Training 11
Guidelines for Writing Good Articles on Science and Technology
It is amazing to discover how the research undertaken prior to writing an article on any science and technology based subject can open the doors to a plethora of hitherto unknown and interesting facts! The research paves a fascinating way to grasp a difficult subject, sift through voluminous facts and observations, and then turn them into something that is interesting for the common reader. Truly and remarkably a rewarding experience!
Clarity and precision of subject
Every piece of information pertaining to science and technology is based on facts and figures. The facts are precise and mostly unambiguous. Hence, while recording scientific data, the writer has to be specific and the data accurate. Even though science and technology drive the world, yet there are only few elite groups who can actually fathom the contents of articles written in scientific journals and newspaper columns. Hence the article needs to be written in such a manner that even though the data and content are based on scientific evaluation, yet even a non-technical reader should find the narrative interesting and understandable that would lead him/her to read it till the end.
The fear and mental block associated with science related topics are the main reasons for illiteracy in such topics. Time and again this illiteracy has led to misconception about common facts, viz., public beliefs related to certain types of communicable diseases like bird-flu and AIDS causing widespread panic, or in some cases total ignorance! Hence it is a challenge to write articles on subjects based on day-to-day science and technology that would educate the common mass. Several random surveys made on unsuspecting people have proved the pathetic state of awareness pertaining to basic scientific information like planets in our solar system and the sense organs in the human body or elementary technological queries like computer chips. A serious and dedicated writer who enjoys the experience of article-writing can actually contribute to the society by writing articles on science and technology based subjects to educate the readers in a simple manner.
Simplicity and authority on subject matter
Who says that articles on scientific subjects must be scholarly and serious? A good writer can always turn even the most mundane and serious matters into humorous and interesting pieces for readers and still keep them unambiguous, informative and factual. In such a case, featured article should also provide the readers with sufficient background information on which to build respective value-added analysis. The writer should be competent enough to be able to carry on thorough research including drawing on the expertise of a professional if need be. In most cases pertaining to the present scenario, the governments of various countries constantly need to reach the respective masses to create awareness on certain health related issues or on new technological advancement that can help make life safe and easy. For instance, widespread awareness campaign on bird-flu has helped in clearing certain myths and rumors about the disease while allowing the general public to take precautions to facilitate in stopping the disease from reaching alarmingly epidemic proportions.
The same holds good for the dreaded AIDS disease. At times statistics had provided strange results in such cases when it had been disappointing to discover that educated masses seemed to know very little or nothing about such relatively well-known scourge like AIDS. This was simply because somehow the scientific elites had been unable to bring forth simple terminologies while trying to explain the disease. However, such a scenario has been reversed to a large extent, thanks to government campaigns whereby writers have been able to disseminate known facts using interesting catch-words to create awareness amongst common people. Certain sensitive scientific research meant to help human growth and development that is causing a furor can be dealt with considerately if the content of such research is made available and understandable to the non-technical readers. This is where a writer can take up the challenge and bring forth interesting scientific observations to his/her readers.
Similarly, certain technological advancements take a long time to get implemented due to the ignorance pertaining to their requirement and implementation. For instance, consider the simple GPS system in automobiles. GPS, or Global Positioning System, is a satellite-based navigation system developed by the U.S. Department of Defense to provide a consistent, accurate method of simplifying navigation. Such a navigation system can help users get huge benefits while traveling long, unknown distances as well as get swift assistance in case of accidents. It has been quite a few years since the benefits are being highlighted and yet the message has somehow failed to reach the masses due to sheer ignorance. In such cases, simple and interesting articles that are well-researched can actually come in handy to create explicit educational service to readers.
Photos and illustrations
Inclusion of photographs, graphical material and diagrams to illustrate the article can be an added advantage since illustrations can sometimes help reader understand scientific matter in an easier way. A visual along with some explanation can make any difficult scientific data very simplistic and yet comprehensive. Good write-ups supported by interesting illustrations can distinguish a writer from his/her peers.
Simplistic approach to sensitive medical and technical issues
Every nation has a different set of concerns that needs to be approached delicately and cleverly. Sometimes the solution to a problem lies in understanding the problem itself! Such an issue is not lost on a good writer and technical topics of national importance that can be paramount for the interests of the masses can actually be made available to them by taking a simplistic approach to those topics.
It has been found with regards to latest developments in the field of technology that people want to go for new stuff more or less for the sake of showing them off rather than actually putting them to good use. These days the market is flooded with laptops, ipods, hand-held computer and what-not! However owning these things are more of a style statement rather than putting them into actual use. If the manuals that accompany these devices and gadgets can be made more readable by keeping the technical jargons to a minimum and simplifying each and every operation, the customer service industry might virtually become non-existent! Now that is quite a challenging task for the technical content writers, isn?t it?
Finally, keeping in mind the basic points discussed above, you can become a professional technical writer in good demand even though you actually haven?t had any basic training in content-writing. It?s a flair that comes from within and can be cultivated to reach perfection. The monetary benefits are definitely considered, but apart from that it?s the motivation that needs to be inculcated to provide valuable education to readers with fear of approaching technical issues.
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