About this course: This course teaches scientists to become more effective writers, using practical examples and exercises. Topics include: principles of good writing, tricks for writing faster and with less anxiety, the format of a scientific manuscript, peer review, grant writing, ethical issues in scientific publication, and writing for general audiences.
Who is this class for: This course is for undergraduate and graduate students; medical students; scientists; medical professionals; and science writers.
Created by: Stanford University
Taught by: Dr. Kristin Sainani, Associate Professor
Health Research and Policy
| Level | Beginner |
| Commitment | 8 weeks of study, 3-5 hours/week |
| Language | English |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
1
Unit 1 introduces the course and reviews key principles of effective writing. In particular, you will practice cutting clutter from writing.
7 videos
- Video: 1.2: Examples of what not to do
- Video: 1.3: Overview, principles of effective writing
- Video: 1.4: Cut the clutter
- Video: 1.5: Cut the clutter, more tricks
- Video: 1.6: Practicing cutting clutter
- Video: Demo Edit 1 (Optional)
Graded: Unit 1 Homework
WEEK 2
2
Unit 2 focuses on writing with strong, active verbs. Lessons include how to: write in the active voice; avoid turning verbs into nouns; choose strong verbs; and get to the main verb of a sentence quickly.
7 videos
- Video: 2.2: Is it really OK to use "We" and "I"
- Video: 2.3: Active voice practice
- Video: 2.4: Write with verbs
- Video: 2.5: Practice examples
- Video: 2.6: A few grammar tips
- Video: Demo Edit 2 (Optional)
Graded: Unit 2 Homework
WEEK 3
3
Unit 3 reviews how to vary sentence structure and write strong paragraphs. You will practice using the dash, colon, semi-colon, and parentheses, as well as writing well-organized and concise paragraphs.
8 videos
- Video: 3.2: Practice, colon and dash
- Video: 3.3: Parallelism
- Video: 3.4: Paragraphs
- Video: 3.5: Paragraph Editing I
- Video: 3.6: Paragraph Editing II
- Video: Module 3.7: A few more tips
- Video: Demo Edit 3 (Optional)
Graded: Unit 3 Homework
Graded: Paragraph editing exercise
WEEK 4
4
Unit 4 reviews the writing process. I will give you tips for making the writing process easier, more efficient, and more organized.
7 videos
- Video: 4.2 Overview of the writing process
- Video: 4.3 The pre-writing step
- Video: 4.4 The writing step
- Video: 4.5: Revision
- Video: 4.6: Checklist for the final draft
- Video: Demo Edit 4 (Optional)
Graded: Unit 4 Homework
WEEK 5
5
Unit 5 reviews the sections of a scientific manuscript. You will learn how to format tables and figures, and how to write results, methods, introduction, and discussion sections.
9 videos
- Video: 5.2: Results
- Video: 5.3: Practice writing results
- Video: 5.4: Methods
- Video: 5.5: Introduction
- Video: 5.6: Introduction practice
- Video: 5.7: Discussion
- Video: 5.8: Abstract
- Video: Demo Edit 5 (Optional)
Graded: Unit 5 Homework
WEEK 6
6
Unit 6 discusses the peer review process, as well as ethical issues in scientific publishing. You will learn how to avoid plagiarism, determine authorship, submit a paper, write a peer review, and avoid predatory journals.
9 videos
- Video: 6.2: Authorship
- Video: 6.3: The Submission Process
- Video: 6.4: Interview with Dr. Bradley Efron
- Video: 6.5: Interview with Dr. George Lundberg
- Video: 6.6: Interview with Dr. Gary Friedman
- Video: 6.7: Doing a peer review
- Video: 6.8: Predatory journals
- Video: Demo Edit 6 (Optional)
Graded: Unit 6 Homework
Graded: Essay
WEEK 7
7
Unit 7 reviews types of writing beyond original research manuscripts. You will learn how to write review papers, grants, letters of recommendation, and personal essays.
7 videos
- Video: 7.2: Grants I
- Video: 7.3: Grants II
- Video: 7.4: Grants III
- Video: 7.5 Writing letters of recommendation
- Video: 7.6: Writing personal statements
- Video: Demo Edit 7 (Optional)
Graded: Unit 7 Homework
WEEK 8
8
Unit 8 reviews communication with broader audiences. You will learn how work with the media, be interviewed, conduct an interview, and write about science for general audiences.
8 videos
- Video: 8.2: Panel Interview
- Video: 8.3: Writing for general audiences
- Video: 8.4: Writing a science news story
- Video: 8.5: Interviewing a scientist
- Video: 8.6: Social media
- Video: 8.7: Concluding Remarks
- Video: Demo Edit 8 (Optional)
Graded: Unit 8 Homework
Graded: Lay summary exercise
FAQs
How It Works
Coursework
Each course is like an interactive textbook, featuring pre-recorded videos, quizzes and projects.
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Creators
Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is an American private research university located in Stanford, California on an 8,180-acre (3,310 ha) campus near Palo Alto, California, United States.
Ratings and Reviews
Very sensible and practical. Esp the one on writing for lay audiences. Love the Nut Graf!
Very well structured course that goes through the most important aspects of writing in science. The course is suitable for you whether you work in academic science or in some sort of scientific writing context. Highly recommend!
It is an excellent course, good structure, very practical, exceptional teacher, very useful!
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Ak
Can we something more on technical writing.