Mark - a tricky one to answer. It depends on the quality of the reviewers . An average study, written well, may 'fool' some reviewers - depending on their experience and the level to which they are engaged with the review; plus time-constraints etc. I would like to think that I am onto the 'average' study. Alternatively, I would also like to think that I am onto the 'well written' study that 'looks good on the surface' - but isn't - and the good structure, articulation etc is more of a 'smokescreen' that masks the fact.

Thanks Dean for the response - well, Mark writing is only one component of a research paper or any written paper - so, whilst I would agree with Dean that a good written paper might fool some the 'inexperienced' reviewers - but good writing intertwined that is inter weaved with research (will not define it as good/average/or excellent)... would be what readers will be looking for.

Regards

I have to say sadly, as educator and researcher, that the teaching of basic writing skills has been neglected throughout all levels of our educational system. Therefore, it is no surprise that scientific writing in general, is weak. However, the first aim of scientific writing is to be understood, it is not to produce the greatest number of pages from the minimal amount of data using the maximum number of words

As general rules, authors should write to express (not impress) and they should choose words carefully and correctly express thoughts clearly and logically keep style intact and sentences short and clear.

Back to the question I have to say that language and writing style is not a major role but play only one part of the evaluation of a manuscript to be published in high IF journals. Reviewers and editors may consider this item is an important only if contains common errors in writing. However , personally I consider the important components of a reasearch paper to be good or bad is the data presentation (Results section).

I agree with jane.. the tick is a catchy title interesting with a good write up....if the write up is poor in quality, people have to try hard to understand what the essence of the writing is about but if the write up is good, people just keep nodding and nodding their heads when reading... reviewers also have too much to do so if your write up is good, you keep their interest even if the study was poor but if you have an excellent study and cannot articulate this in your writing, reviewers get tried to trying so hard to understand what you are saying and you loose them at some point. you don't read all articles you are interested in do you? you glance and when its interesting and well written, you proceed otherwise, you try another... same with reviewers only that they are bond to give marks so you get marked down.

Dean, I agree that at times, maybe more frequently these days, a well-written/cleverly-packaged presentation of a study provides the "smokescreen" that masks important deficiencies.

Yes, Theodora, thankfully enough the final say of how "good" or "average" a research paper is with the reader! Point well made!

Fathi, I agree that writing as a discipline is neglected, and at times poor writing lets down an otherwise promising study! More than the words, just like you I have always felt the meat of an article to be in its results section! Thank you!

Jane, thanks for that, is a copy of that presentation available?

Dr.Devang, thanks, I like the term "ornamental" writing!

Gertrude, you hit the nail on the head, which is what got me to asking this question in the first place!

Thanks Mark - yes, the reader who would either continue after the abstract and use it in their teaching or might just throw it away...

Mark, Thanks for the timely question! I agree with all the comments! When one realises that they haven't got the writing skills, I guess the solution is either to get the skills or team up with someone who has got them! Its a talent in itself! There are quite a lot of learning material online! And practice makes perfect!

Thanks Beryl, I totally agree. Maybe you could share some of the learning material!

Hello Primrose,

Well, the other choice would be to stop writing!? if unable to obtain the necessary skills.

Regards

Vebatim from Anthony N. DeMaria, MD, MACC, Editor-in-Chief, JACC (Journal of the American College of Cardiology)

"The first, and undoubtedly most important, part of the manuscript begins with planning the project. However, poor presentation can ruin a great study.

[Among journal editors], there was a consensus that presentation could indeed make a difference in whether a paper is published or rejected.

Clearly, a well-planned and executed project will address most manuscript pitfalls. However, the preparation of the manuscript does matter, and it can make the difference between acceptance or rejection."

And other sentence for the reflexion:

“Although there is no perfection in writing, there is success.”

Michael Alley

Nice discussion as well as question is fine. @Maxim made a good point. I do like @Vicente reflexion. Yes, agee at all! More and more writing will bring to quality writing , success will come!

Well, Theodara, the option of stopping to write would be like suicide in this academic world...where the wheel of "research - papers - funding - more research - more papers..." needs to keep moving to keep you moving ahead in our career.... the alternative maybe shifting to another profession completely.. :-)

Dear All,

I am sure that the verbal quality of a manuscript (MS) may have a considerable impact whether it is accepted or not. In many cases a mediocre but well written MS do have an advantage compared with a better but formally not so suitable one. I think that native speakers of English have an enormous advantage. It is the consequence that after WW2 famous German and French journals and publishers were liquidated willingly and now everybody is forced to write English. I remember when reading Sinclair Lewis’ novel “Arrowsmith” that in the time of the WW1 even American scientists were able to write articles in German and French. Who has ever read a German or French article written by an Englishman or American?

Andras - a good point - but one that is unlikely to occur. It's a 'default' for everyone that a certain language will be preferred by publishers, editors etc. That may change over time - but it is English that is the current default language - and has been for some time. Academics and researchers, I suppose are busy enough, so to suggest that they should learn another one or two or more languages to ensure a more varied publication career - may well be a 'bridge to far'.

Dear Dean,

I cannot change situation and opportunities of nations regarding the predominant language of the world. However, facts are facts. It is easy to accept default advantages without performance. I remark only, these advantages were meticulously designed and implemented. Somebody told me, it was easier to prepare a PhD thesis than to learn a foreign language. I suppose the disappearance of German and French journals has not been a good step. I am sure diversity also in science may have benefits. Not speaking foreign languages in the populations of English speaking countries may have economic advantages and be a convenient situation but cannot be ethical at international level. I think regarding the cultural and scientific development of an individual to use a single language is a not a right way. If I wanted to joke I would say the only American I have ever heard to speak a foreign language was J.F. Kennedy saying “ik bin ein Berliner”.

In each time, a common language has been required to communicate anything among countries. In the past, it was Greek and Latin. Later, several languages have been used. You should think that the predominant Empire always has a strong influence. For instance, in XV to XVII, Spanish was the predominant language among European courts. Later, French and English. And who is the current Empire influencing world? FIrst it was the British Empire, later US. Similar to Rome and later Bizancius. Therefore, English is a must in scientific but also in general communication.

Vincente,

This is a fact.

Here you can find some more data:

https://www.researchgate.net/post/Which_language_can_be_an_ideal_or_optimal_lingua_franca_for_science

The question was on the role of good writing. I believe the language cannot be negligible. This is merely a discussion.

I think opinion of Sinclair Lewis on quality may have a tiny relevance for this discussion.

Arrowsmith was awarded the 1926 Pulitzer Prize but Lewis declined the award. In a letter to the committee, he wrote:

“I wish to acknowledge your choice of my novel Arrowsmith for the Pulitzer Prize. That prize I must refuse, and my refusal would be meaningless unless I explained the reasons.

All prizes, like all titles, are dangerous. The seekers for prizes tend to labor not for inherent excellence but for alien rewards; they tend to write this, or timorously to avoid writing that, in order to tickle the prejudices of a haphazard committee. And the Pulitzer Prize for Novels is peculiarly objectionable because the terms of it have been constantly and grievously misrepresented.

Those terms are that the prize shall be given "for the American novel published during the year which shall best present the wholesome atmosphere of American life, and the highest standard of American manners and manhood." This phrase, if it means anything whatsoever, would appear to mean that the appraisal of the novels shall be made not according to their actual literary merit but in obedience to whatever code of Good Form may chance to be popular at the moment."

These words show the mechanism of our world of which article writing is merely a negligible part.

Andras,

This seems something you are passionate about - and rightly so. I support most of your sentiments. To me, it seems quite ironic that (at least in modern times) the 'dominant' language originates from the countries that are most likely to speak only one language. Both the UK and the US are renowned for being 'poor' at being multi-lingual.

Yes, I agree with Dean. Many times I have felt that the effort done by non-Enlish Speakers when working in the medical writing field is not so much valorated by English speaking people. But anyway is part of the job.

Dear Dean,

For me it is a matter of principle. I am not a businessman or trader for whom only the profit is important and everything is flexible. I do not like double standard and I think the Orwellian rule predominates our world: “ All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others"

@Andras, I do like Your response. In Serbia, we have the phrase " He was the first among equals", a good aphorism that reflects the state of !

Dear Ljubomir,

It is an interesting saying. It is similar to the Latin: "Primus inter pares" which was said on the king and his nobles in early Middle Ages in western countries.