If you're like most students, you probably dislike writing. Your dislike for writing may be no more than a vague feeling that you don't understand how to write, or the uneasiness and panic you feel when you're given an "essay test" or learn that you must write a term paper. Or it could result from things that are more tangible: poor grades and endless hours of frustration. Whatever its basis, your uneasiness and frustration with writing has probably caused you to ask yourself: "What's the problem here? What am I doing wrong?" Then, if ever, this book can help.
This book is a simple and practical guide for using writing to learn botany. I have assumed that you want to learn more and write better in a short time and without much fuss. Thus, you'll not read about esoteric things such as the pluperfect tense or the subjunctive mood. Instead, you'll get simple, straightforward advice about how to use writing as an effective and enjoyable tool to learn botany. Most of the principles that you learn from this book will also help you with other types of writing.
As you read this book you will learn to discover your ideas, refine your ideas, and communicate effectively. The process is rather simple; it requires no divine inspiration or cosmic insight. All you'll have to do is understand what you want to say, who you want to say it to, and why your message is important. You can do this by learning a few principles about writing and botany. The subsequent practice of those principles will make you a better writer, a better student, and a better botanist.
I hope you enjoy writing and learning about plants.
Randy Moore
Akron, Ohio
February, 1995