Writing Science: How to Write Papers That Get Cited and Proposals

In this review of Writing Science: How to Write Papers That Get Cited and Proposals That Get Funded, the core recommendation is clear: researchers and graduate students who need clear, actionable guidance on scientific writing will find the book highly useful. Joshua Schimel focuses on strategy and craft rather than rigid rules, showing how narrative, structure, and audience awareness increase clarity and impact. The book reads like a seasoned mentor, offering concrete examples and advice aimed squarely at improving the likelihood that papers are read, cited, and that proposals attract funding.

Key Features

• Focused guidance: Practical techniques for structuring papers so the main message is clear to busy reviewers and readers.
• Proposal advice: Specific suggestions for writing proposals that communicate significance and feasibility to funders.
• Audience-centered approach: Emphasis on tailoring language and narrative to the intended reader to increase comprehension and impact.
• Examples and rewrites: Demonstrates how to improve sentences and paragraphs with concrete before-and-after examples.
• Craft over rules: Encourages judgment and principled choices rather than mechanical templates, helping writers develop lasting skills.

Who It's For

Writing Science is ideal for graduate students, early-career faculty, and researchers who need to communicate complex results clearly and persuasively. Readers preparing manuscripts for journals or drafting grant proposals will appreciate the emphasis on making the main contribution obvious and memorable.

More experienced scientific writers who already have strong storytelling habits may find some sections familiar, though the book still offers useful reminders and practical edits. If you need a style manual for citation formats or exhaustive publication policies, this is not that book.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Clear, actionable advice that translates directly into improved manuscripts and proposals.
• Helpful examples and rewrites that show how small changes yield big clarity gains.
• Focus on audience and narrative makes it easier to craft work that gets noticed and cited.

Cons

• Not a technical style manual, so it lacks exhaustive formatting or citation guidance that some readers expect.

Specifications

Title	Writing Science: How to Write Papers That Get Cited and Proposals That Get Funded
Author	Joshua Schimel
Focus	Scientific writing for papers and proposals
Approach	Audience-centered narrative and structure
Includes	Examples and rewritten passages
Intended audience	Researchers, graduate students, early-career academics

Our Verdict

Writing Science is a concise, practical guide that rewards readers who apply its advice. It is good value for researchers who want to improve clarity, persuade reviewers, and increase citation potential, offering durable writing principles rather than fleeting shortcuts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this book suitable for beginners?
The book works well for beginners because it explains core concepts clearly, though readers should be prepared to practice and rewrite their own texts.

Does it cover proposal writing?
Yes; the author provides targeted guidance on making proposals communicate significance and feasibility to funders.

Will it teach citation formats and journal policies?
No; the focus is on clarity and structure rather than technical citation rules, so consult a style guide for formatting details.