Interlude: Lay Summaries, Communication Gaps, and Connection
I anticipate you might be wondering why this newsletter is a few days early. Well, I couldn't wait to share some exciting news with you.
I created a new course—and you're getting early access!
The course is called Lay Summary Fundamentals.
I've worked with a lot of researchers who put off writing the lay summary for their manuscript or project narrative for their grant until the last minute. Then they scramble to craft something that “gets the job done.” But this approach only produces a subpar lay summary that does a disservice to the work—and to science.
Lay summaries are a really important part of research. They amplify the accessibility, visibility, transparency, and impact of scientific research.
So, to help you craft an impactful lay summary, I created the Lay Summary Fundamentals course.
This course is rooted in a webinar I gave that was a huge hit. Here's what a few attendees had to say:
"I highly recommend this webinar. Crystal walked through these topics so clearly and I am excited to implement her suggestions into my writing!"
"The slides and resource materials provide a clear and practical introduction to plain language writing for specialist and general audiences."
"Great chance to learn practical tips and frameworks for how to improve the readability of your writing."
As a member of the Redwood Ink community, you're getting early access (and a deep discount!) before the course officially opens tomorrow. You can find all the details on the course website.
Now onto the (early) weekly round-up...
💌 Round-up
💻 From My Desk
10 Helpful Tips for Communicating Research to the Public
Many researchers are most comfortable writing in an "academic style" for their colleagues. But this writing style is often confusing for nonspecialists—fueling a communication gap between researchers and the general public. These tips will help you write in a way that connects with a variety of readers, from the general public to experts in your field.
👓 Reading
A whimsical request inspired some essential writing tools
In this article, writing coach Roy Peter Clark shares a personal anthology of his thoughts on writing. "I would select my favorite bits of advice, not just from the new book, but from the six that preceded it — the kind of practical strategies that work best in my coaching and teaching."
The current state of graphical abstracts and how to create good graphical abstracts
"The key steps for creating a GA [graphical abstract] are as follows: (1) start by identifying the main message; (2) choose an appropriate visual style; (3) draw an easy-to-understand graphic; (4) use colors and other design elements; and (5) request feedback....GAs have become a crucial art for researchers to master, and their use is expected to expand in the future."
💭 Thoughts
One mark of a good writer is empathy for readers.
A good writer can relate to the feelings and motivations of their readers to create an emotional connection.
📝 Challenge
This week, open the most recent lay summary or project narrative that you wrote. Then ask a friend or family member who does not work in science to read it and tell you what they don't understand.
Thank you so much for reading.
Warmly,
Crystal
