• Scientist's Style
• Be a Paper Writer

Scientist's Style

The problem with writing is that there's not much money in it. - Cheryl Tiegs [Dq 367]

That is not true for all, but true for many. Writing problems abound, and guidance that is had, may limit your expressivity. Yet, write something, and add, and tidy it up. That is one way. There are others.

Providing guidelines for solving problems of style, F.P. Woodford [In Oco 44] suggests these principles:

• Be simple and concise.
• Make sure of the meaning of every word.
• Use verbs instead of abstract nouns.
• Break up noun clusters and stacked modifiers (that is, strings of adjectives and nouns, with no clues as to what modifies what).

Keep everything straightforward and readers will be grateful. [See Oco 44]

"Do not . . . studiously avoid repeating a word in a sentence. Good English stylists prefer repetition to "elegant variation" . . . because the real menaing can easily be distorted by a badly chosen synonym." [Oco 44]

If you write short, simple sentences you can avoid most pitfalls.

Punctuate according to the rules of English usage you are aware of.

You should make your meaning unambiguous unless you aim for something else specifically.

Get help from friends. They may assist you in clarifying meanings eventually.

[All based on sensible counsel in Oco 44-45]

Steps of a Paper Writer

Some of these steps may suit you:

1. Assess your work: decide what, when, and where to publish. Define your purpose in writing and form a working title if you can
2. Be in line with the style manual that fits in or is accepted. Learn the Instructions to Authors of the journal chosen
3. Draft an abstract
4. Decide on the basic form of the paper (adjust well).
5. Collect the material under the major headings chosen
6. Design tables, including their titles and footnotes; design or select illustrations and write titles and legends for them
7. (Write for permission to reproduce any previously published tables, illustrations or other material that will be used)
8. Write a topic outline and perhaps a sentence outline
9. Write, type or dictate a preliminary draft of the text rather quickly, to give it unity
10. Check completeness of the references assembled
11. Put the manuscript or typescript away for a few days
12. Re-examine the structure of the paper
13. Check the illustrations and tables and make the final versions Re-read the references you cite and check your own accuracy in citing them; check for consistency, and reduce the number of abbreviations and footnotes
14. (Re)type the paper (= first draft)
15. Correct the grammar and polish the style
16. Type several copies of the corrected paper (= second draft)
17. Ask for criticism from co-authors and friends. Make as many adjustments and alterations as called for and needed
18. Compose a new title and abstract suitable for information retrieval, list the possible index terms and assemble the manuscript
19. Compile the reference list, cross-check references against the text, and ensure that all bibliographical details are correct
20. Retype (= penultimate version) and check typescript
21. Obtain a final critical review from a senior colleague
22. Make any final corrections (final version)
23. Write a covering letter to the editor, enclosing copies of letters giving you permission to reproduce any previously published material or to cite unpublished work
24. Check that all parts of the paper are present, and post as many copies as specified to the editor
25. If the editor returns the paper, revise it as necessary, send it elsewhere, or abandon it (for a time).
26. Correct the proofs

[See Oco 80-81]

You do what you can. There are many other tips to be had.

Dq: Cohen, J. M., and M. J. Cohen. The New Penguin Dictionary of Quotations. Rev. ed. London: Viking, 1992.

Oco: O'Connor, M., and F. Woodford. Writing scientific papers in English. London: Pitman Medical, 1978.