Scientific Reading and Writing in English Shu-ying Wang, Ph.D. Dept. Microbiology and Immunology

Scientific Reading and Writing in English

Shu-ying Wang, Ph.D.Dept. Microbiology and Immunology

Tel: +886-6-2353535 ext. 5634Fax: +886-6-2082705

Email : [email protected]

Scientific Reading and Writing in EnglishFall, 2009

Time: 1:10-3:00 pm, every TuesdayPlace: Conference room (82-1124), Dept. Microbiology and Immunology (11 th floor)

Week Date Topic Tutor

1 9/15 Overview of manuscript preparation and submission Shun-Hua Chen

2 9/22 “Introduction”

3 9/29 “Data Processing (Making figures and tables)”

4 10/6 “Results”

5 10/13 Practice “Introduction”

6 10/20 Practice “Data Processing (Making figures and tables)”

7 10/27 “Results” and Practice “Results” Robert Anderson

8 11/3 “Materials and Methods” Shu-Ying Wang

9 11/10 “Discussion”

10 11/17 Practice “Materials and Methods”

11 11/24 Practice “Discussion”

12 12/1 “Abstract” Pin Ling

13 12/8 “References, Acknowledgements, and Front page”

14 12/15 “Cover letter”

15 12/22 Practice “Abstract”

16 12/29 Practice “References, Acknowledgements, and Front page”

17 1/5 Practice “Cover letter”

Discussion what do your findings mean

First answer question posed in introduction Explain the significance of your results Explain the findings, relationships, and generalizations of

your results Do not repeat results Explains how results support answers and how answers fit

with existing knowledge on the topic Discuss weaknesses and discrepancies Conclusion/summary, perspectives, implications Has a beginning, middle, and end

Discussion Part 1, beginning

The question posed in Introduction…“… A question arises whether the domains of DbpA proteins

normally form a stable, compact structure in solution, similar to replication involved helicases such as Rep, PcrA, and the hepatitis C virus helicase fragment (5), or whether they are distended from each other like beads on a string…..”

Is answered in your Discussion…“.. The data presented here, demonstrating that the domains of

YxiN are loosely tethered and distended in absence of ligands, support a model in which YxiN functions as an RNA chaperone…”

Part 1, Beginning present strongest evidence first

Begin with significance of your results– Never begin with background information

– Never repeat information from Introduction

– Never begin with historical overviews

Part 2, Middle interpret your results

– Show how your results fit into the literature and how they support your answer

– Give in descending order of importance

– Compare your results with other studies, your work or others

– Use one idea per paragraph

Part 3, Endingbe strong

Restate answer to question, and signal this ending

Mention possible applications, implications, or speculations

Pull out as a separate Conclusions section Suggest future work if needed

“ The structure of the FlhDC complex presented

here reveals the tertiary fold of the FlhC protomer,

including a zinc-binding site that has not been

described previously. It also reveals the quaternary

interface between the FlhD and FlhC subunits, and

provides a structural framework for future studies

of the interaction of the complex with its target

promoters.”

Develop a good writing style

Read well written articles Try to get good writers to review Learn from editing changes

Words and expressions to avoid

Jargon Preferred use

a considerable amount of muchon account of becausea number of several Referred to as calledIn a number of cases someHas the capacity to canIt is clear that clearlyIt is apparent that apparentlyEmploy useFabricate make

Day, RA. “How to write and publish a scientific paper,” 6th edition, Greenwood Press, 2006.

“The hardest part is getting started.”

“Scientists are rated by what they finish, not by what they attempt.”

“There is no way to get experience except through experience.”