What a week this has been!
Christmas is next week! Where did
2016 go? I swear that years become shorter the older I get. I’ve had a few things on my mind this week,
but something I have been seriously considering is what is important in writing
scientific documents.
I think there are three key areas that are important when
writing a scientific document, clarity, brevity and subject matter. Clarity, because if no one can understand my
writing, I may as well not write. If
someone is reading the results of an experiment and is confused about what the
results are, then the entire experiment was a waste of time! I can imagine nothing more disappointing then
putting in the work required to undertake an experiment, only to have it be
deemed pointless as no one can understand it.
Brevity is extremely important. While you must ensure to clearly explain the
points in a document, pontificating and waffling must be avoided at all
costs. For two reasons, primarily
because waffling is boring and someone reading a scientific document really just
wants the facts. Secondly, by
introducing needless words, the door is being opened to a reader misinterpreting
the document. If the document is clear
and brief, the key points will be impossible to misinterpret.
Finally, subject matter must be taken into
consideration. Taking the time to understanding
what research has been done before and ensuring that your document adds to the
knowledge in this area, will make your document a “must read” in the field. Without researching others input in the field
you run the risk of just parroting what someone else has written before, even
though you may have written it yourself.
Well, this probably hasn’t been the most exciting Pre-Christmas
blog you have read this year. However hopefully
you can incorporate these thoughts when writing your next scientific document
and aim for clarity, brevity and a positive addition to the subject matter.
Merry Christmas!
4 comments:
Hey jess this is an awesome pre xmas blog. Most things in this blog i so need help with and thanks for reminding me about these. And you were straight to the facts with this to. Hope you have a merry xmas an ill keep reading when you keep posting thanks.
Enjoy your Christmas breakAn interesting way to use clarity, brevity and subject matter, and bring them all together. It is true that we need to ingage our readers, so all three are vitally important when presenting a topic. .
Life is like a toilet roll - the more you use the faster it goes.... 2016 has definitely flown by. This is an excellent explanation of clarity, brevity and subject matter. I feel like this should be an A4 print out given to students at the beginning of a communications paper! You have put it in easily understandable terms - and I agree with Mel, you have tied them all together nicely. I would be interested in hearing about how this has helped you - do you remind yourself of clarity, brevity, and subject matter each time you write? Does it make the process of writing faster? More efficient? More enjoyable? I hope you have a lovely break over Christmas - and are proud of this blog post.
Excellent write up Jess! I was swept along with your writing and I agree with you, if nobody can understand my writing why should I be writing? Enjoyed reading your blog. You have lots of energy regardless of Christmas being just around the corner! Merry Christmas to you and enjoy a well deserved break!
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