1. 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

2. 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…

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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…

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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)

9. 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).