A good choice: checklists - How to edit your own work - Other topics in scientific communication

How to write and publish a scientific paper - Barbara Gastel, Robert A. Day 2022

A good choice: checklists
How to edit your own work
Other topics in scientific communication

Checking for all eight Cs at once can be hard or impossible. Therefore, generally check writing in several phases. To guide yourself, consider using checklists.

One good strategy is to use both a core checklist on general aspects of writing and a specialized checklist geared to the type of document that you have drafted. Figure 41.1 is an example of a core checklist. Figures 41.2 and 41.3 are examples of specialized checklists for a scientific paper and for a grant proposal, respectively. Consider using these checklists or modifying them to suit your needs. Also, consider obtaining or developing such checklists for other types of documents. Of course, if your target journal or other intended recipient provides a checklist, be sure to consult it.

Figure 41.1. Sample core checklist for editing one’s own writing. A version of this checklist also appears in Gastel B. 2015. Editing and proofreading your own work. AMWA J. 30(4):147—151.

Figure 41.2. Example of a checklist for editing one’s own scientific paper. Such a checklist could best be used along with a more general editorial checklist, such as shown in Figure 41.1. A version of this checklist also appears in Gastel B. 2015. Editing and proofreading your own work. AMWA J. 30(4):147—151.

Figure 41.3. Example of a checklist for editing one’s own grant proposal. Such a checklist could best be used along with a more general editorial checklist, such as shown in Figure 41.1. A version of this checklist also appears in Gastel B. 2015. Editing and proofreading your own work. AMWA J. 30(4):147—151.