If you want to write better scientific papers, write them V-shaped.
Early in the writing process, many authors often ask if the most exciting data of a paper should go in the beginning of the paper or the end.
Putting your most exciting results at the end, and building a crescendo through the paper, means that you start flat and your readers will not likely make it to the end.
Putting your most exciting results at the beginning means that your paper ends flat, and the last thing your readers remember will be how it ended.
Consider writing a V-shaped paper, where you start on an interesting question, drill down into the details, and then zoom back out to the broader implications.
The end of Figure 1 should leave a burning question that makes the reader *want* to know the answer, and keep reading.
In journalism, this is called the lede -- the paragraph at the beginning that begs the reader to keep reading.
Figure 1 is your lede.
In journalism, this is called the lede -- the paragraph at the beginning that begs the reader to keep reading.
Figure 1 is your lede.
You need the details, so don't skimp on them. The middle of the paper is a great place where you can go deep, and the people who want to understand the minutiae can find it there.
If you can, end on a high note.
Assuming the readers made it this far, why should they care? How will they feel at the end of the paper?
Give them a gift for making it this far.
Assuming the readers made it this far, why should they care? How will they feel at the end of the paper?
Give them a gift for making it this far.
Good writing has structure --- clear ideas presented logically.
Try a V-shaped structure, and make your readers want to read it.
Try a V-shaped structure, and make your readers want to read it.
