1. BY ANTON HOLLAND PRESENTED BY SYLVIA CHENG “Eureka! The Importance of Good Science Writing”

2. Main Points The knowledge gap What is good science writing?

3. Knowledge gap There is an extensive knowledge gap in the public’s knowledge of science. Examples:  A survey conducted by Northern Illinois University reported that one third of the respondents did not know what a molecule is, two thirds did not know what radiation is, and five sixths did not grasp the basics of genetic engineering. In addition, 63% said that dinosaurs and humans occupied the earth simultaneously, and 73% thought lasers focus sound waves rather than light waves.  A study on scientific literacy by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), whose members include 30 of the world’s most technologically advanced countries, indicated that slightly over 10% of the population in industrialized countries has a good understanding of scientific concepts and methods.

4. What is good science writing?

5. Good science writing should not be bias Sciences writers should be careful of bias because if not, their coverage of a line of research can provide the public with the wrong information Example:  Studies carried out on behalf of advocacy groups or funded by particular industries to support a particular point of view

6. Good science writing should be easy to understand Including background information on the topic being cover can help the readers understand what is going on An example of bad science writing:  In a 2001 Leger Marketing pool, 78.4% of respondents did not know what the acronym GMO, which stands for genetically modified organism, meant despite receiving a great deal of coverage over several years.

7. Should try to minimize conflicts in values between scientific and media organization Conflicts between the two professional group (each with its own set of values and goals) causes information acquire to be different due to differences in values. Scientists and journalists interpret objectivity and accuracy differently.  For journalists, objectivity means evaluating the evidence and committing to the right answer once that evaluation is complete and accuracy means getting the facts right on deadline.  For scientists, accuracy is equated with truth, and taking the time to test information against misinterpretation before expressing an opinion.  This results in scientists not being able to give journalist the hard and fast answers they require, resulting in misinterpreted information.

8. Conclusion “Science writing tackles ideas that can tax the limits of our comprehension — it is ambitious, creative, and hard to do well, particularly because it has to bridge such a huge scientific illiteracy gap.” Having journalist that are able to understand and explain science issues and events to the public plays an important role in educating the public.

11. Citation Holland, Anton. "Writer's Block, Essay, Eureka! The Importance of Good Science Writing - Winter 2002." Writer's Block - The Web Resource for Communication Professionals. Web. 19 Apr. 2011..