General rules and skills in Scientific English writing

nullGeneral rules and skills in Scientific English writingGeneral rules and skills in Scientific English writingLearnt knowledge, own experience and lessonsPrinciples of scientific writingPrinciples of scientific writingDifferent ways of writing – for different purposes One style for a specific purpose but not other 朱自清[欧游杂记] Course at universities mainly literary writing Different from scientific and technical writing What differencesWhat differencesLiterary writing Feeling Emotion Opinion Persuasion Language of extraordinary beauty and complexity, fascinating metaphorsScientific writing Dispassionate Factual recording Language of prosaic words of certain meaning, organized simply into precise phrases, clauses, sentences and paragraphs Scientific writing is not cool-bloodedScientific writing is not cool-bloodedScientists are human beings Scientific writing can be filled (more or less) with feeling, opinion and persuasion Scientific writing is not DULLScientific writing is not DULLA clear sequence of new information can be fascinating Dullness can result when the writers give up the ornaments of literary writing But clarity makes readers enjoy the comprehension and not notice the loss of ornamentsnullFor what science tries to eliminate, good art seeks to provoke – mystery, which if lethal to the one and vital to the other. Scientific writing and science writing Scientific writing and science writing Scientific writing: written by scientists for a special group of scientists Science writing: by (sometimes) scientists and journalists for an audience of nonscientists (or scientists reading outside their own narrow discipline)Basic purpose of scientific writingBasic purpose of scientific writingTo record (archival function of journals) To inform peers To educate students (the next generation of scientists)What are the factual problems against the three basic principlesWhat are the factual problems against the three basic principlesAuthors ignored the archival function Ignored the educational function Tried to sound “scholarly” Style of scientific writingStyle of scientific writingIt is not only the writing style But also the basic organization of a scientific paper The editorial style The topographical style General style in scientific writingGeneral style in scientific writingSimple and clear The aim is not to entertain or paint a pretty picture, but to inform Striving for clarity Examples of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address Total in 267 words of which 196 one-syllable words Look at the old BushGeorge Bush addressing the National Governors’ AssociationGeorge Bush addressing the National Governors’ AssociationWhile the press is here, was there – did the Democratic governors meet, and is there any feeling that we shouldn’t press to try to get something done by March 20th? Do we – is there – can anyone – is there a spokesman on that point? Because what I would like to suggest – not that you’d have to sign every ‘t’ and ‘i’ but that we urge congress to move by that date. And if that date isn’t good, what date? Is there any feeling on that one?The second general style in scientific writingThe second general style in scientific writingOrganization of the paper IMRAD organizationSpecific style in scientific writingSpecific style in scientific writingManuals of organizations Guidelines of journals Thus carefully read “Instructions to authors” – never read it later than your supervisors or the one who read your manuscripts Follow the instructions strictly What are important in Instructions concerning styleWhat are important in Instructions concerning styleHighly specific information that defines the editorial and topographical personality of a journal Basics of how and where to submit Authors neglect these rules will get “Rejection” letter!Spelling and GrammarSpelling and GrammarUse correct grammar and spelling UK or US English? Colour or color? Consistence may help avoid confusing Minor spelling difference does have different meaning: phosphorus and phosphorous? Misspelling often cannot be checked by the computer!Rules in writing numbers (please memorize)Rules in writing numbers (please memorize)Spell out one-digit numbers (one to nine) and use Arabic numbers for all larger: One for the money, two for the show All 13 of us went to the lectureRules in writing numbers (2)Rules in writing numbers (2)Spell out any number that starts a sentence: Thirteen of us went to the lectureRules in writing numbers (3)Rules in writing numbers (3)Use numerals whenever numbers are followed by units of measure: I added 3 ml of distilled water Exception: if “numerals and units” starts a sentence, spell out both numbers and unit Three milliliter of distilled water was added.Rules in writing numbers (4)Rules in writing numbers (4)In a series of numbers, if any of the number is 10 or above, write numerals. I did 4 experiments on Monday, 5 on Tuesday and 11 on Wednesday.How to write dateHow to write dateStandard style: December 29, 2005 In US and Canada: 12/29/05 In Europe: 29/12/05 In China: 05/12/29 Generally accepted style in scientific writing: 29 December 2005 or 29 Dec. 05Topographical styleTopographical styleRead and follow the “Instructions to authors” Read a recent article in the journal to which you are going to submit your manuscript: Headings and subheadings Footnotes allowed? Literature citation style Format of tables and figures (legends) Do not use 宋体或任何中文字体 Left justification The English languageThe English languageEnglish is a wonderful language Inexhaustible ways of expressing a same meaning by playing words: I cannot stand sitting International language (German, French and Japanese journals change to English) Universal in scientific writingResponsible use of EnglishResponsible use of EnglishEnglish is a must for scientist Keep up with the literature or contribute to the literature No longer can you ask somebody to translate manuscript or search the literature Use English simplyUse English simplyShort and simple words Short and straightforward sentences Mother tongue of most scientists is NOT EnglishGrammar of scientific writingGrammar of scientific writingYou have learnt English grammar probably from your primary school time and may have heard of: Do not split infinitive Do not end a sentence with preposition Do not use singular subjects with plural verbs Do not use double negatives Rules all have exceptionsRules all have exceptionsJust forget the above rules In scientific writing the main purpose is clarity Remember “grammar of meaning” or “logical grammar” in scientific writingParallelism in scientific writingParallelism in scientific writingFirst, secondly, at last. – first, second, last Aluminum is light, ductile and has strength. – Aluminum is light, ductile and strong. A, B, C(,) and D structure.Agreement of subjects and verbsAgreement of subjects and verbsShe runs and they run. A series of experiments (was/were) done. A number of experiments (was/were) done. A bunch of grapes (is/are) on the table. A bunch apples (is/are) on the table. Agreement of subjects and verbs 2Agreement of subjects and verbs 2“…3 ml was/were added” When should you say “3 ml were added”? – 3 ml of reagent might be added sequentially, 1 ml at a time and you can say then: 3 ml were added. Agreement of subjects and verbs 3Agreement of subjects and verbs 3Plural in a singular form such as: If this criteria is met, we will have no problems. (criterion) This media takes glucose. (medium) This data is incomplete. (datum) Mycelium – mycelia Fungus – fungi Much more – find and remember Agreement of subjects and verbs 4Agreement of subjects and verbs 4The use of various acids and other reagents often result in marred surfaces.Split of infinitivesSplit of infinitivesI fail completely to understand rigid rules. I fail to understand completely rigid rules. I fail to understand rigid rules completely.Importance of SyntaxImportance of SyntaxI knew a man with a wooden leg named George. I knew a man named George who had a wooden leg.Importance of Syntax 2Importance of Syntax 2He was the leader of a political party that he said could best handle the coming chaos under his leadership. He was the leader of a political party that he said could best handle under his leadership the coming chaos.Importance of Syntax 3Importance of Syntax 3Only I hit him in the eye yesterday. I only hit him in the eye yesterday. I hit only him in the eye yesterday. I hit him in only the eye yesterday. I hit him in the only eye yesterday. I hit him in the eye only yesterday. I hit him in the eye yesterday only.Importance of Syntax 4Importance of Syntax 4Politics are almost as exciting as war, and quite as dangerous. In war you can only be killed once, but in politics many times. – Winston Churchill Better: you can be killed only once.Importance of Syntax 5Importance of Syntax 5Just today we visited my aunt. Today just we visited my aunt. Today we just visited my aunt. Today we visited just my aunt. Today we visited my just aunt. Importance of Syntax 6Importance of Syntax 6While having lunch, the reaction mixture exploded. In analyzing the data statistically, the Salmonella typhimurium infections were indeed rare.Importance of Syntax 7Importance of Syntax 7Difficult parts to bring about syntax problems: participles, dangling or otherwise. Rule to remember: Modifiers should be as close as possible to the words, phrases, or clauses they modify.Importance of Syntax 8Importance of Syntax 8I almost wrote a check for $1,000. I wrote a check for almost $1,000. I went to the town that was 20 miles away on Tuesday.There is/are “problem(s)”There is/are “problem(s)”There is nothing wrong with a sentence beginning with “there” = Nothing is wrong with a sentence beginning with “there”. There are many other sentences that can be improved by avoiding the “There” opening. = Many other sentences can be improved by avoiding the “There” opening. Use of words in scientific writingUse of words in scientific writingLong words mean little things. All big words have little names, such as life and death, peace and war, or dawn, day, night, love and home. Learn to use little words in a big way. It is hard to do. But they say what you mean. When you don’t know what you mean, use big words. They often fool little people.Choose the right wordsChoose the right wordsUnique words, those of certain meaning – always first choice. The choice is between or among several synonymous – choose the short and common one. (mostly the common one is the shortest)The name words (nouns and pronouns)The name words (nouns and pronouns)Definition of noun in scientific writing: a person, place, thing or idea. Proper and common nouns How to distinguish proper and common nounsHow to distinguish proper and common nounsProper nouns Capitalized Singular The Yangtze River The Taihu LakeCommon nouns Not capitalized Either singular or plural River or rivers Lake or lakes Useful tips for writingUseful tips for writingProper nouns Lactobacillus StreptococcusCommon nouns lactobacilli streptococciCollective and mass nounsCollective and mass nounsThe audience is restless. The couple owns a house. The couple do not live together. The committee of scientists were from several scientific disciplines.Collective and mass nouns 2Collective and mass nouns 2A total of 48 Petri dishes were in the autoclave. A total of 48 Petri dishes was in the autoclave. NOTE: apply the rule of meaning (logical grammar) Collective and mass nouns 3Collective and mass nouns 3A number of test tubes is/are on the table. The number of test tubes on the table is/are four.Collective and mass nouns 4Collective and mass nouns 4Amount – an amount of people = poor English Less – less taste Number = a number of people Fewer – fewer calorie Pronouns in scientific writingPronouns in scientific writingThe antecedent of a pronoun must agree with the number of the pronoun. (singular pronoun must have a singular antecedent) Make sure that the antecedents of your pronouns are clear.Pronouns in scientific writing 2Pronouns in scientific writing 2No one yet had examined the structure of the human kidneys. Versalius have examined them only in dogs.It, it’s and itsIt, it’s and itsIts not good science. It’s not good science. A dog knows its master. A dog knows it’s master.It, it’s and its 2It, it’s and its 2It’s alright to give raw milk to your baby, but first boil it. I finished your paper review, it seems not good. Free information about VD. To get it, call555-7000. Rule: it follows as close as possible to its antecedent.