The Secret to Becoming a Better Scientific Writer

Scientists spend a lot of their time writing. Journal articles, grant proposals, peer reviews, and lectures are just a few examples of the writing that scientists prepare on a day-to-day basis. To meet the daily writing demand, a scientist must have good writing skills. And to compete successfully for space in top journals and for funding, a scientist must be an excellent writer. In this video essay, I talk about how to become a better scientific writer and offer a few tips along the way.

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Can I Publish my Scientific Paper in a High-Impact Journal?


Follow me on Twitter: @SciWri_KLMcKee

[Gof]

Dear Karen Thanks very much for your precious videos. I have seen 3 videos of you and so impressed and love them so much. I am a surgeon that have a lot of ideas but I have never written before. I wish to be a good writer one day. Unfortunately, I have not been trained to be a writer. I would start to write everyday as you taught. Let see how it is going to be. I would try to learn all or most of your videos and then I would let you know when this is done. You are the great teacher, indeed.

[BDSci-Tech]

Hello Karen. I just found your channel and I love it already after two videos. Could've definitely used this channel when I was doing my PhD in the early 2000s. I now work in regulatory in the public sector and writing is 90% of what we do.

[HealWithDrDV]

Dear Dr. McKee! Thank you for your guidance. I have been able to improve my writing through your channel. I learned how to write a compelling introduction, how to write the discussion and conclusion, and avoid mistakes and cliches. I'm happy to share that my first doctoral research paper has been accepted after a major revision in a Scopus-indexed journal, thanks to you. I have submitted the revision for another Scopus indexed journal and writing and editing two more papers. I wish you great health and happiness. May you be happy and healthy always and keep guiding students for hundreds of years. Best regards, Devendra (health psychologist), India.

[billmorgante-bpw-]

While we'd all like the "magic dust" that would make us better writers, this video is a valuable reminder to roll up our sleeves and do the hard work of practicing writing...daily. Thanks for the nudge Karen!

[abeersalah]

Thank you very much for your advice. It supports us to practice writing on a daily basis. I will listen to it again and again to motivate myself and to stop frustration.

[forbradid]

It is very helpful video! Thank you very much. I would share the video with my colleges.

[petercourt]

Thank you for sharing this wealth of information, it's really helpful to junior researchers like me :)

[paperinashes]

I'm really new to this and a bit overwhelmed. How should a bachelor's student go about scientific writing?

[markphilipcastillo]

Very helpful, especially English is not my native language.