Hone your Communication Skills

Communication is Critical

Communication is at the heart of the scientific endeavor: communicating with your supervisor, with students, with colleagues, with potential collaborators...science is rarely done alone. Despite the ubiquity of email, oral and written communication skills and etiquette are as vital to success as ever.

Writing Skills - Recommended Reading

Never underestimate the power of persuasive writing. Developing an efficient and compact writing style is noticeable and appreciated in scientific papers, technical reports, and funding proposals. 

"A Sentence Should Contain No Unnecessary Words"
The Elements of Style by Strunk and White has been a mainstay writer’s reference for decades, encouraging writers to strive for clarity and brevity.
   Read The Elements of Style. 

Writing Scientific Papers
These books specifically address writing scientific papers well.

• From Research to Manuscript: A Guide to Scientific Writing
  Michael Jay Katz
   
• The Craft of Scientific Writing
  Michael Alley
   
• The Craft of Editing: A Guide for Managers, Scientists, and Engineers
  Michael Alley

Communication Etiquette

• "Say What You Mean in E-mail”
  Professor Grammar, IEEE PCS Newsletter, Vol. 46, No. 2, p. 22
   
• "Communication in the New Millennium”
  Cheryl and Peter Reimold, IEEE PCS Newsletter, Vol. 44, No. 3, p. 5-6.
   
• Words that Work: It’s Not What You Say, It’s What People Hear
  Frank Luntz
   

Additional Resources
The IEEE Professional Communication Society (PCS) Newsletter is an excellent resource for scientists and engineers seeking tailored advice on how to enhance their communication skills. The newsletter archives is arranged by date and topic. 
   IEEE PCS Newsletter Archives