How to Write an MRes Thesis
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The document provides guidance on writing an MRes thesis, including: - The typical structure which includes sections like introduction, literature review, methods, results, discussion and conclusions. - General requirements for things like length, style, formatting, preliminary pages and obtaining necessary approvals. - A breakdown of each section providing details on what should be included like stating the aims of the study, outlining the methodology, presenting results and discussing the relevance of the findings. - Notes that requirements may vary between faculties and recommendations are provided to follow departmental guidelines.
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How to Write an MRes Thesis
- 1. Jen Rowland, Date: 13 October 2017, 2-4 PM How to Write an MRes Thesis MASTER OF RESEARCH – COMMUNICATIONS 700
- 2. Today’s Agenda 2 HOW TO WRITE AN MRES THESIS • Usual Structure – Sections • General Requirements for Structure • Section by Section Breakdown • Variations between Faculties *Please do ask questions throughout
- 3. LITERATURE REVIEW/INTRODUCTION CONCLUSIONS/FUTURE DIRECTION BIBLIOGRAPHY/REFERENCES TITLE PAGE TABLE OF CONTENTS ABBREVIATIONS STATEMENT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT AIMS OF STUDY ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS APPENDICES MATERIALS/METHOD RESULTS DISCUSSION
- 4. Style FORMATTING AND STYLE OF MANUSCRIPT
- 5. Thesis Format – PhD, MPhil and MRes http://www.hdr.mq.edu.au/information_for/current_candidates/thesis_preparation#presentation cv c v Double or 1.5 spaced text Double-sided printing Medium-weight paper High-quality printing (laser) BINDINGEDGE 3.5cm margin on binding edge 1.5cm margin cv cv 1.5cm margin
- 6. Master of Research Thesis http://www.hdr.mq.edu.au/information_for/current_candidates/thesis_preparation#Relationship 6 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS 1. Approximately 20,000 words (or 50-55 pages) 2. Title Page, Table of Contents, Summary/Abstract (200 words), Statement, Acknowledgements. 3. Consecutive page numbers 4. Diagrams/Figures should be drawn or printed on A4 paper and set out on right hand page with legend either at bottom or on page facing figure. 5. Tables in appropriate place in text, but lengthy/bulky tables in appendix 6. Large tables/diagrams/maps, should be folded as to read right-hand page when open.
- 7. Preliminary Pages FRONT PAGES OF THESIS INTRODUCTION CONCLUSIONS/FD REFERENCES TITLE PAGE TABLE OF CONTENTS ABBREVIATIONS STATEMENT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT AIMS OF STUDY ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS APPENDICES MATERIALS/METHOD RESULTS DISCUSSION •Prepages page numbered i, ii, iii, iv… • not counted in page limit
- 8. http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/hdr_thesis/guideline_by_publication.html TITLE PAGE • Title of the thesis in full • Names and degrees of the candidate • Name of the organisation, institute or laboratory in which the research was carried out (if applicable) • Name of the host University Department • Date when submitted or re-submitted for the degree • Statement of presentation • No page number
- 9. cv c v cv Intracellular Signalling of IGFI Jennifer Rowland BSc. M.Res Department of Biological Sciences Faculty of Science and Engineering Macquarie University NSW Australia Presented for the degree of Master of Research On February 18, 2016 cv TITLE PAGE
- 10. Investigation of the Properties of Adipose-Derived Cells and Secretions Sinead Blaber Bachelor of Biotechnology (Honours) University of Technology, Sydney A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, Macquarie University Sydney, Australia Submitted for examination: November 2012 Final Submission: August 2013
- 11. Investigation of the Properties of Adipose-Derived Cells and Secretions Sinead Blaber Bachelor of Biotechnology (Honours) University of Technology, Sydney A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, Macquarie University Sydney, Australia Submitted for examination: November 2012 Final Submission: August 2013 A thesis submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Research Macquarie University Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Department of Biomedical Sciences October 2016 BSc (Biochemistry)
- 12. TABLE OF CONTENTS • Use a document map/headings to make your table of contents • You might want to use Captions to create a separate table of contents for tables and figures • Prepages page numbered i, ii, iii, iv… • Pages numbered 1, 2, 3, 4… • Sections Numbered 1, 1.1, 1.1.1, 2, 2.1, 2.1.1, 3…
- 14. TABLE OF CONTENTS • May be followed by or associated with: •List of Tables •Table 1.1 •Table 1.2 …. •List of Figures •Figure 1.1 •Figure 1.2 •Figure 2.1 ….
- 16. ABSTRACT/SUMMARY Approx 200 words (1 page) Consider breaking it up into the following sections 1: Introduction of field 2: Identification of gap in field 3: Main research findings 4: How the work has contributed to bridging the gap in knowledge
- 17. Smooth flow abstract 17 cv c v cv cv Abstract INTRO GAP MAIN STUDY FINDINGS CONCLUSIONS
- 19. Headings • Introduction • Methods • Results • Discussion No Headings • Clear flow http://hdl.handle.net/1959.14/1256741http://hdl.handle.net/1959.14/1069798
- 20. Signposting 20 cv c v cv cv Abstract INTRO GAP MAIN STUDY FINDINGS CONCLUSIONS Broad statement of field To date... Begin with: Nonetheless… However… …, yet, this remains unclear. End with: In order to address this… This is the first report of… These findings demonstrate… [X experimental approach] showed that… When Y was tested…
- 21. STATEMENT OF ORIGINALITY This thesis is the result of my own work and includes nothing which is the outcome of work done in collaboration except where specifically indicated in the text. This work has not been submitted for a higher degree to any other university or institution. Jennifer Rowland
- 22. DECLARATION I certify that the work in this thesis entitled “Investigation of the Properties of Adipose-Derived Cells and Secretions” has not previously been submitted for a degree nor has it been submitted as part of requirements for a degree to any other university or institution other than Macquarie University. I also certify that the thesis is an original piece of research and it has been written by me. Any help and assistance that I have received in my research work and the preparation of the thesis itself have been appropriately acknowledged. In addition, I certify that all information sources and literature used are indicated in the thesis. The research presented in this thesis was approved by the Macquarie University Human Research Ethics Committee, reference number: Human Ethics Approval: 5201100385 – 2011 Biosafety Approval 5201000874 – 2010 Some of the research presented in this thesis (Chapter 4) was approved by the University of Queensland’s Animal Ethics Committee. Confirmation of this approval was provided to the Macquarie University Animal Ethics Committee. Animal Ethics Approval: TETRAQ/331/11/REGENEUS – 2011 Sinead Blaber (4217 4686) 30th November, 2012 i http://hdl.handle.net/1959.14/1256741
- 23. DECLARATION I certify that the work in this thesis entitled “Investigation of the Properties of Adipose-Derived Cells and Secretions” has not previously been submitted for a degree nor has it been submitted as part of requirements for a degree to any other university or institution other than Macquarie University. I also certify that the thesis is an original piece of research and it has been written by me. Any help and assistance that I have received in my research work and the preparation of the thesis itself have been appropriately acknowledged. In addition, I certify that all information sources and literature used are indicated in the thesis. The research presented in this thesis was approved by the Macquarie University Human Research Ethics Committee, reference number: Human Ethics Approval: 5201100385 – 2011 Biosafety Approval 5201000874 – 2010 Some of the research presented in this thesis (Chapter 4) was approved by the University of Queensland’s Animal Ethics Committee. Confirmation of this approval was provided to the Macquarie University Animal Ethics Committee. Animal Ethics Approval: TETRAQ/331/11/REGENEUS – 2011 Sinead Blaber (4217 4686) 30th November, 2012 i http://hdl.handle.net/1959.14/1256741
- 25. STATEMENT OF ORIGINALITY • Work not submitted elsewhere for a higher degree • Indicate that sources of information referenced • Outline Ethics clearances (with numbers) http://www.hdr.mq.edu.au/information_for/thesis_examiners/documents/HDR_Thesis_Preparation_Advice_Aug_08.pdf
- 26. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS • Must acknowledge contributors to your work •Funding Support •Supervisors •Collaborators •Technical Support •Colleagues • Should acknowledge personal supporters •Friends •Family
- 27. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS • Try to group the acknowledgements into paragraphs “I am immensely grateful to my colleagues in the VTHRC Research Centre, including: John for assisting with specimen collection, Anna for helping with formatting, Joseph for securing all my bookings,…..” • People read your acknowledgements to get a feeling for who you are as a person, don’t overlook them • Use exceptional language
- 28. Main Body of Thesis 20,000 WORD LIMIT (50-55 PAGES) INTRODUCTION CONCLUSIONS/FD REFERENCES TITLE PAGE TABLE OF CONTENTS ABBREVIATIONS STATEMENT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT AIMS OF STUDY ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS APPENDICES MATERIALS/METHOD RESULTS DISCUSSION •Main pages page numbered 1, 2, 3, 4… •Counted in page limit
- 29. INTRODUCTION • Provides overview of the research field to date o History leading to the current study • May have tables or figures that demonstrate concepts o ones you have made o from articles *referenced* o modified from articles *referenced* • Emphasises relevance of the current study • Should naturally lead to the next section where you state the overall aims of this thesis work START BROAD REFINE FOCUS 3-5 pages
- 30. INTRODUCTION Example Figure from Introduction http://hdl.handle.net/1959.14/305872 Appetite and Energy Balance Blood pressure regulation Angiogenesis HemostasisInflammation, Immunity and acute phase response Insulin sensitivity Lipid Metabolism Figure 1.1 Diverse role of adipose tissue. Figure adapted from (6).
- 31. Table 2. Statistics of water resources in Australia (FRU, 2016) 1990 2010 2016 Annual Change Rate 1990-2016 Dammed water Man made na na 2000 na (42%) Naturally occurring na na 3200 na (58%) Reservoirs Public 4200 3800 na na Private 5000 5600 na na Usage rights (all) Public 8000 7200 6000 15% Private 1000 3000 5000 500% Home tank users 800 14000 45000 500% INTRODUCTION Example Table from Introduction
- 33. STUDY AIMS STUDY AIMS • Simple one-page summary outlining the main aims of the study overall • Emphasizes the main research question • Outlines how you will address the research question • Simple reference point for reader 0.5 - 1 page
- 34. STUDY AIMS START BROAD REFINE FOCUS • Simple one-page summary outlining the main aims of the study overall • Emphasizes the main research question • Outlines how you will address the research question • Simple reference point for reader 0.5 - 1 page This thesis is focused on investigating… In order to address this key question, the following approaches were taken… 1: X was 2: Y was 3: This data was transformed by… This investigation is presented in the following chapters.
- 35. MATERIALS & METHODS • Sufficient detail that the reader could repeat the study • May include tables or figures that provide concise information o Summary of reagents o Graphic of study approach o Overview of research approach • Order of methods reflects order of results • Simple and clear language, following protocol for the discipline APPROACHES TAKEN
- 39. RESULTS • Typically 1-2 results chapters • Usually includes tables and figures that provide detailed information o Use Statistics o Graphic of study approach o Overview of research approach • Order of methods reflects order of results • Simple and clear language, following protocol for the disciplineRESULTS OF INVESTIGATION
- 40. RESULTS • Some may be presented in journal article format where you include • Short introduction • Concise method • Results • Short discussion • May be presented in various formats • Tables • Figures • Flow charts • Pictures/Photos • Embedded quotes RESULTS OF INVESTIGATION
- 43. DISCUSSION RELEVANCE OF RESULTS • Ties together all of the study findings • Should discuss in same order as results • Outline the overall major contributions to the field • Outline the shortfalls and work that might be pursued further, FUTURE DIRECTIONS • Employ figures/diagrams to clarify outcomes where appropriate
- 44. DISCUSSION RELEVANCE OF RESULTS Introduce the main findings of the work before explain their relevance • This study overviews the… • This thesis describes the first investigation of… • This work has demonstrated… Relate the findings to the published literature The finding of X… related closely to the findings of Jones et al. (2008).
- 45. APPENDICES • Questionnaires – in full • Technical details of the work/analysis • Survey Outlines • Ethics Approvals • Safety Approvals • Detailed protocols/equipment reference info • NCBI published sequences
- 46. • Find exemplars in your field • Refer to Learning Advisors and Research Librarians • Practice writing regularly • Make sure that you keep an up-to-date schedule of the thesis plan • Keep focused on research goals • Have regular project meetings • Start writing/planning as early as possible Final Thoughts
- 47. REFERENCE MATERIAL • HDR OFFICE – HDR Thesis Preparation Advice http://www.hdr.mq.edu.au/information_for/thesis_examiners/documents/HDR_Thesis_Preparation_Advi ce_Aug_08.pdf • Code for Responsible Conduct of Research http://www.mq.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/71065/The20Macquarie20University20Code20for20th e20Responsible20Conduct20of20Research.pdf • Thesis by Publication Guideline http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/hdr_thesis/guideline_by_publication.html
- 48. Faculty Recommendations FOR VARIOUS FACULTIES AT MQ
- 49. • Some departments prefer you to submit your thesis in a journal article. • Main body of thesis then also incorporates a short abstract (instead of preliminary pages) • Referencing is usually Vancouver or Harvard style (specific to your discipline) • Appendices should not be more text material. (see Appendices outline) Faculty Variation FOLLOW DEPARTMENTAL GUIDELINES PROVIDED
- 50. Today’s Agenda 50 HOW TO WRITE AN MRES THESIS – STAGE 2 • Writing your Literature Review • Plagiarism • Basic Writing Rules • Process Writing *Please do ask questions throughout
- 51. 21 July 2016 Writing your Literature Review THE HARDEST PART
- 52. The Literature Review • Set up a Document Map outlining the sections • Note the main areas that you want to review • Structure out what you want to write • Then begin to enter the main content for each section • Ensure that you don’t copy and paste material from articles you are reviewing 52 STRUCTURE
- 55. WHAT IS PLAGIARISM? Early 17th century from Latin Plagiarius'kidnapper‘ (from plagium 'a kidnapping', from Greek plagion) + -ism. Oxford Dictionary Online, http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/ “The practice of taking someone else’s work or ideas and passing them off as one’s own.”
- 56. Plagiarism 1: Quoting without acknowledging the source 2: Borrowing ideas, concepts, results and conclusions. Passing them off as your own without acknowledging. 3: Summarizing and paraphrasing another’s work without acknowledging source Dean HDR Office | Learning Skills Team | Research Office 56 WHAT DOES IT CONSTITUTE?
- 57. Plagiarism 1: Quoting without acknowledging the source 2: Borrowing ideas, concepts, results and conclusions. Passing them off as your own without acknowledging 3: Summarizing and paraphrasing another’s work without acknowledging source Dean HDR Office | Learning Skills Team | Research Office 57 WHAT DOES IT CONSTITUTE? REFERENCING SOURCE IS KEY Hofman, 2014
- 58. Acknowledging Source You don’t need to reference common knowledge Dean HDR Office | Learning Skills Team | Research Office 58 HOW CAN YOU ACHIEVE THIS? Humpback whales migrate along the coast of Australia each year. Hofman, 2014 You do need to reference: - Information that is not generally known - Ideas that interpret facts Australian east-coast humpback whale migration has changed with global warming (10).
- 59. Acknowledging Source Dean HDR Office | Learning Skills Team | Research Office 59 HOW CAN YOU ACHIEVE THIS? Hofmann, 2014 You do need to reference: - Information that is not generally known - Ideas that interpret facts You do need to cite: - Information and interpretation of others’ work While low expression of this receptor is common in stem cells, high expression has been linked to reduced pluripotency (21). While low expression of this receptor is common in stem cells, high expression has been linked to reduced pluripotency (Jones et al., 2014).
- 60. Acknowledging Source 60 You do need to reference/cite: - Information that is not generally known - Ideas that interpret facts - Information and interpretation of others’ work “Know that imitation and borrowing themselves are not plagiarism. Drawing on other people’s ideas is perfectly reasonable and in fact unavoidable when you write academic documents- but you must acknowledge the source” Angelika H. Hofmann Hofmann, 2014
- 62. Quotation 62 QUOTING THE EXACT WORDS OF OTHERS You do need to quote: - When you are using the exact words of others “Know that imitation and borrowing themselves are not plagiarism. Drawing on other people’s ideas is perfectly reasonable and in fact unavoidable when you write academic documents- but you must acknowledge the source” Angelika H. Hofmann • Limit this to 2-3 lines within a paragraph • If longer, you need to make a block quote Hofmann, 2014
- 63. Quotation 63 QUOTING THE EXACT WORDS OF OTHERS This is probably best described by a Harvard group recently as “the best possible chance of potentiating injury repair in the clinic” (Jones et al., 2015). Nonetheless, several other approaches are being pursued concurrently, principally focused on viral delivery (Johns et al., 2015). __________________________________________________________________________________ Many authors have described the potential of ES cells in therapeutic applications, particularly related to burn treatment. This is probably best summarised by Jones and colleagues (2006), who described this approach as “the best possible chance of potentiating injury repair in the clinic. It is currently under development in our group and has shown promising results. We anticipate conducting experiments in clinical trials in the near future, as the mouse trials have shown exceptional outcomes”. Jones et al., 2006 As this work is underway, a number of other groups are turning to viral delivery approaches to specifically target cell-cycle regulators (Johns et al., 2015)..
- 64. Quotation 64 QUOTING THE EXACT WORDS OF OTHERS This is probably best described by a Harvard group recently as “the best possible chance of potentiating injury repair in the clinic” (Jones et al., 2015). Nonetheless, several other approaches are being pursued concurrently, principally focused on viral delivery (Johns et al., 2015). __________________________________________________________________________________ Many authors have described the potential of ES cells in therapeutic applications, particularly related to burn treatment. This is probably best summarised by Jones and colleagues (2006), who described this approach as “the best possible chance of potentiating injury repair in the clinic. It is currently under development in our group and has shown promising results. We anticipate conducting experiments in clinical trials in the near future, as the mouse trials have shown exceptional outcomes”. (Jones et al., 2006) As this work is underway, a number of other groups are turning to viral delivery approaches to specifically target cell-cycle regulators (Johns et al., 2015)..
- 65. Paraphrasing
- 66. Paraphrasing 66 REPHRASING IDEAS Delivering the information in your own flow of ideas - When you include some information, but not all the details of the original - Must reference the original • Write notes in bullet points • Take notes without source visible • Write the information you wish to reference in your own voice • Ensure you reference DON’T JUST USE SYNONYMS or CHANGE WORDS
- 67. Paraphrasing 67 REPHRASING IDEAS • Reference EVERYTHING • Quote where required • Paraphrase
- 69. Summarising 69 REPHRASING IDEAS 1 Johns et al., reported that these proteins are expressed in muscle cells (1). Read paper, turn over, summarise the ideas in your text.
- 70. Grouping Information 70 REPHRASING IDEAS This protein has been reported to be expressed in several cell types, including: muscle (1); skin (2); immune cells (3-5); and glia (6). 4 5 6 1 2 3
- 71. Summarising 71 SUMMARISING THE MATERIAL • Reference EVERYTHING • Quote where required • Paraphrase • Summarise
- 73. 73 #1 General Rule for Academic Writing K.I.S.S “Keep it Short and Simple” or “Keep it Simple, Stupid” CLARITY, READABILITY, and NON-AMBIGUITY MAKE EVERY WORD COUNT
- 74. 74 • Never Translate • Accept total responsibility for being clear • The worst sin is ambiguity • Edit carefully • Trust your ear • English is not logical General Advice FOR NON-NATIVE WRITERS
- 75. Process Write
- 76. Process Write 76 EDIT YOUR MATERIAL After you noted down everything in your own words, then you can process the information. - improves the style - reduces plagiarism Rough Draft Employ Key Words Include Signposting Connectives Edit sentences Edit out useless words Edit passive to active voice Improve Verb ChoiceAdapt to formal language Strengthen negatives Ensure verb/subject agreement End Focus Check tense
- 78. Employ Key Words 78 CLARIFICATION When referring to previously-mentioned items with “this / these / such,” offer more than just the pronoun: This… These… It… This molecule… These two methods… Such a program… → Ambiguous Specific becomes
- 79. Include Signposting Connectives 79 GUIDING THE READER Rough Draft Employ Key Words Include Signposting Connectives
- 80. Include Signposting Connectives 80 GUIDING THE READER Signposts, or connectives, tell readers how to receive new information. “First … second … third . . . ,” “On the other hand . . . .” “Considering this from another angle . . . .” “Similar to the last point is . . . .” See Linking Words
- 81. Edit Sentences 81 EDIT YOUR MATERIAL Rough Draft Employ Key Words Include Signposting Connectives Edit sentences
- 82. Edit Sentences 82 EDIT YOUR MATERIAL Avoid short, choppy, sentences. Link some together, embed others. Consider splitting longer run-on sentences to two separate sentences → becomes X costs a lot. You can’t get it there often. Short and choppy X is expensive and is seldom available there. Because X is expensive, it is seldom available there. X, being expensive there, is seldom available (situation) → (result) = end-focus Elegant (linked and embedded) Use shorter sentences for strong statements. “Every mouse died”
- 83. Remove redundant words 83 Cut out every word that performs no task Rough Draft Employ Key Words Include Signposting Connectives Edit sentences Edit out useless words
- 84. Remove redundant words 84 Cut out every word that performs no task There is/are X. X exists. X occurs. X appears. X arises. X emerges → becomes All Active Voice Avoid repeating FACTS. Planned repetition of WORDS helps linkage. Confusion results from synonym-use. Make yourself clear by choosing one term. o Do not indulge in overuse of a synonym dictionary (thesaurus). EG: Method / methodology / procedure / system
- 85. Convert Passive to Active Voice 85 Rough Draft Employ Key Words Include Signposting Connectives Edit sentences Edit out useless words Edit passive to active voice
- 86. Convert Passive to Active Voice 86 Avoid ending sentences with passive verbs To X, Y was added Y was added to X→ becomes In Methods, passives can go in the middle of the sentence Passive constructions can usually include “by” someone or something.
- 87. Convert Passive to Active Voice 87 Change some passive verbs into adjectives X could be seen. X was always used. All two-year-old children were studied. X was evident/apparent/visible. X always proved useful. All children studied were age two. (Note end-focus in each) → becomes
- 88. Convert Passive to Active Voice 88 Change the verb itself Patients were operated on. Sixty were used as controls. Each participant was given X. . Patients underwent surgery. Sixty served as controls. Each participant received X. (Note end-focus in each) → becomes
- 89. Convert Passive to Active Voice 89 Omit useless passive constructions It has been found that X causes Y (Jones, 2001). We found that Y was produced by X. . Jones (2001) found that X causes Y. X causes Y (Jones, 2001). * Y results from X. X leads to Y. X produced Y. Y was a product of X. → becomes * K.I.S.S.
- 90. Convert Passive to Active Voice 90 Use the inanimate agent a non-human/non-living thing performing an action. Table 3 shows . . . . Figure 5 illustrates . . . . Our results indicate . . . . Our hypothesis predicts X. Opinions among us vary.
- 91. Upgrade Verbs 91 USE MORE PRECISE VERBS Rough Draft Employ Key Words Include Signposting Connectives Edit sentences Edit out useless words Edit passive to active voice Improve Verb Choice
- 92. Upgrade Verbs 92 USE MORE PRECISE VERBS Be See Have Get Exist Observe Assess Measure Determine Possess Assess Confirm Characterize → becomes For elegance and formality, specify meanings of “get” (“receive?” “become?” “understand?”). Upgrade most rough-draft common verbs to become more precise verbs
- 93. Formalize the language 93 CHANGE FROM COLLOQUIAL Rough Draft Employ Key Words Include Signposting Connectives Edit sentences Edit out useless words Edit passive to active voice Improve Verb ChoiceAdapt to formal language
- 94. Formalize the language 94 CHANGE FROM COLLOQUIAL if like a lot of, lots of, plenty big whether (or not) such as many, several, large great → becomes Change colloquial phrases to more formal ones Avoid “so” - It was SO fast = HOW FAST? Avoid “too” at the end of a sentence - He died, too = He also died.
- 95. Strengthen Negatives 95 “NOT” IS A WEAK WORD Rough Draft Employ Key Words Include Signposting Connectives Edit sentences Edit out useless words Edit passive to active voice Improve Verb ChoiceAdapt to formal language Strengthen negatives
- 96. Strengthen Negatives 96 “NOT” IS A WEAK WORD • Substitute negatives • Substitute negative prefixes • Change to negative verbs or use negative adjectives Remove NOT in three ways
- 97. Strengthen Negatives 97 “NOT” IS A WEAK WORD Substitute Negatives → becomes Note: Beginning a sentence with a negative is powerful No None Never Strong negatives There was not any X. Not one patient survived. They had not seen X before. Weak No X existed / appeared. None of the patients survived. Never had they seen X before. Stronger
- 98. Strengthen Negatives 98 “NOT” IS A WEAK WORD Substitute with negative prefixes → becomes un- in- im- non- dis- Strong negatives The cause is not known. The text was not coherent. The task was not possible. Results were not significant. This drug isn’t made anymore. Weak The cause is / remains unknown. The text was incoherent. The task was impossible. Results were non-significant. This drug has been discontinued. Stronger
- 99. Strengthen Negatives 99 NOT” IS A WEAK WORD Change to negative verbs or use negative adjectives → becomes fail lack absent insufficient incomplete Strong negatives The plan did not work. The solution didn’t have X. X was not in the samples. Controls didn’t have enough X. The test was not finished. Weak The plan failed (to succeed). The solution lacked X. In the samples, X was absent. Controls had insufficient X. The test was incomplete. Stronger
- 100. Match Verbs with Subjects 100 DO VERBS AGREE WITH THEIR SUBJECT IN NUMBER? Rough Draft Employ Key Words Include Signposting Connectives Edit sentences Edit out useless words Edit passive to active voice Improve Verb ChoiceAdapt to formal language Strengthen negatives Ensure verb/subject agreement
- 101. Match Verbs with Subjects 101 DO VERBS AGREE WITH THEIR SUBJECT IN NUMBER? 1. Locate every verb (Good sentences have only one or two.) 2. Scan to the left to find its subject (often located far away). “The actual trigger for these changes in rules that appear to promote the latest strategy meetings for these departments is/are surprising.” SUBJECT AND VERB SHOULD BE NEAR EACH OTHER TO MINIMISE CONFUSION
- 102. End Focus 102 MAKE YOUR TEXT FLOW Rough Draft Employ Key Words Include Signposting Connectives Edit sentences Edit out useless words Edit passive to active voice Improve Verb ChoiceAdapt to formal language Strengthen negatives Ensure verb/subject agreement End Focus
- 103. End Focus 103 MAKE YOUR TEXT FLOW The beginning of a sentence should present its background information. The end of a sentence is most important: the fresh, new information. In any sentence, find the most vital word or two—a key adjective, substantive, or a numerical value of interest. Put a period/full stop after it; it ends the sentence. Be sure that each sentence ends with words that lead you to the next point, • creates intra-sentence linkage • makes the next sentence almost predictable (=flow).
- 104. End Focus 104 MAKE YOUR TEXT FLOW NEWBACKGROUND NEWBACKGROUND NEWBACKGROUND NEWBACKGROUND NEWBACKGROUND Use this technique to string sentences together. Eventually they will build paragraphs, which form the basis of your scientific writing
- 105. End Focus 105 EXERCISE A to D’s first and second sentences show end-focus with linkage (each italicized). Choose, from among sentences 1 to 6, the best-linking third sentence for each: . A. Australia has the world’s highest incidence of type 1 diabetes. This disabling disease and its treatment constitute a drain on the state's finances. (continue) B. The world’s highest incidence of type 1 diabetes occurs in Australia. Australian diabetes researchers now discover some of the field’s most interesting new data. (continue) C. Regarding type 1 diabetes, Australia’s annual incidence is the world’s highest. Its figure for 2008 was 60/100,000. (continue) D. Australia has the highest incidence of type 1 diabetes in the world. One nation’s mean incidence in 2008 was actually below 1/100 000, which means that Australia’s was 60-fold greater, though no one knows why. (continue)
- 106. End Focus 106 EXERCISE 1. One important area of investigation is diabetes-associated nephritis. 2. Is sugar consumption unusually high, or is this rate mainly related to genetics? 3. Australia must continue to battle this key medical problem, despite research costs. 4. The Australian government covers medical care and supports those unable to work. 5. Such an incidence requires funding of the country’s top researchers. 6. Patients' longevity is increasing, but what about their quality of life?
- 107. Tense 107 ENSURE TENSE USE IS APPROPRIATE Rough Draft Employ Key Words Include Signposting Connectives Edit sentences Edit out useless words Edit passive to active voice Improve Verb ChoiceAdapt to formal language Strengthen negatives Ensure verb/subject agreement End Focus Check tense
- 108. Tense 108 ENSURE TENSE USE IS APPROPRIATE Present tense, active voice: “he finds.” Passive: “it is found” (by X) Past tense, active: “he found.” Passive: “it was found” (by X) Present perfect active: “she has found.” Passive: “it has been found” (by X) Past perfect active: “she had found.” Passive: “it had been found” (by X) Active and passive are the two types of voice. Tenses are unrelated to voice; tense indicates time.
- 109. Tense 109 ENSURE TENSE USE IS APPROPRIATE PRESENT TENSE PAST TENSE PERFECT FORMS • These different forms are used throughout different sections of any thesis or journal article • More detail on their usage requires more time to address
- 110. Final Structural Concerns 110 REVISITING STRUCTURE NEWBACKGROUND NEWBACKGROUND NEWBACKGROUND NEWBACKGROUND NEWBACKGROUND Each paragraph should have a main focus, you should clarify this at the start.
- 111. Final Structural Concerns 111 REVISITING STRUCTURE NEWBACKGROUND NEWBACKGROUND NEWBACKGROUND NEWBACKGROUND NEWBACKGROUND Each paragraph should have a main focus, you should clarify this at the start. TOPIC SENTENCE TOPIC SENTENCES at the start of paragraph • clarify what the paragraph is about • introduce the topic
- 112. Final Structural Concerns 112 REVISITING STRUCTURE NEWBACKGROUND NEWBACKGROUND NEWBACKGROUND NEWBACKGROUND NEWBACKGROUND Each paragraph should have a clear outcome, that explains the information discussed. TOPIC SENTENCE FINAL SENTENCES at the end of paragraph • clarify what the paragraph introduced • summarize the topic FINAL SENTENCE
- 113. Summary 113 TIPS AND TRICKS • Process Writing • Structure of the Thesis • Avoiding Plagiarism • Basic Rules of Writing • Structuring Paragraphs
- 114. 114 Dr Jennifer Rowland Director of Master of Research Program Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Email: jen.rowland@mq.edu.au