The Craft of Science Writing

"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, in a second edition, 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 since 2010. Meet 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 on topics such as the following: how to make the transition into science writing; how to find and pitch a science story to editors; how to wade through technicalities in scientific papers to spot key facts; how to evaluate scientific and statistical claims, including in preprints; how to consider questions of sensitivity and diversity, equity, and inclusion; how to build and keep up with a beat; how to structure a science story, from short news to long features; and how to engage readers in a science story and hold their attention to the end"--