Scienific_writing_Wuhan.ppt

Scientific Writing Rhea-Beth Markowitz, PhD Medical College of Georgia Augusta, Georgia, USA rbmarkowitz@ Outline Session 1: Elements of Scientific Writing Session 2: How to Write a Manuscript Session 3: Publication Practices Ethics Session 4: Common Problem Areas Session 5: How to Publish (Western Journal) Sessions 6 7: Critiques of your writing Session 8: Questions Review Session 1: Topics What is scientific writing? How does it differ from writing in general? Grammar other writing essentials Plain language Reference Books What is scientific writing? How does it differ from other writing? Not poetic or flowery More direct and to the point Passive voice (NO) Wordy (doesn’t need to be) More precise Grammar Other Writing Essentials Sentence Consists of subject, verb, and object Keep subject and verb close together! Serologic studies have shown that primary infection usually occurs during childhood. Each sentence should make a single point 20-22 words per sentence What the reader expects in a sentence Main action of the sentence is expressed in the main verb Subject is the agent of the action (if the agent is important) Sentence tells a story In this report, we describe a systematic study of the role of immunodeficiency in BKV and JCV viruria. Subject is at the beginning of the sentence, unless there is a dependent clause. In which case, subject will immediately follow the clause Aside from the kinase domain and phosphorylation sites, virtually nothing is known about structure-function relationships in the enzyme. Verb immediately follows the subject Positions in the Sentence Topic position is at the beginning of the sentence. Contains old information Links us backward Stress position should be at end of the sentence. Point of closure Receives special emphasis New information In other words: The beginning of the sentence (topic position) will either look forward to the rest (i.e., offer context) or will look backward (i.e., provide linkage). The end of