This is the official text for the National Association of Science Writers. In the eight years since the publication of the first edition of
A Field Guide for Science Writing, much about the world has changed. Some of the leading issues in today's political marketplace - embryonic stem cell research, global warming, health care reform, space exploration, genetic privacy, germ warfare - are informed by scientific ideas. Never has it been more crucial for the lay public to be scientifically literate. That's where science writers come in. And that's why it's time for an update to the
Field Guide, already a staple of science writing graduate programs across the country.
The academic community has recently recognized how important it is for writers to become more sophisticated, knowledgeable, and skeptical about what they write. More than 50 institutions now offer training in science writing. In addition mid-career fellowships for science writers are growing, giving journalists the chance to return to major universities for specialized training. We applaud these developments, and hope to be part of them with this new edition of the Field Guide.
In A Field Guide for Science Writers, 2nd Edition, the editors have assembled contributions from a collections of experienced journalists who are every bit as stellar as the group that contributed to the first edition. In the end, what we have are essays written by the very best in the science writing profession. These wonderful writers have written not only about style, but about content, too. These leaders in the profession describe how they work their way through the information glut to find the gems worth writing about. We also have chapters that provide the tools every good science writer needs: how to use statistics, how to weigh the merits of conflicting studies in scientific literature, how to report about risk. And, ultimately, how to write.
Foreword,
Timothy FerrisPart One: Learning the Craft
Introduction, Mary Knudson
1. Finding Story Ideas and Sources, Philip M. Yan
2. Reporting From Science Journals, Tom Siegfried
3. Understanding and Using Statistics, Lewis Cope
4. Writing Well About Science: Techniques From Teachers of Science Writing
5. Taking Your Story to the Next Level, Nancy Shute
6. Finding a Voice and a Style, David Everett
Part Two: Choosing Your Market
Introduction, Carey Goldberg
7. Small Newspapers, Ron Steely
8. Large Newspapers, Robert Lee Hotz
9. Popular Magazines, Janice Hopkins Tanne
10. Trade and Science Journals, Colin Norman
11. Broadcast Science Journalism, Joe Palca
12. Freelance Writing, Kathryn Brown
13. Science Books, Carl Zimmer
14. Popular Audiences on the Web, Alan Boyle
15. Science Audiences on the Web, Tabitha Powledge
16. Science Editing, Mariette DiChristina
Part Three: Varying Your Writing Style
Introduction, Robin Marantz Henig
17. Deadline Writing, Gareth Cook
18. Investigative Reporting, Antonio Regalado
19. Gee Whiz Science Writing, Robert Kunzig
20. Explanatory Writing, George Johnson
21. Narrative Writing, James Shreeve
22. The Science Essay, Robert Kanigel
Part Four: Covering Stories in the Life Sciences
Introduciton, Deborah Blum
23. Medicine, Shannon Brownlee
24. Infectious Diseases, Marilyn Chase
25. Nutrition, Sally Squires
26. Mental Health, Paul Raeburn
27. The Biology of Behavior, Kevin Begos
28. Human Genetics, Antonio Regalado
29. Cloning and Stem Cell Research, Stephen S. Hall
Part Five: Covering Stories in the Physical and Environmental Sciences
Introduction, Deborah Blum
30. Technology and Engineering, Kenneth Chang
31. Space Science, Michael D. Lemonick
32. The Environment, Andrew C. Revkin
33. Nature, McKay Jenkins
34. Earth Sciences, Glennda Chui
35. Climate, Usha Lee McFarling
36. Risk Reporting, Cristine Russell
Part Six: Communicating Science From Institutions
Taking a Different Path--Journalists and Public Information Officers: Similarities and Differences, The Editors
Introduction, John D. Toon
37. Universities, Earle Holland
38. Institutional Communications During Crisis, Joann Ellison Rodgers
39. Government Agencies, Colleen Henrichsen
40. Nonprofits, Frank Blanchard
41. Museums, Mary Miller
42. Corporate Public Relations, Marion Glick
Epilogue, James Gleick