye disease.

They could be smoothly linked as:

• Lasers have found widespread application in medicine. For

example, they play an important role in the treatment of eye

disease.

Linking words and phrases

addition, furthermore, in addition

• The strength of the specimens was reduced by

heating. Furthermore, the color was markedly

darkened. In addition, they were warped.

• The specimen material was stored at 1C. In

addition, it was kept in a sealed chamber to

prevent contamination.

Cause and effect

because, since, therefore, as a result,consequently, due to, because of

• Aluminum alloy parts are typically one-third to one-

half the weight of those made with steel. As a result,

cars with all aluminum parts use approximately 50%

less fuel than those with steel components.

• The engine became very hot. Consequently, it was

necessary to turn it off.

Exercise 3

Supply linking words or phrases for the following:

• The students were late arriving in class. They

were much distracted by the noise outside the

building. They missed part of the lecture. They

did not pay attention to the teacher. Their exam

scores were quite low.