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Science journalism
for Dummies
Simple, exciting and dramatic!
(October 4, 2004) -
Behind the scenes at the World Conference on Science Journalism,
Bob McDonald, well-known host of CBC Radio’s Quirks and
Quarks, spoke to us about some of his tricks of the trade.
A journalist, he has also authored several popular science books
and hosts a television program on science for children.
Be accessible
Stay away from scientific jargon and use plain
language. "The journalist becomes a translator who translates
a foreign language — science — into his mother tongue,"
says McDonald.
Dramatize, expand on the topic
To illustrate scientific concepts, McDonald suggests
using dramatization: films noirs, gags or skits that grab the
audience’s attention. "You can spend hours explaining
what the human genome is. But if you show how it’s used,
you get a better understanding of science’s place in our
everyday lives," he says. Another example? To get across
the idea of the size of the Mir space station, McDonald and his
crew filmed six Greyhound buses in a hangar.
Lively editing
When telling a story, it’s better not to
use a narrator. Simply put together statements from various people,
such as the impressions of astronauts who walked on the moon.
"The event does the talking. The reporting is lively,
energetic and close to the source," says McDonald.
Describe a personal experience with a scientific
twist
I wrote a chapter on the mechanics of pain by describing
how a coconut falling from a tree dislocated by shoulder. I didn’t
feel any pain there but a tiny splinter in my foot had me howling,"
he recalls.
Display enthusiasm
You have to be interested in and excited by the subject. "That
way," he says, "we can get it across to the audience."
Bob McDonald will talk about science journalism
on the radio during the session on Good Science, Good Radio (C6)
from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 5.
Valérie Martin
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