Page 66 - English for Writing Research Papers

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• returns to second topic (long-term memory), which is then subdivided into recent
and remote
• interesting fact about remote memory

In the RV, each sentence extends the information given in the previous sentence, and
the reader can sense the logical progression. The author presents a list of topics at
the beginning of a paragraph that he intends to discuss further in the later part of the
paragraph. He then deals with the topics in the same order and format as he initially

presented them: first short-term memory, then long-term.

3.12 Use a consistent numbering system to list phases,

states, parts etc.
When you need to describe the various stages in a procedure, methodology, project
and so on, it helps to use a numbering system. For example, fi rst(ly), second(ly),
third(ly), fi nally . It is also important to continue your numbering system in the
same way that you started it, and not to abandon it. Compare these two versions:

original version revised version
Our methodology can be divided into three Our methodology can be divided into three

main parts: first of all the characterization of main stages. Firstly , we characterized
demographic changes between 2000 and demographic changes between 2000 and
2010, in order to obtain a scenario for the 2010, in order to obtain a future scenario for
future with regarding to population shifts. population shifts. Secondly , we used the

The results from this first part were used as results from the fi rst part as inputs to obtain
inputs to obtain maps for 2010 to 2015. The maps for 2010 to 2015. Finally , the resulting
resulting maps and input maps regarding maps along with input maps regarding
climatic and political characteristics were climatic and political characteristics were
inserted into our model in order to predict inserted into our model in order to predict
future patterns. future patterns.

The OV is a little misleading. The colon in the first sentence gives the reader the
impression that the author is going to mention all three stages together within
the same sentence. The second two stages are not clearly marked. The RV

separates the OV’s first sentence into two parts. In the RV, first the author
announces that there are three stages. Then she talks about these three stages in
three separate sentences, which begin with a number indicator. This also makes
the paragraph visually easier to follow.