手把手教你科学写作：摘要撰写及常见错误

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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。

另请关注写作实用内容：

手把手教你写论文：引言、方法和结论

论文撰写的注意事项：编辑案例分析

在国际期刊上投稿的那些“潜规则”

史上最让人哭笑不得的审稿意见

如何彻底征服审稿人

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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 a
second messenger in the response of stomata to a range of stimuli. [B1-well focused intro to
research topic] However, the mechanism by which stimulus-induced increases in guard cell
cytosolic free Ca2+ ([Ca2+] are transduced into different physiological responses remains to be
explained. [B2-gap in understanding] Oscillations in [Ca2+] may provide one way in which this can
occur. [B3-hypothesis] We used photometric and imaging techniques to examine this hypothesis in
guard 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 the
degree of stomatal closure. [F1] Increases were oscillatory in nature, with the pattern of thdegree the
oscillations being dependent on the concentration of [Ca2+]e. [F2] At 0.1 mM, [Ca2+]e induced
symmetrical oscillations. In contrast, 1.0 mM [Ca2+]e induced asymmetric oscillations. [F3]
Oscillations were stimulus-dependent and modulated by changing [Ca2+]e.[F4] Experiments using
Ca2+ channel blockers and Mn2+-quenching studies suggested a role for Ca2+ influx during the
oscillatory behavior without excluding the possible involvement of Ca2+ release from intracellular
stores. [C1] These data suggest a mechanism for encoding the information required to distinguish
between a number of different Ca2+-mobilizing stimuli in guard cells, using stimulus-specific
patterns of oscillations in [Ca2+]. [C, S-broader/possible focus for further research]


Case Studies: Problems Specific to
International 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 hanging
mercury drop electrode (HMDE)…”

EXPLANATION: first mention
首次提到
• “…linearly with the increment of the
concentrations…”

→ “…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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