Jump to ContentJump to Main Navigation

AMA Manual of Style Committee

Contents

Diction

Chapter:
Grammar
Author(s):

Stacy Christiansen

Diction, or word choice, is important for any writing to be understood by its intended audience. In scientific writing, concrete and specific language is preferred over the abstract and general.

Avoid:

The area under study provides new evidence for a solution.

Better:

Immunology provides new evidence for a solution.

Avoid:

An individual with a medical degree should examine this lesion.

Better:

A physician should examine this lesion.