Sci Tech Writing

1. Science and Technology News Writing

2. “Science values detail, precision, the
impersonal, the technical, the lasting, facts,
numbers and being right. Journalism values
brevity, approximation, the personal, the
colloquial, the immediate, stories, words and
being right now. There are going to be
tensions.
- Quentin Cooper, of BBC

3. Science Journalism
conveys reporting about science
to the public. The field typically
involves interactions between
scientists, journalists, and the
public.

4. Aim of SCIENCE JOURNALIST
- To render very detailed, specific, and often jargon-
laden information produced by scientist into a form
that non scientist can understand and appreciate
while still communicating the information
accurately.
- Difference is in subject matter
- Bridge between the scientist and the people
- Promote Science

5. JOURNALISM IN GENERAL
Basic principles apply to science journalism
Factual
Objective
Balanced
Fair
Accurate

6. Types of Science Article
(According to structure)
•Science News
•Science Feature
•Science Editorial

7. Elements of Science Article
• Definition of the Word
• Case Study
• Statistics
• Expert’s Quote

8. Important Points for Science
Editorial
S – State the problem
P – Position on the problem
E – Evidence to support your position
C – Conclusion (Who’s going to be affected and
how?)
S – Solutions to the problem

9. SOME TIPS IN WRITING SCIENCE STORIES
• Write LEAN
• Clear, concise language
• Easy on the adjectives
• Use short sentences/paragraphs
• 800-1,000 words
• As high as 1,500 words if the stories are
important

10. SOME TIPS IN WRITING SCIENCE STORIES
AVOID JARGON
• When using unfamiliar scientific terms,define as
briefly as possible
• Give its literal meaning
• Translate

11. The disease, called Cadang-cadang, has caused the deaths
of millions of coconut trees since it was first reported in
1931. Cadang-cadang literally means yellowing or the slow
death of a plant…
Virus is a Latin name which literally means poison or slime.
Scientists say that a virus contains short strands of either
RNA (RiboNucleic Acid) or DNA (Desoxy-Ribo-Nucleic
Acid). The DNA contains the blueprint of heredity while the
RNA is the messenger of heredity.

12. MAKE IT DESCRIPTIVE; GIVE IT A TOUCH OF COLOR
The packet is pristine white, almost antiseptic and the
advertising stresses the cleanness of the brand. Under the
cellophane, high gloss paper and silver foil are 20
cigarettes which the somewhat evangelical wrapping
says are of ‘low-tar content.’
They are double-filtered and they are said to be ultra
light, as opposed to their several dozen competitors which
are variously touted to be simply ‘light,’ ‘super light,’ ‘cool,’
or ‘refreshing.’

13. EMPHASIZE THE MAGNITUDE OF THE PROBLEM
The Central plains (in Thailand) where rice harvest is plentiful is also
home to millions of rodents, causing an average loss of 25 percent of
pre-harvest crop. Some estimates even peg the total crop loss to as much
as 70 percent.
The World Health Organization estimates that one rat can eat about 27
pounds of warehouse food and deposit about 25,000 droppings to spoil
more.
More than 4 billion rats (about 1 billion in Asia) now inhabit the world
and they destroy more than 33 million tons of stored grains each year.
In Asia, they destroy about one-third of thefood produced yearly.

14. GIVE THE OTHER SIDE OF THE SITUATION
• Widen the discussion to include other aspects
of the problem or situation

15. CITE YOUR SOURCE, MOST ESPECIALLY IN
CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES
More and more researches involving humans will be done in Asia in the
coming years, and there is a strong need to safeguard participating
people,” says Dr. David M. Macfadyen, head of WHO’s Research and
Promotion Development.
Or:
The US Congress-commissioned study made by its Environment, Energy
and Natural Resources Subcommittee says the “nuclear power is no longer
a cheap energy source…”

16. HUMANIZE YOUR STORY
• Inject emotional element
• Interesting experience, milestone, path-breaking
success, heart-breaking failures
• Use quotes & dialogues

17. MAKE YOUR LEADS INTERESTING
They seek out and find each other and mate. Then they remain locked
in continuous sexual intercourse for 20-30 years.
Here was Dr. Reuben C. Umali describing that 30-year love affair. “I’m
sure some people would like to change places with them,” he said.
They remain in perfect fidelity, in permanent copulation—in your liver.
“They” are tiny male and female flatworms, parasites whose eternal
coupling produces and fertilizes the eggs to bring full circle the life
cycle of the fork-tailed cercarie worms that cause snail fever or
schistosomiasis. The disease attacks 15 percent of people living in
Sorsogon. (Amor, et al., 1987)

18. Thank You.
Godbless