Writing Critically in STEAM

Daniel Ness reminds us that in order to not have writing criticized, we attend to the verity within STEM. As in all disciplines, writing critically is essential. Not affirming excuses made by scientific writers that due to the discipline, excellence in writing is not expected, the book advises us that we develop appropriately when we have learned to write. The significance is clear, STEM scholars and students should understand and exercise excellence and criticality in their writing, bottom line. Writing Critically is STEM’s just do it! clarion call. Shirley R Steinberg, PhD Editor; Sage Handbook of Critical Pedagogies Shirley R. Steinberg Professor, University of Calgary In Writing Critically in STEAM, Ness is again concise yet expansive. In many ways, considering his career, he was destined to write this book. On one level this book is about how to write in the different STEAM disciplines. We know intuitively that we write differently in math, for example, than in technology, but we don’t always know what the large differences are—not to mention the subtle gray zones between the genres. As Ness teases out these differences, he explores the multiple underlying dynamics of writing that take place before, during and even after the writing process within STEAM. This focus includes the writer’s stance in relation to thinking, working, and communicating within the different disciplines. It includes subtle differences between the genres within the disciplines, such as those between scientific writing and science writing. And it includes the formation of representation within the disciplines. Richard D. Sawyer Professor, Washington State University, Vancouver