Science Writing

Joemar L. Furigay
Las Piñas City Science High School
 LIKE ANY STORY, A SCIENCE ARTICLE…

-has tension
Example:
Nepal needs a better surveillance system to
accurately estimate animal-borne parasitic infections that
claim more victims than malaria and are comparable
to HIV/AIDS in this country, says an international study.
 LIKE ANY STORY, A SCIENCE ARTICLE…

-has tension
Example:
Farmers in South Asia are largely unaware that
aflatoxin, a liver cancer-causing agent produced by fungi,
accumulates on crops like maize, sorghum, coffee and
groundnut as a result of stress from prolonged droughts.
 LIKE ANY STORY, A SCIENCE ARTICLE…

-has conflicts the readers can relate to

Example:
As more heat-trapping greenhouse gases (GhG) and short-lived
climate pollutants (SLCP) accumulate in the atmosphere, there is little
hope of reining in climate change. Already there is strong evidence that
the Earth is one degree Celsius hotter than at the start of the 20th
century. And in the Hindu Kush Himalayas (HKH), the indications are
that climate change will manifest in much stronger ways than elsewhere.
 LIKE ANY STORY, A SCIENCE ARTICLE…

-has conflicts the readers can relate to

Example:
Atmospheric pollutants may impact major crops like
wheat and rice more than temperature rise, says a new
study based on a ‘regression model’ that predicts future
events with information on past or present events.
 LIKE ANY STORY, A SCIENCE ARTICLE…

-has an alluring scientific idea or discovery

Example:
Indian scientists working on producing biofuel from
algae cultured in municipal wastewater say that strains of oil-
rich algae were capable of removing more than 90 per cent
of nitrates and more than 50 per cent of phosphorus from
wastewater.
 LIKE ANY STORY, A SCIENCE ARTICLE…

-has an alluring scientific idea or discovery

Example:
Scientists have identified a new human organ hiding in plain
sight, in a discovery they hope could help them understand the
spread of cancer within the body. Layers long thought to be
dense, connective tissue are actually a series of fluid-filled
compartments researchers have termed the “interstitium.”
THE BASIC OUTLINE OF A SCIENCE STORY
IS…

• Title
• Introductory lead
• Nut graf
• Body
• Conclusion
• Call to action (if necessary)
THE BASIC OUTLINE OF A SCIENCE STORY
IS…

•Title
- should be catchy and
powerful; avoid label heads
 WHICH TITLE IS BETTER?

A. Mga bagong uri ng orchid,

natagpuan sa Mindanao
B. Pagkatuklas ng bagong orchid
 WHICH TITLE IS BETTER?

A. ‘Lost’ fairy lantern spotted in

Borneo after 151 years
B. Fairy Lanterns in Borneo
THE BASIC OUTLINE OF A SCIENCE STORY
IS…

•Title
- should sound like a science
story
 DOES THE TITLE SOUND LIKE
A SCIENCE STORY?

A. Ang gamugamo na may blond

na buhok

B. Makabagong Medisina: Gamot

Nga Ba Sa Kanser?
THE BASIC OUTLINE OF A SCIENCE STORY
IS…

•Introductory lead
- could be a situation that is
unexpected (hindi inakalang may
ganoon pala)
Example:
The spikes of the lychee fruit- also known as litchi-
maybe a deterrent for some animals, but for humans willing to
break it away, it’s an exotic and tasty treat. But if eaten too
early, particularly by those who missed their evening meal or
by a child in a malnourished state, this seemingly sweet fruit
can be toxic and sometimes fatal, as shown recently by a
mystery illness that affected India- one of the largest lychee
producing regions.
Example:
An international team of scientists
sequenced a protein crystal located in the
midgut of cockroaches in 2016. The reason? It’s
more than four times as nutritious as cow’s milk,
and the researchers think it could be the key to
feeding our growing population in the future.
Example:
Nakatitindig ng balahibo ang mga ahas.
Ngunit para kay Mario Luts, isang herpetologist
at snake lover, marami raw pakinabang ang mga
ahas. Ang dugo raw ng cobra, halimbawa, ay
nakagagamot ng hika, diabetis, goiter, high
blood at maging kanser.
Example:
Maaaring makaapekto sa kalusugan ng
isang bata ang sobrang paglalaro gamit ang
mga digital gadget tulad ng smartphone, tablet
at iPad.
THE BASIC OUTLINE OF A SCIENCE STORY
IS…

•Introductory lead
- could be in the form of a
question that arouses curiosity
Example:
Scientists claimed they have
discovered a new organ in the body called
mesentery. This discovery could also lead
to new ways to treat a wide range of health
issues. Could this new organ potentially
become the cure for cancer?
Example:
Itinuturing ng health experts na
“critical period” sa buhay ng isang bata
ang unang dalawang taon nito. Kapag
itinigil ng ina ang pagpapasuso sa sanggol,
ano-ano kaya ang mga posibleng epekto
nito sa bata?
THE BASIC OUTLINE OF A SCIENCE STORY
IS…

•Introductory lead
- could present a common
problem and then its possible
solution
Example:
Nowadays, people have been deprived of
sleep due to the change in lifestyle with the
addition in internet usage, social media and
other factors. Some reasons may vary because
some have been suffering already from medical
conditions like insomnia and sleep apnea.
However, these conditions can be combatted by
certain plants when placed in your bedroom.
Example:
Bagamat ang taghiyawat o pimples ay hindi
naman isang seryosong karamdaman na dapat na
ikabahala, ang pagkakaroon nito ay maaaring
magpababa ng kompiyansa sa sarili ng mga taong
mayroon nito. Ang magandang balita, marami ng
paraan upang malunasan ang pagkakaroon ng
pimples. Narito ang ilan sa mga natural na paraan na
kilalang pantanggal ng pimples.
THE BASIC OUTLINE OF A SCIENCE STORY
IS…

•Introductory lead
- could be any other styles
THE BASIC OUTLINE OF A SCIENCE STORY
IS…

• Nut graf
-presents the main topic in one or two
paragraphs.
-gives a clearer picture of the subject matter.
-done by defining, explaining, clarifying,
describing, or backgrounding.
FOR
EXAMPLE
 INTRODUCTION
Mental disorders such as anxiety, depression and
suicide attempts are a reality for the poor as much as
they are for the rich, even though they are often
overlooked. But few people in the developing world
get the mental healthcare they need and many
patients are treated inhumanely or offered treatments
that do no more harm than good.
 NUT GRAF
Mental illnesses include a range of conditions
such as depression, generalized anxiety, panic attacks,
bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
Age-related conditions such as dementia,
Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases are also
included in mental disorders.

CLARIFYING
ANOTHER
EXAMPLE
 INTRODUCTION
Sentro ng kontrobesiya ngayon ang Dengvaxia
dahil sa pag-amin ng Sanofi Pasteur, ang
pharmaceutical company na gumawa nito, na batay sa
pinakahuli nitong pag-aaral, maaaring mas matindi
ang tumamang dengue sa mga nabakunahan ngunit
hindi pa kailanman nagkaroon ng sakit na ito.
 NUT GRAF
Ang Dengvaxia ay kauna-unahang vaccine na
ginawa sa mundo bilang panlaban sa dengue. At noong
Disyembre 2015, ang Pilipinas ang kauna-unahang bansa
sa Asya na nag-apruba ng Dengvaxia vaccine. Dumating
sa bansa ang bakuna noong Enero 2016 kung saan
sinimulan na ng DOH ang dengue vaccination program at
matatapos sana ito sa Enero 2018. Target nito na mabigyan
ang isang milyong bata.

BACKGROUNDING
THE BASIC OUTLINE OF A SCIENCE STORY
IS…

• Body
-discusses the subject matter in full details
-presents a logical organization of facts or
concepts
-subheads may be used if necessary
THE BASIC OUTLINE OF A SCIENCE STORY
IS…

•Body

DON’T FORGET TO CITE SOURCES

 EXAMPLE
Sa talaan ng Food and Nutrition Research
Institute (FNRI), karamihan sa problema ng
malnutrisyon ay nagsisimula kapag itinigil ng ina ang
pagpapasuso sa sanggol at kapag hindi naagapan ay
tiyak na mauuwi o magreresulta sa ‘stunted growth’ o
pagkabansot ng bata, pisikal man o pag-iisip.
 EXAMPLE
“Naturally occurring toxins in the lychee fruit are
associated with toxicity that could lead to
encephalopathy,” said Dr. Padmini Srikantiah of the
Centers for Disease Control and prevention office
in India.
“It’s quite possible that when glucose metabolism
is disrupted, you get buildup of other metabolites that
could have some toxic effects as well,” she added.
THE BASIC OUTLINE OF A SCIENCE STORY
IS…

•Body

PARAGRAPHS SHOULD BE
LOGICALLY ARRANGED.
 EXAMPLE

Rattan wood- the stems of a climbing palm that

grows in Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka- could be
the source for bone implants by 2019.
Italian firm Greenbone announce last month that
trials on sheep prove that the technology works. It
found that rattan can be used to build a scaffold to
support damaged bones because rattan has the
same strength, flexibility and porosity as bones.
 EXAMPLE

Kamakailan ay namahagi ang DOST ng ilang unit ng

low cost water filter na kanilang dinibelop sa isang
national housing project ng gobyerno sa Muntinlupa City
na sadyang napakahirap makakuha nang malinis na
tubig.
Ang filter ay yari sa isang uri ng clay o putik na
kahalintulad sa materyal na ginagawang paso. Mayroon
itong maliliit na butas na siyang sumasala sa mga dumi
at bakterya mula sa tubig sa poso o balon.
 LOGICAL OR NOT?

Maaring makaapekto sa kalusugan ng isang bata

ang sobrang paglalaro gamit ang mga digital gadget
tulad ng smartphone, tablet at iPad.
Sumasailalim ngayon ang isang bata sa digital
detox sa clinic ni Dr. Richard Graham sa London
matapos kakitaan ng withdrawal symptoms na gaya ng
dinaranas ng isang adik sa alcohol at droga.
 LOGICAL OR NOT?

Maaring makaapekto sa kalusugan ng isang bata

ang sobrang paglalaro gamit ang mga digital gadget
tulad ng smartphone, tablet at iPad.
Ayon kay Cheryl Pacao-Mainar ng DSWD
Protective Services Bureau, naapektuhan umano ang
pagkain ng bata. “Hindi na siya nakakakain; then pati
pagwiwi niya pinipigil na niya basta wag lang siya
maputol sa games niya.”
THE BASIC OUTLINE OF A SCIENCE STORY
IS…

• Conclusion
-summarizes the article
-presents a reminder or a warning
-invites the readers to try something
-other styles may be used as well
THE BASIC OUTLINE OF A SCIENCE STORY
IS…

• Conclusion
NEVER FORGET YOUR
INTRODUCTION. ALWAYS GO BACK TO IT.
FOR
EXAMPLE
 INTRODUCTION
Maaaring makaapekto sa kalusugan ng isang
bata ang sobrang paglalaro gamit ang mga digital
gadget tulad ng smartphone, tablet at iPad.
 CONCLUSION
Payo ng DSWD, kung gusting pagbigyan ang mga bata
na gumamit ng mga digital gadget, magdownload na
lamang ng mga application na maaaring makatulong
sa paglinang ng kaisipan ng mga bata gaya ng mga
instruction sa pagbabasa.
THE BASIC OUTLINE OF A SCIENCE STORY
IS…

• Conclusion
RETURN TO THE INTRIGUE, SUSPENSE,
OR LINE OF INQUIRY YOU ESTABLISHED.
FOR
EXAMPLE
 INTRODUCTION
Rattan wood- the stems of a climbing palm
that grows in Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka- could
be the source for bone implants by 2019.
 CONCLUSION
Greenbone is producing a development plan for the
new technology, based on the Calamus rotang species
of rattan palm, which is grown in southern India and
Sri Lanka. The company aims to bring rattan bones to
the market by the beginning of 2019.
ANOTHER
EXAMPLE
 INTRODUCTION
Kung sa halos lahat ng panig ng daigdig ay
naghahari ang mga sasakyang usok na nakasisira sa
kalikasan ang inilalabas, ibahin ninyo ang
pampasaherong sasakyan sa Tabontabaon, Leyte dahil
ang kabuuan nito ay 90 porsiyentong makakalikasan.
 CONCLUSION
Dahil walang masamang carbon na ibinubuga at
biodegradable ang komposisyon nito, walang duda,
ito na nga ang pinakakalikasang sasakyan sa mundo.
Proudly Pinoy. Kaya’t ano pang hinihintay ninyo? Sakay
na!
 HOW TO WRITE A CALL-TO-ACTION?
• Move the readers into action.
Example:
Conclusion:
Wildfires are inevitable and often as uncontrollable as earthquakes and
floods, but we’re still working to break the pathological feedback loop of poor
planning and fighting fires after it’s too late. With better land-use planning and
smarter development, our communities can avoid the kinds of losses that we’ve
repeatedly witnessed in California and are seeing now in Fort McMurray. There
are solutions to the increasing trends in wildfire-driven losses, but they require
everyone to rethink their assumptions about preventing wildfires and to focus
more on where and how we build communities.
 HOW TO WRITE A CALL-TO-ACTION?
Call to Action:
If there is a single word or concept that can summarize the
most important lessons we can learn from the previous natural and
manmade calamities that wreaked havoc in our wildlife, it might be
vigilance. We need to keep careful watch for possible danger or
difficulty, whether that danger or difficulty comes from a changing
climate or unchanging human nature. It’s high time then that we
looked into the viability of such preventions to avoid the rebuilding
mistakes of the past.
 OTHER HELPFUL TIPS IN SCIENCE
WRITING
• Your first sentence must be indelible.
Leave your impression early. If you tell readers
something they already know in the first
sentence, they are likely to think you have
nothing to say that they don't already know.
You risk losing readers right then and there. So if
your article contains news of major breakthroughs,
many of your readers will completely miss it.
 OTHER HELPFUL TIPS IN SCIENCE
WRITING
• Change the pace.
A monotone approach makes for a tedious read.
Change the pace throughout the article – emotional
experiences, sobering facts, funny quotes and
informative sections keep your reader engaged to
the end. Like a good play, sections of a feature can
also move back and forwards in time and be set in
different scenes.
 OTHER HELPFUL TIPS IN SCIENCE
WRITING
• Be economical with your language.
Every word has to be doing something. Don’t be afraid
to delete any redundant adjectives or padding. Don’t utilise
five words when one will do.
In fact, why utilise when you can use?
Don’t say conflagration or aubergine when you can
substitute them with common words.
Or the anatomical juxtaposition of two orbicularis
oris muscles in a state of contraction when you can simply
say KISS.
 OTHER HELPFUL TIPS IN SCIENCE
WRITING
• Write as you would speak.
The statement below is difficult to read, isn’t it?
Your no-more-than-800-word exegesis on the relevance of cosmic inflation to the
activation of seven transmembrane-helix G-protein-coupled receptors,
notwithstanding and inasmuch as which the release of calcium from intracellular
stores…

Bottom line:
Read your work aloud to discover if your sentences are too long;
your prose too convoluted; or indeed if any of it makes sense. Use
plain English.
 OTHER HELPFUL TIPS IN SCIENCE
WRITING
• Stick to the point.
-Planning your essay in advance is always a
help.

-List the points you want to make, in logical

order. Such lists are always too ambitious, so list them
again, leaving half of them out.
 OTHER HELPFUL TIPS IN SCIENCE
WRITING
• Illustrate the problem by telling a story about real
people.
Example:
Ten-year-old Henry Schut noticed that his father was having increasing
difficulties with his daily chores on their farm in rural Minnesota in the early 1900s. His
father grew highly agitated by his display of clumsiness as he attempted to hook up the
horses for plowing. Henry soon learned why his father was so distressed. People were
whispering about a mysterious disorder that plagued his family: About half of the
children born into it developed symptoms of the disease in adulthood. Affected
individuals first experienced walking difficulties, then hand incoordination, then
slurred speech, and finally, labored breathing. The disorder was lethal within around 10
years of the onset of symptoms.
 OTHER HELPFUL TIPS IN SCIENCE
WRITING
• Stop listing things.
(Except in tips lists, of course.) Try instead to
figure out the narrative tying the pieces of a list
together.
• Avoid passive voice and clunky sentence
structures.
Although passive voice is not uncommon in
scientific journal articles, it sounds distant, abstract,
and stuffy.