Popular science writing

Aims of the course

• To familiarise students with a range of perspectives on the value and purposes of science writing.
• To explore a range of styles and techniques for writing about science, with a focus on writing narrative non-fiction books and essays.
• To develop students' skills as effective and engaging science writers.

Learning outcomes

As a result of the course, within the constraints of the time available, students should be able to:

• critique science writing and recognise what makes science writing appropriate to particular audiences and aims
• develop ideas for, and draft, of a piece of non-fiction writing (a book chapter or a long feature, of approximately 5,000 words), using elements of narrative storytelling.
• develop a proposal and pitch for a popular science book
• edit their work to enhance their writing for particular readerships and production contexts

Course content overview

• This course introduces the craft of writing about science for non-specialist readerships, also known as popular science writing.
• Students will learn how to read, analyse and critique the work of other science writers, to develop their own skills in effectively communicating science to non-specialist publics.
• Students will each develop an idea and draft text for a long piece of narrative non-fiction writing of their choice, most likely a chapter for book or a long feature.
• Students will practise their own science writing, with short writing exercises alongside their own work to produce a long feature or a chapter for a book.
• Feedback from tutors will be available throughout the course.
• Students will learn how to get their writing published.

Target audience

• Students who aren’t necessarily practicing scientists or trained in science, but who are interested in communicating science to the general public.
• Students who are academics at any stage of their careers and are keen to write effectively about their science for a wide audience, beyond their peers.
• Students who are keen to write popular science books or long features for journals and magazines.

Welcome week (Week 0)

Purpose:

• personal introductions
• introducing the course
• useful reading
• personal objectives

Learning Outcomes

By studying this week, the students should have:

• grasped navigation around the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) and from VLE to links and back
• tested their ability to access files and the web conferencing software, and sorted out any problems with the help of the eLearning Helpdesk
• learnt how to look for, assess and reference internet resources
• used forums to introduce themselves to other students
• contributed to a discussion forum to introduce themselves to other students and discuss why they are interested in the course, what they hope to get out of their studies and also to respond to News items sent out on behalf of the tutor

Week 1: What makes good science writing?

Purpose:

To introduce the basics, and look at some of the main challenges, of writing about science for non-specialist audiences. We will also look at a range of ideas about what it is and what it is for, and why we do it.

Learning Outcomes:

By studying this week, the students should have:

• an understanding of a range of perspectives on what popular science writing is
• an appreciation of a range of views on the value and purposes of science writing
• an understanding of the basic skills and of how to avoid the common pitfalls in science writing

Week 2: Shaping a structure and telling a story

Purpose:

We’ll explore ways to structure your writing and develop your writing style.

Learning Outcomes

By studying this week, the students should have:

• insights into the importance of structure to lead readers through a longer piece of work.
• knowledge of techniques to make writing more stylish and engaging.
• an appreciation of how elements of storytelling can be usefully applied to science writing to help readers engage with, understand and enjoy longer pieces of writing.

Week 3: Editing: how to write better

Purpose:

Here we will discuss the role of editing in adapting and enhancing writing, for a range of outcomes (such as length, different readerships, or another medium).

Learning Outcomes:

By studying this week the students should have:

• an understanding of the uses of editing
• skills in editing their own (and others’) work to achieve a particular aim

Week 4: Publishing your book

Purpose:

To introduce students to the conventions of the publishing world.

Learning Outcomes:

By studying this week the students should have:

• an overview of the market for popular science/narrative non-fiction books
• insights into how to pick and develop an idea for a popular science book
• an understanding of how to a develop a book proposal and how to get an agent and publisher

Week 5: Managing information

Purpose: 

Writing about science involves managing information from many kinds of sources. This session explores ways of gathering, storing, organising, selecting and representing information about your topic.

Learning Outcomes

Students will learn about:

• the responsibilities and ethics of factual writing
• finding a range of sources (primary, secondary, archive, live, mass media etc.)
• referencing, citation and sourcing that respects other authors and equips the reader
• potential pitfalls, including copyright, plagiarism and libel

Week 6: what next? 

• sharing of students’ work among peers
• assessment of student learning
• assessment of student satisfaction
• encouragement of further study

This course is open to everyone, and you don’t need any previous knowledge or experience of the subject to attend.  

Our short courses are designed especially for adult learners who want to advance their personal or professional development. They are taught by tutors who are expert in both their subjects and in teaching students of all ages and experiences. 

Please note that all teaching is in English. You should have near-native command of the English language to get the maximum benefit from the course. 

Each week of an online course is roughly equivalent to 2-3 hours of classroom time. On top of this, participants should expect to spend roughly 2-3 hours of self-study time, for example, reading materials, although this will vary from person to person. 

While they have a specific start and end date and will follow a weekly schedule (for example, week 1 will cover topic A, week 2 will cover topic B), our tutor-led online courses are designed to be flexible and as such would normally not require participants to be online for a specific day of the week or time of the day (although some tutors may try to schedule times where participants can be online together for web seminars, which will be recorded so that those who are unable to be online at certain times are able to access material). 

Unless otherwise stated, all course material will be posted on the VLE so that they can be accessed at any time throughout the duration of the course and interaction with your tutor and fellow participants will take place through a variety of different ways which will allow for both synchronous and asynchronous learning (using discussion boards etc).

Fees 

The course fee includes access to the course on our VLE, personal feedback on your work from an expert tutor, a certificate of participation (if you complete work and take part in discussions), and access to the class resources for two years after your course finishes. 

Concessions 

For more information, please see our concessions information page. 

Alison Fordham Bursary

University of Cambridge Professional and Continuing Education is proud to offer the Alison Fordham bursary, which is awarded to students who wish to study on one of our short online courses via our VLE, reducing the fee paid by 50%. The bursary is limited to a single award for each set of online courses. 

Application criteria:  

• applicants should set out their personal learning motivations since priority will be given to those who are returning to learning after an extended break, or have not previously engaged with fully online learning, or are seeking to use the online short course as a bridge towards undergraduate award-bearing study
• applicants who can demonstrate financial need 

For more information, please see our bursaries information page.

A certificate of participation and a digital credential will be awarded to those who contribute constructively to weekly discussions, exercises and assignments for the duration of the course.