Course Learning Outcome Assessment
After completing this course, writing in the sciences means communicating science to a general audience in a way that is clear, concise, and understandable. Information should be accessible to all, and language shouldn’t be a barrier in keeping people informed. Throughout this course, I have learned how to communicate difficult science topics in a way that is accessible, digestible, and informative.
Explore and Analyze, in Writing and Reading, a Variety of Genres and Rhetorical Situations
In this Writing for the Sciences course, we focused on different genres of writing, such as informative reviews, position papers, public service announcement videos, research proposals, and research presentations.
For an informative review, its purpose is to objectively inform on a topic without bias, providing information on all sides of the topic to allow the readers to form their own opinions. For this reason, the writing style used is neutral, unbiased, and explanatory. Their target audience is typically the general public, so it avoids using complicated language and jargon. An informative review employs a clear structure; introducing the topic, explaining what it is, why it’s relevant, and offering insight on the different sides of the issue. An example of an informative review is provided below, in the form of an excerpt. As you can see in the snippet, terms that may be unfamiliar to the audience are thoroughly explained, and a diagram is provided to further enhance understanding.
A position paper aims to present an argument to the audience, hoping to persuade readers to adopt the author’s point of view on a given topic. The target audience can vary depending on the topic; it can be addressed to the general public, those who have some background knowledge on the issue at hand, or those who have a vested interest in the topic. A position paper has an outlined structure which includes an introduction of the issue, why its important, reasons supporting the argument, a counterargument, a rebuttal, and sometimes a call to action. It employs a writing style that is persuasive, and includes appeals in the form of ethos, pathos, and logos. An example of a position paper is provided below, in the form of an excerpt. In the excerpt, we see that the position paper includes a strong thesis and outlines the upcoming argument, using persuasive language.
The information presented in a position paper can be presented in video format, in the form of a public service announcement (PSA). A PSA has the same purpose and audience as the position paper, but it has a different structure and style. As a video, it is concise, using strong visuals and important pieces of information to deliver an argument in a short amount of time. An example of a PSA is included below, as a screenshot of 2 slides. As you can see, it employs a consistent use of style which is on theme with the topic in the form of a logo, which is present throughout the video. The PSA’s persuasion relies on images and statistics speaking for itself.
In a research proposal, its purpose is to explore a niche or gap in a topic that hasn’t been explored before and convince other researchers that it’s worth exploring and is deserving of funding. Its target audience is typically other researchers, or an institution which funds research projects. A research proposal has a distinct structure, as it establishes importance, identifies the niche, explains an hypothesis, provides a review of the current literature, includes a method section, and as an outcomes/results section. The writing style used is thorough and precise, using a lot of jargon and elevated language that is assumed to be understood by their audience. An example of a research proposal is included below, in the form of an excerpt. The excerpt establishes the importance of the issue and clearly identifies the niche that will be explored in the proposal.
The information in a research proposal can be delivered in the form of a research presentation. A research presentation has the same purpose and audience as the research proposal, but it can have different structure and style. As a presentation, information is kept concise, and emphasis may be placed on statistics. An example of a research presentation is given, as a screenshot of one slide. In this slide, the significant findings of 3 different studies are highlighted in the form of short statements and statistics.
Valuing and Applying Linguistic Differences to Inform and Educate Audiences of Various Language Varieties
Linguistic differences impact science and science communication because it stands as a barrier between the science community and the general public. The science community tends to use elevated language and jargon frequently, which can alienate those not familiar with the topics and issues discussed. These differences prevent the general public from being properly informed and harmfully promote misinformation and distrust of the science community.
Science writers should apply linguistic differences to inform and educate audiences of various language varieties by adjusting the language used to cater to their target audience. Additionally, science writers can use simplistic language and thoroughly explain unfamiliar concepts to appeal to a broader audience. If I were presenting my informative review paper to second language learners, I would simplify the language I use and be more precise for easier comprehension. I would also include more images and perhaps a video to help better define concepts through visualization. It might help to use a different medium, such as conveying all of the information in a video format, as intaking visual and auditory stimuli may make it easier to understand compared to written. In my sustainability PSA, the visual imagery conveyed my message by providing visual examples of the issue I was arguing needed to be addressed.
I think that people who speak other language varieties will resonate with the PSA video. Even if they find it hard to understand the sped up voiceover, the images speak for themselves. They can see the images of polluted and unclean water, and see the bar-graph highlighting lead pipe exposure, emphasizing the urgency of the issue.
Develop Strategies for Reading Science Articles, Drafting, Collaborating, Revising, and Editing
When writing informative reviews, it is important for science writers to consider language differences and institutionalized racism. By considering linguistic differences, science writers can minimize miscommunication and misinformation, as well as reaching a broader audience. Institutionalized racism can also play a role in how science writers’ message is received, especially by marginalized groups of people who can hold distrust of the science science community based on prior experiences. For this reason, science writers should consider it and can address it in their writing, which can help alleviate the distrust. In my informative review paper, I addressed these issues by using clear and simple language, explaining concepts and terms, and explicitly acknowledging how institutional racism played a role in my topic through the story of Henrietta Lacks.
Through the position paper and PSA video, I learned that sustainability, social equity, and environmental justice are all interrelated. Environmental justice is achieved through sustainability efforts, which can be federally financed. Federal laws upholding sustainability efforts should be beneficial to disadvantaged populations as well, ensuring social equity. Sustainability efforts address social inequalities and environmental injustices. In order to convey these concepts in my position paper, I drew from real world examples which highlighted the issue at hand. When collaborating on the group sustainability PSA project, the hardest aspect was choosing which information to include in the SPSA, as we were limited to only 30 seconds. There were many different causes and effects we could’ve discussed about poor water quality, but we ended up choosing the ones we felt were most impactful and relevant to the audience.
For the research proposal, I identified a niche by reading a few articles on the topic I wanted to explore, and brainstorming other research questions that could arise from them. In finding sources, the database I found most helpful was CCNY EBSCO.
With some assignments, I had to complete a peer-review process. There was value in it, as it’s always great to have a fresh set of eyes to look at your paper and provide new insight. Reading another person’s paper can also inspire you to add new things to your paper or approach it in a different way.
Negotiate Your Own Writing Goals and Audience Expectations Regarding Conventions of Genre, Medium, and Rhetorical Situation
When writing my informative review, I adapted the audience to HeLa cells advancement in the sciences and structural racism by dedicating a paragraph each to these topics. I made sure to use clear and understandable language, as well as asserting its relevance to my topic. I include an example of this below, in the form of an excerpt.
When writing my position paper on sustainability, I connected my target audience to my sustainability plan by emphasizing the urgency of the issue. By highlighting the many ways that water pollution was harmful and how previous plans had been ineffective, I was able to establish the need for reform and introduce my sustainability plan. I include an example of how I supported my thesis below, in the form of an excerpt. In my PSA video, I made sure to consider language, choice of colors, design, and overall presentation in order to resonate with my audience. I kept language simple and concise, presenting information in a way that was digestible and not overwhelming. I chose blue for the color scheme, as it aligned with the topic of water quality and is known to be visually pleasing and calming. The design was kept simple to ensure the focus was on the information presented and images used. The overall presentation was kept short to keep our audience’s attention.
When presenting my research proposal, I adapted my audience to the science issue by explaining the relevance of the topic and why it’s important to explore. I made sure to provide statistics and quotes from articles to establish credibility and validity. I also explained terms that may be unfamiliar to my audience to reduce linguistic differences. I include an example of this below, in the form of a screenshot. There is value in presenting research orally, as some people absorb and process information better by hearing it. When making the presentation, I had to adapt the information I had used in my essay, picking out the most impactful information and making it concise. I kept the words on my slides to a minimum, opting to say most of the information aloud instead.
