Thread by @kafedjiska

Do you struggle with writing down your scientific work? Here are some tips from me that have helped me write whole chapters in only a weekend and my master thesis in a week! 😅

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1. Always start with your Figures and Tables. Arrange them in a sensical order. Write keywords or main outcomes as bullet points. Build your story around them.

2. Think: why did I do this? What and how did I do it? What did I find? What does it mean? Check literature and divide it across these 5 questions. If uncertain where to start, search for a most recent review article on your topic.

3. As you find a relevant reference, immediately put it where it would fit your results with a brief note why it is there. This could be explaining/discussing a result; or providing background info; or motivating your work.

4. Start writing & follow the ABC Rule of writing:
Accurate
Brief
Clear

5. Accurate: be as precise as possible. Avoid vague terms as the majority of; small changes; significant improvement.

Instead: 75% out of 203 tested samples; 0.4% loss in X over three days; 100mV improvement in the voltage.

6. Be Brief by avoiding:
- repetition;
- long sentences with more than 2 important points
- flowery language and redundant words/adjectives

Especially pt. 3 - too many adjectives do not add value or clarity to your work.

7. Be Clear by being accurate and brief & additionally by avoiding words like: this is; they; it; which - especially if you have made several points, making it unclear what “this” refers to.

8. While you are writing, just keep going. If you are stuck on a sentence for more than 5 min - SKIP IT. Writing will give you clarity and you will get inspiration for that sentence later on. Do not correct, do not re-read. Get used to horrible first drafts.

9. Read and correct. But not only typos. Critically assess your work. Is the literature up to date? Does everything make sense? What are the weak points? What needs further explanation? Re-evaluate. Re-think. Re-write.

10. Do nr. 9 only once or twice! After that you are no longer reading your work clearly and you will enter a vicious circle of endless self-doubt! Now is the time for 2nd or 3rd pair of eyes - share your work as soon as possible with other colleagues for more productive editing.

11. Implement their comments if they make sense; if not, ask for clarification. If you have followed points 1-9, I promise you, not many heart-breaking comments will be coming; and those that will come will be of great value for your work!

12. Side notes: find out which tools help you write. For me, it is research rabbit, zotero, & click up. Keep a list of keywords of words you forget how to spell near you. Keep a list of core terms + notations/abbreviations, so that you do not end up mixing terminology.

13. Keep in mind: writing gives clarity; helps you see connections you did not see before. As such, not everything needs to be perfect before you start writing. The writing process will get you there though & the mindset of writing = clarity will make you more motivated to write.

Briefly, that’s all folks! :)

How did you like these tips? What are your favorite tips when writing? What do you do when getting stuck; or, when you cannot explain one or more of your results in written words? Finally, keep in mind: none of the tips would work, unless you do. ;)