Concision and Precision: Revising and Editing Scientific Writing


November 22, 2014

Edward Helfers
University Writing Program
The George Washington University

Thursday, November 20, 2014, 2:00pm
801 22nd Street NW, Phillips Hall 736
Washington, DC 20052

Hosted by: Dr. Megan Leftwich ([email protected])

In this section, we will practice sentence-level revision strategies.  Drawing from technical writing scholarship, students will work through a wide range of examples to improve syntax and clarity.  We will also explore how discipline-specific vocabulary can both refine (and in some cases obscure) your meaning.  By the end of the session, students will be better prepared to identify and streamline imprecise, unclear, or redundant passages.  Students are encouraged to come with a writing sample of work in progress.     

Edward Helfers is a faculty member in the University Writing Program at George Washington University.  He has conducted professional writing workshops for Princeton University and the Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons.  His editing clients include astronomers, engineers, and computer scientists.  His writing—both technical and creative—has appeared in the Nashville Review, The Classical, Web Conjunctions and The Atlantic online.