Page 100 - English for Writing Research Papers

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By the way, aimed at and choice would be the correct versions in S1 and S2.

Note how S3 and S4 are much more effective than S1 and S2 in highlighting the key
information for the reader. There is no distracting information hiding such informa-
tion. This is particularly important in the Abstract (Chapter 13 ) and Discussion
(Chapter 18 ).

5.3 Cut individual redundant words

The words in square brackets below could simply be removed without having to
make further changes to the sentence.

It was small [in size], round [in shape], yellow [in color] and heavy [in weight].

This will be done in [the month of] December for [a period of] six days.

Our research [activity] initially focused [attention] on [the process of] designing the
architecture.

The [task of] analysis is not [a] straightforward [operation] and there is a [serious] danger
that [the presence of] errors in the text …

The analyses [performed in this context] highlighted [among other things] the [fundamental
and critical] importance of using the correct methodology in a consistent [and coherent]
manner [of conduction].

This was covered in the Materials and Methods [section].

Note how the words that have been cut are more generic than the words that have
been left (e.g. color rather than yellow ). Wherever possible use the most concrete
word available (see next subsection).

Avoid using strings of words with little or no difference in meaning. In the sentences
below, just one of the words in italics would be suffi cient.

So far, researchers have failed to solve this equation due to various issues , problems and
diffi culties .

This point is critical and fundamental for our research purposes.

Your language may have adopted English words, and when you use them in your
own language such words may require an additional associated word. So whereas in
your language, you might have to say make a skype call or an email message , in
English it is enough to say to skype and an email .