Written Communications
Writing in the sciences is a difficult task for anyone. These resources will help you communicate effectively in this course. When you need assistance with your writing and citations please reach out to the campus Learning Center.
- Writing as an Engineer or ScientistYour writing as an engineer or scientist is important for two reasons. First, the content matters for the health and safety of society. Second, you need to be able to write effectively to advance in your career. What might surprise you is that a large gap exists between what you have been taught about writing in high school and first-year English and what is expected of your writing in engineering and science. Through short films, model documents, templates, and exercises, this website tries to bridge that gap.
The craft of Scientific Writing by Call Number: T11.A37 2018ISBN: 9781441982872Publication Date: 2018This book uses scores of examples to show the differences between scientific writing that informs and persuades and scientific writing that does not. It identifies five key elements of style that distinguish the best scientific documents.
The Chicago Guide to Communicating Science by Call Number: onlineISBN: 9780226144504Publication Date: 2017-02-21The 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.
A Scientific Approach to Writing for Engineers and Scientists by Call Number: ONLINEISBN: 1118832523Publication Date: 2014Presents a "scientific" approach to writing that mirrors the sensibilities of scientists and engineers, an approach based on an easily-discernable set of principles. Rather than merely stating rules for English grammar and composition, this book explains the reasons behind these rules and shows that good reasons can guide every writing decision.
Oral Communications
Public speaking and presenting is often nerve-wracking. Check out these resources to show up prepared and ready to present to your audience.
- Rethinking Presentations in Science and Engineering: Assertion-Evidence ApproachIn the assertion-evidence (AE) approach, you build your talk on messages (not topics) to tell a coherent and compelling story about your work. Those messages you then support with visual evidence (not bullet lists). In addition, you engage the audience by fashioning sentences on the spot, but after practice.
- Presenting as a TeamStrong team presentations are developed and delivered together. While "divide and conquer" seems like an efficient approach, it often isn't effective. This course walks through the crucial aspects of presenting as a team.
- Poster Creation and PresentationCheck out our Poster Creation and Presentation LibGuide for tips on how to create your best posters and presentations.
Sell Your Research by Call Number: ONLINEISBN: 9783030341800Publication Date: 2020-04-07Public speaking is an essential component in the life of a scientist, whatever your level of career. In this book, the authors describe a tried-and-tested technique for preparing a presentation: the SELL Method. Following these three simple steps - Skeleton, Envelope, Life & Logistics - will help you make the most out of any talk.
Finding Your Research Voice by Call Number: ONLINEISBN: 9783030315191Publication Date: 2020-03-14Learning to tell a compelling research story can have a significant impact on your career. It can make you stand out at professional conferences, on the job market, or during an ideal networking opportunity. It is easy to tell a research story badly. It takes time and effort to learn to tell a research story well. This compact and engaging volume presents a series of techniques followed by theatre-inspired, field tested exercises that will help you improve your research presentations. Once you've learned how to create a dynamic live performance of your research story, you may find that this professional obligation is no longer something to dread, and may even become a highlight of your research experience.
