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Record Nr. |
UNINA9910812299503321 |
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Autore |
Alley Michael |
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Titolo |
The craft of scientific writing / / Michael Alley |
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Pubbl/distr/stampa |
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New York : , : Springer New York : , : Imprint : Springer, , 1996 |
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ISBN |
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Edizione |
[3rd ed. 1996.] |
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Descrizione fisica |
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1 online resource (XV, 282 pages) |
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Disciplina |
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Soggetti |
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Lingua di pubblicazione |
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Formato |
Materiale a stampa |
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Livello bibliografico |
Monografia |
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Note generali |
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Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph |
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Nota di bibliografia |
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Includes bibliographical references and index. |
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Nota di contenuto |
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1 Introduction: Deciding Where to Begin -- 2 Structure: Organizing Your Documents -- 3 Structure: Providing Transition, Depth, and Emphasis -- 4 Language: Being Precise -- 5 Language: Being Clear -- 6 Language: Being Forthright -- 7 Language: Being Familiar -- 8 Language: Being Concise -- 9 Language: Being Fluid -- 10 Illustration: Making the Right Choices -- 11 Illustration: Creating the Best Designs -- 12 Writing Correspondence -- 13 Writing Proposals -- 14 Writing Instructions -- 15 Preparing Presentations -- 16 Format: Dressing Documents for Success -- 17 Actually Sitting Down to Write -- Appendix A: Avoiding the Pitfalls of Grammar and Punctuation -- Appendix B: A Usage Guide for Scientists and Engineers. |
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Sommario/riassunto |
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In October 1984, the weak writing in a scientific report made national news. The report, which outlined safety procedures during a nuclear attack, advised industrial workers "to don heavy clothes and immerse themselves in a large body of water." The logic behind this advice was sound: Water is a good absorber of heat, neutrons, and gamma rays. Unfortunately, the way the advice was worded was unclear. Was everyone supposed to come up for air? Be completely submerged? The writing conveyed the wrong impression to the public. The report came across as saying "go jump in a lake" -- not the impression you want to give someone spending thousands of dollars to fund your research. Chances are that Dan Rather will not quote your documents on national television. Still, your writing is important. On a personal |
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level, your writing is the way in which people learn about your work. When you communicate, you receive credit for your work. When you do not communicate, or are too slow to communicate, the credit often goes to someone else. On a larger level, your writing and the writing of other scientists influence public policy about science and engineering. |
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