Manuscript Writing: Starting is the Hardest Part
Noelle Fuchs (Trinity '25)
We’ve all heard the phrase that ‘sharing is caring’. The scientific community can struggle to share their data and research in a way that is digestible and accessible for the public. But that does not mean they do not care. Learning to communicate complex ideas, especially in the realm of scientific research, is an extremely valuable skill.
Effective communications, especially writing, promotes scientific progress. It is our obligation to ask questions and find answers, but also to communicate our findings. Even equipped with this knowledge, I struggled to approach my first experience with manuscript and paper writing during the past several months with the Bass team. Throughout my time on the team, I have learned a myriad of lessons that have helped me become more confident in my scientific writing. And my journey is far from over.
Sometimes, starting is the most difficult step. For future scientists, leaders, and writers, here, from one beginner to others, are some of my most valuable lessons and considerations, after jumping into the deep end of manuscript writing. And I share with the caveat that this is research in progress. Like all of you, I am still experimenting; exploring what works and what doesn’t.
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Know your audience.
While research must start with some curiosity and a question, it does not mean much if it cannot be shared with those who need to hear it. Understanding your audience – from what language is best to what journal you are aiming to publish in for – is extremely crucial for writing a manuscript. It provides an important framework for the direction you want to take your paper in. Some audiences might be more knowledgeable in a certain topic, or some might share different values than other groups. Tailoring your writing from title and introduction to tone and content to a unique audience will help you manage how your research is perceived by the scientific community.
Keep it simple.
Avoid including unnecessary words and write to inform, not impress. Using too much jargon or ornamental words can take away from the real importance of the research. And when possible be concise. If six words will work, don’t use 12. Less is more.
Write, edit, rewrite, and edit again.
Don’t be disheartened by a first draft. After all, a first draft is exactly what it is supposed to be, a draft. Especially with so little experience, I found it helpful to remind myself that just beginning the process and writing is the only way that I can get to the next step.
Keep practicing and ask for feedback.
As in all disciplines, practice makes a difference. Embrace a mindset where you try and try again. More importantly, it becomes easier to try again when you’re open to asking for feedback. For me, the biggest hurdle to overcome was being afraid to ask for feedback. However, constructive criticism enhances our learning and writing.
Tell a story.
Yes, it’s important to know what you want your audience to know—and why. However, being able to put research together in a compelling way has to do with how you place it within a broader context. There is a reason why “story telling” is an in vogue phrase these days. People learn from good stories, from narratives, from focused messages. When I was feeling stuck, it always helped to return to the question: why do we care about this? Centering an introduction around this question is what inspires readers and ignites action.
Use the figures to get started.
It seems counterintuitive, but don’t start with the introduction when you begin the writing process. After conducting and analyzing your research, you should have a set of figures that best summarize your research process. These figures should act as the backbone of the paper and can be used to captivate the readers. Many writers use the approach of “storyboarding” their figures, by arranging them in a logical order that supports the hypothesis statement or primary research question.
Read! Read! Read!
At the end of the day, reading as many papers, manuscripts, and articles as possible that relate to your field of research is one of the most important tools to feeling more comfortable with the writing process. Although it can be slightly overwhelming, reading how others have chosen to introduce and explain similar topics to their audiences can give you a good idea of what might work for you. Reading more literature also might expose you to new information and ways to communicate. Your “reading research” will help you build a better manuscript and tell a more compelling story.
While some of these useful tips, tricks and concepts might seem painstakingly obvious, keeping them in mind – and experimenting with them – can be immensely helpful for first time manuscript writers. When all is said and done, good scientific writing accelerates discovery, ignites innovation, boosts careers, enhances policy decisions, and advances critical knowledge.
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