Article Writing Dave Finley Public Information Officer National Radio Astronomy Observatory.
Post on 13-Dec-2015
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Background & Experience
Types of Articles
Writing Process: Working Example
Adapting the Writing to the Audience
Advice for Scientific Writing
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
Types of Writing
NewspapersMiami Herald, Washington Post, Philadelphia Inquirer,Albuquerque Journal, Albuquerque Tribune, etc.
MagazinesAstronomy, Air & Space, Mercury, QST, Radio Fun,Lite Geology, Southern Sky, NM Journal of Science
BooksAuthor: Morse Code: Breaking the BarrierEditor: Radio Interferometry: The Saga and the ScienceChapter Author: Preserving the Astronomical Sky
Organizations & Strategies in Astronomy IIIState of the Universe 2008
Writing Process
Working Example:Press Release
● Scientific Content● Target: General Public● Often Used Verbatim● Process Essentially Same as for Magazine Article, etc.
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
Adapting the Material to the Audience
Original: Technical Paper, Jargon, Equations, Complex Graphs & Charts
Press Release/Article: Language for Nonscientists
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
The Media Revolution
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