Reading and understanding scientific papers can be pretty challenging, especially when you're not familiar with that type of writing. In the article below, Jennifer Raff offers a step-by-step explanation for how to read and make sense of scientific papers.
How to Read and Understand a Scientific Paper: A Guide for Non-Scientists | Jennifer Raff, 2016
Gopen and Swan (2018) discuss a methodology for science writing in which reader expectation is seriously considered, so that scientific documents communicate information clearly.
The Science of Scientific Writing
"If the reader is to grasp what the writer means, the writer must understand what the reader needs."
A Comprehensive Technical Writing Definition (With Types) | Indeed Editorial Team, 2025
"Technical writing is the process of simplifying complex scientific or technical information into a format that's easy to understand for the reader, regardless of their level of expertise or educational background."
A Question of Identity | Dan Jones, 1995
"Technical communicators are (or should be) professionals at applying the documentation process - from participating in the creation of product specifications to maintaining and updating documents - to products for clients. The ability of technical communicators to create technical documents and the way in which they create them are unique in the community of communicators."
Types of Technical Writing | Marshall and Stoecklein, 2025
"Technical Writers support a number of industries such as:
Below, find some open educational resource (OER) textbooks on technical writing, which you can read online for free:
