Qualities of Science Writing
·
Objectivity and precision
o
Passive voice
science writing uses passive voice even though active voice is "simpler"
why? do distance the writer and focus on the object
"The beaker was placed on the hot plate for 1 hour." who placed the beaker? anyone!
remove the human element from the language
science writing uses passive voice even though active voice is "simpler"
why? do distance the writer and focus on the object
"The beaker was placed on the hot plate for 1 hour." who placed the beaker? anyone!
remove the human element from the language
o
Concrete wording
detailed ENOUGH to be reproduced
detailed ENOUGH to be reproduced
o
Past tense
o
Denotation
don't want to personify...diseases "afflicting"
don't want to personify...diseases "afflicting"
o
Numerical expression
depends on field, journal
writing out percents, or at the beginning or end of a sentence
depends on field, journal
writing out percents, or at the beginning or end of a sentence
·
Simplicity and conciseness
o
Limit repetition and variations
o
Limit wordiness
circumlocution
circumlocution
o
Knowing the difference between
§
Affect/effect
§
After/following
§
Among/between
§
Can/may
§
Compare/contrast
§
Complementary/complimentary
§
Etc.
·
Punctuation
o
Restraint need for commas
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