The Power of a Good Story: Effective Writing Advances Science
I am often asked what is the most challenging part of my job as a scientific editor. Is it the demands of tight timelines during grant seasons? Is it editing for people whose native language is not English? Is it working with young scientists who have little writing experience?
Actually, the most challenging part of my job is combatting the ingrained—and flawed—convention that scientific writing should be formal and prosaic.
The Evolving Language of “Science-ese”
Over the last century, science evolved greatly. It became more objective, complex, and specialized. And scientific language followed suit. As a result, scientists communicate with a vocabulary that is difficult for non-scientists to understand. Even experts in different fields can struggle to understand one another.
Poor scientific writing creates crucial communication gaps across all levels of society. For example, students struggle to make sense of their textbooks, slowing their learning process. Patients don’t fully comprehend their disease or treatment plan, worsening their condition and increasing healthcare costs. Specialists in different fields don’t understand each other, making it more difficult to apply discoveries from one field to another. Policymakers are not fully aware of environmental factors that could impact climate change, putting the long-term health of our planet—and us—at risk. These communication gaps significantly hinder scientific advancement.
Fortunately, not all scientists communicate with complex language. For example, in 1953, Watson and Crick forever changed our understanding of biology when they described the double-helix structure of DNA. In their paper, they wrote of their discovery in an accessible and entertaining way. The paper has become a model of scientific rhetoric.
But despite the accessibility of this model, scientists continue to plague literature with poor writing. Why? Many scientists do not receive training in effective scientific writing. Instead they rely on what those have done before them by mimicking the poor writing they read in the literature or what they learn from their mentors and colleagues. This approach only guarantees that poor writing will persist.
The Value of Storytelling in Science
Good writing is a craft. Fortunately, it can be taught. With good resources and lots of practice, scientists can communicate effectively to any audience, regardless of their background.
What is the single best way to communicate effectively in any field? Consider your audience. What do they already know? What do you want them to know? Why should this topic be important to them? How can you explain the topic in a way that they will understand it?
This last question is an important one. I often encounter scientists who find it difficult to write for the general population. They have a deep knowledge of their particular subject, but they struggle to break down the complex language they typically use to explain it.
I would like to offer just one tip to those struggling scientists: write to your readers as though you are talking to them in an elevator. Tell them a story. Telling a story is a powerful way to communicate information. It engages the reader, and it makes them just as excited about science as you.
And when telling your story, focus on the principle of KISS: Keep It Simple and Straightforward (I find this version more congenial than the original). Use simple language, even if you are writing for other scientists. We are inundated with things to read every day: emails, text messages, news articles, blog posts, social media feeds…the list goes on. We all appreciate and enjoy reading things that are clear, concise, and engaging.
Are you wondering where to begin?
Devising the Plot of Your Story
Dig back to your childhood roots. Do you remember when your teachers would advise you to start by creating an outline? This great advice still applies at higher levels of academia.
Gather your data, ideas, and theories. Summarize them in bullet points on your computer. Or if you are a more visual person, write each point on a sticky note and use a bare wall or whiteboard. Then think about the best way to organize those points to tell your story (which is rarely the same sequence of events in which you gathered those pieces of information). Move the bullet points around on the page or wall until they flow in a way that tells a good story.
Then start writing. Get all of your thoughts about each bullet point down on paper. Don’t worry about the language just yet. Write in a way that you are most comfortable with right now. Surprisingly, this is the easy part.
Now comes the hard part. Editing.
Think about your audience. Not just who will read your work, but who you want to read your work. Write it in the header of your document as a reminder, if it’s helpful.
Then break out of your comfort zone! Begin revising your draft, simplifying the language as you go. Repeat this process and continue to refine your words over time. The added bonus is that as you simplify your writing, you will more easily see any gaps in logic, misguided conclusions, or lapses in flow.
Next up is the review process. Share your writing with others and let them edit it. Everyone can benefit from an editor. Your work will be clearer and more effective when reviewed by (at least) a second pair of eyes.
Advancing Science through Simple Language
Some scientists feel that if they write with simple language, people will perceive them as simple-minded. On the contrary, by using simple language, your reader will not get lost in abstract words, passive voice, and pretentious jargon as they try to understand your complex ideas and discoveries. Instead, your science—and you—will shine through.
Even Albert Einstein, one of the greatest scientists in our history, believed in the power of simple language. He said, “If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.”
Using simple language will empower you in the eyes of your reader. In this way, you can help to build support for science. You can improve scientific literacy and access to science. You can help people understand science and its value to society. You can better connect people and disciplines. You can encourage communities to make more informed decisions. With simple language, science thrives.
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