How to be More ProlificHow to be More ProlificA Strategy for Writing and Publishing A Strategy for Writing and Publishing

Scientific PapersScientific Papers

William F. William F. LauranceLaurance

Smithsonian Tropical Smithsonian Tropical Research InstituteResearch Institute

Balboa, Balboa, PanamPanamáá

AgendaAgendaA few words about data A few words about data analysisanalysisFinding a place to workFinding a place to workWriting habitsWriting habitsKeeping momentumKeeping momentumStrategies Strategies –– For writing scientific For writing scientific

paperspapers–– For submitting papersFor submitting papers–– For dealing with reviews For dealing with reviews

and editorsand editors–– For building your c.v.For building your c.v.

Organizing Analysis & WritingOrganizing Analysis & WritingUse folders to organize Use folders to organize your projectsyour projects–– One folder per One folder per

manuscriptmanuscript–– Data, notes, relevant Data, notes, relevant

articles, drafts of the articles, drafts of the paper, editorial paper, editorial correspondence, etc.correspondence, etc.

File ManagementFile ManagementFiles quickly Files quickly proliferate, and proliferate, and keeping track of keeping track of them is critical them is critical –– On inside of folder, On inside of folder,

list all text, data, and list all text, data, and graphics files, with a graphics files, with a brief description of brief description of eacheach

Save the old foldersSave the old folders–– Permanent record of Permanent record of

all your filesall your files

A Place for WritingA Place for WritingPeacefulPeaceful–– Quiet, dark, isolated, Quiet, dark, isolated,

white noisewhite noise

No distractionsNo distractions–– Clear your desk except Clear your desk except

for things relevant to for things relevant to your paperyour paper

–– Absolutely no email or Absolutely no email or phonephone

–– Avoid shared offices if Avoid shared offices if possible; seek solitudepossible; seek solitude

Help yourself Help yourself focusfocus–– Nothing to read or Nothing to read or

look at except your look at except your computercomputer

–– Especially critical for Especially critical for extroverts*extroverts*

**But to formulate their But to formulate their ideas, extroverts often ideas, extroverts often find it helpful to talk find it helpful to talk things over with someonethings over with someone

Make Writing a HabitMake Writing a HabitHave a Have a ““sacredsacred”” time time for writing most daysfor writing most daysEarly mornings are Early mornings are often bestoften best–– I start at 6:00 AM and I start at 6:00 AM and

immediately begin immediately begin writing or data analysiswriting or data analysis

Easy on the caffeineEasy on the caffeine–– Better to be relaxedBetter to be relaxed than than

hypedhyped

The more you do it, The more you do it, the easier it getsthe easier it gets

DonDon’’t try to write if yout try to write if you’’re really tiredre really tired–– Have a nap and then start again freshHave a nap and then start again fresh–– Be happy if you get in four good hours a dayBe happy if you get in four good hours a day

Momentum is CriticalMomentum is CriticalWork on just one thing at a timeWork on just one thing at a timeStopping and starting is Stopping and starting is incredibly timeincredibly time--inefficientinefficientWhen working on a paper, do a When working on a paper, do a little bit little bit every dayevery day (even on (even on weekends)weekends)If you donIf you don’’t feel like writing, just t feel like writing, just turn on your computer and write turn on your computer and write one sentenceone sentence–– If you donIf you don’’t want to continue then t want to continue then

stopstop——but just getting started is often but just getting started is often the hardest partthe hardest part

Keep going until you finish the Keep going until you finish the manuscriptmanuscript

Take Advantage of Writing Take Advantage of Writing OpportunitiesOpportunities

Carry a laptop Carry a laptop –– Riding on busesRiding on buses–– Flying on airplanes Flying on airplanes –– Carry extra batteries on longer Carry extra batteries on longer

tripstrips

If you suddenly get inspired, If you suddenly get inspired, stop what youstop what you’’re doing and re doing and get some things down on get some things down on paperpaper–– I outlined this entire talk in one I outlined this entire talk in one

evening, when my wife got me evening, when my wife got me inspired.inspired.

Strategies for Writing PapersStrategies for Writing PapersDonDon’’t be a t be a perfectionistperfectionistAvoid the trap of Avoid the trap of trying to write a trying to write a paper for a great paper for a great journaljournalInstead, focus Instead, focus mentally on just mentally on just writing for an OK writing for an OK journaljournal

Do your data analysis firstDo your data analysis first——spend plenty of time spend plenty of time on thison thisWhen you begin the analysis, also start creating When you begin the analysis, also start creating an outline for your paperan outline for your paper–– Make a title pageMake a title page–– Insert headings for Abstract, Introduction, Methods, Insert headings for Abstract, Introduction, Methods,

Results, Discussion, Literature CitedResults, Discussion, Literature Cited

As youAs you’’re doing analysis, insert any ideas that re doing analysis, insert any ideas that occur to you under the various headingsoccur to you under the various headingsBy the time youBy the time you’’ve finished analysis, youve finished analysis, you’’ll have ll have your paper largely outlinedyour paper largely outlined

More Strategies for WritingMore Strategies for Writing

Six Steps for Crafting a PaperSix Steps for Crafting a Paper1)1) Do lots of analysis to explore your data thoroughlyDo lots of analysis to explore your data thoroughly2)2) As you work, create publicationAs you work, create publication--quality figures and tables quality figures and tables

that display your key findingsthat display your key findings3)3) Summarize your main results (including statistical tests) Summarize your main results (including statistical tests)

in the Results section as you goin the Results section as you go•• e.g. e.g. ““Tree mortality was significantly higher near forest edges than iTree mortality was significantly higher near forest edges than in n

forest interiors (forest interiors (FF1,241,24=6.74, =6.74, PP=0.006; One=0.006; One--way ANOVA).way ANOVA).””

4)4) As you analyze the data, insert ideas within your paper As you analyze the data, insert ideas within your paper outline, as discussed aboveoutline, as discussed above

5)5) Once youOnce you’’re comfortable with your story, write your re comfortable with your story, write your Abstract first (the Abstract first (the ““road maproad map””))

6)6) Then write the manuscript, starting with the Introduction Then write the manuscript, starting with the Introduction and progressing directly through the paperand progressing directly through the paper•• Getting the first draft is the hardest part, so donGetting the first draft is the hardest part, so don’’t be t be perfectionisticperfectionistic: :

just write the paper and you can edit it laterjust write the paper and you can edit it later

Hints about Scientific WritingHints about Scientific WritingWrite clearly and simplyWrite clearly and simply–– Nature is complicated; our Nature is complicated; our

goal is to simplify itgoal is to simplify it–– Always assume that your Always assume that your

reader is an interested reader is an interested undergraduate with only undergraduate with only modest familiarity with your modest familiarity with your fieldfield

Greatly minimize use of Greatly minimize use of arcane termsarcane terms–– e.g. e.g. stenotropicstenotropic, , chemotaxischemotaxis, ,

brachytelousbrachytelous, , polyphagouspolyphagous–– Always define any terms that Always define any terms that

arenaren’’t common knowledget common knowledge

More HintsMore HintsStart your Introduction with a Start your Introduction with a shortshort paragraph: this enhances paragraph: this enhances readabilityreadability–– Try to hook your readerTry to hook your reader

Avoid really long paragraphs, and use lots of subheadingsAvoid really long paragraphs, and use lots of subheadings–– Although study weaknesses can be Although study weaknesses can be ““hiddenhidden”” in longer paragraphsin longer paragraphs

Use good topical sentences throughout (simple, direct)Use good topical sentences throughout (simple, direct)–– A question can sometimes be a good topical sentenceA question can sometimes be a good topical sentence–– e.g. e.g. ““So why do edge effects change as forest fragments age?So why do edge effects change as forest fragments age?””

Results are often hard to follow, so after each paragraph or Results are often hard to follow, so after each paragraph or two, insert a summary sentence that encapsulates the main two, insert a summary sentence that encapsulates the main results of the preceding text (using Thus, Hence, Therefore, results of the preceding text (using Thus, Hence, Therefore, Consequently, etc.) Consequently, etc.) DonDon’’t waste a sentence pointing out a figure or table t waste a sentence pointing out a figure or table –– e.g. e.g. ““The main patterns are shown in Table 1The main patterns are shown in Table 1””–– Rather, Rather, ““Tree mortality was sharply elevated near forest edges (Table 1).Tree mortality was sharply elevated near forest edges (Table 1).””–– Each word costs 50 centsEach word costs 50 cents

Yet More HintsYet More HintsMake your writing more dynamic Make your writing more dynamic by (1) not by (1) not overqualifyingoverqualifying your your results, (2) using firstresults, (2) using first--person style person style where possible, and (3) employing where possible, and (3) employing active verbsactive verbs–– e.g. e.g. ““These results suggest that frogs may These results suggest that frogs may

be dying from a be dying from a chytridchytrid fungusfungus””. . (passive, overqualified)(passive, overqualified)

–– Rather, Rather, ““Our findings suggest that a Our findings suggest that a chytridchytrid fungus is killing rainforest frogsfungus is killing rainforest frogs””. . (first(first--person, more punchy and direct)person, more punchy and direct)

Summarize your key findings in the first paragraph of the Summarize your key findings in the first paragraph of the Discussion (many people read just the Abstract and Discussion)Discussion (many people read just the Abstract and Discussion)–– Possibly also have a Summary section at the end of the paperPossibly also have a Summary section at the end of the paper–– Restating your key conclusions in different ways helps to reinfoRestating your key conclusions in different ways helps to reinforce your rce your

messagemessage

OK, Enough Hints AlreadyOK, Enough Hints AlreadyDonDon’’t make the reader have to work to understand t make the reader have to work to understand your paperyour paper–– Most scientists are really busyMost scientists are really busy

Figures are a great way to present informationFigures are a great way to present information–– Easy to absorb quicklyEasy to absorb quickly–– Captions should stand on their ownCaptions should stand on their own——be complete and clear, be complete and clear,

but not cluttered with too much information.but not cluttered with too much information.When writing, determine which journal you want to When writing, determine which journal you want to submit to and use that format from the outsetsubmit to and use that format from the outset–– DonDon’’t waste time reformatting your papert waste time reformatting your paper

Once you finish the first draft, put the paper away Once you finish the first draft, put the paper away for a week and then look at it again with a fresh eyefor a week and then look at it again with a fresh eye

The PreThe Pre--ReviewReviewOnce you have a draft Once you have a draft manuscript, send it to colleagues manuscript, send it to colleagues for commentsfor commentsBe sure to send it to the Be sure to send it to the potential referees you fear mostpotential referees you fear most–– Cite them prominently in the Cite them prominently in the

Acknowledgements, and possibly Acknowledgements, and possibly also in the covering letter to the also in the covering letter to the editor editor

A tough critic during preA tough critic during pre--review review is your best friendis your best friendBut remember that a third of But remember that a third of everything reviewers say is crapeverything reviewers say is crap

Submitting Your PaperSubmitting Your PaperFollow the submission Follow the submission instructions exactlyinstructions exactly–– Especially the format Especially the format

guidelinesguidelinesWrite a compelling Write a compelling cover letter to the cover letter to the editoreditor–– Really sell the paper Really sell the paper

(vital these days when (vital these days when many papers are being many papers are being returned without review)returned without review)

–– Exude competence and Exude competence and professionalismprofessionalism

The Review ProcessThe Review ProcessWhen the reviews arrive, drop When the reviews arrive, drop whatever youwhatever you’’re doing and re doing and work on the revisionwork on the revision–– A bird in the hand is worth two in A bird in the hand is worth two in

the bushthe bush–– Turning around the paper quickly Turning around the paper quickly

shows the editor youshows the editor you’’re on top of re on top of thingsthings

Unless the editor tells you your Unless the editor tells you your paper is the biggest pile of paper is the biggest pile of doodoo--doo hedoo he’’s ever seen, revise s ever seen, revise and resubmit the paper and resubmit the paper –– Even if the door is open just a tiny Even if the door is open just a tiny

crack, doncrack, don’’t give upt give up–– Editors are under great pressure to Editors are under great pressure to

reject papers, so theyreject papers, so they’’ll often grasp ll often grasp at any excuse to do soat any excuse to do so

DonDon’’t take reviews personally!t take reviews personally!

Responding to the ReviewsResponding to the ReviewsThe cover letter is criticalThe cover letter is critical–– Should be highly convincing and if Should be highly convincing and if

necessary, fairly lengthy, addressing necessary, fairly lengthy, addressing each of the refereeseach of the referees’’ significant significant points in turn (e.g. my 2004 letter to points in turn (e.g. my 2004 letter to NatureNature was 22 pages)was 22 pages)

Take the high roadTake the high road–– Emphasize that the manuscript has Emphasize that the manuscript has

been markedly improved by the been markedly improved by the refereeing processrefereeing process

–– Try to be positive about the refereesTry to be positive about the referees’’reports; indicate key differences of reports; indicate key differences of opinion but donopinion but don’’t emphasize themt emphasize them

An editor has far more difficulty An editor has far more difficulty rejecting a paper when the rejecting a paper when the author has clearly made a big author has clearly made a big effort to address the reviewseffort to address the reviews

Building Your C.V.Building Your C.V.Publishing strategyPublishing strategy–– ItIt’’s a mistake to write only big data paperss a mistake to write only big data papers–– Building a scientific reputation means getting your name in prinBuilding a scientific reputation means getting your name in print as much t as much

as possibleas possible–– Publishing in different venues gives you more writing experiencePublishing in different venues gives you more writing experience, helps , helps

to disseminate knowledge, and builds up your c.v.to disseminate knowledge, and builds up your c.v.Alternative publicationsAlternative publications–– Book chaptersBook chapters–– Book reviewsBook reviews–– Articles for newsletters and bulletins (e.g. ESA Bulletin, ITTO,Articles for newsletters and bulletins (e.g. ESA Bulletin, ITTO, CTFS)CTFS)–– Research updates and critiques Research updates and critiques –– Letters to Letters to ScienceScience, , Nature, TREE, Conservation Biology, etc.Nature, TREE, Conservation Biology, etc.–– Technical commentsTechnical comments–– Popular articlesPopular articles

Be generous in offering Be generous in offering coauthorshipcoauthorship; what goes around ; what goes around comes aroundcomes around

This Stuff WorksThis Stuff WorksAverage = 21.4 Average = 21.4 publications per publications per year*year*

*I was lead *I was lead author on 117 of author on 117 of the 150 the 150 publicationspublications

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Thanks!Thanks!