The most important thing in academic and scientific writing is the clarity in the content. It is surely advisable to keep the language simple and not decorative in academic writing. The stress should be more on making sure that the concept and idea is clear. This can be done by keeping the sentences short and simple. In addition to that, when complicated sentences are there then greater chances of makings make mistakes. If you decide to depend upon the online translation software, there are good chances that there may be grammatical errors.
If you look at the content from the perspective of the editor and reviewers, you would know that they always prefer short and clear sentences, in contrast to the lengthy and complicated ones. But the important thing to keep in mind here is that academic writing is all about formal writing. Even though the preferred choice of sentences is short, they need to in a formal tone, necessarily. The more academic literature that you read, better will be your style of writing, for sure.
Correct usage of words is also very important when one talks of formal writing as it enriches and polishes the style of writing and the sentence structure to a great extent. Often, writers are unaware of the minute difference in the meaning of the words and their correct application. Some of the words with subtle differences are discussed here, for you to understand the usage of words better for more effective Academic/Scientific writing.
Distinction in the use of About and Approximately: We usually use the term “About” when we are not sure about the exact figure. The terms approximate is closer to accuracy, in comparison. Though a lot of writers use these two terms interchangeably, they cannot be used like that. There is a small and precise difference in their use and that is how it is to be understood. Usually with numbers that has not been rounded off to the closest ten is the one that is nearer to being accurate. Keeping that in mind, it is important to ensure that when quoting figures, the term about be used when the rounding off has been done and the given number is not very near to accuracy. However, when the estimated figure is precise and almost near to accuracy, it is always advised to use approximately.
Distinction in the use of About and Around: Here the difference is comparatively more clear as compared to the previous one. Again a lot of academic writers use these two terms as synonyms. This won’t be literally wrong to do so. It is acceptable to use them interchangeably. But the very clear difference between both is the preference of the reader. For the British reader, About is a better term and for the American reader, Around is more suitable and acceptable.
A lot of students are lured into a Ph.D. programme, and most of them have some common reasons to do so. They all believe that the field is very lucrative, and it offers a whole lot of opportunities, both within as well as outside of the academia. Students keen on becoming research scholars, see a lot of placed people getting a six figure salary after completing their doctoral degree. That definitely becomes very tempting.
But there is more to the story that is not on the surface, and goes unnoticed by the aspiring scholars. It takes about four to six years to get a Ph.D. degree. It really isn’t necessary that the employment scenario and opportunities would remain the same as now, after a span of five years. Like how every product and service has a definite life cycle, so would the demand for academic doctors. You may be entering a saturated market after a span of five years, and may find a lot of difficulty getting the right kind of job that made you choose the journey in the first place.
Sometimes those scholars who drop out of a Ph.D. programme half way through, get wonderful job opportunities, and get more time to earn money, and go on an upscale journey of success. The bottom line to understand here is that one should not decide to get into the course looking at the present scenario. It may be, rather would be a changed scenario in five years’ time.
If you have so decided to get into a Ph.D. never do it for a wrong reason. If one of these are your reasons, you must rethink if you want to do your Ph.D. or no:
To impress you folks: If you feel that by earning a Ph.D. degree you would be able to impress your folks. Yes, you would be, but it would not be worth the kind of effort it requires. It is a lot of hard work, time spent, and money used that this wouldn’t be a lasting enough motivation to keep your driving force going on for five years.
To earn a lot of money: If you already are established in the industry or are a consultant, getting a Ph.D. would add figures to your pay package. It is tedious, time consuming, and at the same time very demanding without actually ensuring any monetary benefit.
So, what is your calling?
It will be a dream come true for any researcher to see his guide engrossed by his thesis. What if the rationale of your thesis is so convincing that the reader understands, and agree with your view point? This would be amazing for any researcher, certainly!
How do you do that?First of all, you need to be able to write persuasively, it is an art because to be able to create a win-win situation involves the application of logic and reasoning. You can write in a more swaying manner by having a critical perspective towards what you write and why you write.
The reader can be attracted towards any write-up, by working on three aspects. These have been understood and absorbed by scholars since times immemorial.
Rationale: The logic put across in the writing should appeal and be justified to the reader.
Sentiment: The write up should stir up an emotion within the reader so that he is driven towards content more intellectually
Trust: The content should be aligned with the beliefs, and values of the reader so that he develops trust in the writer
As a scholar, when you write, you attempt to create an influential content, there are certain points that need to be followed necessarily:
- Clear all doubts: The thesis should be written with an intention to clear all doubts, instead of creating any. For every statement that can stir up doubt, there should be a corresponding evidence by the author. Readers would agree to logics, and rationale, and comply with requests when they are given reasons and their doubts are all clarified
- Stay focused: When writing, one should be totally clear about the points related to the topic. From the beginning of the content, till the end, there should be emphasis only on topic, and nothing else
- Bring up all perspectives: An argument would have many perspectives. One must not let the contrasting viewpoint rest upon the reader’s imagination. All relevant aspects should be included and covered within the content to create a convincing thesis.
- Forecast with conviction: The most effective way to earn the faith of the reader is to give the reader some sight into the future, and do that with the support of proof and assertions mined from the subject matter.