Medical Writing: A Prescription for Clarity

by Neville W. Goodman , Martin B. Edwards , Illustrated by Andy Black

• ISBN13: 9780521858571
• ISBN10: 0521858577
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-11-06
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

Effective communication is the ultimate, but often daunting, purpose of any piece of medical research. Medical Writing: A Prescription for Clarity provides practical information enabling first drafts to be turned into clear, simple, unambiguous text, without loss of individuality. Written by a medical consultant and an experienced medical editor, it is sympathetic to the problems and needs of medical writers. Like the preceding two editions, this expanded third edition deals with the basic craft of writing for publication, from spelling and grammar to choosing the best word or phrase. Whether writing a simple clinical report or thesis, wanting to supervise others, or wanting just to develop greater skill in effective writing, this book is the ideal guide and reference. Clear, simple and precise, and illustrated with apt cartoons, this is an invaluable handbook.

Table of Contents

Preface to the first edition	xi
Preface to the third edition	xii
Acknowledgements	xiv
PART I PROBLEM: THE ILLNESS
Introduction	3	(2)
The malaise of medical manuscripts	5	(20)
The writer at bay	6	(10)
The honest writer	16	(3)
Summary	19	(6)
PART II SOLUTION: SYMPTOMATIC RELIEF
Guidelines to clearer writing	25	(20)
Watson and Crick show how it's done	25	(2)
Planning	27	(1)
Getting started	28	(1)
Some grammatical terms	29	(2)
Using a word processor	31	(2)
Spelling	33	(12)
Is there a better word?	45	(50)
Alternative words	46	(49)
Superfluous words	95	(9)
Some common examples	95	(6)
Unnecessary adverbs	101	(1)
Repetition	102	(2)
Imprecise words and phrases	104	(12)
Superfluous phrases	116	(7)
Common superfluities	116	(6)
Other examples of repetition	122	(1)
Trouble with short words	123	(16)
Following a verb	123	(3)
Expanded to a phrase	126	(2)
Variations of because	128	(4)
That, Which, When, Where, Whereby	132	(3)
Words of comment: Therefore, However, and others	135	(1)
Words of reference: Former and Latter, Respectively, Such	136	(3)
Use of the passive voice	139	(6)
Some examples	140	(1)
The verb `To Perform'	141	(2)
Conclusion	143	(2)
Consistency: number and tenses	145	(7)
Number: singular or plural?	145	(5)
Tenses	150	(2)
Circumlocution, metaphor and cliche	152	(9)
Circumlocution	152	(4)
Metaphor and cliche	156	(5)
Word order and pronouns	161	(12)
Missing words	161	(1)
Nouns as adjectives	162	(5)
Adverbs and verbs	167	(2)
A troublesome word: Only	169	(1)
Pronouns and nouns	170	(3)
Punctuation	173	(6)
Commas between subject and verb	174	(1)
Lists	175	(3)
The lazy slash	178	(1)
Constructing sentences	179	(14)
Balance	179	(4)
Simplicity	183	(1)
Emphasis and connections	183	(4)
The first sentence	187	(1)
Avoiding abbreviations	188	(5)
Drawing clear graphs	193	(12)
Reprise	201	(4)
PART III PRACTICE: RECUPERATION
Some examples rewritten	205	(24)
Postscript to the examples	227	(2)
Do the experts agree?	229	(2)
Appendix: examples to rewrite	231	(8)
References and further reading	239	(5)
Index	244