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撰写论文是科研人员的必须工作，最近已经从多个层面介绍过写作需要注意的问题。今天，针对论文暴露最多的摘要部分，看看有什么技巧和注意事项。本文由理文编辑 (Edanz Group) 整理归纳。

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Writing Science in English:

Abstract Writing and Common Errors

科学写作：摘要撰写及常见错误

by Chad Walker

Importance of Abstracts摘要的重要性

• Let reader decide whether to read further
  让读者决定是否继续阅读
• Is the 1st part to be read, therefore it sets up positive or negative expectations for the remainder of the work
  摘要是文章的第一部分，关系着读者对全文的印象好坏
• Should encourage readers who decide the topic is relevant to read further
  应当吸引读者继续阅读正文
• If poorly written, discourages reader from reading further
  写的差的摘要会导致读者停止继续阅读
• Should be aimed at both readers who will read the abstract only and those that will read the complete paper
  摘要应当既能吸引单纯的摘要读者，又能吸引阅读全文的读者

Tips for Writing an Abstract摘要写作技巧

• Be clear and brief and try to avoid abbreviations.
  简明扼要，避免使用缩写
• Describe methods and results in the past tense.
  方法与结果部分使用过去时
• Discuss conclusions in the present tense; avoid perfect tenses.
  讨论部分使用现在时；避免使用完成时
• State document contents in present tense.
  文献内容使用现在时
• The use of I and we is preferable in many journals to the third person and the passive.
  使用第一人称，而不使用第三人称和被动语态
• Do not use synonyms e.g. if you use “housing” in one sentence, do not change it to “casing” in another. The reader may think you are discussing two different things.
  不要使用同义词，否则读者会认为你在指两个不同的事物
• The abstract should be understandable when readseparately from the paper (i.e., stand-alone)
  即使在没有阅读全文的情况下，摘要也可以作为一个独立的部分为读者所读懂

The “Code” of Writing Scientific Abstracts科技文章摘要写作“代码”

Think of each sentence as representing one of the following “codes” based on its
function: 根据功能，每个句子分别代表以下“代码”B = Background information 背景信息P = Principal activity/purpose/scope/aims of study 主要活动/目的/范围/研究目标M = Information about methodology 方法F = Main findings/results 重要发现/结果C = Main implications/conclusions of the work 重要意义/研究结论S = Suggestions/recommendations 提示/建议*Tip: B, P, M, F, China Science!Adapted from Weissburg and Buker (1994)

Exercise: Analysis of Abstract - Biology练习：分析摘要 - 生物学

Stimulus-induced oscillations in plant cell cytosolic free calcium. Ca²⁺ is implicated as asecond messenger in the response of stomata to a range of stimuli. [B1-well focused intro toresearch topic] However, the mechanism by which stimulus-induced increases in guard cellcytosolic free Ca²⁺ ([Ca²⁺] are transduced into different physiological responses remains to beexplained. [B2-gap in understanding] Oscillations in [Ca²⁺] may provide one way in which this canoccur. [B3-hypothesis] We used photometric and imaging techniques to examine this hypothesis inguard cells of Commelina communis. [P, M1-NB active rather passive]. External Ca²⁺ ([Ca²⁺]_e),which causes an increase in [Ca²⁺], was used as a closing stimulus. [M2] The total increase in [Ca²⁺]was directly related to the concentration of [Ca²⁺]_e, both of which correlated closely with thedegree of stomatal closure. [F1] Increases were oscillatory in nature, with the pattern of thdegree theoscillations being dependent on the concentration of [Ca²⁺]_e. [F2] At 0.1 mM, [Ca²⁺]_e inducedsymmetrical oscillations. In contrast, 1.0 mM [Ca²⁺]_e induced asymmetric oscillations. [F3]Oscillations were stimulus-dependent and modulated by changing [Ca²⁺]_e.[F4] Experiments usingCa²⁺ channel blockers and Mn²⁺-quenching studies suggested a role for Ca²⁺ influx during theoscillatory behavior without excluding the possible involvement of Ca²⁺ release from intracellularstores. [C1] These data suggest a mechanism for encoding the information required to distinguishbetween a number of different Ca²⁺-mobilizing stimuli in guard cells, using stimulus-specificpatterns of oscillations in [Ca²⁺]. [C, S-broader/possible focus for further research]

Case Studies: Problems Specific toInternational Author案例研究：国际作者面临的特殊问题

• In addition to properly formatting their abstracts, international authors must also pay attention to the proper use of English writing conventions and grammar.除了摘要的格式正确外，还要注意 正确使用英文写作习惯和语法• Next we look at some actual case studies taken from edited abstracts.案例研究

Edited Abstract Sample 1编辑后的摘要-例1

Edited Abstract Sample 1编辑后的摘要-例1

• “…complex adsorbed at the hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE)…”
→ “…complex adsorbed to a hangingmercury drop electrode (HMDE)…”
EXPLANATION: first mention首次提到

• “…linearly with the increment of theconcentrations…”
→ “…linearly with increasing concentrations…”
EXPLANATION: not concise不简练

• “…not in … such as L-dopa, pinephrine ... pyrogallic acid (PA), and gallic acid (GA).”
→ “…not in … such as L-dopa, epinephrine ... pyrogallic acid (PA), or gallic acid (GA).”
EXPLANATION: in a list, negative = “or”,positive = “and”在列举时，否定的用“or”，肯定的用 “and”

Case Studies: Problems Specific to International Author

案例研究：国际作者面临的特殊问题

Edited Abstract Sample 2

编辑后的摘要-例2

Abstract 2 Common Error Example

常见错误

• “…investigation of three trimeric aluminum(III)-water species: …”

→ “…investigate the three trimeric aluminum(III)-water species: …”

EXPLANATION: limited/exact number = “the”; unlimited = not necessary

说明：可数名词之前需要用“the”；不可数名词不一定必需

• “…properties of triangular Al3  structure are…”

→ “…the properties of the triangular Al3 structure are…”

EXPLANATION: 1) with “X of X”, “the” is required in most cases. 2) “the” is used with things already mentioned in the text (Al3)

说明：1、使用“X of X”形式， “the” 多数情况下是必须的2、“the” 用于指文中已经提及的事情，比如Al3

• “…according to “Core-link” model or “Cage-like” Keggin-Al13 model.”

→ “…according to the “Core-link” model or the “Cage-like” Keggin-Al13 model.”

EXPLANATION: use “the” in front of the names of unique models/methods, etc.

说明：在特定的方程式、方法等的名称之前用“the”

Case Studies: Problems Specific to International Author

案例研究：国际作者面临的特殊问题

Edited Abstract Sample 3

编辑后的摘要-例3

Abstract 3 Common Error Example

常见错误

• “To cope with the situations with time and spacedependent…”

→ “To manage situations with time- and spacedependent…”

EXPLANATION: use clear and concise language

要使用清晰简练的语言

• “This approach not only can introduce unsteady and non-uniform body forces into momentum equations, but be able to add…”

→ “This approach can not only introduce unsteady an→ and non-uniform body forces into momentum equations, but is also able to add…”

EXPLANATION: Proper grammar: “not only…, but also”

正确的语法形式是：“not only …, but also …”

• “…can be guaranteed in incompressible limit.”

→ “…can be guaranteed in incompressible limits.”

EXPLANATION: articles and nouns must match: “in XX limits” or “in (a)XX limit”

冠词和名词必须搭配使用

Case Studies: Problems Specific to International Author

案例研究：国际作者面临的特殊问题

Edited Abstract Sample 4

编辑后的摘要-例4

Abstract 4 Common Error Example

常见错误

• “…were not influenced obviously.”

→ “…were not obviously influenced.→ influenced.”

EXPLANATION: placing adverbs directly before what they modify is usually clearer for the reader.

将副词直接放在所修饰的词语之前通常会使读者更清楚。

• “deteriorated sludge settlability after…” AND “aggravation of sludgesettleability under…”

→ “deteriorated sludge settlability after…” AN→ AND “aggravation of sludge settlability under…”

EXPLANATION: When words can be spelled 2 ways, choose one and be consistent.

如果单词有两种拼写方式，选择其中一种并且保持一致。

• “So TCP is a better uncoupler for sludge reduction…”

→ “Accordingly, TCP is a better uncoupler for sludge reductionreduction…”

EXPLANATION: Use language appropriate for formal science writing. Instead of “so,” use “accordingly,” “thus” etc.

科学写作中应使用适当的正式语言，在这里不使用“so”,而使用

“accordingly” “thus”等词语。

Case Studies: Problems Specific to International Author

案例研究：国际作者面临的特殊问题

Edited Abstract Sample 5

编辑后的摘要-例5

Abstract 5 Common Error Example

常见错误

• "As one of popular used geophysical tools, the…"

→ "As one of the most commonly used

geophysical tools, the …"

EXPLANATION: "one of …" requires "the" ("one of the …"); before a verb ("used"), an adverb must be used.

"one of …" 后面需要加"the" ；在动词之前，如"used"，一定要用副词。

• “…imaging section by the parameter of the secondary differential.”

→ “…imaging section using the parameter of the secondary differential.secondary differential.”

EXPLANATION: use “using” to show what was used to do something. Also avoid using “by using” (the extra word is unnecessary)

使用“using” 以表明某物用来做某事。还要避免使用“by using” ，额外的词是多余的

• “…has more ability to find the most available resolution…”

→ “… can be used to obtain the optimal

resolutionresolution…”

EXPLANATION: use proper, scientific verbs and word choice

使用正确的、科学的动词，词语选择要适合于科学表达

Case Studies: Problems Specific to International Author

案例研究：国际作者面临的特殊问题

Edited Abstract Sample 6

编辑后的摘要-例6

Abstract 6 Common Error Example

常见错误

• “…tests were carried out …oxidized sample exceeds 2200 C with a …composites were -0.23mg/s…”

→ “… tests were carried out…oxidized sample exceeded 2200 C with a …composites were - 0.23mg/s…”

EXPLANATION: Matching verb tense

动词时态应一致

• “No macro-crack and spallation were detected after oxidation…”

→ “No macro-cracks or spallation were detected afte→ after oxidation…”

EXPLANATION: When used in a negative sense, lists of things are linked by “or”, not “and.”

否定句中所列举事物要使用“or”，而不是“and”

• “…scanning electron microscopy Energy Dispersive Spectrometry and X-ray diffraction, and the oxidation…”

→ “Energy Dispersive Spectrometry (SEM-EDS) and Xray diffraction (XRD), and the oxidation…”

EXPLANATION: Common abbreviations can be introduced in the Abstract, and should be if appearing more than once.

在摘要中应介绍常用缩写词，尤其是在多次出现的情况下

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