Ay 31
Writing in Astronomy
Spring 2017
Instructor: Anneila Sargent
Class Meetings: Cahill 219
Fridays 3 - 4pm
Practical experience in types of writing
expected of professional astronomers
• manuscripts for professional journals
• research(grant) proposals
• observing time proposals
• topical reviews
• popular science articles
• technological assessments/reports
• poster presentations of research
• referee reports, recommendation letters,
employee performance reviews
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Each directed at different audience
Each in different format
manuscripts for professional journals
e.g. ApJ, Nature, Science
research funding proposals
e.g. NSF, NASA, Private donors
topical reviews
e.g. AnnRevAstrAp, Nature, PhysRevLetters
popular science articles
e.g. Scientific American
Above are most likely formats for this class
(but not exclusive)
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All use Scientific Style
• The scientific method:
– Ask a question/make an observation
– Form a hypothesis
– Test the hypothesis through experiment
– Analyze results/Reach conclusions
– Communicate results
Scientific writing style “parallel” process
BUT
• Write with the reader/audience in mind
• Success determined by whether your readers
understand what you are trying to say
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Course Description
• In consultation with instructor, each student will
choose a format and topic and write an original piece.
• Outline and drafts will be required at intervals during
the course
• Each student must find a research mentor familiar
with the selected topic.
• Outline/drafts must be reviewed by mentor and
course instructor.
• Final versions due in time for seniors’ work to be
graded (Commencement).
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Other Course Requirements
• Attendance and participation in class meetings
(an absence requires instructor’s permission)
• Interactions with selected science mentor
• Individual meetings with course instructor
• Evidence of progress towards completion of the
writing assignment, including submission of outline and
drafts as scheduled
• On time submission of completed assignment
Grading: dependent on all of the above
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Getting Started
CHOOSE: FORMAT TOPIC MENTOR
A) FORMAT:
papers for professional journals
research funding proposals
topical reviews
Popular science articles
technological assessments/reports
B) TOPIC: Astronomical Topic
C) MENTOR: Expertize in Topic
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How to Write
1. Scientific Writing & Communication (Third
Edition): 2017, Angelika Hofmann
– helpful at all career stages
2. The Craft of Scientific Writing: 1996,
Michael Alley
– very basic; some material will be included in
summaries for this class but a good starting
oint for everyone
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Basics
Write appropriately for your audience
Understand what you are writing about
Use precise language
Give sufficient (and not too much) background
Explain your motivation (and perhaps goals)
Describe methods, assumptions, results
Draw conclusions and evaluate their validity
Consider broader implications (briefly)
Have a beginning, middle, and end
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Topics
- Resource list handed out
- Scientific papers on current research
- A review of area of astronomy you are curious about
- A popular article on some astronomical question
- If you have a potential scientific mentor, discuss
possibilities with them
- Etc etc etc
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Tentative Schedule (1)
Week 1 April 7 Introductory Meeting
Week 2 April 14 In-class discussion:
formats, topics, mentors;
Basics of scientific writing
Week 3 April 21 Popular articles.
During week, meet with instructor to finalize
decisions on format, topic, local mentor
Week 4 April 28 Outline due* (earlier?)
Week 5 May 5 First draft due
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Tentative Schedule (2)
Week 6 May 12 NO CLASS Second
draft to mentors
Week 7 May 19 Second draft due
In-Class discussion
Week 8 May 26 During week meet mentor and
instructor one-on-one.
Peer review of drafts
Week 9 June 2 NO CLASS
Polish final version
Assignments due.
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Before Next Class
1. Have a format in mind
- decide on audience; read Hoffman or Alley Chapter 1
2. Have a possible astronomy topic
3. Think about/approach possible mentors
Note: This class will explore possible choices and
discuss presentation style
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