- •Elektronski fakultet
- •Written and spoken communications in english for science and technology introduction
- •Nadežda Stojković
- •Edicija: Pomoćni udžbenici
- •Elektronski fakultet
- •Nadežda Stojković
- •Isbn 86-85195-02-0
- •Table of contents
- •VI correspondence 73
- •VII spoken presentations and interviews 99
- •VIII bibliography 117
- •Foreword
- •II paragraph
- •2.1. Paragraph structure
- •2.2. Kinds of paragraphs
- •III essay
- •3.1. Parts of an essay
- •Introduction
- •3.2. Kinds of essays
- •3.3. Five paragraph model of composition
- •Introductory paragraph
- •3.4. Quotations/ references/ bibliography
- •IV formal reports and instructions
- •4.1. Formal reports format
- •4.2. Proposal (feasibility), progress and final report
- •4.2.1. Proposal (feasibility) report
- •4.2.2. Progress report
- •4.2.3. Final report
- •Introduction
- •4.3. Laboratory report
- •4.4. Design reports
- •Introduction
- •4.5. Instructions
- •4.5.1. Instructions format
- •Introduction:
- •4.6. User guides
- •Information Included in User Guides
- •4.7. Other types of technical documents/reports
- •V research papers
- •5.1. Research papers planning and writing
- •5.1.1. Note on style
- •5.1.2. General structure of a research paper
- •Introduction:
- •5.2. Journal articles
- •5.2.1. Prose and style considerations
- •5.2.2. Specific sections of an article:
- •5.3. Diploma paper
- •5.3.1. General structure of a diploma paper
- •5.3.2. Diploma paper defending
- •5.4. Master's vs PhD thesis
- •5.5. General features of a PhD thesis
- •5.5.1. Two types of PhD theses
- •5.6. PhD thesis proposal
- •5.6.1. Proposal format
- •5.7. PhD thesis format
- •Introduction
- •VI correspondence
- •6.1. Common letter components
- •Sample letter of common kind
- •6.2. Types of correspondence
- •6.2.1. Technical Cooperation
- •6.2.2. Technical Visits Abroad
- •6.2.3. Technical Visits from Abroad
- •6.2.4. Technical Training
- •6.2.5. Requesting Information
- •6.2.6. Complaint and Adjustment Letters
- •6.2.7. Application Letter
- •Sample application letter
- •6.2.8. Letter of Recommendation
- •Sample letter of recommendation
- •6.2.9. Resume/ cv
- •The common structure of a resume/cv
- •Helpful tips considering cv style
- •Sample cv
- •Your name
- •6.2.10. Cover Letters
- •Sample cover letter
- •6.2.11. Thank you Letters
- •Sample post-interview thank you letter
- •Sample post-information thank you letter
- •Sample job offer acceptance thank you letter
- •6.2.12. Memorandum
- •6.2.13. Emails
- •VII spoken presentations and interviews
- •7.1. Spoken presentations
- •7.2. Preparing and delivering formal spoken presentation
- •1) Analyse your audience
- •2) Know your task
- •3) Determine primary purpose
- •4) Shape your presentation
- •5) Select effective supporting information
- •6) Choose an appropriate pattern of organisation
- •7) Select appropriate visual aids
- •8) Prepare a suitable introduction
- •9) Prepare a closing summary
- •10) Practice
- •11) Delivery
- •12) Time and focus
- •7.3. Scientific discussion - argumentation and contra argumentation
- •6. Conclusion
- •7.3.1. Appropriate phrases for developing an argument
- •7.4. Interviews
- •7.4.1. Some interview tips
- •7.4.2. Common interview questions and answering hints
- •VIII bibliography
5.2. Journal articles
The scientific process has a crucial aspect which is dissemination of the newly acquired knowledge to the larger audience of other scientists of the same area of expertise as you are. That communication is done in scientific journals. Most journals accept papers for publication only after peer review by a small group of scientists who work in the same field and who recommend the paper to be published (usually with some revision). This chapter presents a general format and structure of scientific journal articles. Different journals require slightly different formats and styles, and they should be considered carefully before submitting a paper (J.H. Mitchell 1968). However, this general outline may help you to master those nuances more easily, you may learn to write and think within the structure given here.
Scientific article requires special order and organisation, just as any other piece of scientific writing. The article may be of various kinds, you may want to present a design of a piece of equipment, criticise someone else's work, present original research, review an article or a book, etc. The treatment of the subject matter will depend on this. It would be divided into comprehensive sections. The strength of your argument will vastly depend on the logic employed in its presentation.
5.2.1. Prose and style considerations
Your text needs necessarily to conform to the conventions of standard English. Since scientific terminology very often has precise meaning, it is advisable to check the use of words thoroughly, and when you use them, do so consistently.
It is of utmost importance to write clearly and concisely. Make sure your paragraphs are organised logically, that you have a clear topic sentence and that the paragraph content supports it. The economy of your text may be your ultimate strength. Report your findings and conclusions clearly, with as few words as possible.
Abbreviations, which are inherent in scientific writing, should be used only for units of measure (2mm, 10min). Do not use them in non-data context (e.g., "we measure length in millimeters", but not "temperature was measured in C"...).
Because research papers are about work that has been completed, the past tense needs to be used throughout the article.
Scientific disciplines and journals vary considerably when it comes to the matter of first vs third person of the author. Nowadays there is a tendency to move away from the impersonal third person in favour of the first person singular or plural. When using the first person be most careful not to sound/be subjective, as all your beliefs have to be substantiated.
In line with that is the use of active rather than passive verbs. The prose written in the active voice is more lively, and so easier to read, it is more economical, and probably more logical as it emphasises the fact that the author(s) themselves came to the conclusions elaborated on in the article.
References to the relevant findings of others are an integral component of any research paper. Usually, you need to summarise them in your own words and then cite the source. Direct quotation and footnoting are not practiced.
Where possible, schematics, pictures, graphs and tables should be used rather than words. Yet, they should be selected most carefully. Tables are to be used when absolute numbers are important, graphs for trends. A figure should never be presented before mentioning it in the text.