Before we study science writing techniques…

Let us first understand the

role of a Science
writer
Regardless of form, there is one
essential factor that you should
not forget:

Expert Interview/
Credible Source/
Professional Opinion
Since Science is an integral discipline,
information is vital.
Therefore, everything you write without
source/s will be attributed to

you.
To spice up your article,
never forget to highlight

CONTROVERSY
These are the issues that hound or can put
doubt on the purpose of the topic
PREVIOUS ISSUES
CONTROVERSY
Binan river Bakit ngayon lang nabigyang pansin?
Dahil may social media na?
turns red

May water shortage ba talaga or

Water nagpapataas lang ng presyo?

shortage
Can we really declare war against a
Waste from NATO member?
canada
PEOPLE are afraid
with what they do
not understand
 Before there was science….

Man and woman kissing = “naku, mabubuntis ka!”

Sleeping with wet hair= “naku, mababaliw ka!”

Eclipse= “katapusan na ng mundo, magbago na kayo”

Rain with sunshine= “may kinakasal na tikbalang”

 After science….

Man and woman kissing = “Naku, hindi na kinaya nina ate

at kyah”

Sleeping with wet hair= “Naku, mababaliw ang nanay mo

kasi mababasa ang punda”

Eclipse= solar or lunar?

Rain with sunshine=

“Buti pa ang tikbalang, may lovelife”
 Science= knowledge
Knowledge= better understanding
Better understanding= maximized living!

“when we know better, we do

better”
5 elements essential of a
winning Science article
1. Facts
2. Expert interview
3. Figures/statistics
4. Comparative analysis
5. solution
 Facts

Your article must present

sensible, digestible, coherent,
and relatable data
 Expert interview

The end-all, be-all of your

article.
 Figures/statistics

This makes your article more

specific, like putting “faces” to
your topic
 Comparative analysis

Highlights the intensity/ progress

of your topic
 solution

Don’t leave your readers

hanging hopeless and scared!
Science always provides a way
out!
3 science writing treatments

News
Editorial
feature
The anatomy of a science article
headline/Title (with source; statistics)
lead (elaboration of the headline)
Facts with source
Facts with source
Direct statement
Direct statement
Facts with source
Direct statement
Possible solution from expert
 ‘Red Sea’ ang peg? LLDA pursues culprits
of Binan River mishap
The Laguna Lake Development Authority, the national government’s arm in
protecting the country’s biggest inland lake, is now in hot pursuit of the men and
women behind 818 East Asia Corporation, a packing company allegedly responsible for
disposing chemicals which turned the waters of Binan River red.

Based on their investigation, 818 East Asia disposed Polyethylene terephthalate (PET
or PETE), the most common thermoplastic polymer resin used in clothing, and
containers for food and liquid. It appears as amorphous (transparent) or semi-
crystalline.

When combined with water (H20), PET can change the color of the liquid based on its
acidity level. In the case of Binan River, which is classified as level C (highly-polluted),
its high acidity content combined with PET resulted to the liquid turning red in color
and gelatinous in substance.
 “There is an alleged by-pass, that their partially treated water was discharged to near
creek.” said LLDA Surveillance and Monitoring Division Engr. Jericson Medina,.

It was revealed in laboratory examination that it fell to national fluid standards or the
water waste with chemicals can contaminate the water from river.

On the other hand, Engr. Emitrio Hernandez, LLDA’s Manager of Environmental

Regulation Department, said that the agency will impose a penalty of Php 10,000 per
day aside from possible closure of a company or factory.

Meanwhile, this year, LLDA is investigating 100 factories because of alleged disposing
or discharging of water waste directly to the river, timely and relevant during rainy
season and weekend.
“The proper treatment of their water waste is quite costly. According to law, they
should put different treatment technology to reduce pollution” said Hernandez.

Moreover, LLDA warned factories that if the more polluted water they discharged,
the more it will have a great impact to existing water users because eventually, it will
go directly to Laguna lake which is used for fisheries and even for water supply.
DOH: Biktima ng leptospirosis, pumalo sa 1,500
Naalarma ang Department of Health (DOH) sa pagtaas ng kaso ng leptospirosis sa
bansa, partikular na sa Metro Manila at mga karatig pook.

Kinumpirma ni Dr. Benjamin Herrera, residente ng St. Lukes Medical Center, na

halos 1,500 na ang naitalang kaso ng leptospirosis sa higit 100 pagamutan sa mga
apektadong lugar.

Dagdag pa ni Herrera, ang National Capital Region (NCR) ang may pinakamataas na
kaso ng leptospirosis, na sinundan ng Region III at Region IV-A.

Sa NCR, Malabon ang may pinakamataas na bilang ng kaso ng leptospirosis, na

sinundan ng Navotas, Caloocan, Marikina, Valenzuela at Makati.

Kung susuriin, ang mga nasabing lugar ay kabilang sa idineklarang “flood prone
areas” ng Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA).
Itinuturing na pangunahing sanhi ng leptospirosis ang tubig baha na may ihi ng
daga.

Ayon sa mga eksperto, kung may “skin opening” o sugat ang isang pasyente,
maaaring dito pumasok ang bacteria sa kanyang katawan.

“Makakaramdam ang pasyente ng sakit ng ulo, paninilaw ng mata, panghihina, lagnat

at marami pang sintomas ng nasabing sakit,” ani Herrera.

“Kung sakaling may mga kapamilya kayong may ganitong kondisyon, itakbo na
kaaaga sila sa pinakamalapit na pagamutan,” dagdag pa ng doktor.

Lingid sa kaalaman ng nakararami, ang leptospirosis ay hindi lamang nakukuha mula

sa ihi ng daga, bagkus sa ihi ng anumang hayop na napahalo sa tubig baha o sa putik.

Kayang manganak ng isang inahing daga ng higit 90 bubwit sa kanyang buhay.

 TIP # 1
LEARN HOW TO
APPRECIATE
DATA
CHECKING THE SOURCE
- MAKE SURE THAT
THE EXPERTISE OF
THE SOURCE IS
APPROPRIATE TO THE
ISSUE BEING
DISCUSSED
 TAKE NOTE OF FIGURES,
STATISTICS, PERCENTAGES

IF THERE ARE
FIGURES PROVIDED,
MAKE SURE THAT
THIS WILL BE
INCLUDED IN YOUR
HEADLINE
 TIP # 2
NEVER FORGET TO
MENTION THE
EXPERT AND THE
FIGURES PROVIDED
 TIP # 3
IF THE EXPERT IS NOT
FAMOUS, DO NOT
MENTION HIM/HER IN
THE HEADLINE AND
IN THE LEAD
 TIP # 4
MAKE SURE THAT
YOUR LEAD IS THE
EXPLANATION OF
YOUR HEADLINE
 TIP # 5
WHEN YOU MENTION THE
NAME OF THE EXPERT THE
FIRST TIME, WRITE HIS FULL
NAME. FOR AGENCIES,
ORGANIZATIONS,
INSTITUTIONS, SPELL IT OUT.
 TIP # 6
STICK TO THE
SCIENTIFIC ANGLE
OF YOUR STORY.
 TIP # 7
DO NOT PROVIDE OTHER
INFORMATION UNLESS IT IS
FROM A KNOWN
AUTHORITY OR A DATA
ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC
 TIP # 8
DO NOT FORGET TO
DEFINE TERMS, EXPLAIN
THE SOURCES,
IMPLICATIONS AND
CURES OF DISEASES
 TIP # 9
ALWAYS PROVIDE
A SOLUTION
BUT QUOTE AN
EXPERT
HOW TO MANIPULATE THE DNA
OF YOUR

SCIENCE
PAGE
 MOST SCIENCE PAGES ARE
TRAPPED
IN THE FOLLOWING GENRE

Environment
Experiments
Waste Management
Lifted Materials from the internet
 WHAT YOU NEED TO
UNDERSTAND:

All topics for Science articles,

whether international, national,
regional, divisional or municipal in
scope,
MUST BE CONNECTED TO THE
SCHOOL.
 IN OTHER WORDS:

Unless you have a volcano in your

school…
Unless someone from the
community died because of
dengvaxia….
Unless a meteor fell in your roof…
DON’T WRITE ABOUT IT.
THE QUESTION IS:

What if my school does not have events related

to Science?
What if we are too busy to make experiments?
What if we are all too healthy to be affected by
any disease?

WHAT ON EARTH ARE WE GOING TO

WRITE ABOUT?
BEFORE YOU SUGGEST THE CLOSING OF
YOUR SCHOOL, HOLD YOUR HORSES.

Here are some sources for

possible content for Science
Page:
Community/ Local Health
Offices/ Expert interviews
SCIENCE IS NOT ONLY FOUND WITHIN
THE FORESTS, THE BIRDS AND THE
BEES…. IT’S EVERYWHERE!

Current trends include:

Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management
Mental Health/Psychology
Genetics
Alternative Medicine
Renewable Sources of Energy
DO NOT FORCE SQUARE HOLES IN
ROUND PEG

Segregate your articles.

Science News= one page
Science Editorial= one page
Science Feature= one page
SCIENCE NEWS PAGE

Increase of your school electricity bill

Conduct of disaster risk reduction
trainings
Studies about how conducive your
classrooms are to learning
Sanitation of your community
Survey about a health issue
SCIENCE EDITORIAL PAGE

Why school canteen should prohibit

selling junk foods
Pro’s and con’s of pre-marital sex
among millennials (with respect to
biology)
Should Boracay be closed?
Is it important for teachers to integrate
social media in their teaching methods?
(Behavior towards technlogy)
 SCIENCE FEATURE
PAGE
Experiments on alternative energy sources
How to properly explore a natural habitat
(Your students must make an actual immersion)
Energy-saving tips in school
Weight-loss tips/ Review of latest diet fads
Disaster Risk Reduction tips