MTU Library Catalogue

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The craft of scientific writing / Michael Alley.

By: Alley, Michael.
Material type: materialTypeLabelBookPublisher: New York : Springer, 1996Edition: 3rd ed.Description: xv, 282 p. : ill. ; 24 cm.ISBN: 0387947663; 9780387947662.Subject(s): Technical writingDDC classification: 808.0666
Contents:
Introduction: deciding where to begin -- Structure: organizing your documents -- Structure: providing transition, depth and emphasis -- Language: being precise -- Language: being clear -- Language: being forthright -- Language: being familiar -- Language: being concise -- Language: being fluid -- Illustration: making the right choices -- Illustration: creating the best designs -- Writing correspondence -- Writing proposals -- Writing instructions -- Preparing presentations -- Format: dressing documents for success -- Actually sitting down to write.
Holdings
Item type Current library Call number Copy number Status Barcode
General lending MTU Bishopstown Library Lending 808.0666 (Browse shelf(Opens below)) 1 Available 00114136
Total holds: 0

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

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.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Introduction: deciding where to begin -- Structure: organizing your documents -- Structure: providing transition, depth and emphasis -- Language: being precise -- Language: being clear -- Language: being forthright -- Language: being familiar -- Language: being concise -- Language: being fluid -- Illustration: making the right choices -- Illustration: creating the best designs -- Writing correspondence -- Writing proposals -- Writing instructions -- Preparing presentations -- Format: dressing documents for success -- Actually sitting down to write.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

  • 1 Introduction: Deciding Where to Begin
  • 2 Structure: Organizing your Documents
  • 3 Structure: Depth, Transition, 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 Illustation: Making the Right Choices
  • 11 Illustration: Creating the Best Designs
  • 12 Handling Special Stituations
  • 13 Actually Sitting Down to Write

Reviews provided by Syndetics

CHOICE Review

The Craft of Scientific Writing contains many valuable insights: "Analyze not only what your audience knows, but also why they are reading"; "Begin with what is familiar before moving to what is new"; "Keep things as simple as possible, yet no simpler" (this last piece of advice is from Einstein). In this updated edition (3rd ed., 1996), the author discusses the many challenges and distinctions in scientific writing, and the effects that good or bad writing can have on one's career. Good scientific writing should hold the interest of the reader by connecting ideas using seamless transitions and tying visual aids to the text. Using real-world writing examples and a host of graphics and figures, the author effectively demonstrates what works, what doesn't, and why. Ten chapters, labeled "lessons," offer guidance on how to analyze the audience, balance precision with clarity, avoid ambiguity, and use writing time efficiently. Appendixes on grammar, punctuation, usage, and format are included, as well as a glossary of writing and publishing terms. This easy-to-digest guide will be useful for engineers, scientists, and anyone interested in writing for a science-minded audience, or about science-related topics. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty and professionals. --Susanne Markgren, Manhattan College