Article Writing Dave Finley Public Information Officer National

Article Writing Dave Finley Public Information Officer National Radio Astronomy Observatory

Outline 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

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 Astrono State 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

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