Writing Tips from a Science Geek Abbreviations and Acronyms Rarely used in formal and professional writing Bad form to abbreviate words simply to save space, time, or energy Avoid Latin abbreviations: etc., et.al., i.e., e.g. The use of etc. is “a lazy person’s way of getting out of work.” Only justified if full expression is excessively long or if abbreviation is well known to researchers in the discipline

Writing Tips from a Science Geek Appropriate use in science writing SI units of measurement Mathematical or chemical formulas Dates and times (b.c., a.d., b.c.e, c.e., am, pm) Acronyms that are repeated often (IUPAC) For chemical formulas and acronyms, first use the full, spelled-out version of the word with the shortened form in parentheses immediately following Sodium (Na) is a very reactive metal. When Na reacts with water,… The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) revised the periodic table…

Writing Tips from a Science Geek Bottom Line What is the primary purpose of the writing? A thesis statement defines the question your essay will answer More effective if essay answers how or why questions rather than who, what, when, or where question Goes beyond a simple statement of fact; requires argument and support Expresses a judgment based on substantial body of evidence Followed by an essay that presents support and evidence in an organized and persuasive way

Writing Tips from a Science Geek While the thesis often appears toward the end of the introductory paragraph, writing the thesis statement is one of the final steps in the essay process Should remain flexible Never use 1st person in the thesis (or anywhere else in the writing) and do not attribute it to someone else or to general opinion In this essay, I will explain… Many people believe… Use active voice to phrase the thesis

Writing Tips from a Science Geek Common Mistakes Amount versus Number Use number for something that can be easily counted Record the number of grams… The number of protons in the nucleus… Use amount for something that cannot be counted in specific measurement units or is measured in bulk Record the amount of mass… The amount of positive charge in the nucleus…

Writing Tips from a Science Geek Affect versus Effect Use affect as a verb to describe the way one item influences another To produce an effect Synonymous with “to influence” Use effect as a noun to discuss the consequence or result of some action Means a result or consequence Causes produce effects

Writing Tips from a Science Geek Numbers as digits or as words Words Numbers one through ten At the beginning of a sentence Digits Numbers greater than ten (11, 12, 13,…) With measurements In equations and formulas

Writing Tips from a Science Geek Documents Must use documents but only in support of your writing Documents are not the primary focus of the writing Documents do not determine the focus, sequence, or organization of the writing Avoid using documents as subjects of sentences Document A shows… Refer to the document by its name (Document A or Document 1) not as the table, the chart, the list, etc. or by the title of the item in the document (The Carbon Cycle diagram or the Photosynthesis equation)

Writing Tips from a Science Geek Cite your sources Two ways to cite sources: Within context of sentence (direct quotation or paraphrased passage) Winston Churchill, in Closing the Ring, states that if the United States, Britain, and Russia remain allies, lasting peace is possible. Parenthetical citation from a Gateway document (direct quotation or paraphrased passage) The depth of Challenger Deep is…”to stack 26 Empire State Buildings (430 meters tall) on top of one another to reach the surface of the ocean from the bottom” (Document B).