William E. Magnusson
Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America, Vol. 77, No. 2 (Apr., 1996), p. 88
Published by: Ecological Society of America
Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/20168029
Quick Summary: Dr. Magnusson presents five simple rules useful for researchers taking on the task of writing. These techniques are aimed at improving communication and clarity in writing scientific research.
Full Summary:
Through following Dr. Magnusson's five simple rules of writing, researchers should be able to avoid the "hopeless tangle of observation and inferences."
Rule 1: Write the conclusion of the paper. (Starting backwards) Each paper should have five or six substantial conclusions. You should have an idea about these conclusions before starting. While these conclusions will not be in your final paper, they should give you an idea of what direction you are taking with your paper.
Rule 2: Write only the reults necessary to make the conlustions.
Rule 3: Write the methods only need for the results.
Rule 4: Write the discussion that only deals with your conclusions. (e.g. Lit review that modifies, extends, contradicts or confirms the conclusions)
Rule 5: Write the introduction which has only the minimum information needed to present the question.
In conclusion the article shows a method that can be used to "edit" your paper. Many reserach writers have a lot of big ideas buzzing in thier minds. Lots of times we add in too much unneeded info which only distracts from our points. By writing backwards you are focusing on the point that your are making and supporting it with results, then methods, then discussion, and finally a intro. This method can lead to a clean paper that has meaningful in all it's part.
While writing backwards may not work for everyone, this article does make a point about the functionality of each part of you paper. When you are writing an introduction it is done to present a question. Many times people make the mistake of putting way to much information into an intro. Each part of a paper plays it own role to a final goal. The final goal is to make some substantial conclusions. Thinking about your paper in this way can lead to clear writing.
Just remember the ultimate goal of writing is to communicate. Remember what you are trying to say.
