Chemistry Research Guide
Writing Guide

Most disciplines adopt a particular style guide. Style guides usually include information on formatting papers and articles for academic purposes or publication, citation style, grammar, spelling, capitalization, and other writing preferences.

Citation Style(s)

Scholars in chemistry favor the ACS Style Guide: A Manual for Authors and Editors, Janet S. Dodd, editor. (UM/Science Ref. QD 8.5 .A25 1997).

Chemists also follow the style of a particular journal for which they are writing. Consult the Instructions to Authors section in the particular journal. Or ask your professor to recommend a desired style.

Grammar and Style

Elements of Style, William Strunk, Jr. 1999. (UM/Ref PE 1408 .S772 2000)
Succinctly explains basic rules on writing style, form, composition, capitalization, spelling, and grammar.

Online English Grammar, Anthony Hughes.
Provides many details of English grammar.

Oxford Reference Online
Contains a large collection of English language reference tools covering usage, style, grammar, language, and etymology.

Writing Guides

ACS Style Guide: A Manual for Authors and Editors, Janet S. Dodd, editor. (UM/Science Ref. QD 8.5 .A25 1997)
Details the writing and peer review processes for chemists.

How to Write & Publish a Scientific Paper, 5th edition, Robert A. Day. (UM/Science Ref. T 11 .D33 1998)
Basic guide to getting published.

Science & Technical Writing: A Manual of Style, 2nd edition, Philip Rubens. (UM/Science Ref. T 11 .S378 2001)
Beginner's guide to scientific writing.