How to Write & Publish a Scientific Paper: 5th Edition
Robert A. Day
Oxry Press
Medical Writing: a Prescription for Clarity
Neville W. Goodman and Martin B. Edwards
Cambridge University Press, 2006
"Very detailed instructions about the use of the language. Includes many examples of bad scientific writing and suggestions for better alternatives."
The Lancet handbook of essential concepts in clinical research
Kenneth F Schulz and David A Grimes
London: Elsevier Ltd, 2006
"Building on articles previously published in The Lancet, this handbook is essential for busy clinicians and active researchers interested in research methods in epidemiology. The needs of clinicians predominate throughout the text, but these needs overlap with those of researchers especially in chapters covering randomized controlled trials. For readers to assess trials accurately they need to understand relevant guidelines on the conduct of trials that are emerging from methodological research. In presenting these discussions to clinicians these chapters will help researchers who also do randomized trials and provide a methodological background that enhances the quality and quantity of their research productivity."
Scientific writing: easy when you know how
Jennifer Peat, Elizabeth Elliott, Louise Baur and Victoria Keena
London: Blackwell BMJ Books, 2002
"This comprehensive and practical book covers the basics of grammar as well as the broad brush issues such as writing a grant application and selling to your potential audience. The clear explanations are expanded and lightened with helpful examples and telling quotes from the giants of good writing. These experienced writers and teachers make scientific writing enjoyable."
A-Z of medical writing
Tim Albert
London: Blackwell BMJ Books, 2000
"The purpose of this book is to help doctors and other health professionals with their writing problems. It consists of several hundred topics, from the process of writing to authorship, and from the use of semi-colons to the law of late literals. These are arranged alphabetically, with extensive cross referencing and, where appropriate, lists of books that the author has read and recommends. The book will provide concise, practical information about how to tackle any form of writing required of health care professionals."
Winning the publications game (2nd edition)
Tim Albert
Oxford: Radcliffe Medical Press, 2000
"Tim's book will motivate, prompt, grudge, nudge, amuse, and even console you."
Medical Writing: a prescription for clarity (2nd edition)
N W Goodman & M B Edwards
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1997
"The new edition of this widely acclaimed book provides the practical information necessary to turn a complex series of medical results and ideas into concise text, without loss of style or individuality. A new chapter has been included that focuses on clarity of data presentation in graph form. Each chapter has also been updated to include coverage of the latest writing trends and jargon. Many new examples of medical writing, drawn from published work, are used alongside cartoons to effectively illustrate the point at hand. This reference is an invaluable resource for medical professionals."
The BMJ website has a wide range of advice on the writing and submission of manuscripts. You can also access the CONSORT statement directly from this site. Other journals have similar sites.
http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/advice/
