The ABCs of Making Science Writing Accessible to a Wide Audience

As a biologist, you possess a wealth of knowledge about complex biological concepts. However, communicating these ideas and discoveries to a general audience can be challenging. Striking the right balance between accuracy and accessibility ensures your message reaches a broader audience.

Science writers help make science accessible to the general public to inspire curiosity, spark interest in the next generation, and promote informed decision-making. All too often, the “alphabet soup” nature of science jargon and molecule names causes unnecessary confusion and loss of interest. Let’s explore practical strategies to help bridge the gap and ensure your message engages a wide audience.

The ABCs of science writing for a lay audience:

• A = Accuracy
• B = Big Picture
• C = Clear Progression
• D = Define, define, define
• E = Engage the reader’s mind

Accuracy

To establish credibility and build trust with your readers, science writers must ensure the accuracy of the information presented. Conduct thorough research, consult up-to-date, reliable sources, and verify the validity of your information before sharing it with a lay audience. By prioritizing accuracy, science writers contribute to a more informed society and empower individuals to navigate an increasingly complex world.

Pro Tip: Never sacrifice accuracy for a better story or headline!

Big Picture

Integrate context and background information early in the article to help readers understand the discovery’s or biological process’s significance. Rather than assuming prior knowledge, provide relevant background information and explain any technical terms or jargon used. The big picture is particularly important with basic science discoveries, such as the discovery of how two molecules interact to turn off a cancer-promoting gene. That discovery alone will not cure cancer and may not be relevant to most cancer patients. But, it is a piece of the giant, intricate puzzle of cancer research, and that is what you need to help the reader understand.

Pro Tip: Think of the “Big Picture” as bookends to your article – you start and finish with this concept so the reader understands the context of the body of the article.

Clear Progression

Guide your readers through the scientific findings by presenting the information logically and organized. Depending on the article’s length, you can use clear subheadings, bullet points, or numbered lists to break down complex concepts into digestible chunks. Recall the days when you first learned the different biological pathways and how you learned them step by step. The art of science writing is providing enough context and walking the reader through the science step by step without being overly wordy or providing unnecessary details that are not essential to the non-expert reader.

Pro Tip: Write a simple outline of your article before starting so you can follow a logical progression in the story and ensure that all essential details are added. An outline can also help you see if you have added extraneous details that can be removed.

Define Terms

Simplify complex scientific terminology by using everyday language that is easily understandable to a non-expert audience. Strike a balance between general terms and specific scientific vocabulary. When introducing technical terms, provide clear definitions and explanations to enhance comprehension. Remember, clarity is critical to bridging the gap between science and the general public.

Pro Tip: If you’re writing about research that involves dozens of molecules, only include the main ones in your article or simply name the general categories. This approach maintains accuracy while avoiding presenting an overwhelming amount of technical jargon to the reader.

Engage the Reader’s Mind

Make your scientific writing come alive by engaging the reader’s imagination. Use analogies and visual aids to help explain complex concepts in relatable terms. Connect the scientific ideas to real-life examples, making them more tangible and easier to grasp. You can create a deeper connection and enhance understanding by appealing to the reader’s senses.

Pro Tip: A mixed-use of common analogies, such as sports or brake/accelerator/engine analogies, can help the reader grasp how the different pathways in organisms interact. Don’t forget to mix it up, though, so you’re not always saying the same thing!

When writing for a lay audience, deviating from the traditional cookie-cutter approach you may have been taught for writing peer-reviewed science articles is essential. Start with a concise paragraph that outlines the main finding and engages the reader in just one to two sentences. Then, share the importance of the new finding or the problem being solved. By remembering the ABCs of science writing for a lay audience – Accuracy, Big Picture, Clear Progression, Define, and Engage – you can effectively communicate complex scientific ideas to a general audience.