Writing Scientific Manuscripts

Abstract

One of the key pieces of academic currency is a manuscript. It is how academic surgeons communicate their craft to others in the field. There are numerous forms of manuscripts including systematic reviews, meta-analyses, commentaries, editorials, and primary research papers. Writing not only permits you to disseminate your findings through peer-reviewed journals, but it also provides you the opportunity to critically review the literature, evaluate your results, and place your findings into the greater context of your scientific area. While oral presentations are no doubt important, the written word remains a document that can be referenced and reviewed for many years to come. This chapter will address how to approach scientific writing through a systematic and strategic approach to deliver a clear and concise product.