Writing Science: How to Write Papers That Get Cited and Proposals That Get FundedAs 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. |
Contents
| 3 | |
2 Science Writing as Storytelling | 8 |
3 Making a Story Sticky | 16 |
4 Story Structure | 26 |
5 The Opening | 35 |
Connecting O and C | 50 |
7 The Challenge | 58 |
8 Action | 67 |
14 Energizing Writing | 133 |
15 Words | 145 |
16 Condensing | 158 |
Real Editing | 174 |
18 Dealing with Limitations | 180 |
19 Writing Global Science | 189 |
20 Writing for the Public | 195 |
21 Resolution | 204 |
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Writing Science: How to Write Papers That Get Cited and Proposals That Get ... Joshua Schimel No preview available - 2011 |
Common terms and phrases
ABDCE action amino acids Analyze Anne Lamott approach argument audience authors bacteria biological cancer cell challenge characters Chlb clause clear climate complex conclusions concrete condense create critical define describe develop Discussion ecosystems effective elements evaluate example figure flow focusing frame fuzzy gene global global warming herbivores highlight hypothesis ideas identify important IMRaD increase insights introduce issue jargon journals knowledge gap language limitations mechanisms methane methods microbial nitrogen nominalization noun OCAR opening organic paper paragraph passive voice pattern Photo 51 plants point-last population density prepositional phrase problem proposal protein question reaction readers resolution rewrite salvage logging schema scientists sentence short article simple specific story arcs story structure stress SUCCES target tell term tion topic tRNA TS-D tundra tundra soils understand verb versus William Zinsser words