Producing a Science Essay for the Lay Reader
Department of Chemistry: Course Definition 1997/8
Producing a `Science Essay for the Lay Reader'
A Guide for Students and Staff
Introduction
This year is the first year that such reports have been a part of the
course. It is appropriate therefore that some general guidelines are issued in
order to establish comparability (not uniformity) of the `Essay' reports.
The `Essay' and `Technical' reports are based on a different set of skills
and therefore comparability between them can only be established in a general
manner, by size, literary expertise and creative input and this will be dealt
with later when marking guidelines are issued to Staff.
Objectives
The objective of the `Essay' is to explain the chosen discovery to the
intelligent non-specialist reader. This explanation will cover some or all of
its significance to the specialist, to the wider scientific community and in a
social, medical and environmental context. "If you cannot, in the long run,
tell everyone what you have been doing, then your doing has been worthless"
Erwin Schrödinger from `Science and Humanity'.
The overriding target is to present the material in an intelligible, visually
and stylistically attractive and interesting way such that the reader is
stimulated to (almost) any response but boredom.
Guidelines
The list below is intended as a guide and a source of ideas for the
student, not a definition and the creative element in the `Essay' is probably
the most important single factor.
It is assumed that the student has access to a word processor. If not, or if
the student is a computerphobe, the supervisor should be informed immediately.
Handwritten reports are fully acceptable provided that they are neatly and
clearly presented and diagrams are carefully and accurately drawn.
1. Data collection
o you have chosen/been allocated a topic. Base the essay only on one or
one related series of recent papers on this topic. The decision
as to which may be made jointly with the Supervisor.
o decide why this paper would be interesting to the lay reader.
o references/reading will have to be more wide ranging than for a technical
essay. Be prepared go to any primary source for supplementary material.
Remember primary sources are much preferred to secondary.
o use earlier scientific references to the topic only to establish the
background and context.
o try contacting the senior author of the paper for inside information.
Ask for a photograph! (But be prepared for a rebuff).
o refer back to your supervisor without delay if the quantity of data
appears to be getting too large or small for your target essay size. The topic
definition can always be adjusted.
2. Text construction
o choose a general science publication (New Scientist, Science) as a style
model.
o remember, you are telling a story! Set the scene, build up the
tensions, go for a big conclusion i.e. without debasing the style, create
interest.
o if the paper involves a controversy, write it as such. Do not
ameliorate but do not exaggerate.
o try as much as possible to avoid the use of specialist terms, acronyms
and jargon.
o if specialist terms have to be used, define them in a clear non-jargon
way.
o avoid the use of complex equations, chemical or
mathematical.
o the work must be fully referenced, normally these will be at the end
of the document, but they may be embedded if they do not break up the text
unduly.
3. Use of Pictures and Data Boxes:
o "one picture is worth a thousand words" - use, as often as possible,
pictorial representations (of molecules, organisms, experimental
assemblies, even people) to enhance the text. This may require extensive use of
draw programs, (electronically) imported pictures or (physically) pasted
photographs.
o use boxes (see New Scientist) to embed more specialised information if
your WP program allows.
4. Final Assembly
o think carefully about your final assembly: the formatting; the
impact of different fonts and text sizes (used with restraint); the
harmonious juxtaposition of text, graphics and subsidiary data boxes;
the possible use of colour (definitely not obligatory)
o consult regularly with your supervisor to try out ideas on content,
style and format as the essay takes shape.
o try to achieve a professional appearance. Express your
creativity in the content, the style, and the layout. This will be the
basis for assessment.
David Widdowson, Lionel Milgrom, 12 November, 1997