Session

02: Genres of SMC & Connecting Communication to the

Scientific Method

Objectives
The goals of this session are to:

Identify the major genres in science and medicine
Connect writing and communication to the other parts of research or scientific investigation

Discussion Questions
1. Define genre. What are some common types of genres?

2. What are the major genres in SMC?





3. How do these genres fit into the overall scientific process?










4. Examine the terms science and medicine. Note what comes to mind:

Science
As defined in


the dictionary

(Please do this

without looking at

Medicine

the definition, just

what you think is
the definition.)

Culturally (in
Western
society)

Personally (to
you)

SCIENTIFIC & MEDICAL COMMUNICATION

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5. Now, examine the definitions of science and medicine:

Source: New Oxford American Dictionary

Source: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/medicine

Highlight the part(s) of the definitions are most important for us to consider as communicators?
In reading these definitions, what are some important limitations to science and/or medicine as
fields of study? How will this affect our communication?

SCIENTIFIC & MEDICAL COMMUNICATION

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6. What are some terms that we must use cautiously in SMC? How is each term used differently in SMC
versus in conventional discourse?


























7. How does communication fit into the scientific method?

SCIENTIFIC & MEDICAL COMMUNICATION

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