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The Craft of Scientific Writing

The Craft of Scientific Writing

Best price now

$10.34at alibrisChecked Nov 8

53% under what the other stores charge

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Price facts

  • Last seen at $10.34 at alibris on Nov 8.
  • Checked at 3 stores.

Our take on the The Craft of Scientific Writing

Michael Alley's guide to writing clear scientific prose, built around before-and-after examples from real journal articles and reports. It covers structure, paragraphs, sentences, word choice, and figures, with chapters on writing for readers who skim. It suits graduate students, researchers, and engineers polishing papers, theses, and proposals. Compared with Strunk and White or the Chicago Guide to Writing about Numbers, it is more specific to science and engineering and more example-driven, though it is a style guide rather than a grammar reference.

Best forGraduate students writing a thesis or first papersResearchers and engineers drafting journal articlesNon-native English speakers writing in scienceSupervisors teaching scientific writing
Pros
  • Before-and-after examples from real papers make the advice concrete
  • Covers structure, paragraphs, sentences, and word choice in one place
  • Chapters on figures and tables, which many writing guides skip
  • Short chapters that work as a reference while drafting
Cons
  • Examples lean toward engineering and the physical sciences
  • Little on grant writing or science communication for the public
  • Some readers find the treatment of grammar too brief
  • Dated in places, with little on digital or preprint workflows

The Craft of Scientific Writing prices at every store

  • alibrisNew

    In stock

    $10.34Checked Nov 8
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  • WalmartNew

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    $22.16+ $6.99 shippingChecked Nov 8
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  • TargetNew

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    $35.99Free shippingChecked Nov 8
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Store links may earn us a commission. Some prices via Klarna.

The Craft of Scientific Writing price history

Lowest price we've seen: $10.34 on Nov 9 at alibris. Tracked across 3 stores since Nov 9.

What reviewers say

Reviewers generally rate it as one of the more practical scientific writing guides, valued for its concrete examples rather than abstract rules. Instructors assign it in graduate writing courses. Some readers say the coverage is broad but shallow compared with longer style manuals.

What people mention
  • ExamplesPraisedReaders value the side-by-side revisions of real scientific passages.
  • CoverageMixedSome find it broad but shallow next to longer style manuals.
  • Field focusCriticisedExamples lean toward engineering and the physical sciences, less so biology or medicine.
  • ReadabilityPraisedChapters are short and clear enough to consult while drafting.
  • Grammar depthCriticisedReaders wanting a full grammar reference find the treatment brief.

Specifications

Format
PaperbackSource
Language
EnglishSource
Release Year
2011Source
Genre
Dictionaries & LanguagesSource

Questions and answers

Is this a grammar book or a writing guide?
It is a writing guide focused on structure, clarity, and style in scientific text. It assumes you already know basic English grammar and does not replace a full grammar reference.
Does it help with journal papers specifically?
Yes. Much of the book is built around revising passages from journal articles and reports, including how to structure a paper and present figures and tables.
Is it useful for non-native English speakers?
Yes. The before-and-after examples show how to tighten sentences and choose plainer words, which many non-native writers find the most useful part.
How does it compare with Strunk and White?
Strunk and White is a short general style guide. This book is longer and specific to science and engineering, with worked examples from real papers.
Does it cover grant proposals or presentations?
Only lightly. The focus is on written scientific documents such as papers, reports, and theses, not on proposals or talks.
Do I need the newest edition?
The core advice on structure and clarity has changed little across editions. A used copy of an earlier edition covers the same principles.
Where is the The Craft of Scientific Writing cheapest?
At alibris, for $10.34, 53% under what the other stores charge, as of our latest check.
Where can I buy the The Craft of Scientific Writing?
3 stores we checked sell it, including alibris, Walmart, Target.

Stores we've priced the The Craft of Scientific Writing at

  • Target deals and prices
  • Walmart deals and prices

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Publisher
SpringerSource
Release Date
2011-09Source