Writing Science: How to Write Papers That Get Cited and Proposals That Get Funded Author: Joshua Schimel | Language: English | ISBN:
0199760233 | Format: EPUB
Writing Science: How to Write Papers That Get Cited and Proposals That Get Funded Description
As a scientist, you are a professional writer: your career is built on successful proposals and papers. Success isn't defined by getting papers into print, but by getting them into the reader's consciousness. Writing Science is built upon the idea that successful science writing tells a story. It uses that insight to discuss how to write more effectively. Integrating lessons from other genres of writing with those from the author's years of experience as author, reviewer, and editor, the book shows scientists and students how to present their research in a way that is clear and that will maximize reader comprehension.
The book takes an integrated approach, using the principles of story structure to discuss every aspect of successful science writing, from the overall structure of a paper or proposal to individual sections, paragraphs, sentences, and words. It begins by building core arguments, analyzing why some stories are engaging and memorable while others are quickly forgotten, and proceeds to the elements of story structure, showing how the structures scientists and researchers use in papers and proposals fit into classical models. The book targets the internal structure of a paper, explaining how to write clear and professional sections, paragraphs, and sentences in a way that is clear and compelling. The ideas within a paper should flow seamlessly, drawing readers along. The final section of the book deals with special challenges, such as how to discuss research limitations and how to write for the public.
Writing Science is a much-needed guide to succeeding in modern science. Its insights and strategies will equip science students, scientists, and professionals across a wide range of scientific and technical fields with the tools needed to communicate effectively.
- Hardcover: 240 pages
- Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 1 edition (November 29, 2011)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0199760233
- ISBN-13: 978-0199760237
- Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches
- Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
There are lots of books on science writing available and they take you painstakingly through every nuance of structure and detail required to produce a scientific manuscript. This book is different. It focuses on how to write a compelling story. I have 70 published papers in international, peer-reviewed journals; and I want to go back to each and every one of them and rewrite them with the messages from this book clear in my head and clear to the reader. This book focuses on you as a writer first and foremost, and a scientist second. It distills what I've been trying to teach my own students, with insight and clarity far more considered and polished than my own, in an engaging and fun read. If you want to write proposals that get funded, and papers that get widely-cited, then read this book and put its lessons to work. I loved the book: it's now the lab-group reading for next semester.
By Brad
This book was much more useful than I thought it would be. My expectation was that it would contain some helpful pointers, but that it would not revolutionize my writing. Having nearly 30 papers/book chapters, more than 1000 citations, and some funded proposals under my belt already, I thought I had a decent grasp on scientific writing. This book helped me realize that I had a lot to learn - and then taught it to me! The best part about it is that it solidifies nebulous ideas about good and bad writing, and provides concrete ways to organize your writing, from the level of the whole paper down to individual sentences. Now I wish I could go back in time to rewrite all of my previous papers!
Also, I was expecting this book to be helpful, but dry read, but was pleasantly surprised by how engaging it was. Who would have thought that a book on science writing would actually be entertaining and funny, while being reassuring at the same time? It really is an entertaining and easy read, though.
I have already had all of my graduate students read this book, and have been talking about it incessantly at meetings. My postdoc has been doing the same thing - without any prompting from me. It has had a profound influence on the way the folks in my lab think about science writing, and has altered my perspective on writing forever. Be warned, however, that after you read this book you will want to start relentlessly editing all of the scientific writing you read.
By Amazon Customer
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