Vaguenessand

exaggeration

Vagueness

a lot, a bit,a little

Exaggeration

Refering toyourself

Avoid vagueness, sensationalism andexaggeration

Parts from “Writing Scientific English” by Tim Skern

Vagueness and exaggeration

Vaguenessand

exaggeration

Vagueness

a lot, a bit,a little

Exaggeration

Refering toyourself

Avoid vagueness

Scientific writing should be accurate, appropriate and measured.

Example (Vague sentences)

Consumer demand is rising in the area of services.Consumers are demanding more services.

This is a very important result.This result can be applied to solve certain types of ODE.

Strong reading skills are an important factor in students’success in college.Students’ success in college depends on their reading skills.

This is a consequence of a result proved by Zariski.This is a consequence of Theorem 3.7 of [Zar].

Vagueness and exaggeration

Vaguenessand

exaggeration

Vagueness

a lot, a bit,a little

Exaggeration

Refering toyourself

Avoid vagueness

Scientific writing should be accurate, appropriate and measured.

Example (Vague sentences)

Consumer demand is rising in the area of services.

Consumers are demanding more services.

This is a very important result.This result can be applied to solve certain types of ODE.

Strong reading skills are an important factor in students’success in college.Students’ success in college depends on their reading skills.

This is a consequence of a result proved by Zariski.This is a consequence of Theorem 3.7 of [Zar].

Vagueness and exaggeration

Vaguenessand

exaggeration

Vagueness

a lot, a bit,a little

Exaggeration

Refering toyourself

Avoid vagueness

Scientific writing should be accurate, appropriate and measured.

Example (Vague sentences)

Consumer demand is rising in the area of services.Consumers are demanding more services.

This is a very important result.This result can be applied to solve certain types of ODE.

Strong reading skills are an important factor in students’success in college.Students’ success in college depends on their reading skills.

This is a consequence of a result proved by Zariski.This is a consequence of Theorem 3.7 of [Zar].

Vagueness and exaggeration

Vaguenessand

exaggeration

Vagueness

a lot, a bit,a little

Exaggeration

Refering toyourself

Avoid vagueness

Scientific writing should be accurate, appropriate and measured.

Example (Vague sentences)

Consumer demand is rising in the area of services.Consumers are demanding more services.

This is a very important result.

This result can be applied to solve certain types of ODE.

Strong reading skills are an important factor in students’success in college.Students’ success in college depends on their reading skills.

This is a consequence of a result proved by Zariski.This is a consequence of Theorem 3.7 of [Zar].

Vagueness and exaggeration

Vaguenessand

exaggeration

Vagueness

a lot, a bit,a little

Exaggeration

Refering toyourself

Avoid vagueness

Scientific writing should be accurate, appropriate and measured.

Example (Vague sentences)

Consumer demand is rising in the area of services.Consumers are demanding more services.

This is a very important result.This result can be applied to solve certain types of ODE.

Strong reading skills are an important factor in students’success in college.Students’ success in college depends on their reading skills.

This is a consequence of a result proved by Zariski.This is a consequence of Theorem 3.7 of [Zar].

Vagueness and exaggeration

Vaguenessand

exaggeration

Vagueness

a lot, a bit,a little

Exaggeration

Refering toyourself

Avoid vagueness

Scientific writing should be accurate, appropriate and measured.

Example (Vague sentences)

Consumer demand is rising in the area of services.Consumers are demanding more services.

This is a very important result.This result can be applied to solve certain types of ODE.

Strong reading skills are an important factor in students’success in college.

Students’ success in college depends on their reading skills.

This is a consequence of a result proved by Zariski.This is a consequence of Theorem 3.7 of [Zar].

Vagueness and exaggeration

Vaguenessand

exaggeration

Vagueness

a lot, a bit,a little

Exaggeration

Refering toyourself

Avoid vagueness

Scientific writing should be accurate, appropriate and measured.

Example (Vague sentences)

Consumer demand is rising in the area of services.Consumers are demanding more services.

This is a very important result.This result can be applied to solve certain types of ODE.

Strong reading skills are an important factor in students’success in college.Students’ success in college depends on their reading skills.

This is a consequence of a result proved by Zariski.This is a consequence of Theorem 3.7 of [Zar].

Vagueness and exaggeration

Vaguenessand

exaggeration

Vagueness

a lot, a bit,a little

Exaggeration

Refering toyourself

Avoid vagueness

Scientific writing should be accurate, appropriate and measured.

Example (Vague sentences)

Consumer demand is rising in the area of services.Consumers are demanding more services.

This is a very important result.This result can be applied to solve certain types of ODE.

Strong reading skills are an important factor in students’success in college.Students’ success in college depends on their reading skills.

This is a consequence of a result proved by Zariski.

This is a consequence of Theorem 3.7 of [Zar].

Vagueness and exaggeration

Vaguenessand

exaggeration

Vagueness

a lot, a bit,a little

Exaggeration

Refering toyourself

Avoid vagueness

Scientific writing should be accurate, appropriate and measured.

Example (Vague sentences)

Consumer demand is rising in the area of services.Consumers are demanding more services.

This is a very important result.This result can be applied to solve certain types of ODE.

Strong reading skills are an important factor in students’success in college.Students’ success in college depends on their reading skills.

This is a consequence of a result proved by Zariski.This is a consequence of Theorem 3.7 of [Zar].

Vagueness and exaggeration

Vaguenessand

exaggeration

Vagueness

a lot, a bit,a little

Exaggeration

Refering toyourself

Avoid “a lot”, “a bit”, “a little”

To achieve greater accuracy, eliminate words such as “alot”, “a bit” and “a little” in scientific writing.

They have no value.

Alternatives for “a lot” include: “several”, “many”,“certain”, “numerous”, “considerable”.

Vagueness and exaggeration

Vaguenessand

exaggeration

Vagueness

a lot, a bit,a little

Exaggeration

Refering toyourself

Avoid “a lot”, “a bit”, “a little”

To achieve greater accuracy, eliminate words such as “alot”, “a bit” and “a little” in scientific writing.

They have no value.

Alternatives for “a lot” include: “several”, “many”,“certain”, “numerous”, “considerable”.

Vagueness and exaggeration

Vaguenessand

exaggeration

Vagueness

a lot, a bit,a little

Exaggeration

Refering toyourself

Avoid “a lot”, “a bit”, “a little”

To achieve greater accuracy, eliminate words such as “alot”, “a bit” and “a little” in scientific writing.

They have no value.

Alternatives for “a lot” include: “several”, “many”,“certain”, “numerous”, “considerable”.

Vagueness and exaggeration

Vaguenessand

exaggeration

Vagueness

a lot, a bit,a little

Exaggeration

Refering toyourself

Examples

Example

This theorem has a lot of applications.

This theorem has several applications.

A lot of results have been obtained towards the proof ofFermat’s Last Theorem.Many results have been obtained towards the proof ofFermat’s Last Theorem.

Lots of types of ODE can be solved using a computeralgorithm.Certain types of ODE can be solved using a computeralgorithm.

This new technology can help to cure a lot of diseases.This new technology can help to cure numerous diseases.

Vagueness and exaggeration

Vaguenessand

exaggeration

Vagueness

a lot, a bit,a little

Exaggeration

Refering toyourself

Examples

Example

This theorem has a lot of applications.This theorem has several applications.

A lot of results have been obtained towards the proof ofFermat’s Last Theorem.Many results have been obtained towards the proof ofFermat’s Last Theorem.

Lots of types of ODE can be solved using a computeralgorithm.Certain types of ODE can be solved using a computeralgorithm.

This new technology can help to cure a lot of diseases.This new technology can help to cure numerous diseases.

Vagueness and exaggeration

Vaguenessand

exaggeration

Vagueness

a lot, a bit,a little

Exaggeration

Refering toyourself

Examples

Example

This theorem has a lot of applications.This theorem has several applications.

A lot of results have been obtained towards the proof ofFermat’s Last Theorem.

Many results have been obtained towards the proof ofFermat’s Last Theorem.

Lots of types of ODE can be solved using a computeralgorithm.Certain types of ODE can be solved using a computeralgorithm.

This new technology can help to cure a lot of diseases.This new technology can help to cure numerous diseases.

Vagueness and exaggeration

Vaguenessand

exaggeration

Vagueness

a lot, a bit,a little

Exaggeration

Refering toyourself

Examples

Example

This theorem has a lot of applications.This theorem has several applications.

A lot of results have been obtained towards the proof ofFermat’s Last Theorem.Many results have been obtained towards the proof ofFermat’s Last Theorem.

Lots of types of ODE can be solved using a computeralgorithm.Certain types of ODE can be solved using a computeralgorithm.

This new technology can help to cure a lot of diseases.This new technology can help to cure numerous diseases.

Vagueness and exaggeration

Vaguenessand

exaggeration

Vagueness

a lot, a bit,a little

Exaggeration

Refering toyourself

Examples

Example

This theorem has a lot of applications.This theorem has several applications.

A lot of results have been obtained towards the proof ofFermat’s Last Theorem.Many results have been obtained towards the proof ofFermat’s Last Theorem.

Lots of types of ODE can be solved using a computeralgorithm.

Certain types of ODE can be solved using a computeralgorithm.

This new technology can help to cure a lot of diseases.This new technology can help to cure numerous diseases.

Vagueness and exaggeration

Vaguenessand

exaggeration

Vagueness

a lot, a bit,a little

Exaggeration

Refering toyourself

Examples

Example

This theorem has a lot of applications.This theorem has several applications.

A lot of results have been obtained towards the proof ofFermat’s Last Theorem.Many results have been obtained towards the proof ofFermat’s Last Theorem.

Lots of types of ODE can be solved using a computeralgorithm.Certain types of ODE can be solved using a computeralgorithm.

This new technology can help to cure a lot of diseases.This new technology can help to cure numerous diseases.

Vagueness and exaggeration

Vaguenessand

exaggeration

Vagueness

a lot, a bit,a little

Exaggeration

Refering toyourself

Examples

Example

This theorem has a lot of applications.This theorem has several applications.

A lot of results have been obtained towards the proof ofFermat’s Last Theorem.Many results have been obtained towards the proof ofFermat’s Last Theorem.

Lots of types of ODE can be solved using a computeralgorithm.Certain types of ODE can be solved using a computeralgorithm.

This new technology can help to cure a lot of diseases.

This new technology can help to cure numerous diseases.

Vagueness and exaggeration

Vaguenessand

exaggeration

Vagueness

a lot, a bit,a little

Exaggeration

Refering toyourself

Examples

Example

This theorem has a lot of applications.This theorem has several applications.

A lot of results have been obtained towards the proof ofFermat’s Last Theorem.Many results have been obtained towards the proof ofFermat’s Last Theorem.

Lots of types of ODE can be solved using a computeralgorithm.Certain types of ODE can be solved using a computeralgorithm.

This new technology can help to cure a lot of diseases.This new technology can help to cure numerous diseases.

Vagueness and exaggeration

Vaguenessand

exaggeration

Vagueness

a lot, a bit,a little

Exaggeration

Refering toyourself

Examples

Instead of using “a bit” and “a little” one can use words as“slightly”, “insignificant”, “unsubstantial”, ”inconsiderable”.

Example

Our theorem is a little stronger than Theorem 5.3 of [9].Our theorem is slightly stronger than Theorem 5.3 of [9].

The test showed little increase in the blood pressure.The test showed insignificant increase in the blood pressure.

The conditions of this proposition require a bit more.The conditions of this proposition are slightly stronger.

Vagueness and exaggeration

Vaguenessand

exaggeration

Vagueness

a lot, a bit,a little

Exaggeration

Refering toyourself

Examples

Instead of using “a bit” and “a little” one can use words as“slightly”, “insignificant”, “unsubstantial”, ”inconsiderable”.

Example

Our theorem is a little stronger than Theorem 5.3 of [9].

Our theorem is slightly stronger than Theorem 5.3 of [9].

The test showed little increase in the blood pressure.The test showed insignificant increase in the blood pressure.

The conditions of this proposition require a bit more.The conditions of this proposition are slightly stronger.

Vagueness and exaggeration

Vaguenessand

exaggeration

Vagueness

a lot, a bit,a little

Exaggeration

Refering toyourself

Examples

Instead of using “a bit” and “a little” one can use words as“slightly”, “insignificant”, “unsubstantial”, ”inconsiderable”.

Example

Our theorem is a little stronger than Theorem 5.3 of [9].Our theorem is slightly stronger than Theorem 5.3 of [9].

The test showed little increase in the blood pressure.The test showed insignificant increase in the blood pressure.

The conditions of this proposition require a bit more.The conditions of this proposition are slightly stronger.

Vagueness and exaggeration

Vaguenessand

exaggeration

Vagueness

a lot, a bit,a little

Exaggeration

Refering toyourself

Examples

Instead of using “a bit” and “a little” one can use words as“slightly”, “insignificant”, “unsubstantial”, ”inconsiderable”.

Example

Our theorem is a little stronger than Theorem 5.3 of [9].Our theorem is slightly stronger than Theorem 5.3 of [9].

The test showed little increase in the blood pressure.

The test showed insignificant increase in the blood pressure.

The conditions of this proposition require a bit more.The conditions of this proposition are slightly stronger.

Vagueness and exaggeration

Vaguenessand

exaggeration

Vagueness

a lot, a bit,a little

Exaggeration

Refering toyourself

Examples

Instead of using “a bit” and “a little” one can use words as“slightly”, “insignificant”, “unsubstantial”, ”inconsiderable”.

Example

Our theorem is a little stronger than Theorem 5.3 of [9].Our theorem is slightly stronger than Theorem 5.3 of [9].

The test showed little increase in the blood pressure.The test showed insignificant increase in the blood pressure.

The conditions of this proposition require a bit more.The conditions of this proposition are slightly stronger.

Vagueness and exaggeration

Vaguenessand

exaggeration

Vagueness

a lot, a bit,a little

Exaggeration

Refering toyourself

Examples

Instead of using “a bit” and “a little” one can use words as“slightly”, “insignificant”, “unsubstantial”, ”inconsiderable”.

Example

Our theorem is a little stronger than Theorem 5.3 of [9].Our theorem is slightly stronger than Theorem 5.3 of [9].

The test showed little increase in the blood pressure.The test showed insignificant increase in the blood pressure.

The conditions of this proposition require a bit more.

The conditions of this proposition are slightly stronger.

Vagueness and exaggeration

Vaguenessand

exaggeration

Vagueness

a lot, a bit,a little

Exaggeration

Refering toyourself

Examples

Instead of using “a bit” and “a little” one can use words as“slightly”, “insignificant”, “unsubstantial”, ”inconsiderable”.

Example

Our theorem is a little stronger than Theorem 5.3 of [9].Our theorem is slightly stronger than Theorem 5.3 of [9].

The test showed little increase in the blood pressure.The test showed insignificant increase in the blood pressure.

The conditions of this proposition require a bit more.The conditions of this proposition are slightly stronger.

Vagueness and exaggeration

Vaguenessand

exaggeration

Vagueness

a lot, a bit,a little

Exaggeration

Refering toyourself

Avoid sensationalism and exaggeration

Make your scientific writing appropriate by avoidingadjectives such as “amazing”, “incredible”, “unbelievable”,“stunning” or “spectacular”.

In addition, do not end sentences with exclamation marks.

Absolute statements about something unproven (e.g.,“This hypothesis will never be falsified”) and exaggeratedaccuracy (e.g., “Our results provide 100% proof of ourtheory”) have no place in measured scientific writing.

Vagueness and exaggeration

Vaguenessand

exaggeration

Vagueness

a lot, a bit,a little

Exaggeration

Refering toyourself

Avoid sensationalism and exaggeration

Make your scientific writing appropriate by avoidingadjectives such as “amazing”, “incredible”, “unbelievable”,“stunning” or “spectacular”.

In addition, do not end sentences with exclamation marks.

Absolute statements about something unproven (e.g.,“This hypothesis will never be falsified”) and exaggeratedaccuracy (e.g., “Our results provide 100% proof of ourtheory”) have no place in measured scientific writing.

Vagueness and exaggeration

Vaguenessand

exaggeration

Vagueness

a lot, a bit,a little

Exaggeration

Refering toyourself

Avoid sensationalism and exaggeration

Make your scientific writing appropriate by avoidingadjectives such as “amazing”, “incredible”, “unbelievable”,“stunning” or “spectacular”.

In addition, do not end sentences with exclamation marks.

Absolute statements about something unproven

(e.g.,“This hypothesis will never be falsified”) and exaggeratedaccuracy (e.g., “Our results provide 100% proof of ourtheory”) have no place in measured scientific writing.

Vagueness and exaggeration

Vaguenessand

exaggeration

Vagueness

a lot, a bit,a little

Exaggeration

Refering toyourself

Avoid sensationalism and exaggeration

Make your scientific writing appropriate by avoidingadjectives such as “amazing”, “incredible”, “unbelievable”,“stunning” or “spectacular”.

In addition, do not end sentences with exclamation marks.

Absolute statements about something unproven (e.g.,“This hypothesis will never be falsified”)

and exaggeratedaccuracy (e.g., “Our results provide 100% proof of ourtheory”) have no place in measured scientific writing.

Vagueness and exaggeration

Vaguenessand

exaggeration

Vagueness

a lot, a bit,a little

Exaggeration

Refering toyourself

Avoid sensationalism and exaggeration

Make your scientific writing appropriate by avoidingadjectives such as “amazing”, “incredible”, “unbelievable”,“stunning” or “spectacular”.

In addition, do not end sentences with exclamation marks.

Absolute statements about something unproven (e.g.,“This hypothesis will never be falsified”) and exaggeratedaccuracy

(e.g., “Our results provide 100% proof of ourtheory”) have no place in measured scientific writing.

Vagueness and exaggeration

Vaguenessand

exaggeration

Vagueness

a lot, a bit,a little

Exaggeration

Refering toyourself

Avoid sensationalism and exaggeration

Make your scientific writing appropriate by avoidingadjectives such as “amazing”, “incredible”, “unbelievable”,“stunning” or “spectacular”.

In addition, do not end sentences with exclamation marks.

Absolute statements about something unproven (e.g.,“This hypothesis will never be falsified”) and exaggeratedaccuracy (e.g., “Our results provide 100% proof of ourtheory”) have no place in measured scientific writing.

Vagueness and exaggeration

Vaguenessand

exaggeration

Vagueness

a lot, a bit,a little

Exaggeration

Refering toyourself

Refering to yourself in papers

It is common use to write ”we” in place of ”I”.

Never give your name to a theorem or some mathematicalentity you are defining (examples: “Theorem ofKuhlmann”, “the Kuhlmann function”). If your result orthe notion you have introduced is important enough, thenthose who use it will perhaps name it after you.

Vagueness and exaggeration

Vaguenessand

exaggeration

Vagueness

a lot, a bit,a little

Exaggeration

Refering toyourself

Refering to yourself in papers

It is common use to write ”we” in place of ”I”.

Never give your name to a theorem or some mathematicalentity you are defining

(examples: “Theorem ofKuhlmann”, “the Kuhlmann function”). If your result orthe notion you have introduced is important enough, thenthose who use it will perhaps name it after you.

Vagueness and exaggeration

Vaguenessand

exaggeration

Vagueness

a lot, a bit,a little

Exaggeration

Refering toyourself

Refering to yourself in papers

It is common use to write ”we” in place of ”I”.

Never give your name to a theorem or some mathematicalentity you are defining (examples: “Theorem ofKuhlmann”,

“the Kuhlmann function”). If your result orthe notion you have introduced is important enough, thenthose who use it will perhaps name it after you.

Vagueness and exaggeration

Vaguenessand

exaggeration

Vagueness

a lot, a bit,a little

Exaggeration

Refering toyourself

Refering to yourself in papers

It is common use to write ”we” in place of ”I”.

Never give your name to a theorem or some mathematicalentity you are defining (examples: “Theorem ofKuhlmann”, “the Kuhlmann function”).

If your result orthe notion you have introduced is important enough, thenthose who use it will perhaps name it after you.

Vagueness and exaggeration

Vaguenessand

exaggeration

Vagueness

a lot, a bit,a little

Exaggeration

Refering toyourself

Refering to yourself in papers

It is common use to write ”we” in place of ”I”.

Never give your name to a theorem or some mathematicalentity you are defining (examples: “Theorem ofKuhlmann”, “the Kuhlmann function”). If your result orthe notion you have introduced is important enough, thenthose who use it will perhaps name it after you.

Vagueness and exaggeration

Vaguenessand

exaggeration

Vagueness

a lot, a bit,a little

Exaggeration

Refering toyourself

Refering to yourself in references

Try to avoid refering to an earlier result by using yourname.

Rather, use the common forms of citing papers,e.g., “see [28]”, “cf. [K3]”.

An older form of references, now rarely used, uses tags like“Kuhlmann 2010b”. This is acceptable.

Vagueness and exaggeration

Vaguenessand

exaggeration

Vagueness

a lot, a bit,a little

Exaggeration

Refering toyourself

Refering to yourself in references

Try to avoid refering to an earlier result by using yourname. Rather, use the common forms of citing papers,

e.g., “see [28]”, “cf. [K3]”.

An older form of references, now rarely used, uses tags like“Kuhlmann 2010b”. This is acceptable.

Vagueness and exaggeration

Vaguenessand

exaggeration

Vagueness

a lot, a bit,a little

Exaggeration

Refering toyourself

Refering to yourself in references

Try to avoid refering to an earlier result by using yourname. Rather, use the common forms of citing papers,e.g., “see [28]”,

“cf. [K3]”.

An older form of references, now rarely used, uses tags like“Kuhlmann 2010b”. This is acceptable.

Vagueness and exaggeration

Vaguenessand

exaggeration

Vagueness

a lot, a bit,a little

Exaggeration

Refering toyourself

Refering to yourself in references

Try to avoid refering to an earlier result by using yourname. Rather, use the common forms of citing papers,e.g., “see [28]”, “cf. [K3]”.

An older form of references, now rarely used, uses tags like“Kuhlmann 2010b”. This is acceptable.

Vagueness and exaggeration

Vaguenessand

exaggeration

Vagueness

a lot, a bit,a little

Exaggeration

Refering toyourself

Refering to yourself in references

Try to avoid refering to an earlier result by using yourname. Rather, use the common forms of citing papers,e.g., “see [28]”, “cf. [K3]”.

An older form of references, now rarely used, uses tags like“Kuhlmann 2010b”.

This is acceptable.

Vagueness and exaggeration

Vaguenessand

exaggeration

Vagueness

a lot, a bit,a little

Exaggeration

Refering toyourself

Refering to yourself in references

Try to avoid refering to an earlier result by using yourname. Rather, use the common forms of citing papers,e.g., “see [28]”, “cf. [K3]”.

An older form of references, now rarely used, uses tags like“Kuhlmann 2010b”. This is acceptable.

Vagueness and exaggeration

Vaguenessand

exaggeration

Vagueness

a lot, a bit,a little

Exaggeration

Refering toyourself

Refering to yourself in presentations

When refering in presentations to results of yourself, avoidwriting out your name.

You can use the first letter of yourname or “–” instead.

Example

Theorem 5 (K, 2010)

Theorem 5 (Prestel, –)

Vagueness and exaggeration

Vaguenessand

exaggeration

Vagueness

a lot, a bit,a little

Exaggeration

Refering toyourself

Refering to yourself in presentations

When refering in presentations to results of yourself, avoidwriting out your name. You can use the first letter of yourname

or “–” instead.

Example

Theorem 5 (K, 2010)

Theorem 5 (Prestel, –)

Vagueness and exaggeration

Vaguenessand

exaggeration

Vagueness

a lot, a bit,a little

Exaggeration

Refering toyourself

Refering to yourself in presentations

When refering in presentations to results of yourself, avoidwriting out your name. You can use the first letter of yourname or “–” instead.

Example

Theorem 5 (K, 2010)

Theorem 5 (Prestel, –)

Vagueness and exaggeration

Vaguenessand

exaggeration

Vagueness

a lot, a bit,a little

Exaggeration

Refering toyourself

Refering to yourself in presentations

When refering in presentations to results of yourself, avoidwriting out your name. You can use the first letter of yourname or “–” instead.

Example

Theorem 5 (K, 2010)

Theorem 5 (Prestel, –)

Vagueness and exaggeration

Vaguenessand

exaggeration

Vagueness

a lot, a bit,a little

Exaggeration

Refering toyourself

Refering to yourself in presentations

When refering in presentations to results of yourself, avoidwriting out your name. You can use the first letter of yourname or “–” instead.

Example

Theorem 5 (K, 2010)

Theorem 5 (Prestel, –)

Vagueness and exaggeration