Welcome to the Natural Inquirer Writing Course (Session 9) Electronic File Organization

As you begin to write, you can be asking every scientist for the information you requested of the first author. As information is sent to you, you need to have an organized place to put it. This can get confusing, so make your file structure before you begin.

Under “My Documents” or wherever you place your working files, create the following tree structure: Natural Inquirer (folder) Journal theme (if appropriate) (folder) Articles (folder) Descriptive name of your article Continued on next slide… (Your working title) (folder)

Descriptive name of your article (continued from previous slide) Text (folder) Draft (date) (file) Photos and illustrations (folder) Scientist photos (folder) Other photos (folder) Illustrations (folder) Scientist statements (folder) FACTivity (folder) Miscellaneous (folder) You will save your text file under “Descriptive name of your article, Text, Draft (date)”

It is best to place a date in every filename. That way, you can always find the most recent file. When you receive photos or illustrations, label them with an unmistakable filename. For example, Figure 1 photo or Figure 2 illus draft

Create this file structure now if possible, or as soon as possible. An organized folder and file system will save you a lot of headaches later on! (I’m speaking from experience!)

You have completed another session of the Natural Inquirer Writing Course!