CM 445: Technical Writing for the Professions Unit 4: Science Writing Christine Danelski, Ph.D.

Any questions from Unit 3? On the readings? The discussion boards? On the reading journal?

Assignments for Unit 4: Reading: Chapter 5 “Science as a Social Enterprise” and Chapter 6 “The Sharing of Knowledge in Science” in Writing for the Professions. Live Seminar: Discussion on the difference between business writing and science writing, and journals as a job hunting aid. Also an update on the final projects.

Assignments for Unit 4: Discussion Board: Part 1: Explore science writing and the qualifications necessary for doing science writing. Part 2: Respond to one of the eight prompts posted for Part 2. Journal: Respond to one of the six prompts listed. Be sure to choose a prompt that you have not previously writing about.

Unit 4 Project Your task is to find two science articles that present data using the Public Library of Science (an online source) and to look at that data, think about it, read about it, and then interpret it for your readers. A technical writer helps the general public understand data so that people can distinguish how it affects their world. Doing this will help us understand our world and communicate with others in our communities, our nations, and in the world! As you read Chapters 5 & 6 in our textbook in this unit, focus on how scientists collaborate and think about how your interpretation of their data might be able to help people. (More details for this assignment may be found on the Unit 4 Project section of our course.)

Science writing questions: Explain how the art of persuasion in science differs from persuasion in business writing?

Science writing questions: Explain how collaboration in science differs from collaborative efforts on a business or marketing team? How are they similar?

Science writing questions: How can you use journals as a job-hunting aid?

Final Project Update: Does anyone have any questions or concerns about their final project? What progress have you made this week?

Looking ahead to Unit 5: Medical Writing Reading: Chapters 7 and 8 of Writing for the Professions and the following article found in the Kaplan Library: English, W. E., (2003). Medical Technical Writing. Intercom. 50 (7). Retrieved from the Business Source Premier database. Live Seminar: Use the categories for audience analysis in Chapter 7 of your reading this week to write up a profile of your local area for a brochure that promotes quitting smoking. We will discuss one category at a time in seminar. Come prepared with your analysis. Also an update on the final projects.

Looking ahead to Unit 5: Medical Writing Discussion Board: Part 1: Explore medical writing opportunities. Part 2: Respond to one of the eight prompts posted for Part 2. Journal: Respond to one of the six prompts listed. Be sure to choose a prompt that you have not previously writing about.

Looking ahead to Unit 5: Medical Writing Unit Project: Read the following article: Atherton, J. C., & Blaser, M. J. (2009). Coadaptation of Helicobacter pylori and humans: ancient history, modern implications. Journal of Clinical Investigation, 119(9). Retrieved from EBSCO. Part I: Write a a three to five page piece about ulcers that covers information such as what can cause ulcers, what diseases they are linked to, and how they can be treated in the form of a pamphlet. Use APA formatting and citations. For more details see the Unit 5 Project page of this course Part II: Write a one to two-page reflection on the ease or difficulty you experienced writing Part I of this assignment.

Thanks for attending. Feel free to contact me during the week with any questions or concerns. I usually answer all email within 24 hours (cdanelski@kaplan.edu). Also I keep my AIM icon on while I grade on Wednesday, Thursdays and Fridays. My AIM name is CDanelski2. Chris D.