Interlude: Communication Framework, Misused Words, and Genuine Images

Hi Crystal,

I recently read an article that described a simple model for effectively communicating a message. The model is called the “What, So What, Now What” Framework.

This framework comprises three simple questions:

What: What are the facts, situation, product, position, etc?

So What: What is the relevance of these details to the audience?

Now What: What next steps do you want the audience to take?

This simple framework is also a great high-level model for effective communication in manuscripts and grant proposals. With some minor tweaking to the questions, we get the following:

📝 Manuscripts

What: What approach did you use and what are the findings?

So What: What is the relevance of those findings to the field?

Now What: What next steps can be taken now that we have those findings?

💰 Proposals

What: What data will you collect and what approach will you use to collect that data?

So What: What will be the relevance of that data to the field?

Now What: What next steps could be done once we have that data?

The “What, So What, Now What” Framework is a simple model that does not delineate the complexities of manuscripts and grant proposals. But I think the framework can give authors a helpful high-level view of whether they are effectively communicating their overall message.

Now onto this week's round-up...

💌 Round-up

👓 Reading

Scientific Writing—What's in a Word​
“Even the most meticulous scientific writers misuse words and forget grammar rules. These mistakes delay the reviewing process, frustrating authors and JNEB editorial staff. This column aims to address the most common mistakes seen in submissions. Hopefully, this list will help identify and clarify these kinds of issues.”

…Oh, and if you want to learn more words that are commonly misused, check out our collection of resources on this topic.

​Genuine images in 2024​
"…in 2024, the Science family of journals is adopting the use of Proofig, an artificial intelligence (AI)–powered image-analysis tool, to detect altered images across all six of the journals.

Proofig screens images for duplication and other types of manipulation. It is similar to the iThenticate plagiarism detection software (which Science has been using for 7 years), but it works on images rather than text.”

🖥️ Watching

Pep Talk​
In this short Instagram Reel, Jefferson Fisher shares how words and your communication are "the greatest power or tool of influence that you can possess."

💭 Thoughts

As writers, we need to clearly define and understand our audience so that we can write for them, not to them.

✅ Action

On a sticky note, write "What", "So what", and "Now what" on three separate lines. Place the sticky note on your monitor so that you can see it whenever you need to craft a message.

Thank you so much for reading.

Warmly,

Crystal