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English for Writing
Research Papers
Five guidelines to massively
improve your chances of
publication
With easy-to-follow rules and tips, and with examples taken from real papers,
the book covers how to:
• prepare and structure a manuscript that will be recommended by referees
for publication
• use a reader-oriented style
• write each section of a paper
• highlight the most important findings
• write concisely and without ambiguity
• avoid plagiarism
• choose the correct verb forms
The book also includes around 700 useful phrases for use in any kind of
research paper.

• English for Presentations at International Conferences
• English for Academic Correspondence and Socializing
• English for Research: Usage, Style, and Grammar

Education
ISBN 978-1-4419-7921-6

Adrian Wallwork
English for Writing Research Papers

lwork

ENGgLISH
for WritinPapers
Research

Adrian
Wallwork

Good writing skills are key to a successful career in academia. English for
Writing Research Papers was written specifically for researchers and professors
of all disciplines whose first language is not English and who wish to have their
work published in an international journal.
With easy-to-follow rules and tips, and with examples taken from real papers,
the book covers how to:
• prepare and structure a manuscript that will be recommended by referees
for publication
• use a reader-oriented style
• write each section of a paper
• highlight the most important findings
• write concisely and without ambiguity
• avoid plagiarism
• choose the correct verb forms
The book also includes around 700 useful phrases for use in any kind of
research paper.
Adrian Wallwork is the author of more than 20 ELT and EAP textbooks. He
has trained several thousand PhD students and researchers from 35 countries to
write research papers. Through his editing agency, he and his partners have been
revising and editing research papers since 1985. This guide is thus also highly
recommended for providers of editing services, proofreaders, and trainers in
English for Academic Purposes.
Other books in the series:

• English for Presentations at International Conferences
• English for Academic Correspondence and Socializing
• English for Research: Usage, Style, and Grammar

Education
ISBN 978-1-4419-7921-6

allwork

Adrian W

1
English for Writing Research Papers

Other books in the series:

1
English for Writing Research Papers

Adrian Wallwork is the author of more than 20 ELT and EAP textbooks. He
has trained several thousand PhD students and researchers from 35 countries to
write research papers. Through his editing agency, he and his partners have been
revising and editing research papers since 1985. This guide is thus also highly
recommended for providers of editing services, proofreaders, and trainers in
English for Academic Purposes.

al
Adrian W

Wallwork

Good writing skills are key to a successful career in academia. English for
Writing Research Papers was written specifically for researchers and professors
of all disciplines whose first language is not English and who wish to have their
work published in an international journal.

Wallwork

Adrian Wallwork
English for Writing Research Papers

ENGgLISH
for WritinPapers
Research
A	
  PDF	
  of	
  this	
  seminar	
  will	
  be	
  on	
  my	
  blog:	
  

adrianwallwork.wordpress.com
	
  
under	
  English	
  courses/downloads	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
GUIDELINE #1
Who should you have in mind when you
are writing your paper?
Who is the most important reader
of your paper?
The referee.
Spain’s	
  record	
  for	
  publishing
	
  
3	
  Spanish	
  ins>tutes	
  in	
  top	
  200	
  ins>tutes	
  that	
  
have	
  published	
  papers	
  in	
  Nature	
  	
  
(Portugal	
  0,	
  Italy	
  1,	
  France	
  5,	
  Germany	
  17,	
  UK	
  
20)	
  
Research has found that there is
a correlation between
poor English and non-acceptance of articles.
Many top journals are based in US and GB.
List four things that you think represent ‘poor
English’ and/or ‘poor writing skills’ that would cause
a paper to be rejected by
a US or GB referee / reviewer.
REASONS FOR PAPERS TO BE REJECTED 1)
“There are 80 words in this sentence – my brain
is going to explode”

3-4 badly
constructed long
sentences may
make a whole
article
incomprehensible.
2) “Where are your findings?”
Referee cannot
understand the importance
of your findings / results
because you have not
highlighted them clearly.
3) “Whose are these findings –
yours or another author’s?”
Referee cannot
understand if you are
referring to your findings
or findings already
established in the
literature.
4)	
  Ambiguity
	
  
If you take your dog in the car don't let him hang
out of a window while driving.
Like Maria, he had dark brown hair, with
enormous black eyebrows, a moustache and a
short beard.
What do Spanish Referees
complain about the most?
 
	
  
	
  
Moral of the story
Papers are NOT normally rejected for a few
grammar or vocabulary mistakes.
Papers ARE rejected for just two or three long
sentences / paragraphs
FIVE EASY GUIDELINES
	
  
	
  
	
  

•  1 Write from reader’s / referee’s point of view
•  2 Reduce word count to the minimum
•  3 Use short sentences
•  4 Avoid ambiguity
•  5 Highlight your findings and clearly
differentiate your findings from those already
in the literature

	
  
	
  	
  

	
  
If you follow my five guidelines you will
DOUBLE the chances of your manuscript
being accepted.
	
  
If you follow my five guidelines you will
DOUBLE, even TRIPLE, the chances of your
manuscript being accepted.
	
  
If you follow my five guidelines you will

QUADRUPLE
the chances of your manuscript being
accepted.
OK, I am little optimistic perhaps!
	
  
What do you see?
We all have different perspectives
Trend today in English:
seeing things from the reader’s point of view rather
than your point of view
Moral of the story
	
  
In your papers, emails,
presentation slides, and
applications for jobs
always think about the
audience.

What do they want to:
•  know?
•  read first?
•  hear first?

Think in terms of them
them them NOT me me
me

How can I make it
easier for them?
 
Guideline	
  1	
  
Write	
  for	
  the	
  referee	
  /	
  reader
	
  
Guideline	
  2	
  
Write	
  short	
  sentences
	
  
Very	
  Simple	
  Sentence	
  
One	
  part	
  only	
  
English	
  is	
  oQen	
  considered	
  to	
  be	
  the	
  
simplest	
  language.	
  
	
  
Simple	
  Sentence	
  
Two	
  parts	
  
Of	
  all	
  the	
  languages	
  in	
  the	
  world,	
  
English	
  is	
  oQen	
  considered	
  to	
  be	
  the	
  
simplest.	
  
	
  
Complex	
  Sentence	
  
Too	
  many	
  ideas	
  
Of	
  all	
  the	
  languages	
  in	
  the	
  world,	
  
including	
  those	
  that	
  are	
  now	
  dead	
  
languages,	
  for	
  example	
  La>n	
  and	
  
Sanskrit,	
  English,	
  which	
  is	
  now	
  spoken	
  
by	
  around	
  400	
  million	
  na>ve	
  speakers	
  
and	
  1.1	
  billion	
  non-­‐na>ve	
  speakers,	
  is	
  
considered	
  by	
  most	
  people	
  to	
  be	
  the	
  
simplest.	
  
	
  
Where	
  is	
  key	
  informa>on?	
  In	
  
italics?	
  Or	
  normal	
  script	
  
English,	
  which	
  is	
  the	
  interna4onal	
  
language	
  of	
  communica4on,	
  is	
  
now	
  studied	
  by	
  1.1	
  billion	
  people.	
  
	
  
English,	
  which	
  is	
  now	
  studied	
  by	
  
1.1	
  billion	
  people,	
  is	
  the	
  
interna>onal	
  language	
  of	
  
communica>on.	
  
	
  
Rule	
  for	
  wri>ng	
  a	
  sentence	
  
	
  
1  Subject	
  in	
  first	
  part	
  
2  Key	
  info	
  in	
  second	
  part	
  
	
  
1)	
  Subject	
  2)	
  Key	
  info	
  	
  
English,	
  which	
  is	
  the	
  interna4onal	
  
language	
  of	
  communica4on,	
  is	
  now	
  
studied	
  by	
  1.1	
  billion	
  people.	
  
	
  
English,	
  which	
  is	
  now	
  studied	
  by	
  1.1	
  
billion	
  people,	
  is	
  the	
  interna>onal	
  
language	
  of	
  communica>on.	
  
	
  
Do	
  NOT	
  separate	
  the	
  subject	
  	
  
from	
  the	
  key	
  informa4on	
  
English,	
  which	
  owes	
  its	
  origins	
  to	
  the	
  
Anglo	
  Saxons	
  (a	
  tribe	
  who	
  lived	
  in	
  what	
  
is	
  now	
  Denmark	
  and	
  Northern	
  
Germany)	
  and	
  is	
  the	
  interna>onal	
  
language	
  of	
  communica>on,	
  in	
  part	
  due	
  
to	
  the	
  importance	
  of	
  the	
  USA,	
  rather	
  
than	
  the	
  Queen	
  of	
  England,	
  	
  is	
  now	
  
studied	
  by	
  1.1	
  billion	
  people.	
  
	
  
	
  
Don’t	
  hide	
  the	
  subject	
  in	
  the	
  
middle	
  of	
  the	
  phrase	
  
Owing	
  its	
  origins	
  to	
  the	
  Anglo	
  Saxons	
  (a	
  
tribe	
  who	
  lived	
  	
  in	
  what	
  is	
  now	
  Denmark	
  
and	
  Northern	
  Germany),	
  English	
  is	
  the	
  
interna>onal	
  language	
  of	
  commun-­‐
ica>on,	
  in	
  part	
  due	
  to	
  the	
  importance	
  of	
  
the	
  USA,	
  rather	
  than	
  the	
  Queen	
  of	
  
England,	
  and	
  is	
  now	
  studied	
  by	
  1.1	
  
billion	
  people.	
  
	
  
	
  
Think	
  how	
  you	
  could	
  divide	
  up	
  this	
  
sentence	
  into	
  four	
  short	
  sentences.	
  
Owing	
  its	
  origins	
  to	
  the	
  Anglo	
  Saxons	
  (a	
  
tribe	
  who	
  lived	
  	
  in	
  what	
  is	
  now	
  Denmark	
  
and	
  Northern	
  Germany),	
  English	
  is	
  the	
  
interna>onal	
  language	
  of	
  commun-­‐
ica>on,	
  in	
  part	
  due	
  to	
  the	
  importance	
  of	
  
the	
  USA,	
  rather	
  than	
  the	
  Queen	
  of	
  
England,	
  and	
  is	
  now	
  studied	
  by	
  1.1	
  billion	
  
people.	
  
	
  
	
  
Solu>on	
  

English	
  owes	
  its	
  origins	
  to	
  the	
  Anglo	
  
Saxons,	
  who	
  were	
  a	
  tribe	
  from	
  what	
  is	
  
now	
  Denmark	
  and	
  Northern	
  
Germany.	
  //	
  It	
  has	
  become	
  the	
  
interna>onal	
  language	
  of	
  
communica>on.	
  //	
  This	
  is	
  in	
  part	
  due	
  to	
  
the	
  importance	
  of	
  the	
  USA,	
  rather	
  than	
  
the	
  Queen	
  of	
  England.	
  //	
  	
  English	
  is	
  now	
  
studied	
  by	
  1.1	
  billion	
  people.	
  
	
  
	
  
Remove	
  relaCve	
  clauses	
  
English, which owes its
origins to the Anglo
Saxons, is …

	
  

English	
  owes	
  its	
  
origins	
  to	
  the	
  Anglo	
  
Saxons.	
  
Remove	
  brackets	
  (and	
  consider	
  removing	
  	
  
content	
  of	
  brackets)	
  	
  
English, which
owes its origins to
the Anglo Saxons
(a tribe who lived in
what is now
Denmark and
Northern Germany) 	
  

English	
  owes	
  its	
  
origins	
  to	
  the	
  Anglo	
  
Saxons.	
  
	
  
Remove	
  linker	
  *	
  and	
  begin	
  a	
  new	
  sentence.	
  	
  
Don’t	
  worry	
  about	
  repeaCng	
  the	
  same	
  word	
  twice.	
  

…. a tribe who lived
in what is now
Denmark and
northern Germany)
and is the
international
language of
communication, 	
  

…a tribe from what
is now Denmark
and northern
Germany.

English has

become the
international
language of
communication.
	
  
* A linker is a connecting word: moreover, in particular, consequently
	
  
Remove	
  comma	
  (,)	
  and	
  begin	
  a	
  new	
  sentence	
  

… is the
international
language of
communication, in part due
to the importance of
the USA, rather
than the Queen of
England, is now
studied by 1.1
billion people. 	
  

…	
  is	
  the	
  
interna>onal	
  
language	
  of	
  
communica>on.	
  	
  	
  
This	
  is	
  in	
  part	
  due	
  to	
  
the	
  importance	
  of	
  
the	
  USA,	
  rather	
  than	
  
the	
  Queen	
  of	
  
England.	
  English	
  is	
  
now	
  studied	
  by	
  1.1	
  
billion	
  people.	
  	
  	
  
	
  
	
  
Having	
  shorter	
  sentences	
  also	
  makes	
  it	
  easier	
  to	
  
change	
  their	
  order	
  
English owes its origins to
the Anglo Saxons, who
were a tribe from what is
now Denmark and Northern
Germany. // It has become
the international language
of communication. // This is
in part due to the
importance of the USA,
rather than the Queen of
England. // English is now
studied by 1.1 billion
people.
	
  

	
  

English	
  is	
  now	
  studied	
  by	
  
1.1	
  billion	
  people.	
  It	
  owes	
  its	
  
origins	
  to	
  the	
  Anglo	
  Saxons,	
  
who	
  were	
  a	
  tribe	
  from	
  what	
  is	
  
now	
  Denmark	
  and	
  Northern	
  
Germany.	
  //	
  It	
  has	
  become	
  the	
  
interna>onal	
  language	
  of	
  
communica>on.	
  //	
  This	
  is	
  in	
  
part	
  due	
  to	
  the	
  importance	
  of	
  
the	
  USA,	
  rather	
  than	
  the	
  
Queen	
  of	
  England.	
  	
  
Summary:	
  How	
  to	
  make	
  short	
  sentences	
  from	
  a	
  very	
  
long	
  sentence.	
  Start	
  a	
  new	
  sentence	
  if	
  there	
  are/is:	
  
	
  

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

brackets	
  
which	
  
and	
  
more	
  than	
  two	
  commas	
  
a	
  link	
  word	
  (in	
  addi4on,	
  furthermore)	
  
 
Guideline	
  1	
  
Write	
  for	
  the	
  referee
	
  
Guideline	
  2	
  
Write	
  short	
  sentences
	
  
Guideline	
  3
	
  
Minimum	
  number	
  of	
  words	
  
	
  
(avoid	
  redundancy)
	
  
Researchers vs
Normal People
Imagine you ask a researcher the question

“What time is it?”
A typical researcher will say:
"On the basis of the consideration that
the sun would appear to be at its
highest peak in the sky, it would be
reasonable, given such circumstances,
to hypothesize, all other things being
equal, that the time, with respect to
Greenwich, is midday."
A normal person would say:

“12 o’clock”
Which style of writing is easier to
understand and more enjoyable to
READ?
a) “12 o’clock”
b) "On the basis of the consideration that the
sun would appear to be at its highest peak in
the sky …”
Which style do you use? Why?
a) “12 o’clock”
b) "On the basis of the consideration that the
sun would appear to be at its highest peak in
the sky …”
In a survey at Stanford
University, 86.4% of
students admitted they used
complicated language in
their papers to make
themselves sound more
intelligent.
Remove the fog: cut redundant words

It was yellow in
colour and round in
shape.
	
  
Remove the fog: cut redundant words
1.  It was yellow in colour and round in shape.
2.  This will be done in the month of December.
3.  The research activity carried out in our department.
4.  The activity aimed at the extrapolation of X is not trivial.
5.  We did X. This choice meant that …
6. The summary statements presented above represent the
authors’ current perceptions in relation to the results.
Since the work is ongoing, these statements should only
be viewed as conclusions to the extent that it is the
author’s intention and aim to embellish them in the light
of subsequent events.
Cut redundant words
1.  It was yellow in colour and round in shape.
2.  This will be done in the month of December.
3.  The research activity carried out in our department.
4.  The activity aimed at the extrapolation of X is not trivial.
5.  We did X. This choice meant that …
6.  The summary statements presented above represent
the authors’ current perceptions in relation to the
results. Since the work is ongoing, these statements
should only be viewed as conclusions to the extent that
it is the author’s intention and aim to embellish them in
the light of subsequent events.
Why is eliminating redundant words
useful?
It was yellow in colour and round in
shape / form.
We did X. This choice / choose meant
that …
The activity aimed at / to the
extrapolation of X is not trivial.
Why is eliminating redundant words
useful?
It was yellow in colour and round in shape /
form.
We did X. This choice / choose meant that …
The activity aimed at / to the extrapolation of X
is not trivial.

	
  
Why cut redundant words?
It was yellow in colour and round in shape / form.
We did X. This choice / choose meant that …
The activity aimed at / to the extrapolation of X is not
trivial.

•  If you cut redundant words it is
impossible make mistakes with them!
•  They add no value for the reader.
•  They are not concrete.
Which is correct?	
  
1a) We found useful to consider the
cases separately.
1b) We found it useful to consider ...
2a) It is worth to note that x = y.
2b) It is worth noting that x = y.
Which is correct?	
  
We found useful to consider …
We found it useful to consider ...
It is worth to note that x = y.
It is worth noting that x = y.

Are you 100% sure???!!!
Are the sentences in blue
correct?	
  
We found useful to consider …
We found it useful to consider √
We considered ...
It is worth to note that x = y.
It is worth noting that x = y. √
Note that x = y.
Eliminating words	
  
Reduces the number of choices
you have to make, thus reduces
the time you have to spend
thinking.
Reduces the chances of you
making mistakes, thus reduces
correction time.
Saves the reader time and
reduces possible boredom.
Using simple constructions does not mean you
have a low intelligence quota!
Prefer verbs to nouns	
  	
  
X was used in the calculation of Y.	
  
X was used to calculate Y.
	
  
	
  
All sentences in red are examples of
BAD English
Prefer a verb to a verb + noun construction	
  	
  
This allows the analysis of X to be performed.
This allows you to analyse X.
This allows X to be analysed.
A comparison was made between X and Y.
X and Y were compared.
X showed a better performance than Y.
X performed better than Y.
	
  
Why is using verbs a good idea?

A comparison was made / done /
effected / carried out between X and Y.

X and Y were compared.
Be concise in the
title of your paper
but not too concise	
  
After reading a
title of a paper
only 1 in 500
people …
?
So you think they are going to
read your paper?
1 in 3 Americans read gossip on blog websites
1 in 6 people read 12 or more books a year
1 in 100 people read a newspaper

ONLY 1 in 500 people read a paper
after reading the title
1 in 10,000 people read poetry
What is the problem with this title?

An innovative Spanish PhD
student scientific English
didactic methodology
When you start reading it, it seems
to have one meaning. But when you
finish it, it has another meaning.

An innovative Spanish PhD
student …
It is a string of :
adjectives + nouns that act as
adjectives + nouns

An innovative Spanish PhD
student scientific English
didactic methodology
Rewrite the title. Include some
prepositions and a verb.

An innovative Spanish PhD
student scientific English
didactic methodology
Good titles have a verb and some prepositions.
An innovative Italian PhD student scientific English

didactic methodology

An innovative methodology
for teaching scientific English
to Spanish PhD students
Good titles put the adjective next to the noun it
refers to.

NO! An innovative Spanish PhD
student scientific English didactic
methodology

YES! An innovative methodology for
teaching scientific English to Spanish
PhD students
Moral of the story
If readers can t understand your title,
there is a 98.76532% chance they won t
read your paper.
Using	
  Google	
  to	
  check	
  your	
  English
	
  
Google:	
  summary
	
  
This	
  word	
  or	
  exact	
  phrasing:	
  these	
  informa>ons	
  are	
  
	
  
Language:	
  English	
  
	
  
Domain:	
  .ac,	
  .edu	
  
	
  
Author	
  (Google	
  Scholar	
  only):	
  Smith	
  	
  	
  
Being concise: Summary	
  	
  
Remove redundant words
(and even whole sentences, paragraphs, sections)
For a period of six months
For six months
Reduce number of words
This gives us the possibility to do x
This allows us to do x
Use verbs instead of nouns
We made an analysis of x
We analysed x
	
  
Why be concise?	
  	
  
Abstracts
CVs
Applications for grants
Research proposals
Emails

Slides in presentations
Posters at conferences
Twitter
Learning to be concise is not an option, it is essential.

	
  
You will not write like a child!
Being concise does not mean that you
cannot be expressive or cannot be eloquent.
You can!
Are native English academics concise?
Most are not.
But the difference between them and you is
that they don’t make mistakes!
	
  
Believe me. You need to be concise	
  
	
  
Just because it was not concise:

“Must be rewritten completely”	
  

Referees can be real bastards!
But the author could easily have been
avoided the problem
	
  
Abstract	
  
Tomato	
  (Solanum	
  lycopersicum	
  L.)	
  is	
  a	
  worldwide-­‐culCvated	
  vegetable	
  crop	
  
which	
  is	
  affected	
  by	
  many	
  viruses	
  that	
  cause	
  significant	
  economic	
  losses.	
  
Therefore,	
  Their	
  detec>on	
  and	
  iden>fica>on	
  is	
  of	
  cri>cal	
  importance	
  to	
  plant	
  
virologists	
  in	
  general	
  and,	
  in	
  parCcular,	
  to	
  scienCsts	
  and	
  others	
  involved	
  in	
  plant	
  
protec>on	
  acCviCes	
  and	
  quaran>ne	
  and	
  cer>fica>on	
  programs.	
  

	
  
Instead publication was delayed 3 months. Also, the
author had to pay me €220 to revise his manuscript –
when he could have done the revision HIMSELF
before the first submission.
P.S. Obviously, the author had NOT followed my English course!
Note also that this is an Abstract
	
  
Abstract	
  
Tomato	
  (Solanum	
  lycopersicum	
  L.)	
  is	
  a	
  worldwide-­‐culCvated	
  vegetable	
  crop	
  
which	
  is	
  affected	
  by	
  many	
  viruses	
  that	
  cause	
  significant	
  economic	
  losses.	
  
Therefore,	
  Their	
  detec>on	
  and	
  iden>fica>on	
  is	
  of	
  cri>cal	
  importance	
  to	
  plant	
  
virologists	
  in	
  general	
  and,	
  in	
  parCcular,	
  to	
  scienCsts	
  and	
  others	
  involved	
  in	
  plant	
  
protec>on	
  acCviCes	
  and	
  quaran>ne	
  and	
  cer>fica>on	
  programs.	
  

	
  
If the reader sees a lot of redundancy in the Abstract,
then he/she will probably stop reading.
In your Abstract every word must add VALUE.
You do not have much space in an Abstract, so don’t
waste a single word.
 

	
  
1)	
  Write	
  for	
  the	
  referee
	
  
2)	
  Write	
  short	
  sentences
	
  
3)	
  Avoid	
  redundancy)
	
  
	
  

Guideline	
  4
	
  
Highlight	
  your	
  findings	
  and	
  
differenCate	
  them	
  from	
  the	
  literature
	
  
	
  
Guideline	
  5
	
  
Avoid	
  ambiguity
	
  
Which part of the paper is the most
difficult to write? Why?
Abstract
Introduction
Methodology (Materials and Method)
Results
Discussion
Conclusion
Which part of the paper is the most
difficult to write? Why?
Abstract
Introduction
Methodology (Materials and Method)
Results

Discussion
Conclusion
With	
  the	
  person	
  siSng	
  next	
  to	
  
you	
  decide	
  the	
  main	
  purposes	
  of	
  
the	
  Discussion
	
  
In Discussion / Conclusions it is essential to:

1) be clear what you did and what
other authors have done
2) highlight your unique contribution
3) discuss limitations of your findings
4) state what the applications and
implications of your research are
Differentiating yourself from other authors
NO!! It was found that …
•  ?

•  ? They found X.
•  They found X.

•  They found XThey
found X

YOU
THEM YOU
They found X.

We found X.
Our findings show that ...
Use ACTIVE and WE to distinguish
between you and other authors
1. 

2. 

3. 

GOOD! In 2008, we confirmed
that complex sentences aggravate
the reader [25].
GOOD! In 2007, Carter
suggested that complex
sentences could also lead to high
levels of stress for the reader [36].
OK! In 2007, it was suggested
that complex sentences could also
lead to high levels of stress for the
reader [Carter, 36].

4. 

BAD! In 2007, it was suggested
that complex sentences could also
lead to high levels of stress for the
reader [25].

5. 

DISASTER! In 2007, it was
suggested that complex
sentences could also lead to high
levels of stress for the reader.

1. 

We clearly indicates that you are
referring to your own work.

2. 

The author is the subject of the
verb, so it is clear to the reader.

3. 

The passive form means that the
reader is not sure until the end of
the sentence if it was you or
another author. A long literature
review full of passive sentences is
very heavy for the reader.

4. 

This is ambiguous. Readers
cannot know who made the
suggestion unless they go to Ref.
25 and see if it was you or
someone else.

5. 

There is no reference. Readers
cannot be sure if you made the
suggestion or someone else.
Not making the distinction clear between what
YOU did and what OTHERS have done
causes more confusion for the reader than
any grammatical or vocabulary mistake
For	
  each	
  verb	
  in	
  bold,	
  try	
  to	
  understand	
  if	
  the	
  verb	
  refers	
  to	
  something	
  Kim	
  
(the	
  author)	
  did	
  or	
  found,	
  or	
  to	
  something	
  another	
  author	
  (AA)	
  did	
  or	
  found.	
  
	
  
Bilingual	
  children	
  (1)	
  were	
  found	
  	
  to	
  show	
  a	
  greater	
  adaptability	
  to	
  new	
  
situa>ons	
  (e.g.	
  change	
  of	
  school,	
  change	
  of	
  diet)	
  and	
  demonstrated	
  a	
  greater	
  
ease	
  in	
  communica>ng	
  confidently	
  with	
  adults	
  [Simons,	
  1995].	
  As	
  result	
  of	
  an	
  
extensive	
  search	
  for	
  bilingual	
  children	
  in	
  ten	
  European	
  countries,	
  149	
  children	
  
(2)	
  were	
  iden3fied	
  (Table	
  1).	
  It	
  (3)	
  has	
  been	
  found	
  that	
  those	
  children	
  with	
  
parents	
  of	
  the	
  same	
  na>onality	
  but	
  who	
  lived	
  in	
  a	
  foreign	
  country	
  (for	
  
example,	
  a	
  child	
  with	
  English	
  parents	
  living	
  in	
  Italy)	
  (4)	
  have	
  a	
  greater	
  level	
  of	
  
adaptability	
  than	
  those	
  children	
  with	
  parents	
  of	
  different	
  na>onali>es	
  living	
  
in	
  the	
  na>ve	
  country	
  of	
  one	
  of	
  the	
  parents.	
  	
  
	
  
Original
Bilingual children were

found to show a greater adaptability to new situations and

demonstrated a greater ease in communicating confidently with adults [Simons, 1995].
As result of an extensive search for bilingual children in ten European countries, 149
children were identified (Table 1).

Revised
Bilingual children show a greater adaptability to new situations and
demonstrated a greater ease in communicating confidently with adults
[Simons, 1995]. Simons

investigated children from the US

and Canada. On the other hand, the focus of our study
was Europe and as a result of an extensive search for bilingual
children in ten European countries, 149 children were identified (Table
1).
impersonal forms vs we
Simons investigated children from the US and
Canada, whereas we studied children in Europe. We
conducted an extensive search for bilingual children
in ten European countries and identified 149 children
(Table 1). We found that those children with parents
…
Results: present simple vs simple past

present: to talk about
established scientific fact
past: your findings that you
describe in your paper.

It is well known that if green is
mixed with red, brown is
produced.
We found that when we mixed
green and red, white was
produced.
NO!!! We found that when we
mixed green and red, white is
produced.
Highlighting your findings
Telling
Show

Don’t
tell
Don’t
tell

The large difference in mean
size between X and Y is
particularly interesting.
Interesting for who?

Show

X showed a massive
increase, almost ten times
that of Y.
This is one ridiculously long
paragraph containing all kinds of
information about everything that
you can possibly imagine and
conceive. This is one ridiculously
long paragraph containing all kinds
of information about everything that
you can possibly imagine and
conceive. Here are my findings you
will be lucky if you can see them
here buried in the midst of this
ridiculously long paragraph
containing all kinds of information
about everything that you can
possibly imagine and conceive. And
now I will continue with this
ridiculously long paragraph
containing all kinds of information
about everything that you can
possibly imagine and conceive. So
here we go again with this
ridiculously long paragraph
containing all kinds of information
about everything that you can

This is now a much shorter
paragraph. This is now a much
shorter paragraph. This is now a
much shorter paragraph. This is
now a much shorter paragraph.
This is now a much shorter
paragraph. This is now a much
shorter paragraph.
This is now a much shorter
paragraph. This is now a much
shorter paragraph. This is now a
much shorter paragraph.
Here are my findings, which you
can now see quite clearly.
Note how this paragraph is also
quite short. In fact, it is shorter
than the previous and following
paragraphs.
This is now a much shorter
paragraph. This is now a much
shorter paragraph. This is now a
Highlighting your findings
"   Begin a new paragraph
"   Use different language
"   Avoid too many note that ,
interestingly – show rather than say
"   If possible, use we and active form
"   Use shorter than normal sentences
"   Keep the paragraph short
Do any of you drink Carlsberg?
Probably the best beer in the world
Probably the best beer in the world
Early Carlsberg adverts had these slogans:

Lager at its best.
Unrivalled quality and flavour.
The world s best.
Why did Carlsberg decide to use probably ?
http://carlsberg.com/#/Commercials/historic+ads
Hedging and Sitting on the Fence
Emphasizing your contribution

Too modest

Too arrogant
Too weak

It may be the case that
these findings could
possibly find an
application in …
These findings would
seem to suggest that in
certain circumstances
there might be a
possiblity to ..

Too strong

These findings will
certainly be useful for …
Our findings prove that ..
Other researchers
should use these
findings to …
The right balance
X would seem to
indicate that …

We hope that other
researchers will …

We believe that these
results show that …

Our findings suggest
that ..

To the best of our
knowledge this is
the first time that …

Other researchers may
benefit from …
But don’t put probably in front of every
affirmation you make!
Level of certainty when discussing
results
100%
Must
will (certainly)
90%
should
will probably
50%
may
could

0%
will not
cannot
How can you be so sure about what you say?
There are no studies on ...
Have you actually checked every single paper in the
world?
The literature has not discussed ...
Are you 100% certain about this?
This is the first time that this method has been applied
to ...
What about that recent study in China?
Results often conflict with each other ...
Have you investigated all the results?
I want my paper published, so I am
more modest and open to other
interpretations
As far as we know, there are no studies on ...
To [the best of] our knowledge, the literature has not
discussed …
We believe that this is the first time …
Results often appear to conflict with each other ...
Don’t offend anyone when
describing their limitations
Don’t give the finger to
another author: he/she
might be the refereee
Describe the limitations of your
research + all possible objections.
So, what does it all mean?
Summary
	
  
	
  

Write	
  for	
  the	
  reader	
  not	
  for	
  yourself
	
  
	
  
Simple,	
  short,	
  clear	
  and	
  unambigous	
  
	
  
	
  
‘Sell’	
  your	
  methods	
  and	
  results
	
  
	
  
Reduce	
  what	
  you’ve	
  wrihen	
  by	
  25%
	
  
How to end a seminar using boring
scientific English
On the basis that I have now concluded
everything that I wish to say on this
particular occasion, and, moreover, due to
the consideration that the time allocated to
this particular session is drawing near to its
scheduled completion, I believe, given all
the above factors, that we have reached the
point at which we can bring this seminar to a
suitable and appropriate termination.
How to end a lesson using
error-free English
Writing research articles in English, by Adrian Wallwork
Writing research articles in English, by Adrian Wallwork
Writing research articles in English, by Adrian Wallwork
Writing research articles in English, by Adrian Wallwork
Writing research articles in English, by Adrian Wallwork

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Writing research articles in English, by Adrian Wallwork

  • 1. English for Writing Research Papers Five guidelines to massively improve your chances of publication With easy-to-follow rules and tips, and with examples taken from real papers, the book covers how to: • prepare and structure a manuscript that will be recommended by referees for publication • use a reader-oriented style • write each section of a paper • highlight the most important findings • write concisely and without ambiguity • avoid plagiarism • choose the correct verb forms The book also includes around 700 useful phrases for use in any kind of research paper. • English for Presentations at International Conferences • English for Academic Correspondence and Socializing • English for Research: Usage, Style, and Grammar Education ISBN 978-1-4419-7921-6 Adrian Wallwork English for Writing Research Papers lwork ENGgLISH for WritinPapers Research Adrian Wallwork Good writing skills are key to a successful career in academia. English for Writing Research Papers was written specifically for researchers and professors of all disciplines whose first language is not English and who wish to have their work published in an international journal. With easy-to-follow rules and tips, and with examples taken from real papers, the book covers how to: • prepare and structure a manuscript that will be recommended by referees for publication • use a reader-oriented style • write each section of a paper • highlight the most important findings • write concisely and without ambiguity • avoid plagiarism • choose the correct verb forms The book also includes around 700 useful phrases for use in any kind of research paper. Adrian Wallwork is the author of more than 20 ELT and EAP textbooks. He has trained several thousand PhD students and researchers from 35 countries to write research papers. Through his editing agency, he and his partners have been revising and editing research papers since 1985. This guide is thus also highly recommended for providers of editing services, proofreaders, and trainers in English for Academic Purposes. Other books in the series: • English for Presentations at International Conferences • English for Academic Correspondence and Socializing • English for Research: Usage, Style, and Grammar Education ISBN 978-1-4419-7921-6 allwork Adrian W 1 English for Writing Research Papers Other books in the series: 1 English for Writing Research Papers Adrian Wallwork is the author of more than 20 ELT and EAP textbooks. He has trained several thousand PhD students and researchers from 35 countries to write research papers. Through his editing agency, he and his partners have been revising and editing research papers since 1985. This guide is thus also highly recommended for providers of editing services, proofreaders, and trainers in English for Academic Purposes. al Adrian W Wallwork Good writing skills are key to a successful career in academia. English for Writing Research Papers was written specifically for researchers and professors of all disciplines whose first language is not English and who wish to have their work published in an international journal. Wallwork Adrian Wallwork English for Writing Research Papers ENGgLISH for WritinPapers Research
  • 2. A  PDF  of  this  seminar  will  be  on  my  blog:   adrianwallwork.wordpress.com   under  English  courses/downloads        
  • 3. GUIDELINE #1 Who should you have in mind when you are writing your paper?
  • 4. Who is the most important reader of your paper? The referee.
  • 5. Spain’s  record  for  publishing   3  Spanish  ins>tutes  in  top  200  ins>tutes  that   have  published  papers  in  Nature     (Portugal  0,  Italy  1,  France  5,  Germany  17,  UK   20)  
  • 6. Research has found that there is a correlation between poor English and non-acceptance of articles. Many top journals are based in US and GB.
  • 7. List four things that you think represent ‘poor English’ and/or ‘poor writing skills’ that would cause a paper to be rejected by a US or GB referee / reviewer.
  • 8. REASONS FOR PAPERS TO BE REJECTED 1) “There are 80 words in this sentence – my brain is going to explode” 3-4 badly constructed long sentences may make a whole article incomprehensible.
  • 9. 2) “Where are your findings?” Referee cannot understand the importance of your findings / results because you have not highlighted them clearly.
  • 10. 3) “Whose are these findings – yours or another author’s?” Referee cannot understand if you are referring to your findings or findings already established in the literature.
  • 11. 4)  Ambiguity   If you take your dog in the car don't let him hang out of a window while driving. Like Maria, he had dark brown hair, with enormous black eyebrows, a moustache and a short beard.
  • 12. What do Spanish Referees complain about the most?
  • 13.       Moral of the story Papers are NOT normally rejected for a few grammar or vocabulary mistakes. Papers ARE rejected for just two or three long sentences / paragraphs
  • 14. FIVE EASY GUIDELINES       •  1 Write from reader’s / referee’s point of view •  2 Reduce word count to the minimum •  3 Use short sentences •  4 Avoid ambiguity •  5 Highlight your findings and clearly differentiate your findings from those already in the literature        
  • 15. If you follow my five guidelines you will DOUBLE the chances of your manuscript being accepted.  
  • 16. If you follow my five guidelines you will DOUBLE, even TRIPLE, the chances of your manuscript being accepted.  
  • 17. If you follow my five guidelines you will QUADRUPLE the chances of your manuscript being accepted. OK, I am little optimistic perhaps!  
  • 18. What do you see?
  • 19. We all have different perspectives Trend today in English: seeing things from the reader’s point of view rather than your point of view
  • 20. Moral of the story   In your papers, emails, presentation slides, and applications for jobs always think about the audience. What do they want to: •  know? •  read first? •  hear first? Think in terms of them them them NOT me me me How can I make it easier for them?
  • 21.   Guideline  1   Write  for  the  referee  /  reader   Guideline  2   Write  short  sentences  
  • 22. Very  Simple  Sentence   One  part  only   English  is  oQen  considered  to  be  the   simplest  language.    
  • 23. Simple  Sentence   Two  parts   Of  all  the  languages  in  the  world,   English  is  oQen  considered  to  be  the   simplest.    
  • 24. Complex  Sentence   Too  many  ideas   Of  all  the  languages  in  the  world,   including  those  that  are  now  dead   languages,  for  example  La>n  and   Sanskrit,  English,  which  is  now  spoken   by  around  400  million  na>ve  speakers   and  1.1  billion  non-­‐na>ve  speakers,  is   considered  by  most  people  to  be  the   simplest.    
  • 25. Where  is  key  informa>on?  In   italics?  Or  normal  script   English,  which  is  the  interna4onal   language  of  communica4on,  is   now  studied  by  1.1  billion  people.     English,  which  is  now  studied  by   1.1  billion  people,  is  the   interna>onal  language  of   communica>on.    
  • 26. Rule  for  wri>ng  a  sentence     1  Subject  in  first  part   2  Key  info  in  second  part    
  • 27. 1)  Subject  2)  Key  info     English,  which  is  the  interna4onal   language  of  communica4on,  is  now   studied  by  1.1  billion  people.     English,  which  is  now  studied  by  1.1   billion  people,  is  the  interna>onal   language  of  communica>on.    
  • 28. Do  NOT  separate  the  subject     from  the  key  informa4on   English,  which  owes  its  origins  to  the   Anglo  Saxons  (a  tribe  who  lived  in  what   is  now  Denmark  and  Northern   Germany)  and  is  the  interna>onal   language  of  communica>on,  in  part  due   to  the  importance  of  the  USA,  rather   than  the  Queen  of  England,    is  now   studied  by  1.1  billion  people.      
  • 29. Don’t  hide  the  subject  in  the   middle  of  the  phrase   Owing  its  origins  to  the  Anglo  Saxons  (a   tribe  who  lived    in  what  is  now  Denmark   and  Northern  Germany),  English  is  the   interna>onal  language  of  commun-­‐ ica>on,  in  part  due  to  the  importance  of   the  USA,  rather  than  the  Queen  of   England,  and  is  now  studied  by  1.1   billion  people.      
  • 30. Think  how  you  could  divide  up  this   sentence  into  four  short  sentences.   Owing  its  origins  to  the  Anglo  Saxons  (a   tribe  who  lived    in  what  is  now  Denmark   and  Northern  Germany),  English  is  the   interna>onal  language  of  commun-­‐ ica>on,  in  part  due  to  the  importance  of   the  USA,  rather  than  the  Queen  of   England,  and  is  now  studied  by  1.1  billion   people.      
  • 31. Solu>on   English  owes  its  origins  to  the  Anglo   Saxons,  who  were  a  tribe  from  what  is   now  Denmark  and  Northern   Germany.  //  It  has  become  the   interna>onal  language  of   communica>on.  //  This  is  in  part  due  to   the  importance  of  the  USA,  rather  than   the  Queen  of  England.  //    English  is  now   studied  by  1.1  billion  people.      
  • 32. Remove  relaCve  clauses   English, which owes its origins to the Anglo Saxons, is …   English  owes  its   origins  to  the  Anglo   Saxons.  
  • 33. Remove  brackets  (and  consider  removing     content  of  brackets)     English, which owes its origins to the Anglo Saxons (a tribe who lived in what is now Denmark and Northern Germany)   English  owes  its   origins  to  the  Anglo   Saxons.    
  • 34. Remove  linker  *  and  begin  a  new  sentence.     Don’t  worry  about  repeaCng  the  same  word  twice.   …. a tribe who lived in what is now Denmark and northern Germany) and is the international language of communication,   …a tribe from what is now Denmark and northern Germany. English has become the international language of communication.   * A linker is a connecting word: moreover, in particular, consequently  
  • 35. Remove  comma  (,)  and  begin  a  new  sentence   … is the international language of communication, in part due to the importance of the USA, rather than the Queen of England, is now studied by 1.1 billion people.   …  is  the   interna>onal   language  of   communica>on.       This  is  in  part  due  to   the  importance  of   the  USA,  rather  than   the  Queen  of   England.  English  is   now  studied  by  1.1   billion  people.          
  • 36. Having  shorter  sentences  also  makes  it  easier  to   change  their  order   English owes its origins to the Anglo Saxons, who were a tribe from what is now Denmark and Northern Germany. // It has become the international language of communication. // This is in part due to the importance of the USA, rather than the Queen of England. // English is now studied by 1.1 billion people.     English  is  now  studied  by   1.1  billion  people.  It  owes  its   origins  to  the  Anglo  Saxons,   who  were  a  tribe  from  what  is   now  Denmark  and  Northern   Germany.  //  It  has  become  the   interna>onal  language  of   communica>on.  //  This  is  in   part  due  to  the  importance  of   the  USA,  rather  than  the   Queen  of  England.    
  • 37. Summary:  How  to  make  short  sentences  from  a  very   long  sentence.  Start  a  new  sentence  if  there  are/is:     •  •  •  •  •  brackets   which   and   more  than  two  commas   a  link  word  (in  addi4on,  furthermore)  
  • 38.   Guideline  1   Write  for  the  referee   Guideline  2   Write  short  sentences   Guideline  3   Minimum  number  of  words     (avoid  redundancy)  
  • 39. Researchers vs Normal People Imagine you ask a researcher the question “What time is it?”
  • 40. A typical researcher will say: "On the basis of the consideration that the sun would appear to be at its highest peak in the sky, it would be reasonable, given such circumstances, to hypothesize, all other things being equal, that the time, with respect to Greenwich, is midday."
  • 41. A normal person would say: “12 o’clock”
  • 42. Which style of writing is easier to understand and more enjoyable to READ? a) “12 o’clock” b) "On the basis of the consideration that the sun would appear to be at its highest peak in the sky …”
  • 43. Which style do you use? Why? a) “12 o’clock” b) "On the basis of the consideration that the sun would appear to be at its highest peak in the sky …”
  • 44. In a survey at Stanford University, 86.4% of students admitted they used complicated language in their papers to make themselves sound more intelligent.
  • 45. Remove the fog: cut redundant words It was yellow in colour and round in shape.  
  • 46. Remove the fog: cut redundant words 1.  It was yellow in colour and round in shape. 2.  This will be done in the month of December. 3.  The research activity carried out in our department. 4.  The activity aimed at the extrapolation of X is not trivial. 5.  We did X. This choice meant that … 6. The summary statements presented above represent the authors’ current perceptions in relation to the results. Since the work is ongoing, these statements should only be viewed as conclusions to the extent that it is the author’s intention and aim to embellish them in the light of subsequent events.
  • 47. Cut redundant words 1.  It was yellow in colour and round in shape. 2.  This will be done in the month of December. 3.  The research activity carried out in our department. 4.  The activity aimed at the extrapolation of X is not trivial. 5.  We did X. This choice meant that … 6.  The summary statements presented above represent the authors’ current perceptions in relation to the results. Since the work is ongoing, these statements should only be viewed as conclusions to the extent that it is the author’s intention and aim to embellish them in the light of subsequent events.
  • 48. Why is eliminating redundant words useful? It was yellow in colour and round in shape / form. We did X. This choice / choose meant that … The activity aimed at / to the extrapolation of X is not trivial.
  • 49. Why is eliminating redundant words useful? It was yellow in colour and round in shape / form. We did X. This choice / choose meant that … The activity aimed at / to the extrapolation of X is not trivial.  
  • 50. Why cut redundant words? It was yellow in colour and round in shape / form. We did X. This choice / choose meant that … The activity aimed at / to the extrapolation of X is not trivial. •  If you cut redundant words it is impossible make mistakes with them! •  They add no value for the reader. •  They are not concrete.
  • 51. Which is correct?   1a) We found useful to consider the cases separately. 1b) We found it useful to consider ... 2a) It is worth to note that x = y. 2b) It is worth noting that x = y.
  • 52. Which is correct?   We found useful to consider … We found it useful to consider ... It is worth to note that x = y. It is worth noting that x = y. Are you 100% sure???!!!
  • 53. Are the sentences in blue correct?   We found useful to consider … We found it useful to consider √ We considered ... It is worth to note that x = y. It is worth noting that x = y. √ Note that x = y.
  • 54. Eliminating words   Reduces the number of choices you have to make, thus reduces the time you have to spend thinking. Reduces the chances of you making mistakes, thus reduces correction time. Saves the reader time and reduces possible boredom.
  • 55. Using simple constructions does not mean you have a low intelligence quota!
  • 56. Prefer verbs to nouns     X was used in the calculation of Y.   X was used to calculate Y.     All sentences in red are examples of BAD English
  • 57. Prefer a verb to a verb + noun construction     This allows the analysis of X to be performed. This allows you to analyse X. This allows X to be analysed. A comparison was made between X and Y. X and Y were compared. X showed a better performance than Y. X performed better than Y.  
  • 58. Why is using verbs a good idea? A comparison was made / done / effected / carried out between X and Y. X and Y were compared.
  • 59. Be concise in the title of your paper but not too concise  
  • 60. After reading a title of a paper only 1 in 500 people … ?
  • 61. So you think they are going to read your paper? 1 in 3 Americans read gossip on blog websites 1 in 6 people read 12 or more books a year 1 in 100 people read a newspaper ONLY 1 in 500 people read a paper after reading the title 1 in 10,000 people read poetry
  • 62. What is the problem with this title? An innovative Spanish PhD student scientific English didactic methodology
  • 63. When you start reading it, it seems to have one meaning. But when you finish it, it has another meaning. An innovative Spanish PhD student …
  • 64. It is a string of : adjectives + nouns that act as adjectives + nouns An innovative Spanish PhD student scientific English didactic methodology
  • 65. Rewrite the title. Include some prepositions and a verb. An innovative Spanish PhD student scientific English didactic methodology
  • 66. Good titles have a verb and some prepositions. An innovative Italian PhD student scientific English didactic methodology An innovative methodology for teaching scientific English to Spanish PhD students
  • 67. Good titles put the adjective next to the noun it refers to. NO! An innovative Spanish PhD student scientific English didactic methodology YES! An innovative methodology for teaching scientific English to Spanish PhD students
  • 68. Moral of the story If readers can t understand your title, there is a 98.76532% chance they won t read your paper.
  • 69. Using  Google  to  check  your  English  
  • 70. Google:  summary   This  word  or  exact  phrasing:  these  informa>ons  are     Language:  English     Domain:  .ac,  .edu     Author  (Google  Scholar  only):  Smith      
  • 71. Being concise: Summary     Remove redundant words (and even whole sentences, paragraphs, sections) For a period of six months For six months Reduce number of words This gives us the possibility to do x This allows us to do x Use verbs instead of nouns We made an analysis of x We analysed x  
  • 72. Why be concise?     Abstracts CVs Applications for grants Research proposals Emails Slides in presentations Posters at conferences Twitter Learning to be concise is not an option, it is essential.  
  • 73. You will not write like a child! Being concise does not mean that you cannot be expressive or cannot be eloquent. You can! Are native English academics concise? Most are not. But the difference between them and you is that they don’t make mistakes!  
  • 74. Believe me. You need to be concise    
  • 75. Just because it was not concise: “Must be rewritten completely”   Referees can be real bastards!
  • 76. But the author could easily have been avoided the problem   Abstract   Tomato  (Solanum  lycopersicum  L.)  is  a  worldwide-­‐culCvated  vegetable  crop   which  is  affected  by  many  viruses  that  cause  significant  economic  losses.   Therefore,  Their  detec>on  and  iden>fica>on  is  of  cri>cal  importance  to  plant   virologists  in  general  and,  in  parCcular,  to  scienCsts  and  others  involved  in  plant   protec>on  acCviCes  and  quaran>ne  and  cer>fica>on  programs.     Instead publication was delayed 3 months. Also, the author had to pay me €220 to revise his manuscript – when he could have done the revision HIMSELF before the first submission. P.S. Obviously, the author had NOT followed my English course!
  • 77. Note also that this is an Abstract   Abstract   Tomato  (Solanum  lycopersicum  L.)  is  a  worldwide-­‐culCvated  vegetable  crop   which  is  affected  by  many  viruses  that  cause  significant  economic  losses.   Therefore,  Their  detec>on  and  iden>fica>on  is  of  cri>cal  importance  to  plant   virologists  in  general  and,  in  parCcular,  to  scienCsts  and  others  involved  in  plant   protec>on  acCviCes  and  quaran>ne  and  cer>fica>on  programs.     If the reader sees a lot of redundancy in the Abstract, then he/she will probably stop reading. In your Abstract every word must add VALUE. You do not have much space in an Abstract, so don’t waste a single word.
  • 78.     1)  Write  for  the  referee   2)  Write  short  sentences   3)  Avoid  redundancy)     Guideline  4   Highlight  your  findings  and   differenCate  them  from  the  literature     Guideline  5   Avoid  ambiguity  
  • 79. Which part of the paper is the most difficult to write? Why? Abstract Introduction Methodology (Materials and Method) Results Discussion Conclusion
  • 80. Which part of the paper is the most difficult to write? Why? Abstract Introduction Methodology (Materials and Method) Results Discussion Conclusion
  • 81. With  the  person  siSng  next  to   you  decide  the  main  purposes  of   the  Discussion  
  • 82. In Discussion / Conclusions it is essential to: 1) be clear what you did and what other authors have done 2) highlight your unique contribution 3) discuss limitations of your findings 4) state what the applications and implications of your research are
  • 83. Differentiating yourself from other authors NO!! It was found that … •  ? •  ? They found X. •  They found X. •  They found XThey found X YOU THEM YOU They found X. We found X. Our findings show that ...
  • 84. Use ACTIVE and WE to distinguish between you and other authors 1.  2.  3.  GOOD! In 2008, we confirmed that complex sentences aggravate the reader [25]. GOOD! In 2007, Carter suggested that complex sentences could also lead to high levels of stress for the reader [36]. OK! In 2007, it was suggested that complex sentences could also lead to high levels of stress for the reader [Carter, 36]. 4.  BAD! In 2007, it was suggested that complex sentences could also lead to high levels of stress for the reader [25]. 5.  DISASTER! In 2007, it was suggested that complex sentences could also lead to high levels of stress for the reader. 1.  We clearly indicates that you are referring to your own work. 2.  The author is the subject of the verb, so it is clear to the reader. 3.  The passive form means that the reader is not sure until the end of the sentence if it was you or another author. A long literature review full of passive sentences is very heavy for the reader. 4.  This is ambiguous. Readers cannot know who made the suggestion unless they go to Ref. 25 and see if it was you or someone else. 5.  There is no reference. Readers cannot be sure if you made the suggestion or someone else.
  • 85. Not making the distinction clear between what YOU did and what OTHERS have done causes more confusion for the reader than any grammatical or vocabulary mistake
  • 86. For  each  verb  in  bold,  try  to  understand  if  the  verb  refers  to  something  Kim   (the  author)  did  or  found,  or  to  something  another  author  (AA)  did  or  found.     Bilingual  children  (1)  were  found    to  show  a  greater  adaptability  to  new   situa>ons  (e.g.  change  of  school,  change  of  diet)  and  demonstrated  a  greater   ease  in  communica>ng  confidently  with  adults  [Simons,  1995].  As  result  of  an   extensive  search  for  bilingual  children  in  ten  European  countries,  149  children   (2)  were  iden3fied  (Table  1).  It  (3)  has  been  found  that  those  children  with   parents  of  the  same  na>onality  but  who  lived  in  a  foreign  country  (for   example,  a  child  with  English  parents  living  in  Italy)  (4)  have  a  greater  level  of   adaptability  than  those  children  with  parents  of  different  na>onali>es  living   in  the  na>ve  country  of  one  of  the  parents.      
  • 87. Original Bilingual children were found to show a greater adaptability to new situations and demonstrated a greater ease in communicating confidently with adults [Simons, 1995]. As result of an extensive search for bilingual children in ten European countries, 149 children were identified (Table 1). Revised Bilingual children show a greater adaptability to new situations and demonstrated a greater ease in communicating confidently with adults [Simons, 1995]. Simons investigated children from the US and Canada. On the other hand, the focus of our study was Europe and as a result of an extensive search for bilingual children in ten European countries, 149 children were identified (Table 1).
  • 88. impersonal forms vs we Simons investigated children from the US and Canada, whereas we studied children in Europe. We conducted an extensive search for bilingual children in ten European countries and identified 149 children (Table 1). We found that those children with parents …
  • 89. Results: present simple vs simple past present: to talk about established scientific fact past: your findings that you describe in your paper. It is well known that if green is mixed with red, brown is produced. We found that when we mixed green and red, white was produced. NO!!! We found that when we mixed green and red, white is produced.
  • 93. Don’t tell The large difference in mean size between X and Y is particularly interesting. Interesting for who? Show X showed a massive increase, almost ten times that of Y.
  • 94. This is one ridiculously long paragraph containing all kinds of information about everything that you can possibly imagine and conceive. This is one ridiculously long paragraph containing all kinds of information about everything that you can possibly imagine and conceive. Here are my findings you will be lucky if you can see them here buried in the midst of this ridiculously long paragraph containing all kinds of information about everything that you can possibly imagine and conceive. And now I will continue with this ridiculously long paragraph containing all kinds of information about everything that you can possibly imagine and conceive. So here we go again with this ridiculously long paragraph containing all kinds of information about everything that you can This is now a much shorter paragraph. This is now a much shorter paragraph. This is now a much shorter paragraph. This is now a much shorter paragraph. This is now a much shorter paragraph. This is now a much shorter paragraph. This is now a much shorter paragraph. This is now a much shorter paragraph. This is now a much shorter paragraph. Here are my findings, which you can now see quite clearly. Note how this paragraph is also quite short. In fact, it is shorter than the previous and following paragraphs. This is now a much shorter paragraph. This is now a much shorter paragraph. This is now a
  • 95. Highlighting your findings "   Begin a new paragraph "   Use different language "   Avoid too many note that , interestingly – show rather than say "   If possible, use we and active form "   Use shorter than normal sentences "   Keep the paragraph short
  • 96. Do any of you drink Carlsberg? Probably the best beer in the world
  • 97. Probably the best beer in the world Early Carlsberg adverts had these slogans: Lager at its best. Unrivalled quality and flavour. The world s best. Why did Carlsberg decide to use probably ? http://carlsberg.com/#/Commercials/historic+ads
  • 98. Hedging and Sitting on the Fence
  • 99. Emphasizing your contribution Too modest Too arrogant
  • 100. Too weak It may be the case that these findings could possibly find an application in … These findings would seem to suggest that in certain circumstances there might be a possiblity to .. Too strong These findings will certainly be useful for … Our findings prove that .. Other researchers should use these findings to …
  • 101. The right balance X would seem to indicate that … We hope that other researchers will … We believe that these results show that … Our findings suggest that .. To the best of our knowledge this is the first time that … Other researchers may benefit from …
  • 102. But don’t put probably in front of every affirmation you make!
  • 103.
  • 104.
  • 105. Level of certainty when discussing results 100% Must will (certainly) 90% should will probably 50% may could 0% will not cannot
  • 106. How can you be so sure about what you say? There are no studies on ... Have you actually checked every single paper in the world? The literature has not discussed ... Are you 100% certain about this? This is the first time that this method has been applied to ... What about that recent study in China? Results often conflict with each other ... Have you investigated all the results?
  • 107. I want my paper published, so I am more modest and open to other interpretations As far as we know, there are no studies on ... To [the best of] our knowledge, the literature has not discussed … We believe that this is the first time … Results often appear to conflict with each other ...
  • 108. Don’t offend anyone when describing their limitations
  • 109. Don’t give the finger to another author: he/she might be the refereee
  • 110. Describe the limitations of your research + all possible objections.
  • 111.
  • 112. So, what does it all mean?
  • 113. Summary     Write  for  the  reader  not  for  yourself     Simple,  short,  clear  and  unambigous       ‘Sell’  your  methods  and  results     Reduce  what  you’ve  wrihen  by  25%  
  • 114. How to end a seminar using boring scientific English On the basis that I have now concluded everything that I wish to say on this particular occasion, and, moreover, due to the consideration that the time allocated to this particular session is drawing near to its scheduled completion, I believe, given all the above factors, that we have reached the point at which we can bring this seminar to a suitable and appropriate termination.
  • 115. How to end a lesson using error-free English