Scientific Writing Scientific Writing WorkshopWorkshop

David L. Armbruster, Ph.D.David L. Armbruster, Ph.D.Head, Scientific EditingHead, Scientific Editing

Health Sciences Library and Biocommunications CenterHealth Sciences Library and Biocommunications Center

University of TennesseeUniversity of TennesseeHealth Science CenterHealth Science Center

GoalsGoals

Procedures for WorkshopProcedures for Workshop

AttendanceAttendance

QuestionsQuestions

Your manuscriptYour manuscript

Editorial conferenceEditorial conference

Workshop FormatWorkshop Format

Process of writingProcess of writing Organization of research articleOrganization of research article Grammar and authorshipGrammar and authorship Tables and figuresTables and figures References and ethicsReferences and ethics Getting publishedGetting published

ResourcesResources

Books, journalsBooks, journals

ResourcesResources

Books, journalsBooks, journals

PeoplePeople

ResourcesResources

Books, journalsBooks, journals

PeoplePeople

Computer aidesComputer aides

Spill ChokersSpill Chokers

Hour meeting to discuss the sex Hour meeting to discuss the sex candidates will be help on the candidates will be help on the conference roof. The meeting conference roof. The meeting should lass know linger that too should lass know linger that too and a halt ours.and a halt ours.

ResourcesResources

Books, journalsBooks, journals

PeoplePeople

Computer aidesComputer aides

Typical Writing ProblemsTypical Writing Problems

Typical Writing ProblemsTypical Writing Problems

ChineseChinese Morse codeMorse code PoetryPoetry VocabularyVocabulary MathematicsMathematics

Signaling/signingSignaling/signing MusicMusic FortranFortran HieroglyphicsHieroglyphics ProfanityProfanity

Typical Writing ProblemsTypical Writing Problems

The data is incomplete.The data is incomplete.

Typical Writing ProblemsTypical Writing Problems

Long-chain hydrocarbons in pump oil is Long-chain hydrocarbons in pump oil is the primary factor in reducing friction.the primary factor in reducing friction.

Typical Writing ProblemsTypical Writing Problems

When placed in the canine descending When placed in the canine descending thoracic aorta, Brewin found that thoracic aorta, Brewin found that pericardial valves became rigid.pericardial valves became rigid.

Typical Writing ProblemsTypical Writing Problems

Prostatic carcinoma predominately Prostatic carcinoma predominately metastasizes to bone, having occurred metastasizes to bone, having occurred in 8-35% of patients by the time of in 8-35% of patients by the time of diagnosis.diagnosis.

Typical Writing ProblemsTypical Writing Problems

The findings have led to increased The findings have led to increased understanding of the likely modes of understanding of the likely modes of transmission as well as the transmission as well as the identification of persons at risk for identification of persons at risk for infection.infection.

Audience and PurposeAudience and Purpose

AudienceAudience

Focus on audienceFocus on audience

Define as specifically as possibleDefine as specifically as possible– AgeAge– EducationEducation– GenderGender– PoliticsPolitics– Ethnic backgroundEthnic background

PurposePurpose

PersuadePersuade

TeachTeach

InformInform

AmuseAmuse

Getting StartedGetting Started

Writing is easy.Writing is easy.

All you have to do is cross out the All you have to do is cross out the wrong words.wrong words.

Mark TwainMark Twain

Getting StartedGetting Started

To improve writing skillsTo improve writing skills

– Write frequentlyWrite frequently

– Cultivate knowledgeable, critical reviewerCultivate knowledgeable, critical reviewer

– Learn from critiqueLearn from critique

Getting StartedGetting Started

Schedule time to writeSchedule time to write

Eliminate distractionsEliminate distractions

Have resources at handHave resources at hand

Plan BPlan B

Plan BPlan B

Getting StartedGetting Started

Organize before you writeOrganize before you write

– Formal outlineFormal outline

– Sentence (phrase) outlineSentence (phrase) outline

– Mind mappingMind mapping

Formal OutlineFormal Outline

I.I. MAIN HEADINGMAIN HEADINGA. First-level HeadingA. First-level HeadingB. First-level HeadingB. First-level Heading

1. Second-level heading1. Second-level heading 2. Item 1 demands item 22. Item 1 demands item 2

II. SECOND MAIN HEADINGII. SECOND MAIN HEADING

Sentence (Phrase) Sentence (Phrase) OutlineOutline

INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTIONTopic sentence (phrase)Topic sentence (phrase)Another topic sentenceAnother topic sentence

MATERIALS AND METHODSMATERIALS AND METHODSTopic sentence (phrase)Topic sentence (phrase)Another topic sentenceAnother topic sentence

MindmappingMindmapping

Getting StartedGetting Started

Writer’s blockWriter’s block

Getting StartedGetting Started

1.1. TitleTitle2.2. AbstractAbstract3.3. IntroductionIntroduction4.4. Materials and Materials and

methodsmethods5.5. ResultsResults6.6. DiscussionDiscussion

1.1. Materials and Materials and methodsmethods

2.2. IntroductionIntroduction3.3. ResultsResults4.4. DiscussionDiscussion5.5. AbstractAbstract6.6. TitleTitle

Getting StartedGetting Started

Writer’s blockWriter’s block

– Don’t have to write in orderDon’t have to write in order

– Imagine telling colleague about your workImagine telling colleague about your work

Getting StartedGetting Started

Writer’s blockWriter’s block

– Don’t have to write in orderDon’t have to write in order

– Imagine telling colleague about your workImagine telling colleague about your work

– Turn off monitorTurn off monitor

Getting StartedGetting Started

ProcessProcess

– WriteWrite

– EditEdit

Next WeekNext Week

Organization of the scientific research Organization of the scientific research articlearticle

– IMRADIMRAD