SCOM 403: Science and Creative Nonfiction Writing
Overview
This paper nurtures the student's ability to write about science in creative and engaging ways as well as covering the skills needed to publish and package such writing in digital formats for best effect.
Objectives
Examples of components of this paper:
Examples of practical exercises associated with this paper:
Eligibility
Available ONLY to students enrolled in a Master of Science Communication (MSciComm) degree.
Overview
This paper nurtures the student's ability to write about science in creative and engaging ways as well as covering the skills needed to publish and package such writing in digital formats for best effect.
Objectives
- To examine examples of science writing and the popularization of science.
- To examine the differences in propagating a scientific message through the medium of writing compared to more traditional academic means.
- To explore ways of enhancing the communication of science through creative nonfiction writing to enhance their public appeal.
- To develop critiquing skills for critically examining creative nonfiction on the basis of its effectiveness at communicating science.
Examples of components of this paper:
- What is Creative Nonfiction
- The personal essay
- Writing Blogs
- Critiquing and the art of editing
- Travel Writing
- Digital photography for publishing
- Writing about science for websites
- Writing Proposals
- Writing for Children
- Biography
- Mechanics of publishing an e-book
- Typography
- Filmmaking for digital publications
- Book design
Examples of practical exercises associated with this paper:
- Run and contribute (personal essay) to an online magazine, FACTL (Factual Literature), on creative nonfiction writing.
- Design, contribute to and maintain a group blog. Include analysis and analytics to see what is most effective at driving traffic (run as a competition).
- Write and illustrate an article for a website on an aspect of science.
- Write a long-form magazine type article on an aspect of science, which is illustrated (incorporating multi-media elements) and published as an e-book.
Eligibility
Available ONLY to students enrolled in a Master of Science Communication (MSciComm) degree.