A.Put information in chronological order, particularly
in the methods section
Your document should be like a map showing the reader the direction to
follow. Try to write in a step-by-step way, with each step logically following
the previous one. This generally entails putting information in chronological
order.
1. In the second part of a sentence prefer then + simple past, rather than
after + past perfect.
2. Use fi rst(ly), second(ly) etc. to show the stages of a procedure.
Examples: incorrect:
1.The vegetables were served with the
main course after they had been cooked
in the oven.
2.When defusing a bomb, cut the green wire
after first having disrupted the circuit.
B. Avoid redundancy
Make it easy for the reader by using the minimum number of words. The
resulting sentences should also be quicker for you to write.
Don’t use:
1. Meaningless abstract words.
2. Meaningless descriptive words.
3. Unnecessary introductory phrases
4. Unnecessary link words e.g. in particular, furthermore, to be precise.
Examples: incorrect
1.Achieving this is a difficult task .
2.They should be green in color and round in shape.
3.We believe the results are of significant value.
C.Prefer verbs to nouns
1. Use a verb rather than a noun , this improves readability and
conciseness.
2. Use one verb rather than a noun + verb.
Examples: incorrect
1.This was used in the calculation of the values.
2.This allows the transfer of the money to be performed.
3.A comparison was made between the USA and the Russian Federation.
D .Avoid informal words and contractions.
1. Some words and expressions relating to quantities are considered too
informal for research papers.
2. Prefer such as to like when giving examples.
3. Prefer thus ( therefore, consequently ) to so; prefer in any case to
anyway.
4. Avoid actually at the beginning of a sentence.
5. Prefer until to till.
6. Avoid contracted forms (e.g. it isn’t, we’ll ). Instead use the full form
(e.g. it is not, we will ).
7. Avoid colloquial phrasal verbs (e.g. check out, get around, give up, work out).
Examples: incorrect
1.The sample size was pretty small.
2. A tiny part of the samples were contaminated.
3.A few European countries, like Montenegro, Slovenia and Moldavia,have requested …
4.We waited till the end of the experiments before.....