Writing

The Element of Style

1. Form the possessive singular of nouns by adding's
2. In a series of three or more terms with a single conjunction, use a comma after each term except the last.
3. Enclose parenthetic expressions between commas.
4. Place a comma before a conjunction introducing a co-ordinate clause.
5. Do no join independent clauses by a comma.
6. Do no break sentences in two.
7. A participial phrase at the beginning of a sentence must refer to the grammatical subject.
8. Make the paragraph the unit of composition: one paragraph to each topic.
9. As a rule, begin each paragraph with a topic sentence, end it in conformity with the beginning.
10. Use the active voice.
11. Put statement in positive form.
12. Use definite, specific, concrete language.
13. Omit needless words.
14. Avoid a succession of loose sentences.
15. Express co-ordinate ideas in similar form.
16. Keep related words together.
17. In summaries, keep to one tense.
18. Place the emphatic words of a sentence at the end.

Writing in the Sciences

Reference:

• Essentials of writing biomedical research papers, Mimi Zeiger, McGraw Hill