【学习笔记】斯坦福SCI写作课 Unit 1
Writing in the Sciences——Kristin Sainani from Stanford University
Unit 1: Introduction; principles of effective writing
Module 1.1 Introduction
什么才能算好的写作？
1.逻辑性：清楚表达观点； 2.文字能力：语言优美，格式规范
怎样的人算是优秀的作者？它能够通过学习掌握写作技巧。
优秀作者的标准包括：
1.表达具体的内容；
2.条理清晰；
3.在科技文章中遵循规范（结构严谨、论据充分、论证严密）并掌握了基本要点。
而不是靠天赋 alone，
而是依靠英语文学素养，
艺术修养，
避免依赖药物或酒精以提高创作能力，
以及缺乏创作灵感
除了本课之外，在提升写作能力方面还可以通过以下额外练习达到精进：
- 大量阅读优质文章并深入学习其中的思想精华
- 记录生活中的点滴见闻以培养写作素材的习惯
- 避免养成撰写学术论文的习惯，在后续课程中将详细讲解写作规范
- 在写作前进行口头梳理以理清思路脉络
- 避免让读者感到枯燥乏味
- 不要等待灵感的到来 因为优秀的论文创作是一项需要大量积累的工作 可随时随地开始撰写
- 写作对所有人都具有挑战性 但这并不意味着只有对你个人而言是困难的 请保持自信
- 论文需要反复打磨 一篇优秀的论文绝非一蹴而就 建议在完成初稿后及时进入修改完善阶段
- 在写作过程中舍弃冗杂内容力求简洁有力地表达核心观点
- 寻求他人帮助完成初稿并依据他人的反馈进行优化或进一步修改校正
- 攢breaking out of舒适区 勇敢尝试独特的写作风格 方便你在未来的学习和工作中游刃有余
Module 1.2 Examples of what not to do
作者：我不是特指你，我是说在坐每一个人……
没有有没有没有；
作者说她不踩，
她只是觉得如果写得更加简洁明了，
对读者会更友好。
而不是制造阅读困难没人愿意看的垃圾。
你看我这个表情包就是上一节说的——
"Try not to bore your readers"，
所谓活学活用！嘿嘿~
下面看作者精心挑选的三个漏洞百出的 例子：
In vitro immunotherapy known as adoptive cell transfer (ACT) relies on the isolation of tumor-reactive T cells, which are then stimulated and quantified before being reintroduced into the patient’s own tumor-bearing body.
遇见这种情况确实让人感到困扰：难以理解复杂的语言结构和语法关系；通常情况下，在日常交流中很少遇到这样的挑战。
因为首先我不太看论文，
其次，我直接扔彩云小译/谷歌翻译。
嗯……但是有人指出，并非读者的责任。也不是读者的责任。也不是读者的责任。这位兄弟写的文章确实让人难以理解。
别把概念乱丢！别忘了特别关注那些关键术语。（偶本来感觉十分高雅的概念呢），作者说真是糟糕极了！
博主嘴角留下悔恨的泪水
博主嘴角留下悔恨的泪水
博主嘴角留下悔恨的泪水
老师总是教导我们：
当你写作时，请问自己以下两个问题：
- 是否容易理解？
- 是否能让人感到愉悦？
(≧◡≦)~ 说实话呢？这个标准确实挺高的啊！‘享受什么的’嘛……唉呀别人都为了生活才这么做的吧？咱们还是别瞎猜了吧！
再看第二个例子：
These research outcomes indicate that the rates of ascorbate radical production and recycling via redactorase are equal at lower irradiance levels, though they become unequal at higher irradiance, with the rate of production outpacing recycling back to ascorbate.
还是忍不住灵魂拷问：
- 你读得通吗？（……不通）
- 写得特别长啊！有没有得到什么收获？（……没有收获）
老师（满意）：
这就是因为他表达不够流畅！你看加粗这里他语义重复 ！
我：
表达欲 really high 啦！(⊙o⊙)
老师反手抛出她的修改版本：
These findings imply that, at low irradiation, ascorbate radicals are produced and recycled at the same rate, but at high irradiation, they are produced faster than they can be recycled back to ascorbate.
卧槽，我好像能看懂了！老师牛批！！！
就是说嘛！明明可以用通俗易懂的语言去阐述事情的本质呢！这样确实让人舒服啊！正所谓：删繁就简见本真，在求变创新中开创新天地！舒适~
老师对这门课的知识进行了归纳，并指出复杂的思想与内容并不需要过于复杂的言语来表达。此外，在科技文章中核心目标在于使读者能够轻松理解其内容。
顺便揭露这种乱象的真相：
My professor friend shared this perspective with me within his academic sphere, and he emphasized that 'publish or perish' is truly a cornerstone of academia. However, he believes that publication is the primary criterion for success in academia, regardless of whether others comprehend or utilize the work.
From: Anne Ku. "The joys and pains of writing and editing," Le Bon Journal, 2003
这种得罪同行的话原也不会轻易说的，标明原作者就行 。
Module 1.3 Overview: principles of effective writing
The dysregulation of physiologic microRNA (miR) activity has been demonstrated to exert a significant influence on tumor initiation and progression, such as gliomagenesis. Therefore, biological entities capable of modulating miR activity on their target RNAs without impacting the expression levels of maturing miRNAs might have the potential for equally significant roles in cancer research.
这段话是一个集大成者，值得反复学习讨论：
1.使用名词 替代动词，造成语句蠢钝；
The dysregulation of physiological microRNA (miR) activity has been demonstrated to play a significant role in tumor initiation and progression, such as gliomagenesis. Therefore, biological entities capable of modifying miR activity on their target RNAs without impacting mature miR expression levels may assume equally significant roles in cancer.
2.模糊用词 （vague words）需要尽量避免；
Dysregulation of physiological miR activity is prevalent. Consequently, molecular species that are capable of…
3.不必要的专业用语 和缩写 ；
Dysregulation of physiologic microRNA (miRNAs) has been shown to play an important role in tumor initiation and progression, including gliomagenesis.
miR is lengthier than it appears, and RNA itself is already a common shorthand.
Gliomagenesis is a process that involves the transformation of normal glial cells into cancerous ones.
我发现这类错误在非英语母语作者发表的论文中较为常见。通常我们会按照母语撰写内容，并通过翻译工具将其转换为英文版本，在此过程中不断进行校对。这可能源于我们在使用术语时不够精准或对常见缩略形式不够熟悉而导致的问题。
4.被动语态 的不恰当使用；
Disruption of physiologic microRNA (miR) function has played a significant role in tumor initiation and progression.
5.主谓间隔 太远，不利于阅读。
Therefore, types of molecules capable of regulating miR activity on their target RNAs without interfering with the expression levels of mature miRs can potentially assume equally significant roles in cancer development.
修改后：
Alterations in microRNA expression levels have significant implications for cancer development, such as glioma. Concomitantly, events disrupting the ability of microRNAs to bind their target RNAs could potentially contribute to cancer progression.
总结：
- 去除冗余的文字内容；
- 采用主动语态结构（subject+verb+object）；
- 尽量选择动词形式，并注意避免使谓语过于复杂或分散在长句中。
个人理解：虽然我们似乎认为动词没有名词那么高雅, 但文章的重点在于提高可读性而非达到晦涩难懂的程度. 使用最简洁的语言传达最准确的信息才是我们应该追求的目标. 我们必须走出对这种写作方式的误区. 华美的骈文和诗句虽好, 但在实用性的选择上并不占优. 而"逸马杀犬于道"这一平铺直叙的例子, 却能在地点、人物、事件等方面做到全面涵盖, 并且简洁明了, 这种风格能够流传千古.
Module 1.4: Cut the clutter
Good writing achieves its clearest form when it strips away unnecessary elements from each sentence. Each word without purpose, overly-wordy terms, redundant adjectives carrying meanings already embedded in verbs, or passive structures leaving readers uncertain about who performs an action—these are common redundancies found in sentences. The presence of these redundancies typically corresponds with an individual's level of education and social status.
作者引用此言指出应剔除冗余的关键几点：无价值的表述；冗长可精简的内容；无需额外修饰的基础要素；不适合主动担当的行为……
举例：
This paper presents a comprehensive review of the foundational principles in cancer biology study design, employing examples that highlight methodological challenges or showcase effective solutions to the issues commonly encountered in biological research.
This paper analyzes the research methodology in cancer biology, when highlighting specific challenges and solutions through illustrative examples.
已知事实表明，在参与体育活动中能够实现降低心血管风险、血压水平以及增强肌肉表现和呼吸系统功能等方面的效果。
The engagement in increased athletic activities is related to reduced cardiovascular risk, decreased blood pressure levels, and enhanced physical fitness.
Enhancing physical activity reduces cardiovascular risk and blood pressure, thereby improving overall fitness. (stronger level of evidence)
3.A pioneering experimental demonstration has been successfully conducted, marking the first instance where laser-driven particle acceleration is validated within an inertial confinement setup. This achievement serves as a validation framework for the theoretical concept of laser-driven particle acceleration in a structure loaded with inertial confinement. The successful completion of this experiment not only solidifies the foundation for future research but also provides valuable insights into optimizing particle acceleration mechanisms under such conditions. Furthermore, the results highlight significant potential for advancing related technologies, particularly in the field of inertial confinement fusion.
The experiment demonstrates a pioneering experimental validation of laser-induced particle acceleration mechanisms within a structure-loaded vacuum environment.
删除非必要的单词：
1.警觉&&无情；
2.试试看删除之后是否能表达愿意。
Brain injury incidence indicates two distinct time frames across most reports, with the highest rates observed among young people and the elderly.
Brain injury incidence peaks in the young and the elderly.
文章中常见的杂乱表述：
1. 既缺乏实质意义又会对阅读体验造成负面影响的文字内容
• It is a commonly acknowledged fact
• Based on prior research findings
• From empirical evidence, we observe that
• A compelling case exists to highlight such issues
2.意思模糊的单词
• basic tenets of
• methodologic
• important
3.可以缩短的词组和单词
• muscular and cardiorespiratory performance
| Wordy version | Crisp Version |
|---|---|
| a mjor of | most |
| a number of | many |
| are of the same opinion | agree |
| less frequently | rare |
| all three of the | three |
| give rise to | cause |
| Due to the fact that | affect |
| have an effect on | affect |
| based on the assumption that | if |
The estimated rate of Intellectual Disability is approximately 2.5%, based on the assumption of a normal distribution of intelligence.
The anticipated incidence rate of intellectual disability would be 2.5% assuming a normal distribution of intelligence.
- 非必要的术语和缩写
5.重复的单词或从句
• examples/studies
• demonstrate/illustrate
• difficulties/challenges
• effective solutions/successful approaches
A strong cell-mediated immune response is essential, and a lack in this response increases the likelihood of an individual developing active TB.
Insufficiency in T cell-dependent immune response increases the likelihood of an individual developing active tuberculosis.
6.可删除的副词
very, really, quite, basically, generally, …
Module 1.5：Cut the clutter, more tricks
1.不使用否定句（not）
| Negative | Positive |
|---|---|
| not honest | dishonest |
| not harmful | safe |
| not important | unimportant |
| does not have | lacks |
| did not remember | forgot |
| did not pay attention to | ignored |
| did not succeed | failed |
• She was rarely right.
• She was unwilling to perform the experiment incorrectly.
• They did not think the drug would be harmful.
2.不使用"there are/there is"
• Bacteria lined the plate.
• Many physicists like to write.
• The data confirm an association between vegetables and cancer.
• We can arrange the pulleys in many ways.
3.删去无用的介词
• The meeting happened Monday.
• They agreed it was true.
Module 1.6: Practice cutting clutter
本次练习涉及将所有题目系统地收集到PDF文档中，并通过提供的链接直接下载并打印以便进行学习和复习。
1.Possibly anti-inflammatory medications may help reduce the occurrence of Alzheimer's Disease.
2.P53 not only prevents malignant transformation but also plays a significant role in diverse developmental processes such as aging, differentiation, and fertility.3.Brain and spinal cord injuries are among the most severe and costly injuries to treat medically.
4.An intelligence test measures an individual's ability to perform functions typically associated with verbal communication, reasoning, and tasks involving motor skills and spatial awareness.
5.As illustrated in Figure 2, if the return kinetic energy is below 3.2 Up , two electron trajectories will correspond to this kinetic energy.
答案：
1.Clinical seizures have a prevalence of approximately 0.5% to 2.3% in newborn populations.
2.Additionally to its role in cancer prevention, the p53 protein is involved in processes such as aging and differentiation.
3.Brain and spinal cord injuries are among the most severe physical injuries sustained by individuals.
4.An intelligence quotient test assesses an individual's verbal, reasoning, motor, or spatial abilities.
5.Figure 2 demonstrates that a return kinetic energy less than 3.2 Up yields two distinct electron trajectories.