The Craft of Science Writing
Author:Edited by Siri Carpenter2020
(Booklink)

Science journalism has perhaps never been so critical to our world—and the demands on science
journalists have never been greater. On any given day, a science journalist might need to
explain the details of genetic engineering, analyze a development in climate change research, or
serve as a watchdog helping to ensure the integrity of the scientific enterprise. And science
writers have to spin tales seductive enough to keep readers hooked to the end, despite the
endless other delights just a click away. How does one do it?
Here, for the first time, is a collection of indispensable articles on the craft of science
writing as told by some of the most skillful science journalists working today. These selections
are a wealth of journalistic knowledge from The Open Notebook, the online community that has
been a primary resource for science journalists and aspiring science writers for the last
decade.
The Craft of Science Writing gives you a crew of accomplished, encouraging friends to whisper
over your shoulder as you work. In these pages, you'll find interviews with leading journalists
offering behind-the-scenes inspiration, as well as in-depth essays on the craft offering
practical advice, including:
• How to make the transition into science writing
• How to find and pitch a science story to editors
• How to wade through a sea of technicalities in scientific papers to spot key facts
• How to evaluate scientific and statistical claims
• How to report on controversial topics
• How to structure a science story, from short news to long features
• How to engage readers in a science story and hold their attention to the end