Stacked Word That Can Be Read Different Ways
When we write, we desire to be understood. Proficient writing should exist clear and concise. The reader should non be left struggling to understand what they have only read. This is specially of import in scientific discipline, where writers often use many complex terms.
Researchers and scientists should try to avoid using also much jargon. Jargon means technical or specialist linguistic communication; notwithstanding, it tin can also mean text that is obscure, confused, or difficult to sympathize. Over-utilize of jargon can lead to a mutual mistake in scientific writing: the creation of noun stacks.
What is a Noun Stack?
A noun stack, which can also exist chosen a noun cluster or string, is when a grouping of nouns are used together. Usually, at that place is i true noun. The others might be used as adjectives; that is, they alter the noun. Here'southward a uncomplicated example:
polymerase chain reaction
In this example, each word on its own would exist a noun. Taken together, reaction is actually the noun, while polymerase and chain tell us what kind of reaction it is, i.east. they modify the noun.
Why Are Substantive Stacks a Problem?
Here are 2 more examples of noun stacks:
factor subset similarity scoring tool
stainless steel electrode impedance spectroscopy data
The first example given to a higher place, polymerase chain reaction, is simple. The others are far less like shooting fish in a barrel to empathize! This is the problem with substantive stacks: their meaning is often unclear. For the reader, it tin be difficult to understand which is the truthful noun, and which are the modifiers.
Take this sentence, for example:
We used a sensitive protein function monitoring system
The "existent" noun is the last one, system. Merely what does the system exercise? Is it a sensitive arrangement that monitors protein function? Or could it be a system that monitors sensitive proteins? From this sentence lone, we tin can't say which is the correct meaning.
A lack of clarity is the first trouble with noun stacks. The second problem is that a substantive stack contains likewise many ideas in as well pocket-size a space. The reader does not take the mental space to empathize what is meant.
Sometimes, a writer uses a noun stack to avoid using too many words. In this case, however, more words might actually be easier to sympathize. A longer sentence could exist clearer and permit the reader time to understand the meaning.
Why Are Noun Stacks And so Common in Science?
Equally you will know, science has a lot of circuitous words! In that location are many specialist terms that are only familiar to experts in a certain field. When new discoveries are made, these terms are often "squashed" together to name new methods, substances, or processes. This creates noun stacks.
Researchers are taught to conduct scientific discipline. They are often not taught to write about information technology! As i Professor of English says, "Academics seldom use i give-and-take when they can use iii." This helps to explain why so many scientific journal articles are loaded with jargon. Researchers might be and then used to using jargon in their working lives that they forget others may not understand. Or they might simply be copying the manner of the hundreds of journal manufactures they accept read themselves.
Pressure to publish could likewise be to arraign. With researchers rushing to produce papers, in that location is little time to spend on improving their writing. According to journal editors, sometimes the way an article is written is so bad that it is rejected by peer reviewers.
How to Avoid Noun Stacks and Improve Your Writing
Take you spotted some noun stacks in your writing? Don't worry! There are several different means to avoid or improve substantive stacks.
First, recollect that substantive stacks can exist skillful! They can assist researchers limited complex ideas quickly and simply. The key is to avoid using too many nouns together. Two nouns are usually ok, but 4 is also many; if you have three, run across if you can remove 1.
An easy style to avert noun stacks is to apply an abbreviation or acronym. Many common substantive stacks accept familiar acronyms, which are much easier for the reader to handle. For instance: polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Notwithstanding, effort not to utilise besides many acronyms in a single sentence or paragraph, as this could be confusing.
Some other trick is to meet if you can utilize a hyphen. For example, rather than "data bound control table," endeavour "data-bound command table."
Next, remember almost each word in your noun stack. Could you supercede it with something simpler, with the same meaning? For case, you lot might be able to supplant "differentiation" with "divergence," or "regulations" with "rules."
Finally, try breaking up your substantive stack by re-arranging your judgement. Here's a noun stack we saw earlier:
Nosotros used a sensitive protein role monitoring system
Instead, nosotros could write:
We used a sensitive system to monitor protein function
Or
We used a system to monitor the function of sensitive proteins
In this case, we accept concluded upwards with "wordier" sentences, but at least the meaning is clear in each case.
Curtailed or Clear?
This brings us to the last challenge of noun stacks. Often, we are taught that to write well, nosotros must be concise. How can we residue this with fugitive noun stacks?
First, try the methods mentioned to a higher place to reduce the number of noun stacks in your piece of work, or to make the stacks smaller. Remember that you want your writing to be clear. Are y'all using unnecessary words? Can you remove words without losing the meaning of a sentence? Y'all can utilize this to all of your writing, not just noun stacks. For example, instead of "a majority of," why not use "most"?
Lastly, call back near who will exist reading your work. Are they likely to empathise what you have written? Or will information technology be confusing? To cheque, you could try reading a sentence out loud, or to a friend or colleague.
Are yous looking for more advice on writing, or preparing a manuscript for submission? Enago has all the resources yous need!
Do you lot often use noun stacks in your writing? Which other aspects of your writing would you similar to ameliorate? Let us know your thoughts and suggestions in the comments below.
Source: https://www.enago.com/academy/noun-stacks-why-you-should-avoid-them-in-scientific-writing/
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