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Science Writing

Science Writing. Journal, Magazine, Newspaper, Literary. Scientific Papers. A written and published report describing original results. The reader should be able to do the following: Assess the observations reported Repeat the experiment exactly

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Science Writing

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  1. Science Writing Journal, Magazine, Newspaper, Literary

  2. Scientific Papers A written and published report describing original results. The reader should be able to do the following: • Assess the observations reported • Repeat the experiment exactly • Evaluate whether the author’s conclusions are justified from the data.

  3. Scientific Journals Importance of research can be classified in two general attitudes: • 1. It has value, and is an addition– no matter how small– to the body of scientific knowledge. • 2. It does not seem to have “importance” except as an addition to scientific knowledge; that is, it has no apparent use beyond science itself. • This distinction in the two attitudes is a constant source of disagreement in places where scientific research is conducted and where such research is funded.

  4. Scientific Journal Writing • Significance of the research question or subject being studied • Originality of work • Appropriateness of approach or scientific design. • Soundness of conclusions and interpretations • Relevance of discussion • Adequacy of title • Length of article (“Guidelines for Reviewers,” American Journal of Microbiology)

  5. Recognizing scientific writing by scientists • Esoteric language • Proper grammar • Clear organization • Acute observations • Appropriate word choice

  6. Science Magazines & Publications • Audience has some interest in science • Terms generally explained in context • Some background may be required • Reader friendly

  7. News writing • HEADLINES Geek bites head off snake By Monty Python • * Contains a vivid active verb (often ends with "s") • * The headline attracts attention • * A sub headline often can add clarity to an attention-catching headline • * The by-line follows the headline • * Only proper nouns and first word are capitalized’

  8. Headline???

  9. Newswriting: Lead The lead is the first one or two sentences of a news story. The most important information is contained in the lead. • The lead should contain the 5 W's and an H • Who • What • When • Why • Where • How • The lead should capture the audience's attention

  10. Lead: Who? What? When? Where? How? Parking lot barbecue leads police to meth lab by Kevin Head Police say a man roasting a raccoon in a Memphis, Tennessee parking lot Monday led them to a meth lab that landed his brother in jail. Officers found the man grilling the raccoon in the back parking lot of a midtown apartment complex. In addition to the cooking raccoon, he also had several large knives.

  11. Newswriting: Organization • INVERTED TRIANGLE AND CUT RULE • The news is presented in descending order of importance. • Paragraphs are very short (1-3 sentences) • After the lead, any paragraph may be cut and the story will still be complete.

  12. Newswriting: usage SYNTAX • Eclectic style of writing; mixture of simple, compound and complex • Sentences often begin with conjunctions Inaccuracies: Search for any of the following: • a. long sentences • b. paragraphs with more than one topic • c. confusing words • d. scientific words not explained • e. words in interviews not attributed • f. words that could be interpreted in more than one way • g. trite phrases • h. misspelled words • i. words used incorrectly • j. errors in punctuation, syntax, and usage

  13. Literary Science • Author has scientific knowledge • High interest of audience on specific topic • Wide variety of styles: • Scientific non-fiction • Novel with scientific woven through • May (not always) be an emotional reaction to science (pathos) yet retains objectivity

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