Five science writers share tips on how to make science stories entertaining and funny

By Clara Lincolnhol

This is the 6th in a series of articles by Knight Center students who attended the recent annual conference of the National Association of Science Writers.

“Welcome to how to engage an audience,” said Kathyrn Jepson, the editor-in-chief for Symmetry Magazine and a science fiction editor.

Jepson and four other journalists spoke at a panel at the National Science Writers Conference in Chicago to share how writers can implement humor in their writing to get readers hooked on a scientific story.

Blythe Terrell, the executive editor at Science Vs., said a critical way to tell a funny science story is by getting the scientist in on a joke.

“One of the critical ways we do that is by giving scientists a space where they hopefully feel comfortable opening up and having just a little bit of fun,” Terrell said. “And that is often on our tape in our audio.”

She said they will write weird questions and see if the scientist wants to go along with them.

“It’s not like we aren’t taking the topic seriously. We are treating it with seriousness. The rest of the episode is serious, but we find space for these things and we find that really engages listeners,” Terrell said.

Kate Gammon, a comedian, and freelance journalist, said she writes a lot about crises, like the biodiversity crisis, the climate crisis and political crisis. “It felt sometimes like I was writing an obituary for nature,” Gammon said. “So I had to make jokes.” Continue reading →

Editors are people too!

By Julia Belden

This is the 5th in a series of articles by Knight Center students who attended the recent annual conference of the National Association of Science Writers.

It’s a scenario every journalist is familiar with: You file what you think is a solid draft of a story, only to find it covered in red ink and comments upon its return from the editor’s desk.

Editing is a critical part of the writing process, yet there is frequently tension between writers and editors. At the recent National Association of Science Writers conference, a panel of editors and freelance writers took to the stage to offer their insights into this relationship.

At the heart of it all? “Do unto others.”

“Number one is treat your writers the way you wish you would be treated if you were a writer,” said Sarah Zielinski, the print editor for Science News Explores.

Attendees at the National Association of Science Writers list helpful and frustrating editor behaviors. Credit: Julia Belden

This means giving feedback with kindness and intention, the panelists continued.

Carmen Drahl, a freelance journalist and editor, cautioned editors about word choices when editing: “Never underestimate the emotional impact that a glib comment or off-the-cuff comment can have.”

The panelists recognized the inherent power imbalance between editors and writers. Freelance writers are in an especially precarious position, as money might not flow as steadily as it would in a staff writing job.

Because of this dynamic, writers might be hesitant to reach out for help when they need it, the panelists said.

Whether it’s a scheduling issue, a personal emergency or you’re simply stuck on something in a story, it’s important to communicate. Editors want to help, said the panelists. Continue reading →