THE INS AND OUTS OF
Science and
Technology
Writing
Presented by: Julius Jose F. Borjal
Presenting:
Science Journalism
Journalism has various areas of focus and
specialization, one of which is this.
SciTech Writing:
> Pagsulat ng Agham at Teknolohiya (AgTek) in
Filipino
> is the composition of factual and easy-to-digest
articles and/or reports regarding topics that
revolve around science and the things that
relate to it
POINTS TO BE
COVERED
0 1 THE BASICS 0 2 DELVING DEEPER 0 3 THINGS TO REMEMBER
For some, this may be an Have you known about this? As journalists, this is what we
introduction. For others, this is There's a lot to learn and need to keep in mind.
just going to be a recap. understand.
01
THE
BASICS
WHAT IS SCIENCE SCIENCE JOURNALISM IS COMMUNICATION
Here, we relay information from the sources to the
JOURNALISM? masses; from the scientists, professionals, researchers,
to the general public.
SCIENCE JOURNALISM IS REPORTING
Relevant science findings and matters that may create a
significant impact to the people are being reported, just
like how you would with a breaking news.
SCIENCE JOURNALISM IS EDUCATING AND
ENLIGHTENING
There are many things in science that people cannot
easily comprehend. Some are even scared of what they
hear and see. Through science journalism, we help them
learn.
THE QUALITIES OF A
SCIENCE ARTICLE
01 FACTUAL
Science matters are based on facts.
Thus, science articles should be based
on facts too.
02 INTERESTING
Science is interesting, but the complexities
of the topics involved tend to bore some
people. It's a science communicator's job
to fix that.
03 INQUISITIVE
This allows both the writer and the
readers to be curious and crave to
learn more.
04 INFORMATIVE
Your readers must be able to learn
about something.
05 DIGESTIBLE
Science topics most likely contain intricate
terms and explanations. In writing a science
article, you must be able to simplify those.
Remember, we write for the general public,
not the science professionals.
06 IMPACTFUL
By the time your readers finish reading
the article, it must make them think
and come to an important realization.
02
DELVING
DEEPER
WHY DO WE WRITE?
TO AMPLIFY SCIENCE
Most, if not all, phenomena here on Earth are brought about by science, but only a few
are able to effectively deliver the information in a way that people truly understand.
TO ENLIGHTEN
There are some people who are scared of scientific terms and explanations because they sometimes
sound too complicated and thus, science journalists write to help them understand.
TO COMBAT MISINFORMATION
Fake news is everywhere. People tend to immediately believe what they read online,
which may prove to be very dangerous. As responsible journalists, it is our job to
prevent misinformation by spreading the truth.
HOW DO WE WRITE?
As discussed earlier, science matters are based on facts. Write basing
WITH REGARD TO FACTS on the facts. Make it interesting with your own ways but don't forget
about the legit data you need to put.
People will see your articles as a source of information. The data you
WITH CREDIBILITY give them must be true and verified.
A big NO to fake news and misinformation.
Topics may be complicated, but you may find them fascinating and
WITH CLARITY desire to share them with others. So, when you write, be sure to make
it clear and comprehensible.
CREATING SCIENCE FEATURES
Catch the reader’s attention
with the title
Present the topic
(Introduction)
Explain its significance and relevance
(Body)
Make the readers ponder
about what you have written
(Conclusion)
Surviving an apocalyptic catastrophe is impossible for every living
organism, even for the biggest or smallest of them. But there's this one
little creature that withstood the odds of extermination. A mouse provided
hope for wildlife conservation despite the disaster it went through.
Known as the Pinatubo volcano mouse or the long-nosed Luzon forest
mouse, the rodent species Apomys sacobianus was discovered to be alive
within the vicinity of the volcano that erupted 31 years ago just as when
they thought it was extinct.
[ Science
]SURVIVAL MODE: LIFE RISING
Feature FROM THE ASHES OF PINATUBO
. . .A report from the Field Museum stated that far from being wiped out
by the eruption, the species was thriving in this greatly disturbed
landscape along with other native species that also have a high tolerance
for disturbance.
. . . This shows that despite the unfavorable conditions imposed by the
Mount Pinatubo eruption, the surrounding flora and fauna can still
recover and redevelop.
Discovering this gave ecologists the understanding on how mammals would
respond on occasions of devastation. It could be another breakthrough in
analyzing life, its existence and continuity.
[ ]
Science SURVIVAL MODE: LIFE RISING
Feature FROM THE ASHES OF PINATUBO
. . . And it's somewhat relatable to people. Just like these rodents, us
humans also try our best ways to adapt and survive in this world full of
uncertainty under different circumstances and it gives us a chance to
evolve.
What does this mean for the future of life? It's still hazy, but as
scientists make more advancements, the tomorrow brings us hope for a
good chance of perseverance and survival.
#
[ ]
Science SURVIVAL MODE: LIFE RISING
Feature FROM THE ASHES OF PINATUBO
...BUT, SCIENCE
JOURNALISM ISN’T
LIMITED TO FEATURE
STORIES ONLY.
CREATING SCIENCE NEWS
[L-T-Q-T-Q-T]
Lead, Transition, Quote, Transition, Quote, Transition
Inverted Pyramid
Structure
Most important to Least Important
Details
Well-explained data
(strictly based on facts)
Simple, but substantial
CREATING SCIENCE OPINION
Editorial: Opinion, not by one person but a group of people
Column: Writer’s personal opinion
Present the issue first,
then make your stand
Arguments must be supported with
facts
The ending must evoke the
people’s attention
CREATING AN EFFECTIVE SCIENCE
ARTICLE
HOW IMPORTANT IT IS
You can write and write and write, but without being careful, your output
would not be as good as you expect.
READ, THEN WRITE.
You cannot write about something that you do not know about.
Do your research, then write.
TIPS
Here are some tips in writing an outstanding science article based on the
Campus Journalism Training Kit by UoPCITE Solutions (2018).
INTERPRET THE DATA
Given that you have collected all the facts;
you must think of how you should present
them through your writing.
Keep in mind the goal of answering the
readers’ questions: “What is this about?”
and “Why should I care?”
HAVE A CLEAR ANGLE
While there may be a lot of data to cover,
focus on the most compelling part.
Write what is the most relevant, most
surprising, most important, and most useful.
STUDY JARGONS
DNA? Cloud? Quarks? Cache? Klinefelter’s
syndrome? Not everyone knows these terms
and what they mean.
Be familiar with jargons so you’d be able to
define and explain them in your article.
Ideally, they should be explained in
layman’s terms – a way where everyone
understands what they are reading.
BE CONCISE
If you can explain the whole thing in 180
words, don’t write a 1,800-word article.
Very long articles gradually become boring.
START WITH AN APPROPRIATE AND
INTERESTING INTRODUCTION
Like in feature writing, draw in your reader in the first
few sentences of your article. Make sure it’s eye
catching and engaging.
If you’re making a science editorial, make your intro
objective. Present the 5W’s and 1H, still keeping in
mind to catch the readers’ interest.
If it’s science news, follow still the inverse pyramid
formula (most important to least important). And
again, be sure it’s understandable and easy to digest
The year was 1970. A year earlier, the first man landed on the
moon, the Beatles had their last public performance, and a large-
scale oil spill took place in Santa Barbara, California, causing
massive environmental damage.
At this point, American senator Gaylord Nelson decided that he’d
had enough. That oil spill, especially in the light of increasing
industrial air pollution, was utterly unacceptable. That year, he
swore, would be different.
[Science Feature] WHY SHOULD WE CONTINUE TO CELEBRATE EARTH DAY?
by Lia Angela Bote
Published on April 21, 2019 via FlipScience
Some people question do cats always land on their feet? You might
see videos of cats falling awkwardly or taking a tumble when
jumping a long distance, but a healthy cat falling from height will
always fall on their feet unless something gets in the way. The
reason for this is due to something called the cat righting reflex. It
is a natural ability which cats have to help them avoid injury when
they fall.
[Science Feature] WHY CATS ALWAYS LAND ON THEIR FEET
by Josie F. Turner
Published on December 8, 2020 via AnimalWised
CITE FASCINATING POINTS
THROUGHOUT THE STORY
Don’t put all the juicy details in one part,
especially not in the beginning because they
might just stop after that point.
Distribute it well all over your article,
making them read from start to finish.
. . . Except if it's science news, because we
still have to follow the inverted pyramid
formula.
GET YOUR FACTS
STRAIGHT
Make sure all of your data are correct. If
you’re unsure about it and cannot be verified,
don’t put it in.
Science articles are based on facts.
It’s a cardinal sin for a journalist to give false
information. And do cite your (reliable)
sources.
BE OBJECTIVE
Write to inform and not to promote.
PROPERLY END THE
ARTICLE
Do so with a summary of an article, a
suggestion, a forecast, or an interesting
question.
And it must leave a significant impact on
your readers.
It is long overdue that we replace the narrow interests of profit-seeking
investors, with the interests of the basic masses.
The greed of those hungry for power and money exemplifies how they are
cutting the branch on which we are seated; our long-term future is being
jeopardized by short-term greed. And at what cost? Should we wait until the
climate crisis we face today worsens? Does digging a mine equate to securing
everyone a bright future ahead? Will it even make sense?
May this be a reminder that despite digging the mine’s guarantee of prosperity,
saving our deteriorating environment should come first… an action always
comes with a consequence — this applies to everything and everyone.
[Science Column] DEEP INTO GROUND ZERO
by Aliah Alpha A. Micaroz
Published on June 8, 2022 via The ScientiPHic Process
03
THINGS TO
REMEMBER
SCIENCE WRITING
ISN’T JUST
PRESENTATION OF
FACTS. IT’S
COMMUNICATION.
It’s not required of you to
be an all-knowing expert
about the topics you write.
What’s expected from you
is to bridge the
information from the real
experts to the common
people.
WHILE SCITECH WRITING
FACT-AND-TRUTH-BASED,
DON’T FORGET TO WRITE
WITH YOUR HEARTS.
REMEMBER HUMAN
INTEREST? CAPTURE IT. BE
ENTERTAINING, BE ENGAGING,
BE INTERESTING.
WHEN YOU WRITE
ABOUT A TOPIC,
MAKE IT MATTER.
FOCUS ON WHAT
YOU ARE WRITING
ABOUT AND WHY
YOU ARE DOING IT.
YOU ARE WRITING FOR
THE PEOPLE.
THE INS AND OUTS OF
Science and
Technology
Writing
Presented by: Julius Jose F. Borjal
