Written Communication Jan 1993

Arguing for Experimental “Facts” in Science

DOROTHEA K. THOMPSON Pennsylvania State University

Abstract

Rhetorical studies on experimental research articles in science have focused predominantly on introductions and discussions. The contextual nature of Results sections—the empirical heart of a scientific article—remains largely unexplored, however. What is known about the content of these sections comes from prescriptive style guides, which define Results as purely expository, leaving the argumentation to other sections of the article. This study examines one eminent biochemist's publications over time and a sampling of current articles authored by other biochemists. Six rhetorical moves were identified: (a) justifications for methodological selections, (b) interpretations of experimental results, (c) evaluative comments on experimental data, (d) statements citing agreement with preestablished studies, (e) statements disclosing experimental discrepancies, and (f) statements admitting interpretive perplexities. This investigation demonstrates that biochemists explicitly argue for the validity of their experimental data by employing certain rhetorical moves. Moreover, the findings challenge the traditional lore that Results sections engage in only simple, factual reporting.

Journal
Written Communication
Published
1993-01-01
DOI
10.1177/0741088393010001004
Open Access
Closed
Topics
scientific writing voice and style argument

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (6)

  1. Zerbe et al. (2025)
    The Rhetoric of Science in (Times of) Crisis
    Rhetoric Society Quarterly
  2. Moran et al. (2012)
    A Bibliography of Works Published in the History of Professional Communication …
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  3. WINSOR (1998)
    Rhetorical Practices in Technical Work
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  4. HYLAND (1996)
    Talking to the Academy
    Written Communication
  5. THACKER et al. (1995)
    Transmuting Common Substances
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
Show all 6 →
  1. Markel (1993)
    Induction, Social Constructionism, and the Form of the Science Paper
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication

Cites in this index (4)

  1. SWALES et al. (1987)
    The Writing of Research Article Introductions
    Written Communication
  2. FAHNESTOCK (1986)
    Accommodating Science
    Written Communication
  3. MYERS (1985)
    The Social Construction of Two Biologists' Proposals
    Written Communication
  4. Bernhardt (1985)
    The Writer, the Reader, and the Scientific Text
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Also cites 16 works outside this index ↓
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CrossRef global citation count: 69 View in citation network →

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