Berlin 2012 – scientific programme

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SOE: Fachverband Physik sozio-ökonomischer Systeme

SOE 1: Tutorial and Panel Discussion Scientific Writing

SOE 1.4: Tutorium

Sunday, March 25, 2012, 17:00–17:20, H 0105

Writing to meet expectations — •Mark Buchanan — 35a West St, Abbotsbury, UK

The human mind isn't a blank slate. Readers come to any scientific paper -- indeed, to any piece of writing -- with preconceptions, expectations, habits and instincts, some genetically hard wired. Effective communication aligns itself with such instincts, avoiding needless confusion by laying out arguments in a style that meets readers' expectations and works with the human brain, not against it. I'll illustrate these points with examples from scientific papers.