Sainani SciWrite 3.6

Summary

This video script emphasizes the importance of careful word choice in writing, particularly in scientific literature. It advises against the overuse of synonyms to avoid repetition, as it can lead to confusion and unnecessary complexity. The speaker illustrates this with humorous examples from professional writing and stresses the need for consistency in using key terms and avoiding the creation of non-standard acronyms. The message is clear: it's often better to repeat a keyword for clarity than to obscure meaning with awkward synonyms or acronyms.

Takeaways

• 🔍 Repetition is not always a bad thing; sometimes it's necessary to use the same word to maintain clarity and consistency in writing.
• 📝 Before reaching for a thesaurus to avoid repetition, consider if the second use of the word is actually necessary or if it can be omitted for conciseness.
• 🤔 When a word must be repeated, question whether a synonym truly improves the text or if it introduces unnecessary complexity.
• 🚫 In scientific writing, it is crucial to maintain consistency with key terms to avoid confusing readers about different groups, variables, or instruments.
• 🔑 Consistent use of key terms is essential in scientific literature, as changing terms can lead to misunderstandings about the study's methodology and findings.
• 😅 Unnecessary synonyms, or 'elegant variation,' can lead to amusing and awkward expressions that detract from the clarity of the writing.
• 🛑 Avoid creating acronyms on the fly, as they can confuse readers and disrupt the flow of reading, requiring them to search for definitions.
• 🔬 Use only well-established acronyms like RNA and DNA, and avoid inventing new ones that may not be immediately clear to the reader.
• 📚 Define acronyms clearly in the abstract, within text, tables, and figures, and consider redefining them in different parts of long papers for ease of reference.
• 📉 Overuse of synonyms and acronyms can decrease the readability of a text, making it more difficult for readers to understand and follow the author's arguments.
• ✍️ The speaker emphasizes that it's not only acceptable but often preferable to repeat key words rather than to use awkward synonyms or create confusing acronyms.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the last module for week three in the transcript?

The main focus is on parting tips about repetition, key words, and acronyms in writing, emphasizing the importance of avoiding unnecessary synonyms and the correct use of acronyms.

Why might authors avoid repeating a word in their writing?

Authors often avoid repeating words due to the ingrained belief that repetition should be minimized, which can lead them to use synonyms or reach for a thesaurus to find alternatives.

What is the first question the speaker suggests asking when considering the use of a synonym to avoid repetition?

The first question to ask is whether the second instance of the word is even necessary, as sometimes the repetition is due to unnecessary redundancy.

Can you provide an example from the transcript where unnecessary repetition was replaced with a simpler alternative?

An example given is the use of 'challenges and difficulties' in the same sentence, where only one of the words was needed to convey the message effectively.

Why is it essential to repeat certain words in scientific literature?

Repeating certain words in scientific literature is essential for maintaining consistency when referring to comparison groups, variables, or instruments, which helps avoid confusion for the reader.

What is the term coined by Henry Fowler for the use of needless synonyms?

Henry Fowler coined the term 'elegant variation' for the use of needless synonyms in an attempt to avoid repetition.

What are some amusing examples of needless synonyms provided in the transcript?

Examples include referring to 'banana' as 'elongated yellow fruit', 'beaver' as 'furry pedal-tailed mammal', 'mustache' as 'under nose hair crops', and 'milk from a cow' as 'vitamin laden liquid from a bovine milk factory'.

Why should acronyms be used sparingly in scientific writing?

Acronyms should be used sparingly because they can be confusing for readers, especially when they are not standard or not defined clearly throughout the text.

What advice does the speaker give regarding the use of acronyms in scientific literature?

The speaker advises to use only very standard acronyms like RNA and DNA, and to avoid making up new acronyms as the writing progresses, which can be hard on the reader.

How should acronyms be handled if they must be used in a scientific paper?

If acronyms must be used, they should be defined in the abstract, within each table and figure, and occasionally redefined in different parts of the paper to aid readers who may not read the paper sequentially.

What is the final thought the speaker leaves the audience with regarding repetition and acronyms in writing?

The final thought is to cut down on the use of acronyms and not feel bad about repeating keywords, as it is better to repeat them than to use ridiculous synonyms or create confusing acronyms.