SCIENCE WRITING – Farah Parane

WHAT IS A SCIENCE WRITING?

Science writing in school paper typically refers to the process of reporting on scientific research,
experiments, and discoveries for a school newspaper or magazine. This type of writing can take many
forms, from news articles and feature stories to opinion pieces and editorials.

In science writing for school papers, the focus is often on making scientific information accessible and
interesting to a general audience, including students who may not have a background in science. This
requires writers to communicate complex scientific concepts in clear and understandable language,
while also maintaining accuracy and rigor in their reporting.

Some common topics for science writing in school papers might include recent scientific breakthroughs
or discoveries, ongoing research projects, profiles of scientists or science educators, and discussions of
scientific issues or controversies.

Overall, science writing in school papers can play an important role in promoting science literacy and
engaging young people in science education. It can also help to raise awareness of important scientific
issues and foster a deeper appreciation for the role of science in our world.

Science writing is important for several reasons:

1. Promoting Science Education: Science writing helps to promote science education by making
scientific concepts and research accessible to a wider audience, including students who may not
have a background in science. This can help to inspire a love of science and encourage more
young people to pursue careers in science.

2. Communicating Scientific Discoveries: Science writing helps to communicate scientific

discoveries, breakthroughs, and advancements to the general public, which can help to raise
awareness of important issues and contribute to the development of new technologies and
innovations.

3. Bridging the Gap between Scientists and the Public: Science writing can help to bridge the gap
between scientists and the public by translating complex scientific concepts and terminology
into language that is understandable and engaging to a general audience. This can help to foster
greater understanding and appreciation of scientific research and its impact on society.
 4. Promoting Science Literacy: Science writing can promote science literacy by encouraging critical
thinking and providing accurate information on scientific issues. This can help to combat
misinformation and promote evidence-based decision making.

Overall, science writing is important because it can help to promote science education, communicate
scientific discoveries, bridge the gap between scientists and the public, and promote science literacy.

In campus journalism, science writing can take on a variety of forms, depending on the focus and scope
of the publication. Here are some common types of science writing in campus journalism:

1. News articles: These are short articles that report on recent scientific discoveries,
breakthroughs, or events that are relevant to the campus community.

2. Feature articles: These are longer articles that provide in-depth coverage of a scientific topic,
often including interviews with scientists and experts, and are intended to educate and engage
the campus community.

3. Opinion pieces: These are articles that express the author’s views on a scientific issue or topic,
and can serve to stimulate debate and discussion among the campus community.

4. Research reports: These are articles that report on the findings of research conducted by
students or faculty members at the campus, and can be used to highlight the contributions of
the campus to the scientific community.

5. Profiles: These are articles that highlight the achievements and contributions of scientists,
researchers, or science educators associated with the campus, and can serve to inspire and
motivate the campus community.

6. Science blogs: These are online platforms where science writers and enthusiasts associated with
the campus can share their thoughts and opinions on scientific topics, often in a more informal
and conversational style.
Overall, science writing in campus journalism can serve as a means to inform, educate, and inspire the
campus community about the latest developments and contributions in the field of science, and to
promote a greater appreciation for the role of science in society.

Here are some writing techniques that can help you write a successful science article for a school paper:

1. Use the inverted pyramid: The inverted pyramid is a writing technique commonly used in
journalism that involves starting with the most important information first and gradually moving
towards the less important details. This helps to grab the reader’s attention and convey the
most important information quickly.

2. Write in the active voice: Writing in the active voice can make your writing more engaging and
easier to read. Instead of using passive language, such as “the experiment was conducted by the
researchers,” use active language, such as “the researchers conducted the experiment."

3. Use analogies and metaphors: Analogies and metaphors can help to explain complex scientific
concepts in simpler terms. For example, you might compare the function of the brain to that of
a computer processor.

4. Include quotes and anecdotes: Including quotes from experts or anecdotes from real-life
experiences can help to add interest and authenticity to your article. Be sure to cite your sources
and get permission to use any quotes or anecdotes.

5. Use descriptive language: Using descriptive language can help to paint a vivid picture for your
readers and make your article more engaging. For example, instead of saying “the plant was
healthy,” you might say “the plant was thriving, with vibrant green leaves and sturdy stems.”

6. Break up long paragraphs: Long paragraphs can be overwhelming and difficult to read. Break up
your writing into shorter paragraphs to make it more digestible and visually appealing.
 7. Use subheadings and bullet points: Subheadings and bullet points can help to organize your
article and make it easier to read. Use subheadings to break up the article into sections, and use
bullet points to highlight important information.

By using these techniques, you can write a science article that is engaging, informative, and easy to read
for your school paper.

Here are five elements of a winning science article for a school publication:

1. Clarity: A good science article should be written in clear and simple language that can be easily
understood by the target audience. Avoid using jargon or technical terms that may confuse
readers.

2. Relevance: The article should be relevant to the readers and address topics that are of interest
to them. It should be written in a way that helps the readers understand how the topic relates
to their lives.

3. Accuracy: A science article should be accurate and based on reliable sources. Information should
be fact-checked and cited properly.

4. Engaging: The article should be engaging and interesting to the readers. It should be written in a
way that captures the readers’ attention and keeps them interested in reading the entire article.

5. Visuals: Adding visuals such as images, graphs, or charts can help to illustrate the concepts being
discussed in the article. Visuals can also make the article more appealing and interesting to
readers.

By incorporating these elements into your science article, you can create a piece that is informative,
engaging, and well-received by your school’s readership.

ANATOMY OF THE SCIENCE ARTICLE

- HEADLINE
 Must have a complete thought.
Must not have choices (Dangerous or Not?)
Must trigger curiosity

In science writing, we write to express not to impress

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE EDITOR:

- Stop/pregent plagiarism (Don’t Copy!)

- Ensure that the story is comprehensible
2. NEWS WRITING – CRISTINE PARANE

Literary writing and news writing are two different types of writing with distinct characteristics and
purposes. Here are some key differences:

1. Purpose: The purpose of literary writing is to tell a story, convey emotions, and provide a rich sensory
experience for the reader. The purpose of news writing, on the other hand, is to inform readers about
current events in an objective and factual manner.

2. Style: Literary writing is often more poetic and figurative, using language that is rich in metaphor and
symbolism to convey ideas and emotions. News writing, on the other hand, is more straightforward and
factual, using language that is clear and concise to convey information.

3. Tone: Literary writing often has a more subjective and emotional tone, whereas news writing is
generally more objective and neutral in tone.
4. Structure: Literary writing often follows a non-linear structure, with flashbacks, multiple narrators,
and jumps in time. News writing, on the other hand, follows a more linear structure, presenting
information in a logical and chronological manner.

5. Audience: Literary writing is often aimed at a general audience, while news writing is aimed at a
specific audience that is interested in current events.

Overall, literary writing and news writing are two distinct forms of writing with different purposes,
styles, tones, structures, and audiences.

WHAT IS NEWS?

News is information about current events or developments, especially as reported by the media. It can
refer to stories about local, national, or international events, politics, business, sports, entertainment,
science, and more. News can be delivered through various mediums such as print, broadcast, or digital
media.

News typically follows a specific set of guidelines and standards, including the principles of accuracy,
fairness, balance, and objectivity. News reports should provide a clear and concise account of what
happened, who was involved, and why it is important. The sources of the news should be credible and
the facts should be verified to the best of the reporter’s ability.

News plays an important role in keeping people informed about what is happening in the world and
shaping public opinion. It can influence the way people think, feel, and act, and has the power to hold
institutions and individuals accountable for their actions.

Yes, those are the classic “seven elements of news”. Here’s a brief explanation of each element:

1. Timeliness: News is most valuable when it is reported quickly, as soon as possible after it
happens. Timeliness is essential because news that is not current loses its relevance and
importance.

2. Proximity: News that happens closer to home is generally more interesting and relevant to
readers or viewers. Proximity refers to how close an event is to the audience geographically,
culturally, or socially.
 3. Impact: News that has a significant impact on people’s lives, either positively or negatively, is
more newsworthy. Impact can be measured in terms of the number of people affected, the
severity of the consequences, or the importance of the issue.

4. Prominence: News about famous or influential people is often more interesting to readers or
viewers. Prominence refers to how well-known or important a person is in their field or
community.

5. Oddity: News that is unusual or unexpected is often more interesting to readers or viewers.
Oddity refers to events or situations that are out of the ordinary.

6. Conflict: News that involves conflict or controversy is often more interesting to readers or
viewers. Conflict can be between individuals, groups, or institutions, and can involve
disagreements, disputes, or legal battles.

7. Human Interest: News that touches on human emotions, experiences, or struggles is often more
interesting and engaging to readers or viewers. Human interest stories can be uplifting,
inspirational, or heartbreaking, and often focus on individual people and their personal stories.

These elements help journalists determine which stories to cover and how to present them to their
audience in a way that is engaging and informative.

Yes, those are also important qualities of news reporting. Here’s a brief explanation of each one:

1. Accuracy: News must be based on accurate and reliable information. Journalists must verify the
facts and sources of their stories before reporting them to ensure that they are providing
accurate and truthful information to their audience.

2. Brevity: News must be presented in a concise and clear manner. Journalists must use clear and
simple language and avoid unnecessary details to ensure that their audience can easily
understand the story.
 3. Objectivity: News must be reported in an objective manner, without bias or personal opinions.
Journalists must present all sides of a story and avoid favoring one perspective over another.

4. Factual: News must be based on factual information, not speculation or hearsay. Journalists
must rely on credible sources and avoid reporting rumors or unverified information.

These qualities are essential for maintaining the integrity of journalism and ensuring that the news is
informative, reliable, and trustworthy. They also help journalists build credibility with their audience and
establish themselves as trusted sources of information.

Where to find News?

Daily newspapers

News magazines

Teen magazines

Education journals

Television

Internet

Open your eyes and cars

Sure, here’s an explanation of each quality:

1. Aware: A good news writer must be aware of what is happening in their community, their
country, and the world. They should be informed about current events, politics, and social
issues.

2. Alert: News can happen at any time, so a news writer must always be alert and ready to cover a
breaking story. They must be able to respond quickly and gather information under pressure.
 3. Multitasking: News writers often have to juggle multiple tasks at once, such as conducting
interviews, taking notes, and writing articles. They must be able to prioritize their tasks and
manage their time effectively.

4. Nose for News: A good news writer must have a natural instinct for what makes a good story.
They should be able to spot trends, identify important issues, and recognize when a story has
the potential to become newsworthy.

5. Not Afraid of People: News writers must be comfortable talking to people from all walks of life,
including politicians, business leaders, and ordinary citizens. They should be able to approach
strangers and ask them questions, even in uncomfortable or sensitive situations.

6. Finish Articles on Time: News writers must be able to meet deadlines and produce articles on a
regular basis. They should be able to work quickly and efficiently without sacrificing accuracy or
quality.

The inverted pyramid is a common structure used in news writing to organize information in a clear and
concise way. The basic idea is to start with the most important information at the top of the article and
then work down to the less important details. This structure ensures that readers get the most
important information first, even if they only read the first few sentences.

The inverted pyramid structure typically includes the following elements:

1. Lead: The lead is the opening paragraph of the article and should include the most important
information, such as who, what, when, where, why, and how.

2. Supporting Details: The next few paragraphs should include additional details that support the
lead. This might include quotes from experts or witnesses, background information, or
additional context.
 3. Additional Information: As the article progresses, it should include additional information that is
less important than the lead but still relevant to the story. This might include additional quotes
or facts, but they should be less important than the information presented in the lead and
supporting details.

4. Background Information: Finally, the article might include background information or context
that is relevant to the story but not necessarily essential to understanding it. This information
might be included in a separate section or in a sidebar.

By organizing information in this way, news writers can ensure that readers get the most important
information first and can quickly understand the key points of the story.
There are several types of leads in newswriting, including:

1. Straight news lead: This type of lead presents the most important information of the story in a concise
and objective manner. It typically answers the who, what, where, when, why, and how questions.

2. Anecdotal lead: This type of lead begins with a brief, interesting story or anecdote that serves to
illustrate the main point of the story.

3. Descriptive lead: This type of lead uses vivid and sensory language to create a scene or setting that
draws the reader into the story.

4. Question lead: This type of lead poses a question to the reader that is answered in the rest of the
article.

5. Quote lead: This type of lead uses a quote from a source to provide an interesting or provocative
statement that grabs the reader's attention.

6. Comparison lead: This type of lead compares the topic of the story to something else, such as a
historical event, a popular movie, or a current trend.
The choice of lead depends on the type of story being told and the writer's goals for engaging the reader
and conveying the main message of the article.

Examples:

Sure, here are examples of each type of lead in newswriting:

1. Straight news lead: “The governor of California announced today that he is issuing an executive
order to ban all gasoline-powered cars by the year 2035.”

2. Anecdotal lead: “When Jane Doe stepped into the voting booth on Election Day, she felt a sense
of pride and purpose. Little did she know that her vote would make history.”

3. Descriptive lead: “The sun beat down on the dusty plains of the Serengeti as a pride of lions
gathered to feast on their latest kill.”

4. Question lead: “Will the new COVID-19 vaccine be safe and effective enough to bring an end to
the pandemic?”

5. Quote lead: “ ‘It was like a bomb went off,’ said John Smith, a witness to the explosion that
rocked downtown last night.”

6. Comparison lead: “The protests sweeping the country are being compared to the civil rights
movement of the 1960s, as demonstrators demand an end to systemic racism and police
brutality.”
5th COPYREADING – Dr. Charmaine Rubio
Copyediting is the process of reviewing written material, such as articles, books, or website content,
to ensure accuracy, clarity, consistency, and style conformity. A copy editor’s primary role is to polish
and refine written material by correcting errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, and syntax.

Copyediting also involves reviewing the text for consistency in tone, style, and language use. Copy
editors may suggest revisions to sentence structure, phrasing, and organization to improve readability
and ensure that the text flows smoothly. They may also check that the content is factually accurate,
with no errors or inconsistencies in details, dates, and names.

In addition to correcting errors and inconsistencies, copy editors also ensure that the written material
adheres to the style guidelines of the publication or organization. These guidelines may cover aspects
such as capitalization, abbreviations, citation style, and formatting.

Copyediting is an essential part of the publishing process, as it ensures that written material is
polished, professional, and error-free, and that it meets the standards of the intended audience. It is
typically performed by a professional copy editor, but writers can also perform self-editing to improve
the quality of their work.

Difference between Edition, Proofreading and COPYREADING

Editing, proofreading, and copyreading are all important steps in the writing and publishing process, but
they are distinct activities with different purposes.

Editing involves revising and improving a piece of writing for clarity, coherence, accuracy, and
effectiveness. This may include reviewing the structure of the piece, reorganizing paragraphs, rephrasing
sentences, and suggesting improvements to the overall flow of the text. Editors may also check for
factual errors, inconsistencies, and adherence to the intended style and tone. Editing is typically done
before proofreading and may involve multiple rounds of revisions.

Proofreading involves reviewing a piece of writing to catch errors in spelling, grammar, punctuation, and
formatting. Proofreaders carefully read through the text line by line to identify and correct any mistakes,
such as typos, missing punctuation, and formatting issues. Proofreading is typically the final step in the
editing process, after the text has been revised and edited.

Copyreading is a term that is often used interchangeably with proofreading, but it specifically refers to
the process of checking and correcting typographical errors, formatting inconsistencies, and other minor
errors in written material. Copyreading is similar to proofreading, but it focuses more on ensuring that
the text is visually consistent and aesthetically pleasing, rather than on the content and structure of the
writing.
In summary, editing involves revising and improving the content, structure, and style of a piece of
writing, while proofreading and copyreading focus on catching and correcting errors in spelling,
grammar, punctuation, and formatting.

Copyediting involves reviewing a written document for accuracy, consistency, clarity, and adherence
to style guidelines. The following are the general procedures in copyediting:

1. Read through the entire document to get an overall sense of the content and structure.

2. Check for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors.

3. Verify facts and figures to ensure accuracy.

4. Check consistency in language, tone, and style throughout the document.

5. Check for proper formatting, such as headings, lists, and captions.

6. Check for proper use of technical terms and jargon.

7. Ensure that the document is well-organized and flows logically.

8. Remove redundancies and unnecessary words to improve clarity.

9. Check for proper citation of sources, if applicable.

10. Communicate with the author or publisher to clarify any ambiguous or unclear points.

These procedures may vary depending on the specific requirements of the project and the style guide
being used. The goal of copyediting is to produce a clear, accurate, and consistent document that
meets the needs of the intended audience.

The primary responsibility of a copyeditor is to ensure that a written document is free of errors and
inconsistencies, and that it communicates its intended message clearly and effectively to its intended
audience. Some specific responsibilities of a copyeditor include:

1. Correcting spelling, grammar, punctuation, and syntax errors.

2. Checking for consistency in language, style, and tone.

3. Verifying facts, figures, and sources for accuracy.

4. Ensuring that the document follows the appropriate style guide or editorial guidelines.

5. Removing redundancies, inconsistencies, and unnecessary jargon.

6. Checking for proper formatting of headings, lists, and captions.

7. Reviewing the document for clarity and flow, and making appropriate revisions to improve
readability.

8. Maintaining a consistent editorial style throughout the document.

9. Communicating with the author or publisher to resolve any ambiguities or unclear points in the
document.

10. Ensuring that the document adheres to any legal or ethical requirements.
The copyeditor’s goal is to produce a polished, error-free document that accurately conveys its
intended message and meets the needs of its intended audience.