Writing Science in English:Abstract Writing and Common Errors

科学写作：摘要撰写及常见错误

by Chad Walker

Importance of Abstracts

摘要的重要性

• Let reader decide whether to read further让读者决定是否继续阅读

• Is the 1st part to be read, therefore it sets up positive or negative expectations for the remainder of the work摘要是文章的第一部分，关系着读者对全文的印象好坏

• Should encourage readers who decide the topic is relevant to read further应当吸引读者继续阅读正文

• If poorly written, discourages reader from reading further写的差的摘要会导致读者停止继续阅读

• Should be aimed at both readers who will read the abstract only and those that will read the complete paper摘要应当既能吸引单纯的摘要读者，又能吸引阅读全文的读者

Tips for Writing an Abstract

摘要写作技巧

• Be clear and brief and try to avoid abbreviations.简明扼要，避免使用缩写

• Describe methods and results in the past tense.方法与结果部分使用过去时

• Discuss conclusions in the present tense; avoid perfect tenses.讨论部分使用现在时；避免使用完成时

• State document contents in present tense.文献内容使用现在时

• The use of I and we is preferable in many journals to the third person and the passive.使用第一人称，而不使用第三人称和被动语态

• Do not use synonyms e.g. if you use “housing” in one sentence, do not change it to “casing” in another. The reader may think you are discussing two different things.不要使用同义词，否则读者会认为你在指两个不同的事物

• The abstract should be understandable when read separately from the paper (i.e., stand-alone)即使在没有阅读全文的情况下，摘要也可以作为一个独立的部分为读者所读懂

未完待续

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