Scientific writing includes writing journals, papers, newsletters, whitepapers, and other documents for the science industry. Writing for the science field is not an easy task by any stretch of the imagination. It takes both an in-depth knowledge of science and an ability to write. Scientific writers know that they have to explain the details of their subject matter while still making their scientific content readable.
There a few scientific associations designed to help the scientific writer:
- National Association of Science Writers (NASW), found at www.nasw.org, was incorporated in 1955 with a stated purpose of fostering the dissemination of accurate information regarding science through all media normally devoted to informing the public.
- The Council of Science Editors (CSE), found at www.councilscienceeditors.org, was established in 1957. Its stated purpose is to serve members in the scientific, scientific publishing, and information science communities by fostering networking, education, discussion, and exchange and to be an authoritative resource on current and emerging issues in the communication of scientific information.
I highly recommend these books on writing for the scientific field:
How To Write & Publish a Scientific Paper: 5th Edition. This is a witty and practical guide to organizing, writing, and submitting scientific research for publication in a scholarly scientific journal that is designed to help good scientists become good writers.
The Craft of Scientific Writing. This book is designed to help scientists and engineers--both professionals already active in the disciplines as well as students preparing to enter the professions--write about their work clearly and effectively. It covers tasks from laboratory reports to grant proposals, from internal communications to press releases. Topics covered include deciding where to begin - structure: organizing your documents; providing depth, transitions, and emphasis - language: being precise, clear, and concise; being forthright, familiar, and fluid - illustration: making the right choices; creating the best designs - handling special situations - and actually sitting down to write: drafting, revising, finishing.
Here are great online directories of writing for the scientific industry: