Verfassen wissenschaftlicher Arbeiten (707.016)

Scientific Writing Style

Denis Helic, dhelic@tugraz.at

IWM, TU Graz

Main Goals

Exact, clear and compact
Compact is usually clear
Additional goals: smooth and objective

Exact (1)

Word choice: be sure that every word means exactly what you want to express
Be carefull with synonyms
If you are not certain repeat the word

Exact (2)

Don't use spoken language (it is to vague for writing)
E.g. approximation of quantity: very few, quite large, etc should be avoided
Interpretation depends on the reader

Exact (3)

Make clear what the pronouns refer to
The reader must not sarch previous sentences or paragraphs to determine their meaning
This, that, these, those are problematic
Hint: mention the noun, e.g. "This test..."

Exact (4)

Antropomorphism
Do not human characteristics to machines
e.g. a computer cannot understand data
e.g. a table cannot compare results
Hint: In the table 1. we compare the results
In the table 1. the results are compared...

Clear

Use illustrative titles
Write a brief introductory paragraph at the beginning of each chapter
Divide the text logically into paragraphs and sentences
Direct, declarative sentences with common, simple words
Avoid scientific jargon - use of technical vocabulary when it is not needed

Compact

Say only what needs to be said!
Short words and short sentences are easier to understand
Don't mention obvious things
Don't describe the work of others with too much details (refer to it)
Avoid wordiness: e.g. "based on the fact that" - "because"

Smooth (1)

Verbs: stay within the chosen tense!
Especially, within a paragraph and subsequent paragraphs
Use abbreviations sparingly (e.g. only when you need to mention a concept more than two/three times)

Smooth (2)

Transitional words help the flow of thought
time links: then, next, after, while, since
cause-effect links: therefore, consequently, as a result
addition links: in addition, moreover, furthermore, similarly
contrast links: but, however, although, whereas

Objective

Use the 3rd person rather than the 1st person
Be as specific as possible, e.g. instead of "old people" use "ages 65-80"
Be gender neutral
Use plural: e.g. the user himself... - correct: the users
Article the: e.g. the student returned his solution - correct: the student returned the solution

Verbe Tense

The default is present (is)
With present, you can combine perfect (has been) (and future, will be) if needed, but not the other tenses.
Use past tense (was) only for good reasons. E.g. when you report your experiments.

Active or passive voice?

In active voice the actor is known, while in passive voice it is unknown.
Often recommended to use active voice but in scientific writing passive voice is ok!
Draw the reader’s attention to the phenomenon or the event, instead of the actor.
E.g. The score is assessed on the basis of the training data.

Sentences

Statement (ends by a full stop: ”x is y.”)
Question (ends by a question-mark: Is x y?”)
Order (ends by an exclamation mark: ”Be x y!)
In scientific writing the default type is the statement.
Questions suit best to the introduction where you state your main research questions clearly and concretely

Sentence Length

always less than 30 words, preferably less than 20 words!
1-3 clauses
expresses one idea

Word order

subject–predicate–object!
You can add attributes, phrases and clauses, but don’t deviate too far from the basic format.
Goal: put the most important information to the beginning of a sentence! ”X is a new algorithm for the TS problem”

Paragraphs (1)

Combining sentences in a paragraph
Use (but do not overuse!) conjunctions or transitional words
Time links, when you describe a process: then, next, first-secondthird, while, ...
Cause-effect links, when you describe reasons or results: therefore, as a result, thus, ...

Paragraphs (2)

Addition links, when you add points: in addition, moreover, similarly, ...
Contrast links, when you describe two sides of one thing: however, despite (=inspite of sg), ...
Other: For example,...
Link the beginning of a sentence to the end of the previous sentence.
E.g. the subject of sentence 2 is the object of sentence 1. ”A model consists of a model structure and model parameters. The model structure defines...”

Further Readings