Craft of Scientific Writing, The Book

The Craft of Scientific Writing is designed to help scientists and engineers--both professionals already active in the disciplines as well as students preparing to enter the professions--write about their work clearly and effectively. The author, who is both a writer and an applied physicist, approaches the subject in a fresh way. Using scores of examples from a wide variety of authors and disciplines (including such well-known figures as Einstein, Bohr, and Freud), the book demonstrates the difference between strong scientific writing and weak scientific writing. In essence, this book shows you how to bring your ideas across to your intended audience. In addition, it contains advice on how to start writing, and how to revise your drafts. Written for use as a text in courses on scientific writing, the book includes many useful suggestions about approaching a wide variety of writing tasks--from laboratory reports to grant proposals, from internal communications to press releases--as well as a concise guide to style and usage appropriate for scientific writing. The book will also be useful for self-study and it will be an important reference for all scientists and engineers who need to write about their work. Topics covered include: - Deciding Where to Begin - Structure: Organizing Your Documents; Providing Depth, Transitions, and Emphasis - Language: Being Precise, Clear, and Concise; Being Forthright, Familiar, and Fluid - Illustration: Making the Right Choices; Creating the Best Designs - Handling Special Situations - Actually Sitting Down to Write: Drafting; Revising; Finishing SOME PRAISE FOR MICHAEL ALLEY'S "THE CRAFT OF SCIENTIFIC WRITING": "A refreshing addition to a genre dominated by English teacher-style textbooks. Instead of listing rules that constrain writers, the book uses examples to lay out the path to successful communication . . . Especially helpful (and entertaining) is the chapter on the writing process. Anyone who has spent more time avoiding a writing task than actually doing it will appreciate Alley's tips." -DR. ELLEN OCHOA, DEPUTY DIRECTOR, FLIGHT CREW OPERATIONS, JOHNSON SPACE CENTER "This book offers effective methods for improving writing efficiency and overcoming difficulties during the preparation of technical information." -ROBERT L. SCHMITT, DOCTORAL CANDIDATE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN FROM THE REVIEWS: TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION "THE CRAFT OF SCIENTIFIC WRITING is worthwhile reading for technical writers and writers of generic prose as well as scientific writers...Although most of its examples come from science and engineering, most of the content applies to all domains of technical and professional writing. I'd hate to see the book overlooked by technical writers because of the word 'scientific' in its title. The book is straightforward, clear, thoroughly accessible, and easily read, with a simple style...It is extremely well organized...lots of fascinating examples, many drawn from recent events of general interest...The book presents a basic no-nonsense approach to technical, professional, and scientific writing...It gives sound advice...it's quickly and easily read and well worth the time. If you want something less than a full-blown textbook, I recommend [this book]." IEEE ELECTRICAL INSULATION MAGAZINE "...a well-written book that uses examples from actual documents to illustrate the differences between strong and weak scientific writing...This book can make you a critical reader of scientific writing to allow you to craft your own style for various writing situations...Anyone who writes scientific papers, articles, proposals, books and other written communication will find this book an invaluable asset and learning tool. Even experienced scientific writers can polish their writing style and some may even be enlightened." JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN STATISTICAL ASSOCIATION "Alley offers advice for all kinds of scientific writing, from technical proposals and papers to more popular items intended for more general nonspecialist audiences...Those who do a variety of writing for various types of audiences will benefit more from Alley's book..." ZEITSCHRIFT FUR PHYSIKALISHE CHEMIE "This book gives a comprehensive and lively presentation of (nearly) any problems of scientific writing, enriched by many examples form numerous disciplines and famous authors...Certainly it offers a lot of advice and a lot of useful suggestions for both professionals and students, in particular those whose native language is not English. It can be strongly recommended." COMPUTING REVIEWS "...I recommend the book to scientists and engineers of all ages who know how hard it is to write and want help." CHEMICAL ENGINEERING PROGRESS "In total, the book is a good read and presents thoughtful, useful lessons for those who want to improve their scientific writing."Read More