Article Writing

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Article Writing
Dave Finley Public Information Officer National
Radio Astronomy Observatory
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Outline
Background Experience Types of Articles Writing
Process Working Example Adapting the Writing to
the Audience Advice for Scientific Writing
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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
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Types of Writing
Newspapers Miami Herald, Washington Post,
Philadelphia Inquirer, Albuquerque Journal,
Albuquerque Tribune, etc. Magazines Astronomy,
Air Space, Mercury, QST, Radio Fun, Lite
Geology, Southern Sky, NM Journal of
Science Books Author Morse Code Breaking the
Barrier Editor Radio Interferometry The Saga
and the Science Chapter Author Preserving the
Astronomical Sky Organizations Strategies
in Astronomy III State of the Universe 2008
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Writing Process
Working Example Press Release

• Scientific Content
• Target General Public
• Often Used Verbatim
• Process Essentially Same
• as for Magazine Article, etc.

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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

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Adapting the Material to the Audience
Original Technical Paper, Jargon, Equations,
Complex Graphs Charts Press
Release/Article Language for Nonscientists
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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
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Advice for Scientific Writing
Living in Interesting Times Some
Unchanged/Unchanging Essentials
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The Media Revolution
New Online Editions Web Publications Cable
Networks Blogs Podcasts Vodcasts YouTube Facebook
Old Newspapers Magazines Evening News
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What Hasn't Changed, and Won't
Good Storytelling Lively Writing Clarity Accuracy
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Summary
Understand Your Topic Understand Your
Audience Keep It Lively Keep It Accurate Keep Up
With Technology, Trends Enjoy the Ride!