Web-based webinar handout

2. The Art of Scientific Writing
Weam Banjar
wb246@cornell.edu
Outline and Class Exercise

3. Disclosure
• None

4. “The Art of Scientific Writing” is an interactive web-based meeting that
primarily aims to touch upon the basics of scientific writings. Mastering the
craft of scientific writing is helpful for proper communication both at the
personal and official levels. Understanding the Audience, determining the
nature of the document, following instructions and acknowledging the
circumstances and politics
Thank you for taking the time to register and attend.
Thank you to Edhaah and Dr. Alamro for their kind help and sincere
cooperation
Weam

5. General Objectives
• Understanding the
relevance:
 Why it is difficult
 Why do we need to write/
publish
 Why do we need to be good
writers
• Planning your writing:
 What are the constraints
 It is a matter of style !!!
(structure, language,
illustration)
• Organizing the document
 Beginning (objectives, title,
summaries, introduction)
 Middles ( What, how, why)
 Endings (conclusion, back
matters)
• Setting down to write:
 Getting in the mood
 The first draft
 Revising, revising, revising
 Finishing

6. General Instructions
• Dear Attendee please check the following general instructions:
 If you are experiencing any technical problem please use the “raise hand option” on
your window and the controls should be able to solve your issue. Please don’t use
this option for any other reason
 If you were confused or my statement was not clear, please do not hesitate to post a
confused face to the chat window along with your concern.
 Some class exercise may require you to type down your response. Please type your
response at the small chat-box at the very lower right side of your screen and holds
on until you kindly been requested to post it.
 Other class exercise may require you to choose emoticons, please reserve posting
your choice until I kindly ask you to do so.
 If polls were posted, they will be up for 2-3 seconds
 Feel free to post your concerns, questions, and responses in Arabic and/ or English
 To maximize the benefit, please do post full sentence unless other wise instructed
 If you have any questions or concerns, I encourage you to post it to the chat
window. I will acknowledge your statement. If I did not, please send it again.
However, I may reserve some questions to the end of the class
Thank you for your cooperation

7. If you believe scientific writing is a difficult task,
please type down WHY?
If you do not, please post a thump-up sign

8. Why it is important to write/
publish?

9. Why becoming a good writer is
important?

10. Usually we start writing at the same place
we begin solving the problems,
Please respond to the poll:
What constraints to be considered?!!
Make sure that your voice is heard

11. Constraint # 1
WWWH:
• Who are they?
• What do they know?
• Why they will read?
• How well they will read?

12. Constraint #2
How would you arrange your writing?!!

13. Constraint # 3
Which roles you need to follow

14. Constraint # 4
You did not set the role, you play the
game, play the game to WIN

15. Casting your thoughts within
Structure, Language, Illustration

16. Structure
• Risk of loosing the readers
• Shallow vs. too deep
• Sequential organization of thoughts
• Wording, placement, illustration

17. Language
• Tell them exactly your thoughts (How?)
• The (KISS) role
• Your attitude toward the readers
• Language gap
• Tight
• Scientific writing should be interesting, rhythmic but
not dull

18. Illustrations may add color and taste to your
writing,
Please respond to the poll:
If you were writing a paper, what would
you prefer ?!!
Make sure that your voice is heard

19. If you believe illustrations are important, please let
us know what tips would help create the best
design

20. Beginnings of Documents
• Primary vs., secondary vs., long term objectives
• Your title = your ID
• “please be good enough to put your conclusions and
recommendations on one sheet of paper at the very beginning
of your report, So I even consider reading it” Winston Churchill
• WWWH

21. Middles of Documents
Play the game that you had
not sat the role for to win !!!

22. Endings of Documents
• Primary audience
• Secondary audience
• Informative vs. persuasive
• Discussion vs. conclusion section

23. “The writing aspect of scientific research is
exhausting… I have rewritten many parts of papers
four to six times, restructuring the entire organization,
before I finally became satisfied”
Hermann Hrlmholtz

24. • Have something to write about and someone to write for
• Remember; you are professional; Scientific writing has nothing
to do with your waiting bills or personal
• Are you busy, mentally overwhelmed, or emotionally disturb?
• Your first blank paper is not blank anymore. Congratulation,
you are writing your first draft
• Refinement stage !!
• About to submit, please wait?
• Finally submitted your writing, if your manuscript got
accepted, we owe you a virtual lunch 