COMMUNICATION
IN THE BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
Department
of Biology
WHEN
WRITING FOR A PROFESSIONAL AUDIENCE, USE KEY TECHNICAL WORDS AND PHRASES,
ESPECIALLY THOSE FOUND IN TECHNICAL LITERATURE AND JOURNAL ARTICLES
Assume that
you are writing a paper on how similar genes are found in different animal
species.
"Genes that
regulate development are very similar among many different groups of animals,
including insects, worms, fish, and mammals. These genes seem to have come
from other genes that existed in organisms that were evolutionary ancestors
of these animals. In fact, earlier forms of these genes have been discovered
in plants and earlier organisms."
By using several
key technical terms, highlighted in color below, the same information can
be more clearly and more professionally presented.
"HOX
genes are now known to be highly conserved
across all animal phyla. In fact, precursors
of these genes have been identified in other groups of organisms, including
plants, fungi, and bacteria."
Improper use
of technical terms (or not using them at all!) are clear indications that
your understanding of the subject matter is incomplete. In addition, proper
use of such terms results in writing that is clearer and more concise as
illustrated above.
Home
.
Copyright © 2001,
the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and the Board of Regents of the University
of Wisconsin.