Writing in the Medical Sciences

There are thousands of different citation styles out there.  Choosing one depends on where you are submitting your work.  Make sure to carefully follow any citation guidelines and be aware that the chosen citation style may also impact other sections of your paper's format.   

• NLM Style Guide - Citing Medicine, 2nd edition  Commonly used in medicine.  This free electronic style guide includes instructions on properly formatting  many different types of publications.
• Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL)  Rita's favorite writing resource.  Contains many resources on writing and research including up-to-date formatting and citation guides.  Their ALA and MLA guides are especially popular.
• VT University Libraries Citation Guide  A collection of style guides, citation generators, and information about citation management programs.

The following resources are helpful for using proper grammar and spelling of medical terms.

• Stedman's Medical Dictionary  Available in print at VTCSOM and in Reference at CRMH Library
• Merriam-Webster Medical Dictionary  Although created for the general public, it is a free resource good for checking spelling..
• Whonamedit? - Dictionary of Medical Eponyms  A great resource for medical eponyms - drugs or disease named after a person.
• Guide to Grammar and Writing  The Capital Community College Foundation's in-depth guide on how to avoid common writing mistakes.