Writing scientific names can be tricky, especially when you are not a scientist! When writing your paper, make sure to use appropriate vocabulary and stay within guidelines for using scientific jargon.
When referring to a disease or condition, there is usually a name given to it that describes what it is. For example, if someone says they have “lung cancer”, then you would know that they mean lung carcinoma.
The same goes for genetic diseases. If someone has Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT), then you know something about this disease because of the name.
However, with Gene Therapy, this term is not always used consistently. Some say it as gene therapy while others write virotherapy or RNA therapeutics. What difference does it make?
It depends on which part of the treatment you are talking about! Therefore, make sure to check out both versions of the term so that you are clear on what is being said.
Spell check your work
After you are done writing, make sure you take some time to spellcheck your paper. There is an easy way to do this – Google spelling and checking! There you can type in any word or combination of words and it will tell you how to correctly write that word or what it means.
By doing this before submitting, your paper will already be proofread so you can move onto the next stage which is editing and formatting.
Learn to use a thesaurus
A thematic word or phrase list is one of the most helpful tools for writers. Thesauruses contain words that are related to each other, and therefore you can make appropriate connections to new writing assignments by replacing one word with another.
The best thema-focused thesauri include balanced, diversity, ecosystem, healthy, nature, positive, productive, and sustainability. These all emphasize the importance of concepts such as those described in this article!
By using these resources, your writing will improve because you will be more familiar with the correct scientific terms. You also will know what similar terms mean so you do not need to look up separate definitions.
Generalizations are easy to create when you understand the basics of ecology. For example, a generalization about ecosystems could be “All ecosystems work together for the overall health and stability of their environment.
Mix up your vocabulary
The structure of your paper will depend on how you organize the information being presented. You can start by creating an introductory paragraph, then follow it with a topic paragraph and finally a body paragraph. Your introduction should set the stage for the rest of the article, so make sure it is strong and catchy!
The first thing you need to do when writing under scientific rules is learn about the field or area of study. This means learning about its fundamental concepts, terms, and definitions.
Once you have this knowledge, you can begin mixing and matching these components into new phrases and sentences. These extended versions of basic words are called “scientific names” or “nominalizations.”
Scientific names play an important role in academic research because they give credit to the writer while also defining the subject clearly for readers who may not be familiar.
However, using them correctly takes some practice as there are certain rules that must be followed.
Use the Google Dictionary
In writing scientific names, there is an easy way to look up most of these terms. You can use the Google dictionary!
There are several ways to do this. The best way is to type the term into the search box at google.com/define and then read the definition directly under the word. For example, if you typed “leaf” into the search bar, it would take you to the defining word for that term (plants). After reading the definition, click on the link next to the word defined to see the common name of the plant.
This works because Google defines all basic vocabulary and gives you the meaning of each word.
Use the scientific notation
When writing under or above a given term, you will need to use the appropriate scientific notation! The standard way to do this is using the prefixes Gibbse-, Di- and Tri-.
Prefix with ‘gibbs’ then add the word of the element (e.g. gibsnitrate for sodium carbonate). This is because Gibbs energy is related to entropy so it makes sense that as the system becomes more ordered, its energy decreases.
Prefix with dihydro then add the name of the element (drinking water for liquid). This is due to the fact that hydrolysis means breaking down molecules into simpler ones, which happens when hydrogen ions from the acid are incorporated into the molecule, making it weaker.
Lastly, prenyl adds an aromatic ring which enhances chemical activity and influence. A good example of this is geranyl diphosphate, the main compound in most plant oils.
These three words can be mixed and matched together to make many different compounds.
Consult a science dictionary
When writing scientific names, there is an easy way to make sure your paper sounds believable! Before you start writing, consult a professional grade science dictionary such as Collins or Oxford to see if the name you are looking up has a common alternative.
Most dictionaries have similar format, with short definitions followed by a list of other possible spellings. Make sure to use the most accurate spelling for both the definition and any alternatives found within the list.
This will help ensure your readers do not question the quality of your work or wonder whether or not you know what you’re talking about!
It also helps give credit where it is due; making your paper more authentic and impressive. Take our example again, for instance, the word ‘atom’ comes from the Ancient Greek words meaning small and indivisible. However, some believe that this term should be replaced with the more appropriate singular form atom.
Use the proper grammar
The first step towards writing like a pro is knowing how to use the correct grammar! When spelling out scientific names, there are three main parts that make up the whole word: genus (or general), species (specific), and then the name of the specific individual.
The genus is typically made up of two or more words which describe the overall type of the organism. For example, when talking about animals, you would say “tiger”, “lion”, or even just “cat” because they all belong to the genus Cat.
After the genus comes the specific, which is an adjective describing the individuals within the category. A good way to remember this is thinking of the word ‘mouse’ – it is the singular form of mousey, so it is only one letter longer than the generic term. This also applies for dogs, cats, birds, etc.
Then finally we have the noun part, or the name itself. This is usually one single word, but some require several pieces such as the human body’s system of organs!
To give you some examples, the tiger is both a cat and animal, while the lion is only defined as an animal. On the other hand, the canary bird is only a bird! Make sure to check your dictionary if you aren’t sure what word goes with which piece.
Organize your paper
Now that you have done some research, it is time to start writing! Before you write even one word of content, you must make sure your topic and theme are organized.
Your organization can be done at the level of headers or sub-headers, bullets, notes, etc. This depends on what makes the most sense and how well you organize thoughts in your own head.
Make sure to check out our article on organizational tools like bullet points, notes, and headers to help you get started. They will aid in organizing the material into appropriate sections as well as enhancing the readability of the text.
General tips: use an easy reading style with short and simple sentences
use direct speech rather than using third person for narrative paragraphs
avoid long complicated words unless they are directly related to your field
In addition to ensuring the layout of the paper is organized, there should also be continuity between the pages. Make sure each page fits naturally within the context of the next and contains enough information.
This could be due to either having a seamless transition from one part to another, or due to the loss of reader interest if there is too much break.
