ELP 407: Scientific & Technical Writing Pitfalls

Questions and Answers

What is a key strategy to avoid low readability in scientific writing?

Use shorter words and sentences. (correct)

Use longer sentences and complex structures.

Use more nouns than verbs.

Increase the use of jargon and technical terms.

Which of the following best defines hedging in scientific writing?

Including excessive citations to support arguments.

Using technical jargon to impress the audience.

Providing clear and direct statements.

Adding qualifiers and reservations that weaken the argument. (correct)

What is likely a consequence of over-citation in scientific writing?

Enhanced clarity and understanding of concepts.

Perception of a lack of understanding in the subject area. (correct)

Increased reader engagement and interest.

Stronger arguments through comprehensive references.

What is waffling in the context of scientific writing?

Using unnecessary words to increase word count. Signup and view all the answers

How can a writer avoid super-compression in their scientific writing?

Create documents with clear glossaries and footnotes. Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential effect of ambiguity in scientific writing?

Confusion due to unclear grammatical structures. Signup and view all the answers

Which technique is NOT recommended to improve readability?

Include lengthy descriptions. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the problem of low readability in writing?

Longer words and sentences leading to complexity. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Pitfalls in Scientific & Technical Writing

Common pitfalls include low readability, hedging, waffling, super-compression, over-citation, long sentences, noun stacks, and ambiguity.

Low Readability

Readability measures the complexity of the text; longer words and sentences reduce readability.
Techniques to improve readability:
- Use more verbs instead of nouns.
- Apply shorter words and sentences.
- Incorporate graphics to enhance understanding.
Studies indicate that texts with high readability scores tend to influence targeted audiences more effectively.

Hedging

Hedging involves adding reservations and qualifications to arguments, which can weaken the writer's assertiveness and credibility.

Waffling

Waffling refers to unnecessarily lengthy and vague text designed to meet word count requirements, detracting from the quality of writing.

Super-compression

Super-compression presents overly dense information, leading to misunderstandings and communication breakdowns.
To prevent super-compression:
- Avoid assuming that all information is "obvious" to every reader.
- Strive for clarity without overly simplifying complex concepts.
- Use multi-level documents incorporating glossaries, footnotes, and graphics.

Ambiguity

Ambiguity arises from unclear or confusing grammatical structures, making the text difficult to understand.

Over-citation

Over-citation involves excessive referencing, which may indicate a lack of original understanding and reliance on the work of others.

Description

This quiz covers key pitfalls in scientific and technical writing, focusing on issues such as low readability, hedging, and ambiguity. Participants will learn to identify common mistakes like over-citation and noun stacking that can hinder effective communication. Enhance your writing skills by understanding these critical challenges.