2. Scientific prose style

The aim of a scientific work is to prove a hypothesis and to describe scientific laws and new phenomena.

The main features of this style are:

1. the obligatory use of terms belonging to a branch of science, all other words are used in their direct meaning to avoid any ambiguity;

2. a complete absence of dialectical and colloquial words;

3. the selective use of pronouns. The first person plural (we) is preferred to the first person singular (I), the second person is hardly ever used at all (you);

4. a logical sequence of clauses, complex sentences and a developed system of connectives (thus, hence, however, therefore, whereas);

5. passive constructions and impersonal sentences are more favoured than the active constructions (it should be pointed out, it should be assumed).

An abstract is usually required for research publications in scientific journals. An abstract is a condensed version of a longer piece of writing that highlights the major points covered, concisely describes the content and scope of the writing, and reviews the writing's contents in abbreviated form.

As a rule, the main objectives to be reached in an abstract are as follows:

1. tell readers what information the report, article, or paper contains;

2. include the purpose, and methods of the report, article, or paper;

3. provide results, conclusions, or recommendations;

4. be short – from a paragraph to a page or two, depending upon the length of the original work being abstracted; usually informative abstracts are 10% or less of the length of the original piece;

5. allow readers to decide whether they want to read the report, article, or paper.

The first one or two sentences of an abstract should provide a context for the specific study being presented.

A good approach is to briefly describe the larger scientific issues or questions that are motivating scientists to conduct his or her research.

Following a one or two sentence introduction, one should clearly and explicitly state the purpose of the study.

This can be done in a variety of ways, e.g., “The purpose of the study was…” , “This study attempted to answer the following questions… to test the hypothesis…”, “This study focused on the…”, “To better understand the mechanism of…” or “The aim of this study was to…”.

Following the statement of purpose, the general methodological approach should be described (if possible in one or two sentences).

In other words what major techniques did you use to find the results. Do not explain the how but rather the what. Major results should also be summarized in one or two sentences.

The abstract should conclude with at final sentence or two in which the significance or ramifications of the findings are briefly stated.

These final sentences should connect the findings with one or more of the larger ideas stated in the opening two sentences.

3. Publicistic style

Publicistic style exists in two forms: written and oral.

Essays and articles appear in written form; speeches, oratories appear in oral form.

The aim of the publicistic style is to influence the public opinion, to convince readers and listeners of something and make them accept the point of view expressed in the speech, article or essay. This can be reached both by logical argumentation and emotional appeal.

A. Oratory and Speeches

Their aim is to inform and convince the audience to evoke a desired reaction on its part and to stimulate it to some activity. The main features are:

1. the direct address to the audience (ladies & gentlemen, honorable members);

2. the use of contracted forms (I’ll, you’ve, he’s, don’t);

3. the use of the 2^d person pronoun “you”;

4. intonations, pronunciation & gestures are of great importance;

5. the vocabulary comprises a great number of formal bookish words and terms;

6. the excessive use of emotionally coloured language, stylistic devices which are mainly trite, not genuine (metaphors, similes, periphrasis, rhetorical questions, repetitions).

B. The Essay

It is a short prose composition on philosophical, aesthetic or literary subject.

The style of the essay depends on the author’s individuality. The main features are:

1. moderate length;

2. the use of the 1^st person of pronouns;

3. the use of lexical stylistic devices;

4. literary vocabulary;

5. logical argumentation;

6. the use of logical language of scientific fiction together with the emotional language of fiction.

C. Articles

The main aim of the articles is to interpret the news, to comment on the political & cultural events of the day, to explain and to convince the reader.

The style of an article depends on the newspaper or magazine chosen for its publication, and on the subject matter treated. In an article dealing with sociopolitical life we find a lot of bookish literary words, terms and abstract notions.

Literary reviews are richer in emotionally colored vocabulary and expressive means.