The library has many print and electronic resources to help you hone your academic writing skills. Here are a few:
The Craft of Scientific Communication
The ability to communicate in print and person is essential to the life of a successful scientist. But since writing is often secondary in scientific education and teaching, there remains a significant need for guides that teach scientists how best to convey their research to general and professional audiences. The Craft of Scientific Communication will teach science students and scientists alike how to improve the clarity, cogency, and communicative power of their words and images.
From Research to Manuscript
Written in simple, straightforward language, From Research to Manuscript, explains how to understand and summarize a research project. It is a writing guide that goes beyond grammar and style by demonstrating how to pull together the information needed for each section of a polished scientific paper. This book is a systematic guide, leading you from the data on your desk through the drafts and rewrites that are needed to build a complete and tightly-written science article. From Research to Manuscript: includes tools and techniques for structuring the sentences, paragraphs, and sections of a research paper. gives wide-ranging examples from well-written research articles. offers advice to speakers of other languages. explains the effective use of tables, graphs, statistics, and figures. shows you how to organize your data to clearly present your results. guides you through the process of manuscript submission and editorial review. The updated second edition includes more examples, advice on publishing in online journals, software suggestions, and updated references. Overall, From Research to Manuscript argues that scientists should be working on their paper during their active research. Writing will keep the research project organized, thorough, and thoughtful. From Research to Manuscript provides a format for integrating writing and research, so that you can strengthen your science, compose a better paper, and get the paper published. "Compulsory reading for post-docs wanting to achieve success in the scientific field." (Ronan Bree, National University of Ireland, Galway) "A great addition to the personal libraries of graduate students and postdoctoral fellows bent on careers in science. Many seasoned scientists could also be advised to read the book to improve their skills in writing." (Donald K. Ingram, Editor-in-Chief of AGE).
Scientific Writing and Communication by
Covers all the areas of scientific communication that a scientist needs to know and to master in order to successfully promote his or her research and career. This unique "all-in-one" handbook begins with a discussion of the basics of scientific writing style and composition and then applies these principles to writing research papers, review articles, grant proposals, research statements, and résumés and to preparing academic presentations and posters.
The Chicago Guide to Communicating Science by
For more than a decade, The Chicago Guide to Communicating Science has been the go-to reference for anyone who needs to write or speak about their research. Whether a student writing a thesis, a faculty member composing a grant proposal, or a public information officer crafting a press release, Scott Montgomery's advice is perfectly adaptable to any scientific writer's needs. This new edition has been thoroughly revised to address crucial issues in the changing landscape of scientific communication, with an increased focus on those writers working in corporate settings, government, and nonprofit organizations as well as academia. Half a dozen new chapters tackle the evolving needs and paths of scientific writers. These sections address plagiarism and fraud, writing graduate theses, translating scientific material, communicating science to the public, and the increasing globalization of research. The Chicago Guide to Communicating Science recognizes that writers come to the table with different needs and audiences. Through solid examples and concrete advice, Montgomery sets out to help scientists develop their own voice and become stronger communicators. He also teaches readers to think about their work in the larger context of communication about science, addressing the roles of media and the public in scientific attitudes as well as offering advice for those whose research concerns controversial issues such as climate change or emerging viruses. More than ever, communicators need to be able to move seamlessly among platforms and styles. The Chicago Guide to Communicating Science's comprehensive coverage means that scientists and researchers will be able to expertly connect with their audiences, no matter the medium.
Citation managers are available to help you collect, organize, cite, and share references and sources (e.g. full-text articles). Tools such as EndNote, Mendeley, and Zotero allow you to:
If you would like to learn more about citation management tools, visit our Citation Manager LibGuide or email us at engsci@queensu.ca to book a consultation with a librarian.
For detailed information on citing and citation management tools, please visit our Citing & Citation Management LibGuide.
There are many style guides used by publications, organizations and disciplines. Some examples of style guides used in environmental science include:
