An Analysis of Fifty Citation Superstars from the Scientific Literature

Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Jan 1992

An Analysis of Fifty Citation Superstars from the Scientific Literature

Joseph E. Harmon Argonne National Laboratory

Abstract

This article contains results from a literary analysis of fifty scientific papers selected from the top 100 most-cited papers appearing in the Science Citation Index for the period 1945–1988. Most papers are from the field of biochemistry and became citation superstars because their authors discovered a method or material that numerous others could use in their own research. The typical paper has two authors, two tables, six figures, and twenty-two references. It adheres to the conventional topical organization, with the topics distributed as follows: 2 percent abstract, 5 percent introduction, 25 percent methods and materials, 50 percent results, 10 percent discussion, 4 percent conclusion, and 4 percent reference list. Tables and figures occupy about 30 percent of the article. With respect to the writing style, the average sentence is somewhat long (24 words) but not unreasonably so, and the sentence structure is simple greater than half the time. Moreover, sentences tend to rely heavily on to be verbs (about 80% of sentences have at least one) and abstract nouns (0.66 per sentence). Explanations for the typical form and writing style in these papers are provided.

Journal: Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published: 1992-01-01
DOI: 10.2190/elyk-pfl1-glfa-alad
Open Access: Closed
Topics: voice and style

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (6)

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Harmon (1992)

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Cites in this index (4)

Ferguson et al. (1990)

Grammar and Technical Writing

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Bostian et al. (1987)

Scientists: Can They Read What They Write?

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Harmon (1987)

The Literature of Enlightenment: Technical Periodicals and Proceedings in the 1…

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Harmon (1986)

Perturbations in the Scientific Literature

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Also cites 19 works outside this index ↓

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