Tues 8/29: Opening Day!

In class: Course discussion, “housekeeping,” ice breaker, explain homework

Homework:

Read: Handout on exigence

Write: Diagnostic essay, which is an introductory letter to the instructor, 500 words. Use the questions from the link:  https://williams2022d2.commons.gc.cuny.edu/files/2021/08/Letter-of-Introduction-copy.pdf Due Thurs 8/31 10pm on BB

Questions:

1. What is your science major, and what are your career goals?
2. Do you like writing?
3. Do you consider science writing difficult? Explain
4. Do you think deciphering science texts is complex or requires a higher level of education to understand? Explain.
5. Have you ever had to assist a family member or friend with deciphering or communicating (verbal or written) a science-related issue (medical/health/environmental/technology/)? What were some of the challenges, how did you resolve the problem, and what would you do differently moving forward?
6. Describe how you would communicate a crucial science-related issue to the community you live. Consider the language or ethnic dialect, education, and medium (essay, news brief, poster, radio, TV ad) best for disseminating the information to the people representing your neighborhood.
7. What are two characteristics of an “articulate” speaker? Do you consider a person having these qualities intelligent? Explain
8. Describe what you consider a flaw in your writing or speech and what you wish to improve or expect from taking writing about sciences class.
9. Explain why Standard American English makes science writing more accessible to the general public. There is no right or wrong answer. You do not have to agree, but please explain your response.

Thurs 8/29

In Class: Introduce rhetorical situation, in class writing assignment

Homework: Read: Orwell “What is Science” and “Using narrative and storytelling in science.”

Answer the 14 questions from the website. Due Mon 9/4 10pm on BB

https://williams2022d2.commons.gc.cuny.edu/week-one-8-27-and-8-29/

Questions

1. What is Orwell’s argument (thesis)?
2. According to Orwell, should literature and history have a role in science? why, or why not?
3. Is science political?
4. Whis is the role of narratives in science writing?
5. What is Dahlstrom’s arguement (thesis)?
6. How does Orwell’s assessment of science “thinking scientifically” supports and/or deters Dahlstrom’s analysis on narratives and storytelling to communicate science?
7. Why is audience analysis important in science writing?
8. Why are adaptive measures important in science writing? In other words, why is it important to adapt your audience to science topics?
9. Describe some adaptive measures that can be used to help a non-expert audience understand science topics.
10. Where do non-experts normally get their science information from?
11. What are the benefits of using narratives and storytelling in science writing?
12. What are the advantages and disadvantages of persuasion in narrative science writing?
13. What are the differences between logical scientific communication and narrative communication? Is one judged more truthful than the other? Explain.
14. What are the challenges in reporting science topics through mass media?