When publishing in English you need to take account of the general rules which have become accepted as the norm in academic communication. In writing technical and scientific papers in particular, you should aim to achieve objectivity, clarity and precision. In addition, there are conventions governing the use of formal patterns, though the need to establish rapport with your audience and to make your writing reader-friendly has an influence on determining your selection of formal or informal language phrases.
This implies that there still is a certain amount of creative use of language in the dissemination of research information and that scientific writing does not simply follow a set of mechanical writing procedures for reporting results. The written text also reflects, though to a very limited extent, cultural and rhetorical assumptions about what is presented and how the material is organized.
Objectivity is generally governed by the research topic although obviously it is individuals who actually have to select, arrange and present their findings. Thus it is your task, as the writer, to deal with your topic in a fair, objective and responsible manner, keeping your personal feelings out of your writing.
From a language point of view, objectivity and a neutral approach (impersonal style) may be achieved by using the passive voice and by avoiding ambiguous statements. Avoidance of confusing metaphoric elements, combined with the use of precise and well-established technical terms may add to effective writing and help to produce explicitness of standard academic description.
Scientific writing is usually done in an impersonal style. Information and facts are more important than personal opinions or attitudes. This style is also used to put a certain distance between the writer and the arguments proposed and thus makes them more objective. See also Section 5.5 Using the Passive.
| Personal / informal | Impersonal / formal |
| The students enter their user names and passwords to access their accounts. | ..... students' names and passwords are entered to access accounts |
| Last year it became quite evident that we would need to replace our old second hand computers | Last year it became quite evident that our old second hand computers needed to be replaced |
| Microsoft was auditing many schools in the western U.S...... | .....many schools in the western U.S. were being audited by Microsoft |
| I had experimented with Linux a few years earlier........;but found it somewhat difficult and incomplete | Linux had been experimented a few years earlier......... but it had been found somewhat difficult and incomplete |
| I assume that ... | It is assumed that... |
| ....... we upgraded our computer lab for under half the cost of what many neighbouring schools paid for inferior equipment | .... our computer lab was upgraded for under half the cost of what was paid by many neighbouring schools for inferior equipment |
| We teach seventh graders keyboarding skills...... | Keyboarding skills are taught to seventh graders..... |
| I have found Linux to be the more advanced of the two operating systems..... | Linux has been found to be the more advanced of the two operating systems...... |
Precise references to data in tables, graphs and diagrams also lead to greater objectivity in research findings.
© Vysoké učení technické v Brně, 2005
Last update: 19-Dec-2005, 16:05