Science & Health Writing

1. SCIENCE and
HEALTH Writing
Lydia C. Muyot
May, 2016

2. Science Writing Covers:
Science News, Science Editorial,
Science Feature and Science Column
Writing

3. SCIENCE REPORTING:
• Science writing by a scientist or by a non-
scientist for mass consumption.
• His report is written for mass understanding. He
writes his story in such a way that the science
unoriented reader may understand and
appreciate it because it is written in the layman’s
language.

4. SCIENCE TECHNICAL WRITING:
• Science Writing by a scientist for a fellow
scientist. He uses a technical language which a
layman could hardly understand.

5. SCIENCE REPORTER OR SCIENTIST
JOURNALIST:
• A communicator to bridge the gap between the
scientist and the common reader. He is
otherwise known as the Third Man or the
Interpreter.

6. CHARACTERISTICS OF A SCIENCE
REPORTER:
• Is interested in science, knows where and how
to find facts or information
• Knows the basic principles of news writing
• Should be an all-around man (botanist,
zoologist, chemist, an electrician, a plumber)
who plays a vital role in the programs of the
country

7. • His mission is to know and understand science,
to study science so that he can translate what the
scientists are talking about for the common men.
He will now be the bridge
• He should understand science. He should equip
himself with modern and updated science books,
encyclopedia and dictionary. He should be able
to translate technical jargon into simple terms
understood by the layman. (JARGON are
medical, scientific, legal technical words)

8. SOURCES OF SCIENCE NEWS/STORIES
• School is a rich source of science news and
features (science laboratories & practical arts
shops).
• Scientific journals, science bulletins, handouts
from government science agencies, science
magazines and even the dailies.
• Interviews with science teachers, science club
advisers and the scientists themselves.

9. - Breeze through the exhibits
- Interview the project proponents for a detailed
account of their findings, the backgrounds and
significance of studies, scientific procedures,
tools used, anecdotes or experiences they had
while going through their investigation and
other related information
(Findings & breakthroughs)
• Science fairs and its participants (science fair
heroes not necessarily the project winners)

10. DO’s and DON’T’s:
• Science writers should not be tempted to
sensationalize an issue just to call readers’
attention.
(Ex. Jogging will kill you! Instead it should be
Jogging may weaken your heart.)
• In his attempt to capture audience interest, he is
urged to add another “W” to the basic 5W’s he
learned in news writing. The other “W” is
“WOW!” Exaggerating or over simplifyng a lead
sentence may distort findings totally.

11. • Findings are still part of the continuing process
of research
• Science reports don’t have to deal with events
alone but should touch more on the process.
Readers should be made aware not only about
new discoveries or products or techniques but
more importantly, of how these could be applied
or put into use by the readers.

12. • Mastery of science writing, like in any form of
writing, may take a lifetime. And just as a
swimmer learns to swim only be swimming, a
science writer learns his trade only be writing
science reports and of course, enriching it by
reading.

13. SUGGESTED TOPICS:
• Health promotion & awareness
• Nutrition
• Disease prevention, control & cure
• Breakthroughs in medical research
• Advances in technology like the latest development
in computer hardware and software
• New products and processes
• High-tech inventions that mean more comfort and
convenience to men
• Inventions that provide solutions to problems such
as the energy crisis
• Environmental concern.

14. Good Luck & God Bless!!!