This paper discusses how a native English-speaking scientist should write and how they actually write scientific articles. This is complemented by considering the aspects of English that journal editors reported as influencing their assessment of manuscripts submitted by second language authors. Some of the ways in which native language and culture affect these aspects, with special reference to the discourse and rhetoric of science writing, are indicated. This is illustrated in relation to Dutch and Spanish writing. Non-native speakers of English can more easily adopt the norms of English science writing if they understand where their native writing culture is positioned in relation to the English writing culture. (Contains 41 references.) (KFT)