2019 NCR CAMPUS JOURNALISM CLINIQUE

Rosa L. Susano- Novaliches Elementary School

SCIENCE &
TECHNOLOGY
WRITING
RYAN ROMNICK B. SANCHEZ
SDO-Caloocan
August 3-4, 2019
 OBJECTIVES
• Differentiate science writing and scientific
writing
• Discuss features of science writing or
science journalistic writing
• Distinguish the culture of science and
journalism
• Appreciate the basics of science news,
science writing, and science editorial
• Write an effective science articles
• Critique and appraise the science articles
2
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 DIVIDER SLIDE
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit
https://www.google.com/search?biw=1366&bih=608&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=bN1DXeqOKZ-Rr7wP_6-c4Ag&q=ill+earth&oq=ill+earth&gs_l
=img.3..0j0i24j0i10i24.81265.87561..88056...3.0..1.738.6155.2j0j3j7j1j3j1......0....1..gws-wiz-img.....0..0i67j0i10j0i8i30.ejNinv67uNs&ved=0a
hUKEwjq9K3LzOPjAhWfyIsBHf8XB4wQ4dUDCAY&uact=5#imgrc=x0PYBuOWvDFB4M:
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 https://www.google.com/search?biw=1366&bih=608&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=y91DXdHaGPSTr7wPoYuZ2Ao&q=
cigarette+watse+of+money&oq=cigarette+watse+of+money&gs_l
=img.3...165057.174405..174725...1.0..4.1334.14433.1j2j5j3j7j2j3j4......0....1..gws-wiz-img.....0..0j0i67j0i5i30j0i8i30.iBANpic
-_as&ved=0ahUKEwiR7MP4zOPjAhX0yYsBHaFFBqsQ4dUDCAY&uact=5#imgrc=ObwE4cSaOPzAOM:

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 ctto
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 SCIENCE COMMUNICATION

MEDIA SCIENTISTS/
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PEERS
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 THE CULTURE OF SCIENCE
 Everyone is objective as a group
 Knowledge is cumulative BUT tentative
 Knowledge changes because of the tools
for measuring reality are improving
 There is A scientific method, not a single
scientific method
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 THE CULTURE OF JOURNALISM
 Scoop, buzzwords, and sound bites are
bestsellers
 Personal stories are a must
 Science is only one part of the story;
there are ways to many other parts
 All voices on an issue have to be heard
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CLINIQUE
 COMPARISON BETWEEN SCIENCE
WRITING AND SCIENTIFIC WRITING
Elements Science Writing Scientific Writing

SOURCE Science writers Scientists/Researchers

MESSAGE Summary of findings, significant Specific details of research from

outcomes of research problem to methods to results

CHANNEL Newspapers, radio, television Scientific journals and research

papers

AUDIENCE Public Scientists and peers

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 SCIENCE WRITING: DEFINITION
science is hard to read, with esoteric jargon, difficult to understand and
replete with scientific methods
art is an expression of creativity and beauty in human nature
science propels the art, there may be one side that shows more than
others as the differences between chemists and poets, painters and
biologists linger just because one side comes out more doesn’t mean the
other isn’t there, as they work together…one may be hiding only
because the other one needs its strength to be pushed forward
art therefore brings greater appreciation of science, art for science’s
sake, and science for art’s sake

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 KEY TO UNDERSTANDING
SCIENCE WRITING
The art of humanizing science makes it fuller
and easier to understand the discipline….

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CLINIQUE
 SCIENTIST – COMING DOWN THE
IVORY TO TOWER
CO
M
AL PR
E EH
PP N EN
A SI
O

PLAIN THINKING
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 UNION OF TWO WORLDS

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 THE INTERSECTION – SCIENCE
WRITING

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 CAN YOU UNDERSTAND THESE
WORDS?
SCIENTIFIC TERMS COMMON TERM
Singultus spasm? Hiccups or SINOK
Bilateral periorbital hematoma? Raccoon Eyes / Black Eye or Pasa
Torticollis? Stiff neck or Ngalay
Acute viral nasopharyngitis? Common Colds or Sipon

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 ROLES OF A SCIENCE WRITER
- as translator (from
technical and esoteric
language to simple/plain
language)
• - as interpreter (human
interest angle to bring
benefits to man)
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 Hiccups
Hiccups are involuntary action
involving a strong contraction of the
diaphragm and later by closure of
the vocal cords which results in the
“hic” sound, simple treatment
involves increasing the CO2 and
inhibiting diaphragm activity by
holding one’s breath or re-breathing
into a paper bag, but when it is https://www.google.com/search?biw=1366&bih=608&tbm=isch&sa

chronic it needs medical attention. =1&ei=OO9CXfSQO5fmwQP78reYBQ&q=hiccups&oq=hiccups&gs_l

=img.3...1006323.1009119..1009354...0.0..0.0.0.......0....1..gws-wiz-img.....0.g7QHo
doulQA&ved=0ahUKEwj0jPy16eHjAhUXc3AKHXv5DVMQ4dUDCAY&uact=5#i
mgrc=ZqaWn81aLPgQmM:

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 Bruising
Bruising or black eye of the
tissue caused by bursting of
blood vessels under the skin
around the eye but over a period
of 3 days, the swelling
decreases and the area becomes
lighter, apply ice every 15
minutes on first day then shift to
warm compress on third day. https://www.google.com/search?biw=1366&bih=608&tbm=isch&sa
=1&ei=gN9DXdqRHo3LmAXWm6zoDA&q=black+eye&oq=black+eye&gs_l
=img.3..0l10.111084.116560..117176...0.0..3.613.4920.1j1j3j4j1j4......0....1..gws-wi
z-img.....0..0i67._rg59gzcgJ8&ved=0ahUKEwja0fnIzuPjAhWNJaYKHdYNC80Q4
dUDCAY&uact=5#imgrc=
EnCDXuRgFBNgXM:
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 Stiff neck
Stiff neck is
asymmetrical head or
neck position, which may
be due to a sleep
positioning which can be https://www.google.com/search?biw=1366&bih=608&tbm=isch&sa
=1&ei=-N9DXeWMEpHU0gTfoaWIDw&q=stiff+neck&oq=

remedied by extended stiff+neck&gs_l

=img.3..0l10.84466.88746..89607...0.0..0.1179.5134.1j2j0j1j1j0j2j2.
.....0....1..gws-wiz-img.....0..0i67.4OaAojsvIM8&ved=0ahUKEwjl6I
heat application or mCz-PjAhURqpQKHd9QCfEQ4dUDCAY&uact=5#imgrc=
eYrXZaRNOdEycM:

repetitive massage.
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 Common Colds
The common cold is a viral
infection of the
upper respiratory tract which
primarily affects the nose with
symptoms like coughing,
sore throat, runny nose, sneezing https://www.google.com/search?biw=1366&bih=608&tbm=
isch&sa=1&ei=WeBDXa_rELremAXGmb2gBw&q=

, and fever which usually resolve common+colds&oq=common+colds&gs_l

=img.3..0l2j0i24l8.97301.104145..104747...0.0..4.842.7820.1j
1j1j3j3j6j2......0....1..gws-wiz-img.....0..0i67.qBtwZSjRAXE&
in seven to ten days. ved=0ahUKEwjv-6iwz-PjAhU6L6YKHcZMD3QQ4dUDCAY
&uact=5#imgrc=5utHIO5U3WuT9M:

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 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
OBJECTIVES
Public awareness/information
increasing public awareness about science through popularization
Advocacy/making a stand on issues
science reporting thru the media can provoke reactions and
prompt incorporation of science in local policies and planning
Campaign tool/behavior change
effective instrument in changing behavior and invoking actions
thru media campaigns on science programs

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 ABC of
SCIENCE
WRITING
ACCURACYFacts and figures
BREVITY Not verbose and flowery
CLARITY Simple/plain language
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 Topics
Environmental Science
Sources
Reading Science-oriented
Areas
Ecology
Health and Nutrition
news
Watching quality television
program
of
Medical Issues &
Breakthroughs
Listening to S&T oriented
radio program Science
Writing
Information Technology Memoranda from DOST,
DENR, DOH, DA & Com. on
Space Exploration Climate Change Here are the
Behavioral Science Science Teacher possible areas
Research and Space Exploration
Development and sources of
Local Health Official
Disaster Preparation & Science and
Participation & involvement in
Mitigation S&T events Technology
Writing
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 How does one organize a
Science article?
1. Define your audience.
2. Define your purpose.
3. Make sure the logic of
the materials is clear.
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 How does one organize a
Science article?
4. Break your materials into digestible parts.
- Use enumeration
- Use short sentences
- Use subheads
5. Keep Vocabulary as familiar as possible.
6. Summarize and repeat at appropriate points
throughout the materials
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 SCIENCE NEWS
 An oral or written report of a past,
present, or future event.
 It should be factual, truthful, accurate and
unbiased and interesting.
 Headline should be interesting
 Follows the inverted pyramid structure
and begins with a lead
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 SCIENCE NEWS
• goes beyond facts
• is an effort to make science interesting
• is storytelling
• it should answer the question SO WHAT?
• it should relate to people.
• it should put a human face.
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 What makes science news
different from other
news?
 it makes people aware of the
wonders of science & Good
technology
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news!
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 What makes science news
different from other
news?
 it explains science concepts in
common language Good
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news!
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 What makes science news
different from other
news?
 it should relate science or
technology to the lives of Good
people.
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news!
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 Qualities that distinguish news from
other forms of writing:
1. Must be ACCURATE
• Reporters must work hard to achieve
accuracy.
• They must check, double-check, and re-
check every
fact.
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 Qualities that distinguish news from
other forms of writing:
2. It is CONCISE and CLEAR
•Hard news stories almost always follow
the inverted pyramid and are written
concisely and clearly so that the meaning is
clear to an average reader.

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 Qualities that distinguish news from
other forms of writing:
3. It is RECENT
Timeliness is of major importance in this
era of fast communication.
Reporters emphasize the newest angle
of the story.
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 Guidelines of the Inverted Pyramid
LEAD SENTENCE : 5 Ws Use catchy statements
(clever, funny, surprising, provocative)

DETAILS
Use quotes from interviewees

Wrap up
Use a quote or
catchy
phrase

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 TIPS ON WRITING A
SCIENCE NEWS
ARTICLE

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 Assess data provided in the
fact sheet; can be done by
categorizing the data using
5Ws---will help in easily
identifying core topic
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 Appreciate the fact
sheet. Identify the news
(angle).
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 Avoid
editorializing/injection
of so many opinions;
use interviews/quotes
from experts/fact sheet
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 Analysis is often
needed to translate
percentages into more
acceptable/palatable
CLINIQUE
form
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 Use descriptions,
definitions for literal
meanings
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 Use quotations in the
lead only if highly
quotable
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 Write subheads.

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 Teaching HOW TO WRITE
GOOD INTRO FOR SCIENCE NEWS
Rhetorical question – Which has higher vitamin C content in kalamansi? The juice
or the peel?
Provoking statement – Don’t throw your trash. Turn it into cash! (story on
recycling)
A saying – An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure – the safe and best
way to avoid getting contaminated with leptospirosis !
Narrative opening – (telling a story) When I was a child, there was something
cooking in my grandmother’s kitchen, as she made me taste a sweet gum-like
concoction from coconut. Now I realized by now that this is what the coconut
industry boasts of as an export winner – the “nata de coco”.
Direct quotation – “The banana industry is a sagging enterprise”, according to the
DOST.
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 ACTIVITY:
WRITING SCIENCE
NEWS
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 What?
• DIWATA-1 is the Philippine's first
microsatellite. It weighs 50 kg and carries
four optical payloads (telescopes &
cameras)
Where? When?
• Launched to the International Space
Station (ISS) on March 23, 2016
How?
• Deployed into orbit from the ISS on April
27, 2016 at an altitude of 400-420 km with
speed of around 7 km/sec
Who?
• First satellite built and designed by
Filipinos

Why?
• To carry out scientific earth observation
missions for 20 months
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 Other facts:

• Nine Filipino engineers from the DOST-Advanced Science and

Technology Institute (ASTI) and UP developed Diwata-1. They were
called the "Magnificent 9"
• Microsatellite: Approx. 50 cm linear dimension and weight is bet 10-100
kg
• Missions include weather observation, environmental monitoring and
disaster risk management
• Follows orbit of the ISS
• Collaboration among the Philippines' DOST, UP Diliman and Japan’s
Hokkaido University and Tohoku University
• Filipino scientists who were involved in the Diwata-1 project can teach
and train local engineers
• Leads to development of the local electronics and aerospace industries
which would complement a satellite-building industry
• "small investment“ compared with govt spending ₱56 million for
satellite imagery of an area affected by Yolanda
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 WORKSHOP
Group yourselves into 4.

Prepare a 2-3 paragraph science news on Diwata-1 based on the facts

presented. Work on the “So what?” assigned to your group. You may research
from the Internet for more information you need.

So what?
Grp 1 – Disaster preparedness
Grp 2 – Building up human resource
Grp 3 – Monitoring of natural resources
Grp 4 – Economic implications
30 minutes
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 First Filipino-made satellite 'Diwata-1'
launched into space
By Arra Perez, CNN Philippines
Updated 18:25 PM PHT Wed, March 23, 2016

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 Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Diwata-1, the country's first microsatellite, launched into space on
board an Atlas V rocket on Wednesday (March 23) at around 11 a.m. PHT. The rocket took off from Cape
Canaveral, Florida in the U.S.

The Filipino-made microsatellite will be brought to the International Space Station (ISS), where it will be
calibrated before rocketing into mission.

At the space station, Diwata will be housed in the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) nicknamed
“Kibo,” and by the end of April, the JEM Small Satellite Orbital Deployer (J-SSOD) will release Diwata-
1 into space at an altitude of 400 kilometers from the Earth's surface.

Diwata-1 will be in orbit for about 18 to 20 months.

The microsatellite has four specialized cameras for imaging weather patterns, agricultural productivity,
and land and water resources. Diwata-1 is expected to be in orbit for approximately 20 months, taking
images twice daily.
And while country's first microsatellite is still in orbit, its sister Diwata-2 will be launched late 2017 or
early 2018.

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 A viewing session of the rocket launch was organized at the Electrical and Electronics
Engineering Institute, University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman.
The session will connect the Philippines (UP and Department of Science and Technology) and
Japan (Hokkaido University and Tohoku University) through video conferencing.

A 'heavyweight fairy'
Named after a Filipino mythological character, the 50-kilogram Diwata, or "fairy," was designed
and developed by an all-Filipino team of scientists and engineers who are now based in Japan.
Diwata is a flagship project of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) meant not just
to place the Philippines in the map of space innovation, but also to reap its contributions to
agricultural productivity, food security, and even tourism.
"[They] were trained in this technology in our hope of providing vital information to our farmers
so they will be prepared on what crops to plant, when to plant and how they can provision
contingencies in overcoming the ill effects of El Nino up to the middle of 2016,” said DOST Sec.
Mario Montejo.
“The satellite will also aid the rest of the country in terms of agriculture and tourism, with the
satellite giving data that will help farmers decide what crops to plant and where, while also
capturing the country’s natural wonders."

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 Once launched into space, the microsatellite will be able to send critical information
on weather systems which are crucial for local farmers in adjusting their planting
methods and procedures with the prevalence of climate change.
Now that satellite data and imageries will be more accessible, Montejo expressed
optimism that this satellite technology will also boost the capability of the Philippine
Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) to
make accurate forecasts and weather monitoring.

"These same data can be used to monitor our forest cover and natural resources,
implement a responsive disaster risk management program like Project NOAH
(Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards), enhance water resources
management systems, and improve weather monitoring and forecasting," said Montejo

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ANALYZE THE ARTICLE

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 First Filipino-made satellite 'Diwata-1'
launched into space
By Arra Perez, CNN Philippines
Updated 18:25 PM PHT Wed, March 23, 2016 It explains science
concepts in common
language

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Diwata-1, the country's first microsatellite, launched into space on board an
Atlas V rocket on Wednesday (March 23) at around 11 a.m. PHT. The rocket took off from Cape Canaveral, Florida
in the U.S.
The Filipino-made microsatellite will be brought to the International Space Station (ISS), where it will be calibrated
before rocketing into mission.
At the space station, Diwata will be housed in the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) nicknamed “Kibo,” and by the
end of April, the JEM Small Satellite Orbital Deployer (J-SSOD) will release Diwata-1 into space at an altitude of
400 kilometers from the Earth's surface.
Diwata-1 will be in orbit for about 18 to 20 months.
The microsatellite has four specialized cameras for imaging weather patterns, agricultural productivity, and land and
water resources. Diwata-1 is expected to be in orbit for approximately 20 months, taking images twice daily.
And while country's first microsatellite is still in orbit, its sister Diwata-2 will be launched late 2017 or early 2018.

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 It should relate science or technology to
the lives of people.
A viewing session of the rocket launch was organized at the Electrical and Electronics Engineering Institute,
University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman.
The session will connect the Philippines (UP and Department of Science and Technology) and Japan (Hokkaido
University and Tohoku University) through video conferencing.

A 'heavyweight fairy'
Named after a Filipino mythological character, the 50-kilogram Diwata, or "fairy," was designed and developed by
an all-Filipino team of scientists and engineers who are now based in Japan.
Diwata is a flagship project of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) meant not just to place the
Philippines in the map of space innovation, but also to reap its contributions to agricultural productivity, food
security, and even tourism.
"[They] were trained in this technology in our hope of providing vital information to our farmers so they will be
1
prepared on what crops to plant, when to plant and how they can provision contingencies in overcoming the ill
effects of El Nino up to the middle of 2016,” said DOST Sec. Mario Montejo.
2 “The satellite will also aid the rest of the country in terms of agriculture and tourism, with the satellite giving data
that will help farmers decide what crops to plant and where, while also capturing the country’s natural wonders."

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 Once launched into space, the microsatellite will be able to send critical information on weather systems which are
crucial for local farmers in adjusting their planting methods and procedures with the prevalence of climate change.
Now that satellite data and imageries will be more accessible, Montejo expressed optimism that this satellite
3 technology will also boost the capability of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services
Administration (PAGASA) to make accurate forecasts and weather monitoring.
"These same data can be used to monitor our forest cover and natural resources, implement a responsive disaster risk
4 management program like Project NOAH (Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards), enhance water resources
management systems, and improve weather monitoring and forecasting," said Montejo

it makes people aware of the wonders of science &

technology

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 SCIENCE FEATURE
 Science Feature stories are human-interest articles
that focus on particular people, places and events
related to Science.
 Science Feature stories are journalistic, researched,
descriptive, colorful, thoughtful, reflective,
thorough writing about scientific facts, events, etc.

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 SCIENCE FEATURE
 It covers topics in depth, going further
than mere hard news coverage by
amplifying and explaining the most
interesting and important elements of a
situation or occurrence.

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 TIPS IN WRITING SCIENCE
FEATURES
1. Use imagery to explain complicated topics.
2. Explain the broader concepts, science or statistics through the
experiences of your characters.
3. Keep the numbers simple. Connect them to the people in your
story.
4. Ask yourself: “Who is affected by my story?”
5. The characters in your story don’t have to be people.
6. Only use quotes when someone says something better than
you can say it yourself.
7. Hone every sentence down to its simplest, strongest elements.
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 TIPS ON WRITING
A SCIENCE FEATURE
ARTICLE

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 When using unfamiliar scientific terms, define as briefly as
possible
a. GIVE ITS LITERAL MEANING
The disease, called Cadang-cadang, has caused the deaths of millions
of coconut trees since it was first reported in 1931. Cadang-cadang literally
means yellowing or the slow death of a plant…
Scientists strongly suspect that Cadang-cadang is caused by a rare
substance called a viroid. Only five viroids are known to science…
Virus is a Latin name which literally means poison or slime.
Scientists say that a virus contains short strands of either RNA
(RiboNucleic Acid) or DNA (Deoxy-Ribo-Nucleic Acid). The DNA contains
the blueprint of heredity while the RNA is the messenger of heredity. A
virus is covered with a protein coating60 12/03/2023
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CLINIQUE
 b. Make it descriptive; give it a touch of color
The packet is pristine white, almost antiseptic and
the advertising stresses the cleanness of the brand.
Under the cellophane, high gloss paper and silver foil
are 20 cigarettes which the somewhat evangelical
wrapping says are of ‘low-tar content.’ They are
double-filtered and they are said to be ultra light, as
opposed to their several dozen competitors which are
variously touted to be simply ‘light,’ ‘super light,’
‘cool,’ or ‘refreshing.’
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 Emphasize the magnitude of the problem
The Central plains (in Thailand) where rice harvest is
plentiful is also home to millions of rodents, causing an average
loss of 25 percent of pre-harvest crop. Some estimates even peg
the total crop loss to as much as 70 percent.
The World Health Organization estimates that one rat
can eat about 27 pounds of warehouse food and deposit about
25,000 droppings to spoil more. More than 4 billion rats (about 1
billion in Asia) now inhabit the world and they destroy more than
33 million tons of stored grains each year.
In Asia, they destroy about one-third of the food
produced yearly.
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 When reporting a research or technological
breakthrough, do tell why it is a breakthrough
The most promising treatment against diarrheal attacks
developed so far is the oral rehydration fluid.
The oral rehydration fluid is made of 3.5 grams table salt, 2.5
grams of baking soda, 1.5 grams of potassium chloride and 20 grams
of glucose (or sucrose) dissolved in one liter or potable water.
An aluminium foil packet produced by the Philippine Ministry
of Health costs 70 centavos (US $0.09) and three packets dissolved in
three liters of water usually are enough to bring a child to full
recovery.
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 Sometimes, a little bit of history
helps
One of the earliest and most dramatic demonstrations
of the efficacy of oral rehydration was acted out in the
subcontinent under the most difficult field conditions.
During the 1971 civil upheaval in Bangladesh,
refugees in Indian camps were firat given intravenous fluids
against shock and then the oral fluids. Deaths from diarrheal
diseases were brought down from 30 percent to 1 percent.
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 Give the other side of the situation. Widen
the outlook to include other aspects of the
problem or situation.
A serious protein-calorie malnutrition (PCM) affects an estimated half of
all Filipino children under four –one of the highest rates in the world. A
malnutrition survey by the Department of Health also reveals that 85 percent of
schoolchildren were suffering from PCM. “Very closely linked to this is the
available food supply,” a Philippine country health profile says.
Since 1960, farms devoted to food crops have sunk while commercial
croplands expanded to 35 percent of all cultivated land. About 55 percent of the
whole farming acreage is used for export crops—sugar, coconuts, bananas, rubber,
pineapple, coffee and cocoa—much of it directly controlled by foreign interest.

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 When using controversial statistics,
predictions or debatable observation, always
mention the source, preferable by name:
More and more researches involving humans will be done in
Asia in the coming years, and there is a strong need to safeguard
participating people,” says Dr. David M. Macfadyen, head of WHO’s
Research and Promotion Development.
Or:
The US Congress-commissioned study made by its
Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee says the
“nuclear power is no longer a cheap energy source…”
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 Remember to underline the scientific names
of the living being you are writing about

• The water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) is now

hogging the limelight and edging away the oil-
fed farm machines.

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 Sample format in writing a science
feature article
Headline- Subject + Verb + Object + Significance
Lead- Who, What, So What (Significance)
2nd- Sources of data/Agencies or person/attributions
3rd- Other details (Facts)
4th- quotation
5th- definition
6th- case study
7th- statistics
8th- background
9th- history
10 th
- other little details
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HOW TO INTRODUCE YOUR
SCIENCE FEATURE?

1.Catchy
2. Relevant to the topic
3. Effective
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 WORKSHOP:
SCIENCE WRITING
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 GUYABANO

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 HIV IN THE
PHILIPPINES
HIV

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 TIPS ON WRITING
SCIENCE
EDITORIAL
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 S -tate the problem
P -osition on the problem
E -vidence to support your position
C-onclusion: Who’s going to be
affected and how?
S-olutions to the problem; give at
least 2
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 1. State the subject and your position on the subject in the introduction.
2. Discuss opposing points of view.
3. Prove your position with supporting details.
4. Draw a conclusion.

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 WORKSHOP:
SCIENCE
EDITORIAL

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 DENGVAXIA

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 BASICS OF A SCIENCE STORY
Bring the science down to earth.
Explain concepts and principles in language that common people understand .

Bring out the human in the scientist.

Highlight aspects of his or her personality that everyone can relate to – a hobby, a stage
mom/dad, a pet.

Explain how S&T relate to your readers' everyday lives.

Explain to readers how stem cell research has the potential to discover cures for disease. Write
about someone afflicted with a disease and explain how stem cell research could change this
condition.

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 BASICS OF A SCIENCE STORY
Avoid jargons. If you must, explain or describe it.
- Write for a 9-year old kid to a 90-year old granny
- Simplify or use illustrations, but avoid oversimplifying.
- Use clear language that everybody can understand. Make sure you get the facts right.
- E.g., radiation during Fukushima nuclear accident
- = millisievert (1 mSv = 0.001 Sv) and microsievert (1 μSv = 0.000001 Sv)

Always cite your source(s).

- You are a campus journalist. You are not a scientist nor the expert.
- e.g., writing about new species discovered, trivia, inventions, etc

Write about the implications instead of the methods.

- relate science to other parts of society and putting it into a broader perspective, such as economy,
health, socioeconomy
- e.g., use of freeze drying machine
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 SIMPLIFYING THE SCIENCE
Using metaphors, comparisons, similes
• important part of science writing
• creates strong images from everyday life and cultural references which make
science easier to understand
• Examples:
 the atmosphere is a greenhouse
 the brain of a chess player is a computer
 a black hole is a monster that eats its victims
 stars send out their "last cry" in the form of X-ray emissions
 the immune system is like an army defending its home country
 scientists work like detectives to solve a problem.

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 SIMPLIFYING THE SCIENCE
Dealing with numbers
Weight, area, size, volume, length, etc – can be easier for readers
to relate to by making comparisons with things that we see or
use in our everyday lives.

Help your audience "visualize" the number rather than leave the
number at face value.
E.g., 20-mm rainfall – what does it mean?

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 SIMPLIFYING THE SCIENCE
Nanotechnology: science, engineering, and
technology conducted at the nanoscale, which is
about 1 to 100 nanometers.
• There are 25,400,000 nanometers in an inch
• A sheet of newspaper is about 100,000 nanometers thick
• On a comparative scale, if a marble were a nanometer, then
one meter would be the size of the Earth

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 EXERCISE
Critique the story according to the principles we
learned in science writing.

What are its good points?

What are its bad points?
How can it be improved?

20 minutes

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 PRINCIPLES AND
TECHNIQUES in SCIENCE
WRITING

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 Effective headlines are:
● Not misleading
● State why the news matters
● Clear and unambiguous
● Attention-grabbing
● Creative
● Evoke thoughts and feelings related to
the topic
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 ● S​ignificance
● C​larity
● I​nquisitiveness
● E​xactitude ELEMENTS OF
● N​ovelty SCIENCE WRITING
● C​redibility
● E​mpathy
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 References:
Framelia Viernes Anonas
Editor-In-Chief, S&T Post | DOST Digest
DOST-Science and Technology Information Institute
CoST UP Science Journalism Workshop for Campus Journalists and
Advisers
Lectures from 2015 and 2017 National Training of Trainers
Lectures of Mr. Rex San Diego
Lectures of Prof. Ronald Henson
Lectures of Mr. Genesis T. Pasilan
Lectures of Ms. Lavie Claire Tado
THANK YOU!
Ryan Romnick B. Sanchez

Phone
0995435969X
Email
[email protected]
[email protected]