The Craft of Scientific Writing [Paperback]

Michael Alley (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0387947663 | ISBN-13: 978-0387947662 | Publication Date: August 29, 1996 | Edition: 3rd

Designed to help both professional and student scientists and engineers write clearly and effectively, this text approaches the subject in a fresh way. Using scores of examples from a wide variety of authors and disciplines, the author - himself a writer and physicist -- demonstrates the difference between strong and weak scientific writing, and how to convey ideas to the intended audience. In addition, he gives advice on how to start writing, and how to revise drafts, including many suggestions about approaching a wide variety of tasks - from laboratory reports to grant proposals, from internal communications to press releases - as well as a concise guide to appropriate style and usage.

Editorial Reviews

Review

From review of the first edition "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 "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 of Flight Crew Operations, Johnson Space Center

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Springer; 3rd edition (August 29, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0387947663
• ISBN-13: 978-0387947662
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #99,668 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars points out technical writing ruts & shows a better way, July 13, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Craft of Scientific Writing (Paperback)

I've had this book for many years, and I still pull it out to use it. It is a light read, and not the style guide of other technical writing manuals. What is unique is that it points out the usual ruts we all get into, like redundant or overly complicated sentence construction. By giving 'before' and 'after' writing samples, it is easy to see how much better a few changes make. I have gotten more out of this book, in terms of being a better technical writer (I'm a systems engineer), than I have out of any other book. I also like the reference section in the back about proper word usage (ex: affect vs effect). The book also covers illustration do's and don'ts. If you want style guide info, you will have to look elsewhere. But to improve the clarity of your writing, this is the book to get.

17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Who would have thought there was a craft to writing?, January 19, 2006

By 

Mostyn (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Craft of Scientific Writing (Paperback)

The goal of writing in science is to communicate information. Unfortunately too many people in science, including myself, write in a manner that is little more than unintelligible. Having read this book, I now feel sorry for the people who had to read my work. Too much scientific literature is poorly crafted and it is only natural that newcomers try to science emulate this poor style.

As a reader of scientific literature, I always though there was something wrong with me because I could not read the articles. I would get stuck on a passage and, no matter how hard I tried, I would not be able to get past it. Now I know that this is because the writing is poorly crafted.

The Craft of Scientific Writing gives an appreciation of the flaws that we all make in our writing. There are plentiful examples of poor writing, which are contrasted with good writing styles. Also, the explanations are clear and easy to understand.

Despite appearances, there is no rule, man-made or natural, that says that scientific writing cannot be clear, crisp and fluid. If you write any kind of scientific literature do yourself a favour and read this book. It will help you to become a better writer.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Funny yet complete and structurated, August 11, 2009

By 

Cristian Atala Bianchi (Los Angeles, Chile) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Craft of Scientific Writing (Paperback)

This is a good book to start with. The book gives an outline of the structure and rules of scientific writing. The tone is always funny yet always complete and usefull. It is full with practical examples that complement the text. The only drawback is that most examples -not all- are taken from engeneering and similar sciences and thay may sound extrange to biologist or scientists from other areas. I would recomend this books to young scientists and students that are looking to improve their writing skills.