Journal Article•
The Science of Scientific Writing
TL;DR: The authors argue that complexity of thought need not lead to impenetrability of expression, and demonstrate a number of rhetorical principles that can produce clarity in communication without oversimplifying scientific issues.
Abstract: Science is often hard to read Most people assume that its difficulties are born out of necessity, out of the extreme complexity of scientific concepts, data and analysis We argue here that complexity of thought need not lead to impenetrability of expression; we demonstrate a number of rhetorical principles that can produce clarity in communication without oversimplifying scientific issues The results are substantive, not merely cosmetic: Improving the quality of writing actually improves the quality of thought
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TL;DR: In this article, the quality of a paper's research content is judged by originality, importance and scientific validity, and advice should be sought on a project's potential for high-quality research content before taking up the research.
21 citations
TL;DR: Techniques that are indispensable for achieving clarity are covered, including choosing words carefully, designing well-constructed sentences, building structured paragraphs, and displaying your thinking clearly by using topic sentences and transitions.
20 citations
Cites background from "The Science of Scientific Writing"
...To write a paper that can be understood—and cannot be misunderstood—you must keep your readers in mind [12, 13]....
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TL;DR: The findings indicate that this course has increased students' awareness of the role of rhetorical and discourse knowledge as well as their level of confidence in their ability to write and publish professional work.
Abstract: Based on feedback from graduate students, from science and engineering faculty who teach graduate students, and from surveys about the skills graduate students need, the authors have designed and taught a graduate-level course in academic publishing. This article describes the need for the course and the theory behind its design, outlines the course content, and presents assessment data from the first three course iterations. The findings indicate that this course has increased students' awareness of the role of rhetorical and discourse knowledge as well as their level of confidence in their ability to write and publish professional work. Further, findings from interviews with faculty advisors yield insight into the benefits of the course for students, advisors, disciplinary programs, and cross-curricular initiatives
20 citations
19 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a course in writing and critical appraisal of medical papers that uses statistics is described, and its relationship to the goal of better integrating scientific writing into the statistics curriculum is discussed.
Abstract: A course in writing and critical appraisal of medical papers that uses statistics is described, and its relationship to the goal of better integrating scientific writing into the statistics curriculum is discussed. It is concluded that writing should play an increased role in statistical education and that this can best be accomplished by distributing exercises in writing and critical appraisal throughout the curriculum. Writing assignments, such as simulated practice in producing components of scientific papers and grants, should reflect students' likely uses of statistics.
18 citations
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Book•
07 Aug 2002TL;DR: The Style: Ten Lessons in clarity and grace as mentioned in this paperocusing on the single most serious problem that mature writers face: a wordy, tangled, too-complex prose style, is a useful resource for any mature writer.
Abstract: In his preface, Joseph M. Williams says that Style: ten lessons in clarity and grace focuses on “the single most serious problem that mature writers face: a wordy, tangled, too-complex prose style.” His book deals with that problem admirably. Indeed, the advice and examples furnished by Williams are varied and sophisticated enough to make it a useful resource for any mature writer — even the mature writer whose prose is clear and concise.
381 citations