Technical Publications: Writing Resources

The author of this eBook acknowledges the importance of writing peer-reviewed publications to many science and engineering careers. Drawing on his experience as Editor-in-Chief of JM3, Mack breaks down the elements and process of scientific writing into a how-to guide for scientists and engineers.

The Style Manual is no longer tied closely to the procedures followed in the AIP journal production offices, but instead attempts to accommodate the different style rules and procedures practiced throughout the AIP "family" of journals. It presents advice which, if followed, should result in the preparation of clear, concise, and well organized manuscripts eminently suitable for submission to any physics or astronomy journal editor's office.

This handbook, together with Air Force Manual (AFMAN) 33-326, Preparing Official Communications, provides the information to ensure clear communications—written or spoken. The Tongue and Quill has been a valued Air Force resource for decades yet its valuable insight is beneficial to an even wider audience. Readers will find information on communication basics, preparation strategies for both writing and speaking, writing, editing, speaking, and listening.

This manual provides guidance on preparing correspondence for the Chairman (CJCS) and Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (VCJCS), CJCS assistants, and the Joint Staff.

Originally started in an effort to write a style manual for the Technical Editing Branch of the NASA Langley Research Center, this handbook has been published in order to benefit a wide community of technical writers and editors and includes highly technical examples from Langley research documents.

This writing and style guide is a quick reference guide that complements both A Writer’s Reference, seventh edition, edited by Diana Hacker and Nancy Sommers, and The Chicago Manual of Style (CMS), seventeenth edition. For additional and more in-depth information on writing and grammar, please refer to A Writer’s Reference, and for more complete information on citations, refer to CMS.

The GPO Style Manual is intended to facilitate the production of Government publications. Careful observance of the following suggestions will aid in expediting your publication and reduce costs.

Navy editors and writers should follow the most recent edition of the Associated Press Stylebook except as noted in this U.S. Navy Style Guide.