Improve the clarity and communicative power of your words and images. Chapters draw on models to show how best to negotiate print, online publication, and oral presentation.
Title - According to one study, "Papers with shorter titles get more citations" use 10-12 words. Be concise but specific. Use active verbs to summarize the paper. Avoid clever or gimmicky language.
Abstract - 200-250 words that outline the main points from the sections of your paper. Emphasize your methods and results. Readers should have a clear understanding of what to expect in the rest of the paper.
Introduction - Review the literature. Discuss the problem or question. How does your paper contribute to the conversation? State your thesis or hypothesis. Use present tense and clearly show objectives.
Materials and Methods - Use the past tense and provide precise information for your method to be reproducible. Use tables and subheadings.
Results - Present facts in past tense. No citations or interpretations. Display in tables and figures.
Discussion - Interpret the results. Discuss the results with support from the literature. Use the past tense to describe your study, and the present tense to describe new knowledge.
Annesley, T. (2010). It was a cold and rainy night”: Set the Scene with a good Introduction. Clinical Chemistry. 56(5), 708-713.
Christensen, B., Kume, H., Autorino, R. (2009). How to write titles and abstracts for readers. International Journal of Urology. 16(1), 2-3.
Day, R. (2012). How to write and publish a scientific paper. Cambridge University Press. pp. 63-68.
Hartley, J. (2005). To attract or to inform: What are titles for? Journal of Technical Writing and Communication, 25(2),203-213.
Lebrun, J. (2007). Scientific writing: a reader and writer's guide. World Scientific Publishing. pp. 118-127.
Hall, G. (2008). How to write a paper. Willey-Blackwell. pp. 19-30.
N, R. (2014) How to write a strong discussion in scientific manuscripts. BioScience Writers.
