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Journal Article

The Science of Scientific Writing

01 Jan 1990-American Scientist-Vol. 78, Iss: 6, pp 550-558
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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Citations
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Book ChapterDOI
17 Feb 2012
Proceedings ArticleDOI
21 Jun 1996
TL;DR: This work documents divergent values in journalism and scientific communication through the results of a survey and a focus group interview with journalism and physics educators, editors and research physicists.
Abstract: The qualities which symbolize excellence in a scientific paper contrast in many respects with those that characterize excellent journalism. In part, this dichotomy arises because significant science, based on careful assessment of uncertainties and possible errors as well as prior results, intrinsically lacks qualities that provide journalistic interest. In addition, journalism and scientific communication follow widely divergent traditions which value differing skills. We document these divergent values through the results of a survey and a focus group interview with journalism and physics educators, editors and research physicists.
01 Jan 2011
TL;DR: The number of times cited (by later works) and the number of references (earlier works used by this paper) are shown.
Abstract: the number of times cited (by later works) and the number of references (earlier works used by this paper). Figure 1.6 shows the earlier works (cited by this paper) as a list (“beackwards spider”). Figure 1.7 shows works by the same first author (“sideFigure 1.6: Articles cited by the interesting reference (“backwards spider”) ways spider”). Note in the original record (Figure 1.5) the right side of the screen: this shows references that cite this paper; these can be displayed in a separate screen (Figure 1.8). This is later work on the same topic (“forwards spider”) – works that found this paper to be useful. Clearly, these are all useful ways to expand your information, based on your search strategy. Q12 : What is the added value of forward search? Jump to A12 • 1.5.8 Effective use of on-line search The ITC library has excellent on-line access to a variety of sources; these are collected on the “Digital Library” web page40. Several scientific publishers maintain large on-line databases of abstracts and full-text articles. ITC has access to relevant titles via Elsevier’s Sci40 http://www.itc.nl/library/digital_library.asp
References
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Book
07 Aug 2002
TL;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