On the Challenge of Science and Math Writing

Kenneth Leong
4 min readOct 7, 2024

A friend recently pointed out that many in the fields of mathematics and hard sciences struggle with self-expression in their writing. This observation resonates with my own experience. As I work on a somewhat technical book on Buddhist philosophy, I’ve encountered similar challenges in making complex ideas accessible to a broader audience. What I’ve learned about the difficulties — and strategies — of effective writing could benefit me and others alike.

1. Focus on Technical Skills

Mathematicians and scientists are typically trained to excel in problem-solving and technical skills, rather than in writing. Their education tends to emphasize quantitative analysis, experimentation, and logical reasoning over communication. Personally, my background is in mathematics and statistics; I’ve never taken a formal college course on writing. Recently, one of my editors remarked that my writing feels too technical, a critique I partially disagree with. When discussing Buddhist philosophy, diving into technical details is often essential for precision.

2. Specialized Language

Scientific writing frequently involves highly specialized terminology and jargon, which can alienate a general audience. While precision is crucial, it can sometimes come at the expense of clarity…

--

--

Kenneth Leong

Author, Zen teacher, scientific mystic, professor, photographer, philosopher, social commentator, socially engaged human