Being Precise How upset [Max Planck] was whenever he inadvertently gave out the wrong information, whether in scientific publication or casual conversation, since despite all efforts at retraction, he knew that at least some untruth would always persist. Lise Meitner Concise Familiar Clear Fluid Precise Forthright

Precision means choosing the right words and appropriate level of detail detail choosing the right word choosing appropriate level of detail word right word word

Provide Specific Detail BAD: “Put enough air in your tires.” (How much air is “enough”?) GOOD: “Fill your tires to 32 pounds per square inch.” Specific detail Vague word

Choose words carefully because many scientific terms have specific meanings The last decade has seen a rapid development of new techniques for studying the enormously complex phenomena associated with the develop- ment of sparks and other gas discharges. The last decade has seen a rapid development of new techniques for studying the enormously complex phenomena associated with the develop- ment of sparks and other gas discharges. spark: the transient irreversible event from one steady state of the electrical breakdown process to another. gas discharge: any of the three steady states of the electrical breakdown process. Voltage Current spark discharge

Another consideration in choosing the correct word is the connotation Denotation dictionary meaning adequate: sufficient; enough for what is required Connotation suggested meaning adequate: sufficient adequate: insufficient

Words have both denotations and connotations inexpensive unusual simple clear cost-effective novel streamlined cheap strange simplistic Negative NeutralPositive obvious

Precision means choosing the right words and appropriate level of detail detail choosing the right word choosing appropriate level of detail word right word word

R.I.P. Complex wording also buries ideas This study will consider why current solar energy systems, such as Solar One, have not reached the commercial stage and will explore the steps we can take to make these systems commercial. The goal of this study is to develop a commerciali- zation strategy for solar energy systems by analyzing factors impeding early commercial projects (i.e., SOLAR ONE) and by identifying the potential actions that can facilitate the viability of the projects.

Stacking adjectives before nouns swallows the ideas Solar One is a solar-powered pilot plant located near Barstow, California. Solar One produces 10 megawatts of electricity by capturing solar energy in a central receiver design. Solar One is a 10 megawatt solar thermal electric central receiver Barstow power pilot plant.

Complex sentences misdirect readers The goal of the work was to confirm the nature of electrical breakdown of nitrogen in uniform fields at high pressures and electrode gaps which approach those obtained in engineering practice, prior to the deter- mination of the processes which set the criterion for breakdown in the above-mentioned gas in uniform and non-uniform fields of engineering significance. At high pressures (760 torr) and typical electrode gap distances (1 mm), the electrical breakdown of nitrogen was studied in uniform fields.

The more muddled the original, the more revisions are needed to streamline it At high pressures (760 torr) and typical electrode gap distances (1 mm), the electrical breakdown of nitrogen was studied in uniform fields. In our study, we examined the electrical breakdown of nitrogen in uniform fields. For these experiments, the electrode gap distances were typical (1 mm), while the pressures were relatively high (760 torr).

The "Big Bang" is the most credible theory for the creation of the universe. Nevertheless, it explains the creation of only helium and hydrogen. What about the other elements? Many scientists believe that those elements came from nuclear reactions in the life and death cycles of stars. Archaic structures sound unnatural In that the "Big Bang," currently the most credible theory for how the universe was created, explains only hydrogen and helium, we are left to theorize as to how all the other elements came into being. Having studied the nuclear reactions that constitute the life and death cycles of stars, many scientists believe that there lies the key.

Generalities that are not anchored with specifics are soon forgotten After recognizing some problems with the solar mirrors, we took subsequent corrective measures. Trash After finding that high winds (and not hail) had cracked the ten solar mirrors, we began stowing all mirrors in a horizontal position during thunderstorms.

For precise language, you should avoid over-specifying details The number of particular hydrocarbon combinations in our study is enormous. For example, the number of possible C 20 H 42 is 366,319 and the number for C 40 H 82 is 62,491,178,805,831. The number of hydrocarbon combinations in our study is enormous. For example, the number of possible C 40 H 82 is more than 62 trillion.

Eliminate Unnecessary Expressions Instead of this We are of the opinion that Please feel free to In addition to the above At this point in time Despite the fact that Try this We think Please Also Now Although

Limit Long Lead-ins Instead of this This memo is to inform you that all employees meet today. I am writing this letter to say thanks to everyone who voted. Try this All employees meet today. Thanks to everyone who voted.

Drop Unnecessary Fillers Revise sentences to avoid fillers such as there is/was and it is/was when used merely to take up space. Instead of this There was only one employee who should be promoted. It was Lisa and Jeff who were honored. Try this Only one employee should be promoted. Lisa and Jeff were honored.

Remove Redundant Words Avoid unnecessarily repetitious words. What words could be omitted in these expressions? advance warning close proximity exactly identical filled to capacity final outcome necessary requisite new beginning past history refer back serious danger advance warning close proximity exactly identical filled to capacity final outcome necessary requisite new beginning past history refer back serious danger

Omit Trite Expressions Trite and Outdated as per your request pursuant to your request attached hereto under separate cover Modern at your request attached separately

Avoid Slang and Clichés Avoid informal expressions that have changed meanings. Avoid clichés. Substitute more precise words. Try this We could go no further. Instead of this We had reached the end of our rope.

For precision, you must choose the appropriate level of detail Operations at the plant stopped momentarily because the thermal storage charging system desuperheater attemperator valve was replaced. Operations at the plant stopped for 1.5 hours so that a valve in the thermal storage system could be replaced.

Choose the right word…. affect or effect affect = verb: means to influence effect = noun: means a result. comprise or compose comprise = to include; to consist of The whole comprised the parts. NOT: The whole is comprised of the parts. compose = to make by combining things

Choose the right word…. continuous or continual continual = repeatedly; frequently recurring continuous = without interruption fewer or less fewer: for items that can be counted e.g., fewer errors, fewer fish, fewer cells less: for items that cannot be counted. e.g., less air, less water, less

Choose the right word…. compliment or complement compliment = an expression of praise complement = something that completes; one of two things that go together farther or further farther: location further: time, intensity, depth of meaning

Choose the right word…. that or which that: Use “that” for defining clauses We will select the option that has the highest thermal efficiency. The clause “that has the highest thermal efficiency” defines the choice. which: use “which” for non-defining clauses We will select option A, which has the highest thermal efficiency. Which clauses are separated by a comma.