5 Excellent Books That Will Make You an Expert Science Writer
As a scientist, you are a professional writer whose career is built on successful proposals and papers. Yet, you are often thrown to the wolves to learn how to write.
You can find great resources that will help you structure your writing, particularly for grants or manuscripts. Many of these resources help you learn what information to include in these documents. But they may not help you learn how to describe that information in a way that is easy for your reader to understand.
The following books are excellent resources to help you learn how to write clearly and effectively, no matter what you are writing about or who will read it.
Writing Science in Plain English – Anne E. Greene
This short book is an essential resource for anyone who seeks to write science effectively—from undergraduate students working on posters to established scientists writing grant proposals. It describes simple principles for producing clear, concise prose that will help your reader understand complex information. Each principle is illustrated with examples of both good and bad writing, making it a valuable tool to hone your writing skills. Get the book
Writing Science – Joshua Shimel
This book builds upon the idea that effective science writing tells a story. Using the principles of story structure, the book discusses every aspect of successful science writing, from the overall structure to specific sections, paragraphs, sentences, and words. It also describes special considerations, such as how to discuss research limitations and how to write for the public. With this book, scientists across all levels and disciplines can write in a clear and concise way that tells a compelling story. Get the book
On Writing Well – William Zinsser
This classic book has stood the test of time and has remained a valuable resource for more than 40 years. Millions of copies have sold since it was first published in 1976. On Writing Well discusses sound tips on the fundamental principles of writing to anyone who writes. It’s clear, easy to read, and is lauded for its warm style. Get the book
The Elements of Style – William Strunk Jr and E.B. White
This undisputed classic is widely known for explaining the basic principles of plain English. The Elements of Style will teach you everything you need to communicate clearly and accurately with the simple mantra, make every word tell. This short book is the only style guide to ever appear on the bestseller list. And the latest edition is illustrated by Maira Kalman, adding a whimsical and elegant touch to the classic. Get the book
The Chicago Manual of Style
This manual is the ultimate resource for writers who care about getting the details right. Now in its 17th edition, this reference book has been around for more than 100 years. It contains everything you need to know about capitalization, punctuation, grammar, usage, and more. Each edition contains new guidelines based on the evolving nature of language and the ever-expanding universe of electronic sources. The Chicago Manual of Style remains a trusted source for anyone who works with words. Get the book
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