Scientific Writing and Communication, 2e Angelika H. Hofmann Copyright © 2014 by Oxford University Press

Chapter 2

Individual Words

Scientific Writing and Communication, 2e Angelika H. Hofmann Copyright © 2014 by Oxford University Press

Readers and Writers

Fire!

Readers:Readers do not simply read—they interpret

Scientific Writing and Communication, 2e Angelika H. Hofmann Copyright © 2014 by Oxford University Press

Readers and Writers

Readers:

Readers do not simply read—they interpret

Writers:

To aim for the highest possible impact—need to understand readers

Central Writing Principle:

Write with the reader in mind

Scientific Writing and Communication, 2e Angelika H. Hofmann Copyright © 2014 by Oxford University Press

Principles of Word Choice

Use PRECISE wordsExample Plants were kept in the cold overnight.

Revision Plants were kept at 0ºC overnight.

Use SIMPLE wordsExample We utilized UV light …

Revision We used UV light …

Avoid too many abbreviations

Scientific Writing and Communication, 2e Angelika H. Hofmann Copyright © 2014 by Oxford University Press

Common Mistakes and Misused Words

Watch out for misused and confused scientific terms

•Be especially careful about words that look similar but mean different things

•Consult a dictionary if necessary

Example Although we treated the patient with antibiotics, the drugs showed little (effect, affect). effect

Scientific Writing and Communication, 2e Angelika H. Hofmann Copyright © 2014 by Oxford University Press

Handling Language Sensitively

Avoid sexism

Example 1Man is not the only host for this parasite.

Example 2A nurse should double-check her IV settings.

Nurses their

Humans are

Scientific Writing and Communication, 2e Angelika H. Hofmann Copyright © 2014 by Oxford University Press

Example It is well known that there are three subtypes of the KL-2 virus . . .

Revision There are three subtypes of the KL-2 virus . . .

Example period of time final outcome

at the present time already existing

Redundancies and Jargon

Omit unnecessary words and phrases

Scientific Writing and Communication, 2e Angelika H. Hofmann Copyright © 2014 by Oxford University Press

Nomenclature and Terminology

Use correct nomenclature and terminology

•Do not guess—look up terms if needed

Example

Species and most Latin derivates: italics (in vivo, Physcomitrella patens)

Human genes: all caps and italics (ADH3, HBA1)

Mouse genes: first letter capitalized, the rest lower case, italics (Sta, Shh, Glra1)

Human proteins: capitals, no italics (ADH3, HBA1)