Why write for science?

Science is a vast and ever-changing field which appeals to a wide and varied audience. Regardless of your interest, background or experience, writing for the Manitoban’s science section can give you an opportunity to reach out to a curious audience waiting to be engaged and enthused, not to mention a unique chance to see your name in print and gain recognition from your peers and potential employers. If you have something to say about science, an interest in a particular field or a story idea that you just need to share with others, science is the section for you.

How to write for science?

Science writing can often be a bit of a balancing act. As an individual interested in science you could be pretty knowledgeable about a subject, however in order to identify with your audience and maintain journalistic integrity, you must assume the role of the Padawan rather than Jedi. Your job is to seek out experts, learn from them and tell their story, using your knowledge and experience to translate concepts into terms a non-scientist can understand and appreciate.

Style and Content

While creativity is more than welcome in the world of science journalism, new writers will probably find more success writing in a formal tone for their first few articles. Articles covering subjects such as technology, biology, chemistry and physics are welcome, as are those covering mathematics, anthropology, psychology and any other subject from which a scientific story can be developed. Articles must be well referenced with several non-Wikipedia sources, and ideally present an issue from the viewpoint of a neutral observer.

Section meeting

The science section meeting will be Fridays from 12 till 1p.m.. Come by to pitch story ideas, get assignments or just to say “hi!”