SciTech

Writing Ideas MA. APRIL M. MIER

Professor, Bicol University
Correspondent, Philippine Daily Inquirer
Learning Objectives:
At the end of the session, the participants
are expected to:

❑ Discuss the challenge facing journalists

in reporting science and technology.

❑ Develop ways of writing bright,

interesting stories and conclude with
some solutions to common problem
areas.

❑ Avoid fabricating and plagiarizing

stories
SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY STORY
✔ writing about a
scientific subject
matter, often in a
non-technical
manner for an
audience of non-
scientists
Science writers address the larger public
about the science and technology that
shape modern life, as well as the broader
social issues—nuclear power safety, for
example, or bioethics, or the environment—
that science so profoundly influences.
Science Writing
Covers:

1.) Science News

2.) Science Editorial
3.) Science Column Writing
4.) Science Feature
Great Article Ideas on SciTech:
1. Computers
2. The Internet
3. Online Craze
4. The Future
5. The Apocalypse
6. Architecture/ Design
7. Transportation
Great Article Ideas on SciTech:
15. The Sea
16. The Garbage
17. Information
18. Health and Medicine
19. Nutrition
20. Mental Health
21. Disease
22. Genetics

23. Biology https://tetw.org/Science_and_Technology

ORGANIZATION OF IDEAS

1. Tease me.
2. Tell me what you are up to.
3. Prove it.
4. Help me remember it.
The language of science and
technology is one of the main reasons
why some journalists are afraid of
reporting in this area.
You can overcome most problems by following
some simple rules.

Understand the jargon ◼ To include scientific terms in reports, as long

◼ Scientific names and technical terms
(sometimes called jargon) are
necessary for scientists.
◼ It enables them to speak more
accurately to one another about
things they have in common.
◼ You should explain the jargon in
language your audience will
understand.
as they are explained immediately in words
your audience can understand. For example:
Example:
✔ Researchers in California say they have
found a new way of testing unborn babies for
spina bifida - a deformity of the spine which
can cause paralysis.
You can overcome most problems by following
some simple rules.
Use concrete words
▪ People understand solid, concrete
things which they can feel, smell,
see, touch, taste or hear.
◼ You should explain the scientist's
abstract ideas in concrete words
your ordinary readers or listeners
can understand.
▪ When reporting sizes - especially the very
large or very small - translate them into
terms which your ordinary readers and
listeners can understand.
Example:
✔ Breeders in Papua New Guinea have
produced a new breed of super pig which can
weigh up to 750 kg - about the weight of a
small car.
You can overcome most problems by following
some simple rules.

Do not overload with figures ▪ In many cases, especially at the start of a

story, you should round figures off to make
◼ Do not overload your stories with them simpler to understand.
large numbers or lots of figures.
Example:

✔ The 19,750 kilometers becomes "almost

20,000 kilometers".

✔ Readers do not have time to grasp

complicated numbers.
You can overcome most problems by following
some simple rules.

Do not sensationalize
◼ To sensationalize means to state
something in such a strong and extreme
way that it has an effect on people's
emotions.
▪ Sensationalizing science can often lead to
harm by falsely provoking strong emotions
such as hope or fear in readers or listeners.
Example:

◼ Bad journalists sensationalize stories ✔ Scientists researching a new drug will seldom claim
that they have found a cure for a certain disease.
because they are more concerned with
grabbing the attention of their readers ✔ Even as remote as astronomy, can cause harm.
or listeners than with telling the news
accurately.
You can overcome most problems by following
some simple rules.
Give background details
◼ Very few new scientific or
technological developments
happen by accident. Most are the
result of work over time.
◼ Your job is to place all
developments in context. Explain
how we got to the situation today.
▪ They help your readers or listeners to
understand what has happened and how
important (or disappointing) the latest
development is.
Example:
✔ In a story about an AIDS drug, explain what scientists
know about the disease and how many people it has
so far killed, especially in your country or region.
You can overcome most problems by following
some simple rules.
Illustrate your story
◼ Try to provide illustrations which
will bring your story alive.
◼ In newspapers and on television,
pictures or diagrams can say very
quickly what it might take you a
thousand words to describe.
▪ If you use pictures or diagrams offered by
other people or taken from books or
magazines, make sure that you have
permission from the rightful owners to use
them.
Example:
✔ You might use a picture of a new coffee drying
machine. Your caption can give some details about the
machine, but save your explanations of how it works
for the story itself.
Basic Principles:
◼ Having a basic scientific education
◼ Reading books and magazines about science and
technology
◼ Taking an interest in scientific and technological
developments
◼ Establishing good contacts with experts who can help
you with information
“Bring your story alive.”
Write your stories with a human angle.