Know and Write Science

The article by Dave Munger in SEED Magazine tells us three things: know your audience, clearly present your message, and check if your message is understood by your audience. Science articles have fewer readerships now, but are surviving with the use of blogs. I read blogs of my interests. Most of the time, I don’t encounter blogs featuring science-related topics. And if ever I come across one, I hit the close button or look for another blog. This is because some science articles are too scientific that laypeople like me don’t quickly grasp.

Science journalism is dying. The attempt to revive it is through, again, blogging. But the question of “who’s blogging?” is a matter of concern for me. If I read blog articles about science, I need to make sure that the things written there are true. That’s why I think scienceblogs.com and other sites monitoring their bloggers are doing well. Readers build a trust on the bloggers.

But despite these attempts, surveys show that scientists think the public is less informed about science. They think the media isn’t doing a good job. The same survey though shows that the public is well-informed about science. I think the point here is whether the means of conveying the messages by scientists is effective or not, whether the public is receptive of such means.

One way to attract more readers is by having shorter articles because quantity is not equal to quality. As Roy Peter Clark lists in his article, we should practice these tips to write a good concise story: plan before writing, practice writing short, build the story, write as if you’re telling a story, use hourglass structure, and know your focus.

And if science articles/stories are written clearly, short, and simple, I may actually read them regardless of how scientific they are.

What Should Science Journalists Do?

My friend and I were at the bookstore, walking through aisles of school supplies. We stopped in front of a table full of discounted books. He grabbed one then asked if I read a lot.

Before I answered, I thought of the books and magazines I’ve recently read. I could remember the last book I finished reading three years ago – The Good Earth. And the last magazine I read was Reader’s Digest.

I don’t always read. Sometimes I can’t find time to read books besides those required by professors, which I already find hard to finish.

So I told my friend the truth.

“Journalism course mo ‘di ba?” he asked.

I expected that reaction. I’m a journalism student but I seldom read.

Reading is important especially if you’re a writer because it nourishes you with facts and ideas. It also helps you view things from different perspectives.

Journalists always need to read newspapers to keep them updated with the happenings in the world. Science journalists must read different science publications because science and technologies evolve fast.

But being in the know is not the only reason why science journalists should read. And they shouldn’t only be reading scientific magazines or publications.

There are scientific journalists or bloggers who write well about scientific topics. Coturnix, for example, who used to write in Scienceblog.com. Based on his last article there, his style of writing is easy for any reader to understand. Meanwhile, Dr. Stanton Peele’s style in his article is interesting but hard to understand if you’re not familiar with the terms he used.

William Zinsser is right about simplifying words, getting straight to the point, and observing a style to make scientific reading less difficult. Not all readers are like Michael Silverblatt after all.

Science journalists should always know more than their readers. And they should write well so their readers will learn more.

Sex. Interested?

I don’t frown upon people who cringe whenever they hear the word sex or any topic related to it, nor do I question their beliefs. I just find it amusing especially for UP students to have such reaction.

Yesterday during lunch, I sat with my friends as we gobbled up greasy foods served in the canteen. Somehow, our topic led to sex. But it wasn’t just about sexual intercourse per se. There were the questions of when our first time to watch porn was, where sex shops are in the metro, and what kinds of toys there are for sexual pleasure.

It was an informative talk.

Then I noticed two of my friends became uncomfortable. I could tell the guy felt uneasy but was still willing to learn new things. But the girl just totally disengaged herself from the conversation.

Like I said, I have nothing against people like them.

Just a thought: if some young Filipino adults already feel uncomfortable talking about sex, will sex education make the situation better or worse?

SEX. SEX. SEX. SEX.

Maybe we should just talk about it more often.

Live Ball

I’m lucky enough to have enlisted in a PR class this semester during which the UAAP basketball takes place. We are required to work there as media relations officers or GROs as our professor would joke, and make the jobs of the press easier.

I’m not a big fan of basketball but of course there’s the sense of pride whenever we cheer for our university’s team. I haven’t also watched a live UAAP ball game so imagine my excitement when we were told about this.

I went to Araneta Coliseum last Sunday with my group mates for the practicum. We didn’t even have to stand in long lines because we were given media passes which give us access to certain parts of the coliseum, even dugouts.

Well basically, all we had to do was to get the halftime and final statistics per game, and bring the best player and the coach of the winning team to the press room. In between those, we are free. We were even allowed to sit among the VIPs and media during the game.

UP Fighting Maroons didn’t play that day though. The teams that battled it out for their first win were Ateneo Blue Eagles who lost to FEU Tamaraws, and Adamson Soaring Falcons who defeated NU Bulldogs.

Watching them play live and up-close was better than watching them on TV. I can feel every move of the player. I can feel the crowd.

Our group is assigned this coming Sunday again. Hopefully that experience will top last week’s.

Article Set #3

Raul Kamantigue Suarez outlined in his article Realities in RP Science the problems faced by some Filipino scientists. He enumerated them and provided explanations one paragraph each. But this structure made the article too bulky and straining for the eyes. Suarez is also guilty of committing syntax errors and run-off sentences. His introduction should be broken down into paragraphs too.

The article Human genetic variation -- Science's 'Breakthrough of the Year' outlined notable research advances similar to Suarez's article. But unlike the latter, the paragraphs of the former are evenly spaced, making it easier to read. However, the scientific terms and jargons used leaves average readers confused.

From Museum Basement, a 'New' Dinosaur by Yeganeh June Torbati is an easy read because of its smooth flow and use of common words. The topic and the way the article is written also make readers interested.

Another interesting article is Sindya N. Bhando's For Male Finches, Range Comes With Muscle. But it lacks depth and elaboration. It also ended abruptly, making readers wanting for more. This would have been the best article for this week's set had it not been for its shortcomings. 

(Un)refreshed

I bathe every morning especially during school days. Of course I always want to feel fresh whenever I face my friends, classmates, and professors. But I never seem to achieve it.

I live not too far from the university. Still, I need to take three rides to get there.

First, I take a tricycle to go to the jeepney terminal near the wet and dry market. The ride takes about 10 minutes. And during these minutes, I would have already been exposed to the black smoke other vehicles, mostly tricycles and jeepneys, exhaust. Add to that the awful smell of the wet market.

From there, I ride a jeepney bound for the terminal next to Quezon City Hall. These jeepneys are known for their reckless driving. In fact, holding on to the railings is a must if you don’t want to fall off your seat. And since terminals along Elliptical Road are one of the busiest, expect many people to cramp inside jeepneys with their sweaty arms brushing against yours.

The last ride I take is a jeepney that will take me inside the university. Although there are many jeepneys going that direction, there are also many commuters, mostly students, fighting for seats. That includes running after jeepneys, waiting under the scorching sun, being exposed to pollution, and getting stressed and worried for chances of being late in their classes.

By the time I get to my class, I don’t feel fresh anymore. It’s as if I never took a shower because I would start feeling sticky, my clothes would smell of smoke, and my hair would be all messed up.

That’s why I would rather ride taxis. But I don’t have the means. So I will just need to endure these three rides even if it means not feeling fresh anymore just 30 minutes after leaving my house.

Article Set #2

How I Used Twitter To Live-blog The Opera by Dylan Tweney and Riding The Rails of Malaysia, In Singapore by Neel Chowdhury are examples of good articles. The first article is fresh. No one has ever covered an opera on Tweeter as was claimed by Tweney. The inclusion of his actual tweets makes the article more interesting. The second article on the other hand shows great imagery, giving a good description of the train station and the ride itself. Chowdhurry makes his readers experience riding that train and even shows its importance of linking Singapore to Malaysia and Thailand.

David Pogue’s Big Phone, Big Screen, Big Pleasure has an interesting introduction but loses it toward the end. Obviously, it is written specifically for techy people or those looking for new gadgets in the market.

The two articles Kentucky Derby Is Decadent and Depraved by Hunter S. Thompson and The String Theory by David Foster Wallace are too long and are badly written. They both have poor paragraph construction. The first article has bulks of paragraphs making it hard to read. The second one fails to focus on the topic as Wallace keeps on introducing new ideas to the readers.

Oprah Talks To Ellen DeGeneres

Oprah has a good commanding voice. That is evident in her article, more like dialogue or talk, with Ellen DeGeneres.

The article is structured to show the exchange of conversations between Oprah and Ellen. As a result, reading and knowing who says what is easier to picture in our minds rather than with the use of descriptive words usual articles have.

This also makes readers feel they are in the same room with Oprah and Ellen, as if they were just sitting in front of them watching them enjoy their talk. And being able to do such is not many writers succeed in.

Oprah is very articulate which has also helped in bringing out Ellen’s wit and personality. She managed to create a relaxing feel for her article, the type many people look for.

Overall, this is a great read.

The Networker

Long articles are often difficult to read especially if the topic disinterests you. But Ken Auletta’s article The Networker proves otherwise.

Auletta presented Afghanistan’s media mogul Saad Mohseni’s personal and professional lives like he is telling a story. This is the beauty of this article. Although you are not completely eager to know about Mosheni, you become so as new parts of the story unfold. Auletta makes you interested. His storytelling has smooth transitions which guide the readers until the end.

However, readers who are unfamiliar with Central Asian names will have trouble remembering them. This is out of the author’s hands though. Other than that, the words used are common and are easy in the eyes.

The article is long but engaging.

The Web Shatters Focus, Rewires Brains

Nicholas Carr’s article titled The Web Shatters Focus, Rewires Brains is easy to read and understand. He used common words in explaining how the Net affects our brains.

The topic sounds scientific, but his explanations are not. He used metaphors instead of jargons and compared the brain process of information transfer to a bathtub being filled with water using a thimble. This gives the readers a clear picture of the process. 

Carr enumerated different ways the use of Net makes people easily distracted and less critical by citing situations which are supported by researches and studies of experts. This helps convince readers of the bad effects associated with the use of it.

He also presented the advantages and benefits of using the Net. This is good because it shows balance of the two perspectives, strengthening his argument.

The cause-and-effect pattern of the article engages the readers step by step and therefore grabs their attention fully.

The Biggest Little Man In The World

A secret to a good article is the smooth flow of ideas which takes the readers from their feet to the shoes of the writer. Andrew Corselli did just that with his article about Manny Pacquiao, The Biggest Little Man in the World.

Corselli used graphic descriptions of how Pacquiao lived during his childhood and adolescence, how he conquered different boxing weight divisions, and what he is like as a person outside the ring. These helped in creating Pacquaio’s image especially to those who are unfamiliar with him.

Despite the lack of response from Pacquiao, Corselli managed to craft a well-written article using anecdotes and insights friends and members of Team Pacquiao shared.

The article however heavily used complex words and sentences which make it difficult for an average reader to understand.

Toward the end, Corselli quoted the very few sentences Pacquiao said. This creates a strong ending for a long article because he kept the focus on his subject.

Had I written a profile about Pacquiao under such circumstances, I would have done the same but use words easy to understand.