Scientific Reading and Writing in English Shu-ying Wang, Ph.D. Dept. Microbiology and Immunology

1. Scientific Reading and Writing in English Shu-ying Wang, Ph.D. Dept. Microbiology and Immunology Tel: +886-6-2353535 ext. 5634 Fax: +886-6-2082705 Email : sswang23@mail.ncku.edu.tw

2. Scientific Reading and Writing in English Fall, 2009 Time: 1:10-3:00 pm, every Tuesday Place: Conference room (82-1124), Dept. Microbiology and Immunology (11th floor)

6. Discussion what do your findings mean • First answer question posed in introduction • Explain the significance of your results • Explain the findings, relationships, and generalizations of your results • Do not repeat results • Explains how results support answers and how answers fit with existing knowledge on the topic • Discuss weaknesses and discrepancies • Conclusion/summary, perspectives, implications • Has a beginning, middle, and end

7. Discussion Part 1, beginning The questionposed in Introduction… “… A question arises whether the domains of DbpA proteins normally form a stable, compact structure in solution, similar to replication involved helicases such as Rep, PcrA, and the hepatitis C virus helicase fragment (5), or whether they are distended from each other like beads on a string…..” Is answered in your Discussion… “.. The data presented here, demonstrating that the domains of YxiN are loosely tethered and distended in absence of ligands, support a model in which YxiN functions as an RNA chaperone…”

8. Part 1, Beginning present strongest evidencefirst Begin with significance of your results • Never begin with background information • Never repeat information from Introduction • Never begin with historical overviews

9. Part 2, Middle interpret your results • Show how your results fit into the literature and how they support your answer • Give in descending order of importance • Compare your results with other studies, your work or others • Use one idea per paragraph

10. Part 3, Endingbe strong • Restate answer to question, and signal this ending • Mention possible applications, implications, or speculations • Pull out as a separate Conclusions section • Suggest future work if needed

11. “ The structure of the FlhDC complex presented here reveals the tertiary fold of the FlhC protomer, including a zinc-binding site that has not been described previously. It also reveals the quaternary interface between the FlhD and FlhC subunits, and provides a structural framework for future studies of the interaction of the complex with its target promoters.”

12. Develop a good writing style Read well written articles Try to get good writers to review Learn from editing changes

13. Words and expressions to avoid Jargon Preferred use a considerable amount of much on account of because a number of several Referred to as called In a number of cases some Has the capacity to can It is clear that clearly It is apparent that apparently Employ use Fabricate make Day, RA. “How to write and publish a scientific paper,” 6th edition, Greenwood Press, 2006.

14. “The hardest part is getting started.”

15. “Scientists are rated by what they finish, not by what they attempt.”

16. “There is no way to get experience except through experience.”