Features of Science Writing

How science writing is like other writing

You may, in your travels, have come across the misconception that science and writing have nothing to do with each other. Some people seem to think that scientists don't need to know how to write, and even that learning to write would demean the scientific endeavor. You, of course, are not one of these people.

To appreciate the importance of good writing in science, you only need to have tried to follow a poorly written set of instructions to operate some household gadget. Other scientists need to be able to follow the steps of your experiment and understand your conclusions, so don't frustrate or confuse them. Like other writing, then, scientific writing will require brainstorming, outlining, and drafts.

Special features of science writing

Natural sciences, such as chemistry, biology, and physics, differ in many ways from the social sciences, like sociology, psychology, political science, and some kinds of history. However, research in both areas often includes collecting original data in the form of experiments or surveys; therefore, they share similar writing styles.

The format for reporting scientific research is more rigid than for other kinds of writing, and the standard tone is formal and objective. Some teachers have even encouraged using passive voice to ensure an objective tone; however, many now accept the use of "I." In addition, natural and social science writing frequently calls for illustrations, tables, and graphs. Be sure that these are neat, and presented according to the format specified by your teacher. Also, make sure they are labeled so that you can refer to them in different parts of the report.