Science Editorial Writing Guide

1. LEO O. LAPARAN II
Research Head
News & Feature Writer
Editorial Department
IN MY (SCIENTIFIC) OPINION…
Writing a Strong, Engaging, and
Effective Science Editorial Piece

2. EDITORIAL
IN
GENERAL

3. QUESTION THAT
THE EDITORIAL ANSWERS
“What is the ISSUE?”

4. DEFINITION OF EDITORIAL
- a dynamic expression of
the opinion of the newspaper,
in which it is published, written by or
on behalf of an editor, on a timely issue,
which is of interest and of importance
to the reader.

5. AIM OF EDITORIAL
& EDITORIAL-WRITING
- to inform,
- to entertain,
- to influence/persuade,
- to involve the reader
- to make the reader realize the
significance of events

6. EDITORIAL
ANCHORED
ON
SCIENCE

7. SCIENCE EDITORIAL
- a newspaper article, written by
or on behalf of an editor,
that gives opinion (or the stand
of the news organization)
on a particular science issue

9. TIPS/POINTERS
IN WRITING
AN ENGAGING
& EFFECTIVE
SCIENCE
EDITORIAL

10. I. PLANNING THE EDITORIAL

11. 1
Analyze the situation/problem/issue.

12. IMPORTANT!
DO NOT make up or invent
issues.

13. 2
Make sure you have obtained
ample background material
and information about the topic.

14. 3
Observe. Read. Interview.

15. 4
Determine the objective / purpose
of your editorial.

16. 5
Think through your topic
and develop it fully.

17. 6
Take a stand on controversial issues.

18. 7
Briefly outline your facts before
writing.

19. 8
Use sound reasoning. Make each step
lead logically to the conclusion.

20. II. WRITING THE EDITORIAL

21. 1
INTRODUCTION:
The opening statement must be
brief.
Write an impelling lead paragraph.

22. DEVICES THAT YOU CAN USE FOR THE
INTRO:
1. A striking statement arousing reader interest
2. A quotation
3. A narration
4. An order
5. A vital question
6. Mixture of facts and
opinion
7. A news peg

23. Example:
Strong:
The Department of Health should educate first the
public, rather than implement immediately, the
vaccine that was recently developed to combat the
dreaded dengue.
Weak:
Combatting diseases should be prioritized by the
government.

24. 2
BODY:
Write briefly yet clearly
(rarely more than 300 words).
However, you may use longer
sentences and paragraphs than in
the news story.

25. 3
Write simply and directly.
Get to the point quickly.
You may use more formal language
and a wider vocabulary than in
newswriting.

26. Example:
Weak:
English is a major and important language that’s why
it is a language that ought to be taught to Filipinos in
order to develop them into globally competitive
individuals. There are many teachers in our country who
teach English so badly. You should be blamed for causing
carabao English in my everyday communication with
people! I think that Filipinos are lacking in terms of
English education and instruction. Take one look at our
public schools, which lack funds used for expenses such
as books, which is said that a house without is a house
without windows and many public school students are in
the dark when we talk about proficient English speaking.

27. Example:
Strong:
English is the ‘lingua franca’; hence, it is a language
that ought to be taught to Filipinos in order to develop
them into globally competitive individuals. Deficiency in
teaching English is the root cause of carabao English. We
Filipinos are lacking in terms of English education and
instruction. Take one look at our public schools. After all,
public schools lack funds used for expenses such as
books. It is said that a house without books is a house
without windows. Many public school students are in the
dark as to proficient English speaking.

28. 4
Be impersonal, but NEVER use “I,”
except in direct quotations.

29. Example:
Use “We”, ”The ABC Gazette,” or
whatever the name of your school
publication/school/institution/group is

30. 5
Be sincere, rather than ”smart.”

31. 6
Write to express, not to impress.
> Avoid ‘mema/
(memasabi, memasulat)

32. 7
Present — and focus on — facts,
rather than mere opinion.

33. Example:
A dengue vaccine has finally been developed and is being readied
for commercial release by a private pharmaceutical company. This,
however, is still three years away. In the meantime, the Philippines is
seeing a surge in dengue cases, amid reports that a secondary
mosquito species can transmit the virus even at night.
The study on the night-biting mosquito is not yet conclusive, the
Department of Health has emphasized. But the DOH has announced
an increase in dengue cases in the first five months of the year
compared to the same period in 2011, with 32,193 cases recorded
nationwide as of June 2 – up from 30,989. The patients ranged in age
from as young as one month to 90 years, the DOH reported.

34. 8
Analyze the issue based on
scientific facts, backed by evidence,
and in the same vein as following
the scientific method.

35. 9
Raise assumptions based on solid
logic and following the scientific
method.

36. 10
Be authoritative, but DON’T preach.

37. 11
Avoid generalizations.

38. 10
Use the positive approach as much
as possible. State the problem or
need;
analyze it objectively and fairly.

39. 11
CONCLUSION:
End the editorial appropriately—and
with a “PUNCH.” Suggest a solution
and urge action.

40. 12
Relate the editorial
to the lives of your readers.

41. Example:
Not everyone, however, can afford to use insect repellents regularly.
Defogging also does not guarantee the eradication of mosquitoes.
One way of warding off mosquitoes is by depriving them of breeding
sites. This means keeping surroundings clean, especially in areas
frequented by children such as schools and parks. Discarded
containers, old tires, any receptacle for stagnant water must be
disposed of properly. Plant containers must be checked for drainage
to prevent the accumulation of stagnant water. Dank corners in
homes and classrooms must be cleaned. These aren’t difficult tasks.
Proper hygiene and sanitation can go a long way in preventing the
spread of this deadly disease.

42. 13
Think of a catchy but not flippant
title.

43. Fighting a killer disease
Since the start of the year, 321 people have died of dengue, according to records of the
Department of Health. During the same period in 2010, the disease killed 517. That makes
dengue deadlier than many of the disasters that have hit the country.
The good news is that a vaccine developed by Filipino scientists may finally be available
alongside new devices to stop the proliferation of Aedes aegypti, the mosquito that
carries the dengue virus. The Research Institute of Tropical Medicine is currently
conducting clinical tests on the vaccine, with promising results so far. But more tests are
needed, and health officials said it could take two more years before the vaccine can
become commercially available.
Development of the vaccine has not been a priority of scientific research centers and
major pharmaceutical companies in the West, probably because the disease is rare
outside tropical and equatorial zones, and the populations most at risk of infection are
largely from poor countries. But the disease has also become prevalent in affluent
countries such as Singapore, where a vaccine is also currently being developed by a
major pharmaceutical company. Commercial possibilities, plus a growing trend in
corporate responsibility, have led to intensified efforts in vaccine development in recent
years. Scientists are also testing a bacteria that, when injected into female Aedes aegypti,
renders its offspring free of the dengue virus. As in the vaccine, it will take some time

44. In the meantime, people in dengue hot zones can use protective clothing and insect
repellents, and keep surroundings clean, particularly spots where water can accumulate.
Bed nets treated with insect repellent as well as mosquito larvae traps are available,
although the global supply is insufficient for the millions who are vulnerable to dengue.
Every year, over 50 million people in more than 100 countries fall sick and 20,000 die of
dengue. Transmission is worst in densely populated urban centers. In the Philippines,
56,005 cases have been recorded since the start of the year, although this is lower than
the 74,028 in the same period in 2010.
The DOH has detected a more virulent strain of dengue in the Ilocos Region, with dark-
skinned people reportedly the most vulnerable. In the absence of a vaccine, the
government must increase public awareness of measures that can reduce the deadliness
of dengue.

45. WRITING
ACTIVITY

46. Write a science editorial on the topic to be given
and based on the material to be provided.
Guidelines:
- three (3) - five (5) paragraphs
- 400-600 words
- Have an ATTENTION-GRABBING TITLE for your
piece
- Time allotment: 1.5 hours

47. TOPIC:
When will the Filipino inventor truly shine?
- The challenges and risks of Filipino
inventors in showcasing their creations on
the local (national) stage

48. Thank you so much!
LEO O. LAPARAN II Email: leolap.mb@gmail.com
Research Head Facebook: Leo Ortega
Laparan II
/ News & Feature Writer Twitter: @leiolap
Editorial Department