Writing Skills

The ability to succinctly communicate topics related to scientific research in writing is paramount to success regardless of one's career. Writing in graduate school is essentially inescapable, as manuscripts, grants, and theses are required to summarize and report one's scientific findings as well as to evaluate a student's success. Abstracts, case studies, and reviews are also common. In addition, it is important to be able to communicate science to audiences outside of your relevant field or perhaps outside of science altogether. Students should continually work on developing their writing skills in order to improve the quality, clarity, and effectiveness of their writing. Here are some resources to help you do just that:

Campus resources:

  • The Penn State Graduate Writing Center
  • Writing Guidelines for Engineering and Science by Dr. Michael Alley
  • Apply to take part in the Graduate and Professional Student Association's Dissertation and Thesis Boot Camp - a week-long event held in a quiet section of the library that includes informational workshops on issues related to writing as well as dedicated writing time. For more information on when the bootcamp is each semester, visit the GPSA website.
  • For international graduate students and visiting scholars, you can attend workshops on English Academic Writing, Speaking, and Interaction through English for Professional Purposes Intercultural Center (EPPIC).

Online resources:

Books:

  • Academic Writing for Graduate Students: Essential Tasks and Skills
    by John M. Swales and Christine B. Feak
    ISBN-10: 9780472034758
    ISBN-13: 978-0472034758