How to: Science Writing

Main Focus

The primary goal of science writing is to communicate an overarching idea to a general audience. Science communication is most effective when the writing (within any type of form) weaves a story around the subject to communicate the larger idea.

Genre Conventions

Infographic by Amy Foltz

• The main convention that separates science from scientific writing is a strong focus on telling a story, constructing a narrative.
• The “so what?” tends to highlight a larger public  ssue through examining a specific subject.
• Writers aren’t conducting the research; they’re one step removed from the research.
• The tone and language are accessible to the general public (broader audience).
• Writers have an evenly balanced experience in the scientific and writing-based subjects
• Resource/Reference: “What is Science Writing“

Forms & Examples of Science Writing

Magazine article

• “How the Parks of Tomorrow Will Be Different”

Book:

• Inferior by Angela Saini

Interview:

• Spotlight Interview Videos by our class

Videos:

• Sci Show Channel
• Vsauce Channel

Social media posts:

• Communicating Science Twitter Page
• I Am SciComm
• ComSciCon

Podcasts:

• People Behind The Science Podcast
• The Dope Science Show

Blogs:

• “Starts with a Bang”
• “In the Pipeline”
• “SciSeeker” – lists a compilation of science blogs

Tips/Strategies:

• Use plain, widely accessible language
• Use rhetorical devices to communicate specific idea
  • Metaphors
  • Analogies
  • Ethos, Pathos, Logos
• Narrative form  
  • Character archetypes
  • Plot development
  • Use of front story
• Respects the work and process of the research and the researchers

What to Avoid:

• Extraneous detail
• Field-specific jargon with no accompanying definitions
• Opinionated conclusions
• Misleading titles
• Poor argument (lack of support)