Putting Pen to Paper: The Importance of Scientific Writing
WRITTEN BY ALYSSA PICKAR
ILLUSTRATED BY CASSANDRA CHANG
If you’re any kind of science major, no doubt you’ve heard the age old adage that STEM majors can’t write. Writing might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of chemistry, but it’s one of the most important tools a scientist can have. Whether you’re writing a lab report or applying for a research grant, your ability to write and communicate your research is just as crucial as your ability to run the perfect experiment. Here are a couple reasons why you should appreciate your college writing course and how to expand your skills.
Communication is key!
At its core, science is about discovery and communication. From CHEM 7L lab reports to a full-fledged ACS paper, being able to talk through your research process and results is crucial. If you aren’t able to explain your results clearly, your research won’t have the impact it deserves. A well-written paper doesn’t just report data—it tells a story that helps others understand why your work matters. That doesn’t necessarily mean making your experiment into a dramatic saga, but structuring your work in a way that highlights all the successes and failures that brought you to your conclusion.
If you’ve ever read a research paper from American Chemical Society (ACS), Nature, or any other journal, you’ll know that chemistry articles are often full of technical language, equations, and complex concepts that make it difficult for non-experts to understand. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that if something is complicated, your writing should be too. But the best scientific writing actually makes hard ideas easier to understand—not harder. It’s important to remember that papers aren’t just a place for scientists to share their accomplishments. Every breakthrough or failed attempt can contribute to a broader body of knowledge, and help cultivate the next generation of scientists.
Career Options
Science writing is important for research and academic fields, and effective communication skills opens up a host of different career opportunities for those looking to explore new professions. If you’re interested in jobs outside of medicine and research, here are some careers that your experience in scientific communication may help you with:
- Patent law
Patent law is a unique branch of the legal field that often works hand in hand with scientists to grant them patents (intellectual rights) to their creations, whether that’s a new molecule, machine, or technique. Many patent lawyers are scientists in their own right, holding undergraduate degrees and often PhDs in chemistry, biochemistry, or physics. Many patent lawyers join the legal profession after years of working as a scientist for large companies, like Illumina, Pfizer or Eli Lilly. Being able to read, write and understand scientific documents is crucial for this field of work, as they must be able to distinguish miniscule differences between existing products in order to draft and file for the scientist’s intellectual rights.
- Journal editor
As the name suggests, science writers and editors need strong communication skills to effectively do their jobs. Editors for various scientific journals like ACS, Nature, and Cell focus on publicizing scientific news and breakthroughs for a general audience. By collaborating with writers, editors ensure the quality and accuracy of published research.
A major aspect of this is overseeing the peer review process and connecting authors and publishers to improve the impact of science publications and the ultimate advancement of scientific knowledge. For example, when Niels Bohr discovered his atomic model in 1913, he too worked with editors to publish his results in various scientific journals.
- Quality assurance
For anyone who’s worked in a research lab, you’re familiar with the idea that the big, scary, expensive machines that you’re expected to use come with an operating guide as long as the entire Twilight series. Quality assurance officers often work with the companies that produce these machines to create operating guidelines to help scientists better carry out their research projects safely and effectively. These operating procedures must be crystal clear, as any imprecise instructions can lead to safety hazards or even invalidated experiments. For instance, a manual for an ATR-FTIR machine would specify that you need to wipe the crystal with methanol instead of soaking it to ensure that the crystal remains in place. Writing understandable instructions ensures that science can move forward safely and reliably.
Embarking on your writing journey
Just like mastering any new lab technique, becoming a better writer takes practice—and feedback! One of the best places to start is reading different articles in science journals. Pay attention to how the authors introduce their topic, explain their methods, and present their results. What makes their writing effective? What questions do you have? How would you explain the topic? You can also look at how different journals present the same topic. A paper in Cell might focus heavily on the biological aspects, whereas something in ACS is more chemistry focused.
But reading journals isn’t enough. You need to write—a lot. Don’t just wait for an assignment or symposium. Try explaining a topic from your class to someone who doesn’t have a science background. If you can break down NMR splitting to someone who hasn’t taken organic chemistry, you’re already improving your scientific communication skills.
When the time comes for an official lab report or poster presentation, treat your first draft like your first attempt at an experiment. It might result in clumpy brown goo rather than a clear oil, but your first draft is never going to be perfect. Don’t be afraid to ask your PI, graduate student, or friends for feedback. Are any parts unclear? Is the writing style too formal? Too casual? Do the graphics help clarify the topic? Asking for a fresh set of eyes to read your work will give you a better insight into how other people will perceive it. Revisions and edits help to refine your thinking, and give you a clearer idea of what you really want to say.
If you’ve gotten to the end of this article, you’re already one step closer to being able to share your scientific findings and thoughts with the rest of the world. Writing might not be as flashy as spectroscopy or as exciting as synthesizing a new compound, but it’s one of the most powerful tools in your scientific toolbox. The ability to write is integral, not only to your time as a student, but also to your future career in whatever field you choose.
Starting a scientific paper might feel intimidating at first. The good news? Scientific writing is a skill, and like any skill, it can be learned, practiced, and improved. As the scientific community continues to expand, the need for clear, precise, and impactful communication will only grow. So take your writing seriously, even if that lab report is only worth 5% of your grade. Invest time in it. Ask for help. And, most importantly, have fun writing, even if it’s for MMW or HUM!