If you are starting your journey into the world of science, it can be daunting. Tackling scientific articles, conferences and debates feels like climbing a mountain. What are these difficult concepts, what are these crazy words, and why can’t scientists just write like normal people? If you have thought any of these things, then this Guide to Scientific English and Writing for the Sciences is for you.

This guide acts as an overall view of different aspects of scientific English. If you want more information, please click on the resource links provided at the end of each section.

A Brief History of scientific English and Writing for the Sciences

Scientific English evolved from a need for people around the world to communicate with each other in a standardised way about complex and complicated topics. International collaboration, the decline of French and German as de facto languages for communication and science, and long distance communications become common after World War 2 meant that a standard was needed. Using the basis of institutions like the Royal Society, which had posted standardised guidelines back in 1667, Scientific English came to the forefront. It also helped that the US contributed a lot to science during this period.

You can read more about the development of scientific English here:

Basic Characteristics

Scientific English and normal, everyday English serve different functions. The point of language is meant to communicate, but for general English, there are many ways of communicating: straightforward, poetically, ambiguously, subjectively, and many others. Each can be effective in different situations. In contrast, Scientific English must be clear, objective, logical, accurate and “easy to read”.

These 5 elements are the main reason why Scientific English is the way that it is. It is also the reason why you get very specific words. All of it boils down to these; no other styles are allowed.

You can read more about each of these here:

Grammar

Similarly because of these (aforementioned) constraints, grammar also varies between scientific and general English. Things that can be done in multiple ways in general English must be done in specific ways for Scientific English. As a result, not only vocabulary/terminology is affected. Other important writing elements such as commas, spacing, units, numbers, punctuation, and more.

Scientific English even goes as far as to tell you what verb tenses should appear in each section, how you should talk about results versus conclusions, and a lot more.

For a more complete focus on grammar, see:

Structures and Linking

Why is structure such an important part of scientific writing and presenting? Put simply, helps your audience understand the science more easily. Information presented at certain locations or points in your “story” helps a reader because that is where they are expecting to find out that kind of information. They can focus their energy into understanding the science rather than on trying to figure out what you are trying to say.

When presenting or writing, knowing this can also make the process of preparing and knowing what to say or write and where/when to do it much easier.

Overall Structure

On top of the differences at sentence levels, scientific publications and manuscripts (including drafts and materials being reviewed for publication) have structures that differ from documents in general English. In constrast to general and academic writing (for example, think of the social sciences like psychology), scientific writing follows section structuring where certain information is allowed to appear only in specific locations in a document.

There is some variation within publication structures however, depending on the purpose of the text. Some publications use an Opening-Challenge-Action-Resolution (OCAR), some use Lead-Development-Resolution (LDR), and many presentations use Action-Background-Development-Climax-Ending (ABDCE) to get the point across.

You can read more about each type, their use and pros and cons here:

Internal Structures

Structure is not just about the large, overall structure at the document but also about structures of sections and even paragraphs. Just like with OCAR and LDR, sometimes you need to hold your audiences hand, building up their knowledge to introduce your main point, and sometimes you can introduce the main point and then back it up afterwards with facts and figured.

Whether you lead with the main point (point first) or build up to it (point last), structures on both the paragraph and section levels are very useful and important. For readers, internal structures enable them to more thoroughly skim and scan documents. For presentations, your audience knows when and where to pay the most attention to what you are saying.

Linking

With all of these structures in paragraphs and s, it would be a shame if they did not flow like syrup but rather fell like a chunky salsa. Linking ideas, concepts, and grammar together is makes these transitions smooth and painless for your audience. From individual sentences to across paragraphs, the structure of your sentences and how they relate to each other is very important.

There are several ways to do this, including repeating the subject or going into more detail, looking at the relationship between subjects, looking at cause and effect, etc. Even moving different elements into the “positions of power” (the first and last elements, which is what the audience is most likely to remember) can transform the chunkiest of salsa into the mapliest (or should it be “the most maple”?) of syrups.

Practice and Resources

The most important thing about learning scientific English and writing for the sciences is exposure. First you should read scientific publications and attend lectures or watch them online. Over time you will begin to notice similarities and constants.

Once you have become more comfortable with understanding publications and lectures, it is stime to start doing some production of your own: writing and presenting/debating. Only through practice (and with quality feedback!) will you be able to improve your skills in presenting, debating and writing.

My personal advice as someone who has been teaching people scientific English is to join classes. If you are a university student, your university may offer (or even require) classes that will teach you these skills. Even if you are not a university student, check with local university, college or other institution of higher education to see if they offer classes and whether the general public can take them.

Another alternative in the day and age of the internet is online classes. I offer four introductory Scientific English classes. All four have the following options:

• Materials only: provided via Google Classroom (you will receive the invitation link), you can work through the information, practice activities and tasks at your own pace. I will give you feedback as you submit them and am available if you have any questions.
• Materials and class (intensive): the materials are provided on Google Classroom (you will receive the invitation link) and we will meet 1 time per week on Google Meet. You should review all the materials for that weeks lesson before class. The class will focus on using and extending the knowledge that you gain from the material. There are (depending on the course) 10 or 12 lessons, so this class will take 2.5/3 month.
• Materials and class (intensive): the materials are provided on Google Classroom (you will receive the invitation link) and we will meet 1 time per week on Google Meet. You should review all the materials for that weeks lesson before class. The class will focus on using and extending the knowledge that you gain from the material. There are (depending on the course) 10 or 12 lessons, so this class will take 1 month.

Reading

Introduction to Scientific English – Reading covers the basics of reading scientific publications, looking at the structure, how to skim and scan texts, finding information efficiently, structures and more.

Here is a list of the topics by lesson:

1. What is scientific English? Why is it important?
2. Parts of a manuscript
3. Abstracts
4. Scientific paper structures – OCAR
5. Scientific paper structures – LDR
6. Internal paper structures – Point-first vs point-last
7. Skimming
8. Scanning
9. Interpreting Figures, Tables, and Captions
10. Is this information trustworthy?

Find out more about this course here:

Introduction to Scientific English – Reading

Writing and Grammar

Introduction to Scientific English – Writing and Grammar covers the basics of scientific writing. It focuses on the differences in grammar, punctuation and writing conventions.

Here is a list of the topics by lesson:

1. What is scientific English? Why is it important?
2. Verbs and active voice – review
3. Punctuation: commas, semi-colons, colons
4. Independent and dependent clauses, Possesives, Which vs that
5. While, as, since, because, if, when
6. Subject-verb agreement, prepositions, starting sentences
7. Proper plurals and adjectives
8. Significant digits, units, numbers, Spacing, hyphens, compound adjectives
9. Misused words, acronyms and abbreviations
10. Verbs and passive voice – review
11. Wordy sentences
12. Latin in scientific English

Find out more about this course here:

Introduction to Scientific English – Writing and Grammar

Speaking

Introduction to Scientific English – Speaking focuses on presentations, debates and scientific discourse.

Here is a list of the topics by lesson:

1. What is scientific English? Why is it important?
2. Determining the audience and sticking to the format
3. Setting the stage – visual materials
4. Flash presentations
5. Longer presentations
6. Informing vs persuading
7. Science communication
8. Debate strategies for science
9. Preparing for counterarguments
10. Science and ethics

Find out more about this course here:

Introduction to Scientific English – Speaking

All Skills

Introduction to Scientific English – All Skills is a general introductory class that looks at speaking, reading, writing and communicating in scientific English.

Here is a list of the topics by lesson:

1. What is scientific English? Why is it important?
2. Introduction to Scientific Language
3. Common practices in Scientific English
4. Hedging
5. Types of publications / is this information trustworthy?
6. Parts of a manuscript, abstracts
7. Writing a story – OCAR
8. Writing a story – LDR
9. Flash presentations
10. Long presentations
11. Debate strategies for science
12. Science communication

Find out more about this course here:

Introduction to Scientific English – All Skills

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Interested in learning more about Scientific English? You can read a brief post on the History and Use of Scientific English here. More posts on Scientific English are available on the Scientific English page.