Writing for Botany

Chapter 1 - The Importance of Writing in Botany

Writing and thinking and learning are the same process.
William Zinsser

Thinking is the activity that I love best, and writing to me is simply thinking through my fingers. Isaac Asimov

Language is the only instrument of science, and words are but the signs of ideas. Samuel Johnson

Scientific research begins with a set of sentences which point the way to certain observations and experiments, the results of which do not become fully scientific until they have been turned back into language, yielding again a set of sentences which then become the basis for further exploration into the unknown. Benjamin Whorf

This is a book about how to use writing to learn botany. Chances are you've probably not considered that botany and writing could be related. After all, botany involves experiments and verifiable "facts," whereas writing involves rhetoric and grammatical rules. Moreover, the beauty of botany is in the science of botany, not the language used to describe it. How, then, is writing important in botany?

There is no skill more important to a botanist or any other professional than writing. For example,

• Learning to write effectively will improve your grades. Much research shows that students who write well make better grades than do students who write poorly.

• Your ability to write effectively will enhance your prospects for a successful career in science (Pollack and Godwin, 1983). For example, biotechnology companies rank communication skills (e.g., writing) as the second most important quality in prospective employees; these skills rank only slightly behind relevant work experience, and rank far ahead of other factors such as grade-point average, personal recommendations, a degree from a recognized program, and highly focused biological expertise (Davis, Korchgen, and Saigo, 1989).

• A scientist's ability to write influences others' opinions of his or her credibility as a scientist (Bardell, 1978; Turk, 1978; Turk and Kirkman, 1989). In botany and most other professions, writing is the primary means by which you will become known (or remain unknown).

• Writing and thinking exert a constant back-pressure on each other that enhances learning. This makes writing a powerful tool for discovering, organizing, and communicating knowledge, for many of our thoughts exist only when put to paper. As James Van Allen said, "I am never as clear about any matter as when I have just finished writing about it."

• Yes, the beauty of botany is in the science of botany, not the language used to describe it. But the beauty and importance of language is its ability, when used properly, to describe the beauty of botany. As Lavoisier noted, "To call forth a concept a word is needed."

• Thought and expression are intertwined; improving one almost always improves the other. Although there is no foolproof formula for making everyone an accomplished writer, an understanding of a few simple concepts about writing will greatly improve your ability to write and learn about botany.

• Botany, like other sciences, is built on published descriptions of research. Research is of little value until it has been published for others to critique and build upon. In this sense, writing is the ultimate step of science.

• Truth in science is the product of persuasion and argument; for example, Charles Darwin described his monumental On The Origin of Species as "one long argument" (Darwin, 1859). Arguments, in turn, are created with language. Because most persuasion occurs through articles published in journals and books, people who cannot write effectively can seldom do science effectively.

• Poor writing slows or prevents the publication of research. According to the editor of the journal Evolution, for example, poor writing is almost as frequent a reason for rejecting a manuscript as is flawed experimental design or analysis. Almost half of rejected papers are written so poorly that reviewers and editors cannot understand the experimental design, analysis, or interpretation (Endler, 1992).

These features and benefits of writing result from a critical, yet often ignored, feature of writing--namely, that writing is a powerful tool for promoting clear thinking and discovering ideas.

The ability to write effectively will help you enjoy and excel at your study of plants. That's what this book is all about.

Each chapter of this book concludes with exercises to show you the many aspects of botany. For example, you'll analyze data, critique papers, and study other botanists' ideas. All of these activities will help you learn botany as you improve your ability to express what you've learned.

Much of what you learn about botany will involve reading about botany. Thus, you'll be asked to read articles that describe the nature and diversity of botany. These readings will provide good examples of effective writing while showing you how botany is done, what botanists study, and how botanists evaluate, critique, and present evidence.

Exercises

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3.

4.

It's humbling to think that all animals, including human beings, are parasites of the plant world.--Isaac Asimov

Every cell from a cell.--Rudolph Virchow

It is not so much that the cells make the plant; it is rather that the plant makes the cells.--Heinrich Anton de Bary

Tools of the Trade

• Access to a computer with a word-processing package: Word processing enables you to easily record, revise, and format your writing. Moreover, most of them have spelling-checkers that identify words that could be misspelled. Don't worry if you cannot afford to buy a computer; virtually all universities have computer labs at which you can use a computer.

• Dictionary: Writing without a dictionary is like playing basketball without a backboard: you are at a tremendous disadvantage. Moreover, without a dictionary you'll probably fail the test of this ancient Chinese proverb: "The beginning of wisdom is to call things by their right names." To help ensure that you best express your ideas, buy and use a good dictionary such as The American Heritage Dictionary or Merriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary. You'll find these dictionaries at any good bookstore.

• Thesaurus: A thesaurus is organized like a dictionary; you merely look up a word and the thesaurus supplies you with a list of related words and phrases. The most commonly used thesauri include The New Roget's Thesaurus and Webster's Collegiate Thesaurus. When you want to express your ideas completely, you'll find a thesaurus priceless, essential, invaluable, . . .

• Reference books: Your textbook is an excellent reference book. However, collect more. A personal library is a great asset to any botanist.

A writer's tools include anything that makes writing easier. Agatha Christie needed only "a steady table and a typewriter," whereas John Steinbeck said that he needed "pencils that are round. A hexagonal pencil cuts my fingers after a long day." The tools listed above are used by most botanists. Consider using them yourself. If they help you, great. If not, try a round pencil.