27.05.2021 Mgr. David Konecny / RECETOX 1
Academic Writing in English
Mgr. David Konecny / RECETOX
27.05.2021 Mgr. David Konecny / RECETOX 2
Abstract!
27.05.2021 Mgr. David Konecny / RECETOX 3
Research Paper Components
> Title page
> Abstract
> Introduction
> Method
> Results
> Discussion
> Acknowledgments
> References
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What is an abstract?
> [Abstracts] are normally found in peerreviewed
journal articles, where they act as a
kind of summary to enable researchers to
decide if it is worth reading the full article.
> A short summary of the aims and scope of a
journal article.
> Stephen Bailey: Academic Writing: A Handbook for International
Students
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What is an abstract?
> Prepare an interesting and self-contained abstract:
The abstract usually gets more attention than any other
section of your article; in fact, it is often the only part
readers are prepared to read. Therefore, the abstract
should pique the readers’ curiosity and encourage
them to read the complete article. However, the
abstract must never contain any information that is not
detailed in the main part of the paper.
> Silvia M. Rogers: Mastering Scientific and Medical Writing
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Abstract
> The abstract is an advertisement
for your article.
> The abstract must be interesting enough to make
your customers (= readers) buy your product (= read
your article).
> This may be the only part of your paper a journal
committee will ever read.
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Abstract > TO DO!
> Write the abstract when the manuscript is completely
ready from Introduction to References.
> Select an abstract format according to journal
requirements: structured or unstructured
> If you have not yet decided about the target journal,
write a structured abstract.
> Easy to convert into an unstructured abstract
> Remove the headings and combine everything into one
paragraph
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Abstract > TO DO!
> Organize your abstract like your article
> Provide a brief background, state the purpose of the
study, briefly describe the methods, and give the main
results followed by the principal conclusions.
> Use the present tense to report what is known in the
field.
> Use the past tense to report what you showed and did
in the study.
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Abstract > TO DO!
> Remember that journals always provide Instructions for
Authors
> Read the guidelines given in the Instructions for
Authors thoroughly
> Follow the instructions given in Instructions for
Authors meticulously
> Stick to the word limit given for the abstract. A range of ±5% of
the word count is acceptable.
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Abstract > DO NOT!
> Do not cite references in the abstract.
> Do not copy and paste the exact text
from introduction, methods and
conclusion to make the abstract!
Always write it as a separate new
section!
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Abstract > Writing Tips
> Write a preliminary draft of the abstract that answers
the following questions:
> What was the question?
> What is the evidence?
> What are the conclusions?
> This will help focus you during the writing process.
> Once again: finalize your abstract only when the
manuscript is complete!
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Title – Keywords – Abstract
> Title: Calculating Stress: from Entropy to a Thermodynamic Concept of Health
and Disease
> Key words: stress, calculation, entropy, thermodynamics, allostasis
> To date, contemporary science has lacked a satisfactory tool for the objective
expression of stress. This text thus introduces a new – thermodynamically
derived – approach to stress measurement, based on entropy production in
time and independent of the quality or modality of a given stressor or a
combination thereof. Stress response is expressed here on the basis of stress
entropic load (SEL), a variable we introduced previously; the mathematical
expression of SEL, provided here for the first time, now allows us to describe
the various states of a living system, including differentiating between states
of health and disease. The calculation of stress response regardless of the type
of stressor(s) in question is thus poised to become an entirely new tool for
predicting the development of a living system.
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Reading (Abstracts) like a Writer!
> Read the abstract and identify the following:
> Background position
> Aim and thesis of article
> Method of research
> Results of research
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Reading (Abstracts) like a Writer!
> To date, contemporary science has lacked a satisfactory tool for
the objective expression of stress. This text thus introduces a
new – thermodynamically derived – approach to stress
measurement, based on entropy production in time and
independent of the quality or modality of a given stressor or a
combination thereof. Stress response is expressed here on the
basis of stress entropic load (SEL), a variable we introduced
previously; the mathematical expression of SEL, provided here
for the first time, now allows us to describe the various states of
a living system, including differentiating between states of
health and disease. The calculation of stress response regardless
of the type of stressor(s) in question is thus poised to become an
entirely new tool for predicting the development of a living
system.
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Highlights
> Highlights are a short collection of bullet points
that convey the core findings and provide
readers with a quick textual overview of the
article.
> Three to five bullet points describe the essence
of the research (e.g. results or conclusions) and
highlight what is distinctive about it.
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Highlights
> Common requirements:
> 3 to 5 highlights
> Maximum of 85 characters per highlight
> Only the core results of the paper should be
covered!
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