Ay 31
Writing in Astronomy
(Spring 2016)

Week # beginning	In Class	On your Own
Week 1 28 March	Introductory All-Class Meeting discuss course logistics the why and the how of science writing discuss possible writing formats	decide on your audience learn about the rules of the chosen writing format if you are interested in writing a technical paper, read Writing a Scientific Research Article and Writing a Paper if you are considering writing a proposal, read Chapter 13 in Alley along with How to Craft a Well-Argued Proposal to see how it's done in practice. if you are interested in writing a popular paper, read The End of Science Writing start thinking about the astronomical topic that will be the focus of your paper
Week 2 4 April	All-Class Meeting structure of scientific papers (technical and popular-level) beginning considerations the astronomical literature introduction to on-line resources astronomical databases	read Chapter 1 in Alley or Chapter 1 in Hofmann narrow down topic find a local mentor for the scientific content of your paper ask mentor for references to review or introductory articles on your topic let me know by email your topic and your format, and with whom you are working if you have chosen a scientific mentor start to outline paper
Week 3 11 April	NO CLASS MEETING THIS WEEK Outline due -- is the choice of topic well-reasoned? -- is the material logically presented? -- what is being conveyed in each section?	read Chapter 2 in Alley or Chapter 7 and Chapter 17 in Hofmann read reviews suggested by scientific mentor conduct additional research on topic take notes which may serve as a basis for your outline and/or introduction complete outline of paper
Week 4 18 April	NO CLASS MEETING THIS WEEK	meet with instructor to review outline further develop outline based on feedback continue to research topic turn in reference list assembled to date start work on introduction or middle of paper, whichever is most straightforward read Chapter 17 in Alley
Week 5 25 April	All-Class Meeting plans for revision of outlines beginning the document style and language theme and variation	read What is an Academic Paper? work on first draft skim Chapter 3 in Alley or Chapters 10-13 in Hofmann as you start to write work some more on your first draft consider the consequences of not working on your first draft
Week 6 2 May	First Draft due -- is the draft complete? -- is the draft logically organized? -- does the draft interest the reader and make the case? All-Class Meeting discussion of first drafts: structure, scope, plan for second drafts example reading habits of good academic writing writing exercises on style and on ambiguity	turn in COMPLETE first draft (rough is okay, but please have an entire paper) continue to research topic skim Chapters 4-9 in Alley or (if a technical paper) Chapters 2-6 in Hofmann
Week 7 9 May	No All-Class Meeting ==> Individual Meeting with Instructor critique of good and poor writing writing exercises on grammar, punctuation, usage	set up and attend individual meeting with scientific mentor read The Science of Scientific Writing for suggestions on reader-centered strategies think about how technical material is best presented (text vs. figures vs. tables, etc.) skim Chapters 10 and 11 in Alley or Chapter 9 in Hofmann
Week 8 16 May	Second Draft due -- is the draft improved over the first draft? -- does the paper ``flow"? All-Class Meeting revision, emphasis, editing obtain comments from instructor on your piece discussion with Allison Strom on "astrobites"	read Chapter 16 in Hofmann continue to develop paper increase attention to grammar and style check your mastery of writing mechanics turn in second draft skim Appendices A and B in Alley
Week 9 23 May	All-Class Meeting peer review of second drafts using these guidelines, review sheets handed out in class, and perhaps even some quantitative criteria. precision, clarity, conciseness, fluidity titles and abstracts obtain further comments from instructor on individual basis	read Chapters 14 and 15 in Hofmann set up and attend individual meeting with scientific mentor set up and attend individual meeting with course instructor incorporate advice from above along with that from in-class peer review with audience in mind, work on refining title and abstract
Week 10 30 May	Final Copy due NO CLASS MEETING THIS WEEK	read Chapter 17 in Hofmann polish draft turn in final copy

"Why is writing important if I'm a science student?" is a complaint of the weary problem-set-laden Caltech student. Contrary to common perception, good communication skills, both written and oral, are the most important ones to develop. This is true for practicing scientists in both academic and industrial/corporate environments. In academia, your ability to succeed in graduate school, as a post-doc, or as a professor depends on your ability to write and to speak with both clarity and authority. Scientific skill is a given at these later stages; what sets you apart from your peers is both a nose for a good problem and competency in selling the idea to funding agencies, telescope allocation committees, journal referees, etc. And most of us could not do what we do without the support of the U.S. taxpayers to whom we are occasionally asked to explain ourselves.

In this course we are concerned with writing skills. A good writer will:

Scientific writing is a process. This process involves at least two stages: first thinking and planning, and second writing and packaging. The goal is to tell a convincing and well-woven story, not just transmit facts, and not just entertain. One perspective setting piece of advice to keep in mind is that your paper is of much more import to you, the invested author, than to most of its readers. It is therefore incumbent upon you to place as much effort as you can into effective communication; otherwise the average, generally lazy, potential reader is likely to go elsewhere for the information. This is not the desired outcome. You should, therefore, not only know and appreciate, but respect and engage your reader. Another piece of advice is to pick a topic in which you are truly interested. The process will be much easier on all of us if this is the case.

"Okay, I'm paying attention now, but what should I write about"? Possible topics include a summer research project, an interest from the classroom, something you read about in Astronomy or Sky and Telescope, a question your friends expect you to be able to answer as an Astro major, and so on. I do not have a comprehensive list, but some contemplation on your part, discussions with your mentor, and limited web surfing (see links below) may help you find -- and then narrow down -- your topic. Understanding of and passion for your topic is critical for being able to write well about it. The next thing to decide is the format of your paper. Possibilities here include a journal level article, a telescope/theory/computation proposal, a piece for the lay-scientific press, and others we can discuss.

[do please alert me regarding broken links]