
The Craft of Scientific Writing
Michael Alley(Author)
Springer (Publisher)
3rd Edition
Published on 2. September 1998
Book
Paperback/Softback
XV, 282 pages
978-0-387-94766-2 (ISBN)
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Description
We are all apprentices 01 a craft where no one ever becomes a master. -Emest Hemingway 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 be com up for air? Be pletely submerged? Was it safe to come sides being unclear, the writing conveyed the wrong im pression 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 re search. Chances are that Dan Rather will not quote sentences from your documents on national television, no matter how weak the writing iso Still, your writing is important. On a personal level, your writing is the principal way in which people learn about your work. When you commu nicate weIl, you receive credit for that work. When you do not communicate weIl or are too slow to communi cate, the credit often go es to someone else. On a larger level, your writing and the writing of other scientists and vii viii Foreword engineers influenees publie poliey about scienee and en gineering.
Reviews / Votes
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
More details
Edition
3rd Corrected ed. 1996. Corr. 3rd printing 1998
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Professional/practitioner
Edition type
Revised edition
Illustrations
XV, 282 p.
Dimensions
Height: 23.5 cm
Width: 15.5 cm
Weight
940 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-387-94766-2 (9780387947662)
DOI
10.1007/978-1-4757-2482-0
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
New editions

Michael Alley
The Craft of Scientific Writing
Book
04/2018
4th Edition
Springer
€37.44
Shipment within 15-20 days
Additional editions

Michael Alley
The Craft of Scientific Writing
E-Book
04/2013
3rd Edition
Springer
€36.99
Available for download
Content
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.