Writing Scientific Papers: Effective Written Communication in English Prof. Dr. Irena Ograjenšek irena.ograjensek@ef.uni-lj.si CONTRACTOR IS ACTING UNDER A FRAMEWORK CONTRACT CONCLUDED WITH THE COMMISSION

Clear Writing in Context Must have intelectually rigorous, original ideas … … and must present them so that they are easily grasped by the target audience.

Our Target Audience ? Readers of the scientific journal(s). Reviewers of the scientific journal(s). Editors of the scientific journal(s).

Piece of Luck Scientific journals do communicate their expectations to prospective authors … … and we will look into particularities on Day 2.

The Key to Effective Written Communication in English? Simplicity is the key. Simplicity does not mean ‚simplistic‘ !!! Complex ideas + simple expression = clear message.

The Inverted Pyramid Structure - 1 Points are made in descending order of importance. The reader gets the most important messages quickly. The writer is forced to identify and rank the key elements.

The Inverted Pyramid Structure - 2 This is of particular importance for writers using English as a second language. Problematic elements: choice of words, sentence structure errors … … might make it harder to extract the keypoints.

Activity 3 Study the examples of literature review. Identify the key points. Tell the story in one sentence!

The Inverted Pyramid Structure - 3 Give conclusions first. Then provide the main supporting points. There can be several levels of supporting points (following the logic of the scientific research process).

Background Issues - 1 If English is not your first language and you have a continental European background, you are prone to believe that … … the more complicated your writing is, the more academic you sound.

Background Issues - 2 If English is not your first language and you have a continental European background, you are prone to believe that … … the longer your sentences are, the cleverer you come accross.

Background Issues - 3 If English is not your first language and you have a continental European background, you are prone to believe that … … the more foreign words you use, the wiser you appear.

Background Issues - 4 If English is not your first language and you have a continental European background, you are prone to believe that … … the longer your words are, the smarter you are.

Just forget about it !

Good Writing in Anglo-Saxon Context Use short paragraphs. Use short sentences. Use short words.

Credo Short words are best and the old words when short are best of all. Winston Churchill

Illustrative Examples - 1 Why say commence when you can use begin or start? Why say approximately when you can say some or about (in front of a number)? Why say additionally when you can use also? Why say duplicate when you can use copy? …

Illustrative Examples - 2 In case that vs. If At that point in time vs. Then Not dissimilar from vs. Similar to Despite the fact that vs. Although Owing to the fact vs. Because

Use the DELETE Key Of course, … As we have stated above … It is important for our readers to bear in mind … We think it is noteworthy to mention … The following table summarizes the above.

Noun vs. Verb - 1 The group has a co-operation with a local player. The group cooperates with a local player.

Noun vs. Verb - 2 Management will make its decision regarding the dividend. vs. Management will decide on the dividend.

Noun vs. Verb - 3 The reorganisation of certain departments and the introduction of shared IT services … vs. Reorganising certain departments and introducing shared IT services …

Respect the Gerund Anglo-Saxons have a clear preference for the gerund (the –ing form) instead of the infinitive!

Activity 4 Rewrite the sentences using the gerund.

False Friends - 1 … are phrases that seem to match our native language‘s original but are either non-existent or mean something completely different.

Illustrative Examples of False Friends - 1 We are writing reports not studies. There are parent companies and subsidiaries, but no mother and daugher companies. Earnings are sensitive (and not sensible!) to macro parameters. We aim at making sensible (and not sensitive!) assumptions in our model.

Illustrative Examples of False Friends - 2 We are reading an investment prospectus, not an investment prospect. Earnings may rise faster or more strongly than sales, but they do not rise overproportionally. …

Singular not Plural - 1 The following collective nouns are singular: Company Data Government Information Management News

Singular not Plural - 2 So: Data is being collected. Information is being published. Company reports its results. Management introduces the new strategic plan.

Sentence Length and Style - 1 Write short, simple sentences. Break up longer sentences using commas. Consciously split sentences.

Sentence Length and Style - 2 Avoid passive forms: they make sentences longer and can cause confusion. Use active forms: sentences are short and to the point.

Online Help on Spelling For example: https://www.jspell.com/public-spell-checker.html

BUT: Beware of the Too ‚Helpful‘ Software … Consider this example: Company performance was out of sink recently. (As a consolation: it is definitely less life-threatening than this example of verbal communication: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yR0lWICH3rY)

Useful Good Style References Check out The Economist Style Guide: http://www.economist.com/styleguide/introduction Check the Selected English Language Tips handout.

Activity 5 Study the examples of literature review. Identify the key style weaknesses. Select one paragraph and rewrite it!