What Is Scientific Writing? Points from chapter one of 'How to Write and Publish a Scientific Paper,' 9th edition

In this series of posts, Professor Barbara Gastel will be sharing key points from each chapter of the 9th edition of How to Write and Publish a Scientific Paper. This week we focus on Chapter 1, which is titled “What Is Scientific Writing?”

Three points from this chapter:

(1) In the narrow sense, "scientific writing" consists of scientific papers reporting original research. More broadly, scientific writing also includes other scientist-to-scientist writing, such as grant proposals.

(2) In contrast, "science writing" is writing for general readers about science. For example, newspaper articles about science are science writing.

(3) Two key aspects of scientific writing are clear wording and good organization. To communicate clearly and efficiently, the wording should be as simple and straightforward as possible. It also should be concise. As has appeared in the Journal of Bacteriology’s instructions to authors: “The best English is that which gives the sense in the fewest short words.”

Looking forward to providing some points from Chapter 2 next time!

Barbara Gastel, MD, is professor of integrative biosciences and of medical humanities at Texas A&M University, College Station, where she coordinates the graduate program in science communication.

This series of posts originally appeared on Professor Barbara Gastel's LinkedIn page.

How to Write and Publishing a Scientific Paper, by Barbara Gastel and Robert A Day, is available in paperback, hardback and Kindle format.