Mastering the Art of Scientific Writing: Dr. Andrew Jordan’s Guide to Crafting Clear and Impactful Papers

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Well-Trained Mind Academy students had the privilege of hearing from Dr. Andrew Jordan, a senior research scientist at the University of New Hampshire’s Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans, and Space

As a co-investigator on NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Mission, Dr. Jordan brought a wealth of scientific writing experience to share with high school students, focusing this session on the art of crafting effective scientific papers. 

His core message was clear: good communication is essential in science. Throughout the session, he shared both practical writing strategies and insights into the professional world of research.

The Four Main Types Of Writing For Scientists

Dr. Jordan covered the various writing formats scientists often encounter—journal articles, grant proposals, abstracts, and conference presentations. Each requires clarity, and he emphasized the well-known “publish or perish” mantra.

Kindly sharing with students his “very first paper” when he “did not make the reader’s job easy,” Dr. Jordan gave a real-life example of how even the most successful of professionals must grow in their skills as they progress in their fields. 

A sample page from Dr. Andrew Jordan’s first published scientific papers with a large red circle and slash over it, noting it is an example of what not to do.
One of Dr. Jordan’s first published papers, which he shared with students as an example of some of his weaker scientific prose.

Even groundbreaking research, he warned, can go unnoticed if it’s not presented clearly.

Scientific Success Comes From Frequent Publishing

When it came to the mechanics of writing, Dr. Jordan encouraged students to see themselves as professional writers. 

Dr. Andrew Jordan's comparison against a scientist who publishes many more papers than he does, to note how important it is to write well in the scientific field.

Their role, he explained, is to make complex research accessible. Writing, in his view, is not just about reporting facts but also about ensuring that the audience understands the material. 

“The more clearly you write, the more clearly you think,” he reminded students, stressing that clarity in writing often leads to clarity in thought.

To illustrate this, Dr. Jordan offered examples from his own career. Poorly structured papers, he explained, can confuse readers, while well-organized ones allow ideas to flow smoothly.

To help students achieve this, he introduced the OCAR strategy, which stands for Opening, Challenge, Action, and Resolution—a simple yet effective framework for structuring scientific papers. By following this approach, writers can guide readers through even the most complex material with ease. 

As Dr. Jordan succinctly put it, “It’s your job to make the reader’s job easy.” 

A Tip From Dr. Jordan: Build Writing Into Your Scientific Routine

Another key takeaway from Dr. Jordan’s presentation was the need to prioritize writing tasks. Dr. Jordan shared his own method, recommending that students focus first on projects with deadlines and then balance co-author duties with personal research time. He stressed the importance of building a regular writing routine, suggesting that consistency can turn even the most daunting tasks into manageable ones.

For students eager to hone their writing skills, Dr. Jordan recommended several key resources. These included The Elements of Style by William Strunk, Jr. and E.B. White, Style: Lessons in Clarity and Grace by Joseph M. Williams and Joseph Bizup, and Writing Science by Joshua Schimel. He also suggested How to Write a Lot by Paul J. Silvia for those struggling with writing discipline.

Images of the covers of writing books recommended by scientific researcher Dr. Andrew Jordan. The titles include The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White, Style: Lessons in CLarity and Grace by Joseph M Williams and Joseph Bizzup, Writing Science: How to write papers that get cited and proposals that get funded by Joshua Schimel, and How to Write A Lot: Second Edition by Paul J. Silvia, PhD.

WTMA Students Discover the Science Behind Scientific Writing

The seminar offered more than just technical advice. Dr. Jordan’s guidance left students with a deeper understanding of how clear, effective writing is essential to success in the scientific community. As they move forward in their academic careers, the lessons learned from this seminar will undoubtedly serve as a strong foundation for their future writing endeavors.

Interested in exploring a career as a researcher or scientist? Here are some of the Well-Trained Mind Academy classes that will help achieve those goals!

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