10 Helpful Tips for Communicating Research to the Public
As a researcher, you are likely most comfortable writing in an academic style, because you spend much of your time writing for your colleagues and peers. But this writing style is complex and confusing to the average reader. And it fuels the communication gap between researchers and the general public.
To bridge the communication gap, you need to be able to write for the general public. To do this well, you need to adopt a more simplistic—even journalistic—writing style (often called “lay language” in academia). In this way, you can connect with a variety of readers and make your work more relatable, memorable, and trusted.
The next time you sit down to write for the general public, exchange your “academic-writing hat” for a more informal style. Use the following ten tips to help you make an impression on all readers, from the general public to experts in your field.
1. Shorten your words
Long words are harder to read. And the more syllables your words contain, the less your reader will understand. Remember that the number one principle in writing is to make your reader’s job easy. Give your reader less work to do by using short words instead of long ones. As often as possible, use words with only one syllable.
2. Trim your sentences
Scientists tend to use longer sentences when writing. But long sentences are difficult to read. And paragraphs with multiple long sentences are agonizing to digest. Trim wordy phrases, and keep your sentences at no more than 25 words long.
3. Focus on the period
The period is the most essential punctuation in writing. Everything else—commas, semicolons, colons, parenthesis—create clauses that lessen understanding. When used thoughtfully, they can make your writing more interesting. But when you’re writing for the general public, your readers span across all education levels. Aim to use periods as the primary punctuation in your writing.
4. Throw out jargon
The majority of biologists know what “cell apoptosis” means. But most of the general population does not understand the term. When writing for the public, use simple, everyday language. Choose different words that are more direct. For example, use “heart attack” instead of “myocardial infarction” or “move” instead of “translocate”. And whatever you do, avoid noun-strings.
5. Introduce new terms
In some cases, you still need to use a term that your reader may not know. Only use terms that are essential to your story. Introduce them and explain what they mean with simple language.
6. Make it human
People connect with stories and the experiences of other people. So, your reader will better connect with your writing if you use bias-free language that is centered around people. For example, use the phrase “people with multiple sclerosis” instead of “multiple sclerosis patients.”
7. Use the first person
Scientists often write in third person. They believe the third person shows the objectivity that they need for their work. But the general reader has a difficult time connecting with the third person. Instead, use first person. In this way, the reader will watch the story unfold through your eyes. They will see the more personal side of research—what researchers find challenging, motivating, and exciting.
8. Avoid passive voice
Passive voice is a much-debated topic in scientific writing. Many researchers believe that passive voice gives their writing a formal tone and shows their objectivity. But to a general reader, passive voice sounds abstract and stuffy. Instead, use active voice, which is more direct, clear, and compelling.
9. Talk to your reader
A simple trick to getting your brain in the right mindset is to imagine that you are talking to someone, perhaps a neighbor or family member, about your research. Think about how you would describe your work to them, and write in a similar style.
10. Ask a non-expert to read your writing
We can all benefit from an editor. But people with different backgrounds can give you different perspectives. A colleague can tell you if the research details are correct. A friend or relative can tell you if they understand the research based on how you explain it. If your readers have questions, they are raising flags in areas that need more detail or to be written more clearly.
Want to learn more about how to write effectively for the general public? Enroll in our Lay Summary Fundamentals course!
