Writing and Publishing Scientific Articles Course Workbook

12- 1

Cohesion and Clarity

Overview

This chapter is about achieving cohesion and clarity in your writing — that is, combining all the elements of a manuscript using a logical, cohesive style and making the language as clear, concise, and unambiguous as possible. Cohesion and clarity are essential to effective scientific writing.

Effective scientific writing has 6 characteristics:

It is accurate.

It is complete.

It is linear.

It is clear, strong, and precise.

It is cohesive.

It is streamlined.

This chapter focuses on the last 4 of these 6 characteristics. The first 2 are outside the scope of this workshop.

1.Effective scientific writing is accurate.

Scientific writing must be accurate. The authors are responsible for ensuring the accuracy of a manuscript.

“Fastidious attention to accuracy extends beyond verifying calculations and the other steps taken to validate evidence. You must be sure that the words you choose are the right and best words for the intended meaning.”

— Edward J. Huth, How to Write and Publish Papers in the Medical Sciences

Writing and Publishing Scientific Articles Research Medical Library

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The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

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