Interlude: Discussions, Symptoms, and the Science of Communication

Welcome to the first edition of the refreshed newsletter from Redwood Ink. Every couple of weeks, I will reach out with a curated round-up of the best tips, tools, and resources on scientific and medical writing.

💌 Round-up

🎉 Featured

3 Grant-Writing Advice Gems for the New Year
I am delighted that my blog was featured in this article. The author discusses the importance of blending research and emotion, nailing the specific aims page, and writing a winning title.
 

💻 From My Desk

How to Draft the Discussion Section of Your Manuscript
The Discussion section is the most important—and difficult—part of writing a manuscript. Fortunately, this section typically follows a standard structure. Learn more about this structure and download the free outline to help you efficiently draft this challenging section.

Putting Signs and Symptoms into Perspective
Many writers default to using the term symptoms. But in some cases, signs is the more accurate term to use. Read on to learn how the perspective will help you know which term is the correct word to use in your writing.

👓 Reading

How a torrent of COVID science changed research publishing — in seven charts
The COVID-19 pandemic has made a big impact on research publishing, starting with the sheer volume of papers submitted and published. In seven graphic charts, Nature tells an interesting story about how the pandemic has changed research publishing.
 
Watch Your Language!—Misusage and Neologisms in Clinical Communication
From the article: “Given that those seeking to join the medical community are likely to adopt the language they see and hear every day while in training, it falls on us to choose our words deliberately and with purpose. We need to recalibrate our language. Conscious efforts on our part can redefine the standard learners seek to achieve.”
 
Opinion: Being Scientists Doesn’t Make Us Science Communicators
As I transitioned from working in a lab to a career in editing, I learned that being a successful scientist or clinician does not guarantee expertise in communicating the science. From the article: “Science communication is a science in and of itself, one that requires rigorous training and instruction.”
 
A new mandate highlights costs, benefits of making all scientific articles free to read
This article offers an in-depth look at the open access movement in science. The author covers how open access benefits authors, affects publishing fees, and will change the future of scientific publishing.

🎧 Listening

All About Grants Podcast: Human Subjects Research Post-Award
If you work with human participants, this episode offers tips about what is needed for progress reporting, reaching out to your IRB when a protocol change is needed, the difference between adverse events and unanticipated problems, and more.
iTunes | MP3 | Transcript

🧰 Tools

The Writer’s Diet
I was recently introduced to this free online tool that helps you find “zombie nouns” and “flabby” phrases in your writing. I find this tool most helpful when I’m making final tweaks to lay summaries.

💬 Quote

“When you write a manuscript, it feels like being in a relationship with someone. You'll hate it, get bored with it, be pissed off, like you just want to break up. But, just like any relationship, you will fall in love again and again, like you don't want to lose it.” - Alvi Syahrin
 

💭 Thoughts

Keep your workspace bare. Every object is an imposition on your attention. A workspace is not a place for distractions. It is a place for accomplishing things. 

Thank you so much for reading.

Warmly,

Crystal