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: Four strategies for improving the NEPA process are presented along with tools that can be used to implement each strategy and a toolbox of guidelines and techniques to improve implementation of theNEPA process by focusing the pertinent information for decisionmakers and stakeholders are provided.
Abstract: The Council on Environmental Quality`s (CEQ`s) principal aims in implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) are (1) to reduce paperwork, (2) to avoid delay, and most importantly (3) to produce better decisions that protect, restore, and enhance the environment. This paper presents four strategies for improving the NEPA process along with tools that can be used to implement each strategy. The tools include guidelines for project management and problem definition, tips for acquiring existing information and identifying issues of public concern, worksheets on how to identify and analyze potential impacts on resources, ideas for enhancing NEPA documents, and a NEPA process checklist. The tools can be used at various stages of the NEPA process and provide a toolbox of guidelines and techniques to improve implementation of the NEPA process by focusing the pertinent information for decisionmakers and stakeholders.
9 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present 16 principles that can help meteorologists improve their case studies, at both the research and writing stages, including study design, organization and approaches to the research, writing the manuscript, and figure design.
Abstract: Case studies are a staple of meteorological work, yet few meteorologists do it well. This article presents 16 principles that can help authors improve their case studies, at both the research and writing stages. These principles involve study design, organization and approaches to the research, writing the manuscript, and figure design. Other topics covered include citations and reference lists, terminology, and formatting.
9 citations
Cites background from "The Science of Scientific Writing"
...To improve scientific writing, if not writing in general, I recommend Gopen and Swan (1990), Strunk and White (2000), and Williams (2006)....
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TL;DR: The ClimateSnack project as mentioned in this paper aims to motivate early-career scientists to develop and continue to improve their writing and communication skills by adopting a peer-learning framework where ECSs voluntarily form writing groups at different institutes around the world.
Abstract: . Science, in our case the climate and geosciences, is increasingly interdisciplinary. Scientists must therefore communicate across disciplinary boundaries. For this communication to be successful, scientists must write clearly and concisely, yet the historically poor standard of scientific writing does not seem to be improving. Scientific writing must improve, and the key to long-term improvement lies with the early-career scientist (ECS). Many interventions exist for an ECS to improve their writing, like style guides and courses. However, momentum is often difficult to maintain after these interventions are completed. Continuity is key to improving writing. This paper introduces the ClimateSnack project, which aims to motivate ECSs to develop and continue to improve their writing and communication skills. The project adopts a peer-learning framework where ECSs voluntarily form writing groups at different institutes around the world. The group members learn, discuss, and improve their writing skills together. Several ClimateSnack writing groups have formed. This paper examines why some of the groups have flourished and others have dissolved. We identify the challenges involved in making a writing group successful and effective, notably the leadership of self-organized groups, and both individual and institutional time management. Within some of the groups, peer learning clearly offers a powerful tool to improve writing as well as bringing other benefits, including improved general communication skills and increased confidence.
9 citations
01 Jul 2008
TL;DR: The Workshop on Organizing Workshops, Conferences, and Symposia for Computer Systems (WOWCS) was organized to "bring together conference organizers and other interested people to discuss the issues they confront."
Abstract: The Workshop on Organizing Workshops, Conferences, and Symposia for Computer Systems (WOWCS) was organized to "bring together conference organizers (past, present, and future) and other interested people to discuss the issues they confront." In conjunction with WOWCS, we survey some previous publications that discuss open issues related to organizing computer systems conferences, especially concerning conduct and management of the review process. We also list some topics about which we wish WOWCS had received submissions, but did not; these could be good topics for future articles.
9 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