Write Like a Chemist A Guide and Resource

by Robinson, Marin; Stoller, Fredricka; Costanza-Robinson, Molly; Jones, James K.

• ISBN13: 9780195305074
• ISBN10: 0195305078
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-08-18
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

Write Like a Chemist is a unique guide to chemistry-specific writing. Written with National Science Foundation support and extensively piloted in chemistry courses nationwide, it offers a structured approach to writing that targets four important chemistry genres: the journal article, conference abstract, scientific poster, and research proposal. Chemistry students, post-docs, faculty, and other professionals interested in perfecting their disciplinary writing will find it an indispensable reference. Users of the book will learn to write through a host of exercises, ranging in difficulty from correcting single words and sentences to writing professional-quality papers, abstracts, posters, and proposals. The book's read-analyze-write approach teaches students to analyze what they read and then write, paying attention to audience, organization, writing conventions, grammar, and science content, thereby turning the complex process of writing into graduated, achievable tasks. Concise writing and organizational skills are stressed throughout, and "move structures" teach students conventional ways to present their stories of scientific discovery. This resource includes over 350 excerpts from ACS journal articles, ACS conference abstracts, and successful NSF CAREER proposals, excerpts that will serve as useful models of chemistry writing for years to come. Other special features: Usable in chemistry lab, lecture, and writing-dedicated courses Useful as a writing resource for practicing chemists Augmented by Language Tips that address troublesome areas of language and grammer in a self-study format Accompanied by a Web site: http://www.oup.com/us/writelikeachemist Supplemented with an answer key for faculty adopting the book

Author Biography

Marin S. Robinson: Associate Professor of Chemistry & Environmental Science, Northern Arizona University Fredricka L. Stoller: Professor of English, Northern Arizona University Molly Costanza-Robinson: Assistant Professor of Environmental Chemistry, Middlebury College James K. Jones: Graduate teaching assistant for "Write Like a Chemist" project, 2001-2004

Table of Contents

Learning to Write Like a Chemist

Overview of the Journal Article

Writing the Methods Section

Writing the Results Section

Writing the Discussion

Writing the Introduction

Writing the Abstract and Title

Writing the Conference Abstract

Writing the Poster Text and Title

Designing the Poster

Overview of the Research Proposal

Writing the Goals and Importance Section

Writing the Proposed Methodology Section

Writing the Outcomes and Impacts Section

Writing the Project Summary and Title

Formatting Figures, Tables, and Schemes

Formatting Citations and References

Finalizing Your Written Work

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