1. Public Information Officer National Radio Astronomy Observatory
Article Writing
Dave Finley
Public Information Officer
National Radio Astronomy Observatory

2. Outline Background & Experience Types of Articles
Writing Process: Working Example
Adapting the Writing to the Audience
Advice for Scientific Writing

3. Background & Experience
Degrees: Political Science & Geology
Newspapers: Miami Herald Sci/Med Editor
Supercomputer Centers: Documentation
NRAO: Public Information Officer
On the Side: Occasional Freelance
Hobbies: Astronomy, Ham Radio, Aviation

4. Types of Writing Newspapers Magazines Books
Miami Herald, Washington Post, Philadelphia Inquirer,
Albuquerque Journal, Albuquerque Tribune, etc.
Magazines
Astronomy, Air & Space, Mercury, QST, Radio Fun,
Lite Geology, Southern Sky, NM Journal of Science
Books
Author: Morse Code: Breaking the Barrier
Editor: Radio Interferometry: The Saga and the Science
Chapter Author: Preserving the Astronomical Sky
Organizations & Strategies in Astronomy III
State of the Universe 2008

5. Writing Process Working Example: Press Release Scientific Content
Target: General Public
Often Used Verbatim
Process Essentially Same
as for Magazine Article, etc.

6. Writing Process Basic Principle: Learn First, Write Next
Read the Scientific/Technical Paper
Interview Author(s), Clarify & Amplify Important Points
Identify Potential Graphics, Get Work Started on Them
Prepare Draft
Review Draft with Author(s), Revise
Endure Institutional Review Process
Assemble Text/Graphics Package
Issue Release/Publish on Web

7. Adapting the Material to the Audience
Original: Technical Paper, Jargon, Equations,
Complex Graphs & Charts
Press Release/Article: Language for Nonscientists

8. Adapting the Material to the Audience
Know and understand the material
Translate the jargon
Help develop simplified graphics
Put plain-language explanations into quotes
Explain the background
Put the new discovery into context

9. Advice for Scientific Writing
Living in Interesting Times
Some Unchanged/Unchanging Essentials

10. The Media Revolution New Old Online Editions Newspapers
Web Publications
Cable Networks
Blogs
Podcasts
Vodcasts
YouTube
Facebook
Old
Newspapers
Magazines
Evening News

11. What Hasn't Changed, and Won't
Good Storytelling
Lively Writing
Clarity
Accuracy

12. Summary Understand Your Topic Understand Your Audience Keep It Lively
Keep It Accurate
Keep Up With Technology, Trends
Enjoy the Ride!