Communicating Your Science

A guide to recent books and web resources on writing, presentation skills, public speaking and media relations.

Check the catalog database as new materials continue to arrive in print and online  Have a look at these areas:

Communicating Results: Writing and Presenting

Online resources are available to the W&M community. The books listed below are available at Hargis Library. Check the catalog for availabliity at other campus libraries


The Chicago guide to communicating science. 2nd ed./ Scott L. Montgomery
T10.5 .M65 2017

Communicating science : a practical guide / Pierre Laszlo.  google preview
Q223 .L37 2006

Communicating science effectively: a practical handbook for integrating visual elements / J.E. Thomas.
Q223 C6543 2006

Communicating in science : writing a scientific paper and speaking at scientific meetings / Vernon Booth.
Q223 .B664 1993

The craft of editing : a guide for managers, scientists, and engineers / Michael Alley
T11.4 .A43 2000

The craft of research : from planning to reporting / Booth, Wayne C.
Q180.55 .M4 B66

The craft of scientific presentations : critical steps to succeed and critical errors to avoid / Michael Alley.
Q223 .A38 2003 online and print / Q223 .A38 2013 2nd ed. print

The craft of scientific writing 3rd ed. / Michael Alley.
T11 .A37 1996

Design of scientific posters / Penn State open access

Designing conference posters / Colin Purrington open access

Doing science : design, analysis, and communication of scientific research / Ivan Valiela.
Q180 .A1 V35 2009 2nd ed.

Don't be such a scientist: talking substance in an age of style / Randy Olsen  google preview 2009ed
Q223 O47 2018 print / online 

English Communication for Scientists
Brief guide on how to communicate more effectively in English. Developed with non-native speakers in mind, it should prove useful to native speakers as well. It will help in understanding basic communication strategies and addressing various audiences.

English for research : usage, style, and grammar /  Adrian Wallwork.
LB2369 .W35 2013

English for writing research papers  /  Adrian Wallwork.
PE1475 .W355 2011

Explaning research: how to reach key audiences to advance your work / Meredith Dennis  google preview
Q223 M399 2010 print / online

Escape from the ivory tower: a guide to making your science matter / Nancy Bower  google preview
Q223 B37 2010 print / online

From research to manuscript: a guide to scientific writing / Michael J. Katz. 2nd ed.  google preview
T11 K345 2009

Guide to writing empirical papers, theses, and dissertations / G. David. Garson.  google preview
LB2369 .G27 2002

A guide to writing in the sciences / Andrea A. Gilpin.  google preview
T11 .G53 2000

How to write and illustrate a scientific paper / Bjorn Gustavii. 2nd ed.
T11 .G86 2008

How to write & present technical information / Charles Sides

How to write & publish a scientific paper 6th ed./ Robert Day.
T11 .D33 2006

On being a scientist: responsible conduct in research./ Committee on Science, Engineering and Public Policy. open access
Selected Contents: Values in science-- conflict of interest -- publication and openness -- allocation of credit -- authorship credit
Q180 A1 O5 2009

Peer review and manuscript management in scientific journals : guidelines for good practice / Irene Hames. Table of contents
Q225.5 .H255 2007

Practising science communication in the information age. / Richard Holliman
Q223 .P73 2009

Presenting at conferences, seminars and meetings / Kerry Shephard.
PN4121 .S423 2005

Presenting Data: how to communicate your message effectively / Ed Swires-Hennessy
T10.5 .S95 2014

Presenting science: a practical guide to giving a good talk / Cigdem Issever.
Q223 I87 2010

Presentation skills for scientists: a practical guide / Edward Zanders
Q223 Z36 2010

The MIT guide to science and engineering communication / James G. Paradis.

Rethinking the design of presentation slides/ Michael Alley. open access

Science and technical writing : a manual of style / Philip Rubens.


Scientific communication for natural resource professionals / Cecil Jennings
Q223 .S25 2012

Scientific papers and presentations / Martha Davis.
T11 .D324 1997

Scientific English : a guide for scientists and other professionals / Robert Day.
PE1475 .D38 2011

Scientifically speaking : tips for preparing and delivering scientific talks and using visual aids/ Ann Gargett.
Q224 .S354 2005

Scientific writing : easy when you know how / Jennifer Peat.

Sharing knowledge: a guide to effective science communication / Julian Cribb.

A short guide to writing about biology 6th ed. / Jan Pechenik.
QH304 .P43 2007

Speaking about science : a manual for creating clear presentations / Scott Morgan.
Q223 .M67 2006

Speaking in public about science:  a quick guide for the preparation of good lectures, seminars, and scientific presentations / UP Albuquerque
Q181.3 .A43 2015

A student handbook for writing in biology 2nd ed./ Karin Knisely. Table of contents
QH304 .K59 2005

Successful science communication : telling it like it is / David Bennett
Q223 .S884 2011

Visual strategies : a practical guide to graphics for scientists & engineers / Felice Frankel
Q223 .F73 2012

When the scientist presents: an audio and video guide to science talks / Jean-Luc Lebrun
Q224 L43 2010

Writing for science / Robert Goldbort. 2006.
Contents: Scientific English -- laboratory notes -- workplace scientific writing -- documentation of scientific sources -- scientific visuals -- scientific presentations -- scientific dissertations -- scientific journal articles -- scientific grant proposals.

Writing Guidelines for Engineering and Science Students open access
Contents: Guidelines for writing, advice, models and exercises. Covers presentations, posters, reports, proposals and more.

Writing papers in the biological sciences 4th ed./ Vicky McMillan.
QH304 .M36 2006

Writing scientific research articles: strategy and steps / Margaret Cargill
T11 C327 2013

Writing the successful thesis and dissertation: entering the conversation / Irene Clark. 2006.

Writing your dissertation in fifteen minutes a day : a guide to starting, revising, and finishing your doctoral thesis 1st ed./ Joan Bolker.
LB2369 .B57 1998

Writing successful science proposals/ Andrew Friedland.
Q180.55 .P7 F75 2000


Citation Guides

The ACS style guide : effective communication of scientific information 3rd ed. / AM. Coghill et al
QD8.5 .A25 2006

A manual for writers of research papers, theses, and dissertations : Chicago Style for students and researchers 8th edition.
Reference LB2369 .T8 2013  /   7th ed. LB2369 .T8 2007 Stacks

Research and documentation in the electronic age / Diana Hacker
ZA4375 .H327 2010

Scientific Style and Format: the CSE manual for authors, editors, and publishers / Council of Science Editors.
Reference T11 .S386 2006


Public Speaking

7 steps to fearless speaking / Lilyan Wilder.

Am I making myself clear? : a scientist's guide to talking to the public./ Cornelia Dean
Q223 D43 2009 print and online

The complete idiot's guide to Public speaking. 2nd ed./ Laurie Rozakis.

Dazzle'em with style: the art of oral scientific presentation / Robert Anholt
Q223 .A63 2006

In the line of fire: how to handle tough questions when it counts / Jerry Weissman.

Mastering public speaking : how to prepare and deliver winning presentations and successful speeches / Anne Nicholls.

Secrets of power presentations: overcome your fear of public speaking, build rapport and credibility with your audience, prepare and deliver a dynamic presentation / Micki Holliday.

Speak with confidence: powerful presentations that inform, inspire, and persuade/ Dianna Daniels Booher.

The truth about confident presenting / James O'Rourke.

FIND MORE on communications, writing and public speaking. Click each topic to browse.


Science, the Media and Politics

Communicating global change science to society : an assessment and case studies / Holm Tiessen
P96 Q180 .L37 C65 2007

Communicating uncertainty : media coverage of new and controversial science / Sharon Friedman.
Contents: Scientists' representations of uncertainty / How journalists deal with scientific uncertainty / Public responses to uncertainty / Scientists, journalists, and the meaning of uncertainty /Interpreting uncertainty : a panel discussion / Popular beliefs, media, and biotechnology / Never-ending story of dioxin / Uncertain social contract : the case of human resources for science / Reporting on the changing science of human behavior /Science in the public arena : a panel discussion / Importance of understanding audiences / Effective explanation of uncertain and complex science / Using systematic thinking to choose and evaluate evidence / Beyond the basics : a roundtable discussion /

Communicating science: a primer for working with the media / Holly Menninger
P96 S33 M46 2008

Embargoed science / Vincent Kiernan.
An overview of news about science and medicine -- A brief history of embargoes in science journalism-- Accuracy in science journalism -- Costs of the embargo -- The embargo should go.
Q225 .K48 2006

Freedom to speak? a report card on federal agency media policies / Union of Concerned Scientists. 2008. open access

Frontiers of illusion : science, technology, and the politics of progress / Daniel R. Sarewitz.
Q127 .U6 S25 1996

On being a scientist: a guide to responsible conduct in research / National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering and Institute of Medicine. 3rd ed. Video clip open access
Q180 A1 O5 2009

Rescuing science from politics : regulation and the distortion of scientific research / Wendy Wagner.
Q125 .R48 2006

The role of scientific and technical data and information in the public domain : proceedings of a symposium

Science and the media: alternative routes in scientific communication / Massimiano Bucchi.

Science and the media: Delgado's brave bulls and the ethics of scientific disclosure/ Peter Snyder
Q223 S665 2009

Scientist's guide to talking with the media: practical advice from the Union of Concerned Scientists. / Richard Hayes.  google preview
Contents: We need to talk -- Hope for the best, prepare for the worst -- Why reporters do what they do --Do you hear what you're saying? -- Mastering the interview -- A reporter's most trusted source : you --Choosing the right communication tools -- The scientist as celebrity and activist.
Q225 .H39 2006

Unscientific America: how scientific illiteracy threatens our future. / Chris Mooney
Q149 .U5 M66 2009