Science or Persuasion? The many goals of scientific writing
Scientists have many reasons for writing. They report research findings, they write class lectures, they apply for grants, and they communicate with policy-makers and the general public, to list just a few examples. Some of these activities involve objective communication (“these are the facts as we currently understand them”), while others involve some form of persuasion (“fund my research,” “conserve energy”). But what is the appropriate balance of objectivity and persuasion? Is the role of a scientist purely that of educator, a provider of objective information? Or do scientists have a duty, as experts in their chosen fields, to take on the role of advocacy and motivate citizens to take action? Do scientists risk losing credibility for crossing the line into advocacy?
In this section of Writing 20 we will explore scientific writing in two ways. First, we will consider the balance between education and advocacy with several readings from the scientific and popular literature. Your critical reading of these selections will form the foundation of your first series of short assignments in which you consider the methods of communication, the perspective taken by the writer, and the effectiveness and appropriateness of the communication given the goal and target audience. The first major written project will be a culmination of these short writings, incorporating class discussions and peer reviews of your short assignments.
Second, we will explore several types of writing to gain experience with different styles and goals of writing. You will write as an educator and as a persuader in a variety of short assignments selected from brief scientific reports, grant proposals, policy statements, and education pieces such as brochures or websites. In-class workshops and peer discussion will be an important component of the course as we reflect on the techniques we use as writers to say the same message in so many different ways, and how you can apply those skills throughout your academic and professional career. As the final course project, you will synthesize your work in the first two parts of the course by reflecting on your experiences as a scientific writer.
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