COMMUNICATION IN THE BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
Department of Biology


AVOID GLIB SUPERLATIVES, COLLOQUIAL EXPRESSIONS
AND AWKWARD EXPRESSIONS


As you prepare scientific documents (literature reviews, research manuscripts, etc.) be careful to avoid expressions similar to those below. Maintain an objective, unemotional, and professional writing style.

EXAMPLES:

"Individuals from seacoast populations consumed very high concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids compared to individuals from inland populations."

"Poa pratensis is virtually eliminating other species."

"Prairie restoration has been the source of countless studies."
"There have been many efforts at attempting to restore plants."
"Throughout the years scientists have been concerned with prairies."

"The diversity measures seemed to go down slowly."

Eliminating alien species has been the major uphill battle in restoring prairies.

"This was by far the most interesting result."

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