The Writing SySTEM, a project funded by the National Science Foundation Innovations in Graduate Education program (award number 2224967), equips graduate student writers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields with the skills and resources needed to succeed in their writing projects. The materials in this section address some of the unique features and challenges of writing in STEM. 

Materials designed in collaboration by Sushil Adhikari, Christopher Basgier, Katharine Brown, Jordan Harshman, Jeff LaMondia, and Russell Mailen 

This handout will guide new and experienced researchers in how to effectively find relevant, peer-reviewed research publications using intentional search strategies and online databases

• The Writing SySTEM: Finding Relevant Papers Word Document 

• The Writing SySTEM: Finding Relevant Papers PDF 

This handout guides readers of academic articles through a two-pass approach that includes previewing and digesting a text. It also includes an article review template for structured note taking

• The Writing SySTEM: How to Read an Article Word Document  
  

• The Writing SySTEM: How to Read an Article PDF 

This handout guides authors through a step-by-step process of writing a literature review section for a peer-reviewed journal article

• The Writing SySTEM: Writing a Literature Review (from Scratch) Word Document 

• The Writing SySTEM: Writing a Literature Review (from Scratch) PDF 

This worksheet guides technical writers in STEM fields through activities that allow them to practice communicating research to various audiences

• The Writing SySTEM: Practicing Writing for Different Audiences Word Document 

• The Writing SySTEM: Practicing Writing for Different Audiences PDF 

This worksheet provides writers with a three-step process for developing a research objective statement that is clear, concise, and defendable 

• The Writing SySTEM: Writing Research Objective Statements Word Documents 

• The Writing SySTEM: Writing Research Objective Statements PDF 

This handout guides researchers through the process of identifying a target journal for submission of a manuscript for peer review. Authors are provided guidance on how to assess a journal in terms of scope, style, and reputation

• The Writing SySTEM: Analyzing a Journal for Submission Word Document 

• The Writing SySTEM: Analyzing a Journal for Submission PDF 

This worksheet provides an overview of the organization of the introduction section in peer-reviewed journal articles. The document includes an activity for outlining the introduction section

• The Writing SySTEM: Writing Introductions Word Document  

• The Writing SySTEM: Writing Introductions PDF 

This handout provides guidance on preparing the conclusions section of a journal paper. It includes an activity for collecting and organizing information to include in the conclusion

• The Writing SySTEM: Ending with Strong Conclusions Word Document 

• The Writing SySTEM: Ending with Strong Conclusions PDF 

This handout provides information on facilitating a writing group. Writing groups lend a social aspect to the writing process and typically involve 5 – 10 participants meeting on a regular basis over a semester or longer

• The Writing SySTEM: Organizing Weekly Writing Groups Word Document 

• The Writing SySTEM: Organizing Weekly Writing Groups PDF