SCI 101: Science Writing for the People
Enrich your mind with Sciworthy’s science writing certificate course!
We’ll teach you about writing for diverse audiences and how to make your writing really stand out. You’ll learn to write clearer sentences, explain complex topics to non-experts, and address science skepticism.
This course covers multiple types of science writing, so whatever your goals are, you’re covered. Read course details.
Admission is only $35 per learner!
Register any time, but some rules apply.
Not ready to register yet? No problem!
Sign up for an email reminder for when the next session starts, so you can register in time!
SCI 101: Science Writing for the People
Get better at writing with Sciworthy’s science writing certificate course!
We’ll teach you about writing for diverse audiences and how to make your writing really stand out. You’ll learn to write clearer sentences, explain complex topics to non-experts, and address science skepticism.
This course covers multiple types of science writing, so whatever your goals are, you’re covered. Read course details.
Admission is only $35 per learner!
Register any time, but some rules apply.
Not ready to register yet? No problem!
Sign up for an email reminder for when the next session starts, so you can register in time!
If you register after the first week of the month, you will be automatically added to the following month’s session. Grading and feedback takes place every Friday. Before registering, please make sure you read our course FAQs. If you still have questions after that, you’re welcomed to email us.
New sessions begin on the first day of each month. Register by end of week 1!
SCI 101: Science Writing for the People
About the Course
This course will provide an overview of some important types of popular science writing such as news writing, editorials, technical documents, and educational pieces. This course will also introduce students to some of the theory behind science communication and approaches based on current research into cognitive and political psychology. The focus of each lesson will be on clear and engaging written communication. This course will also provide tips for starting your science writing career.
Course Sections
Unit 1: Overview | Provides an overview of what the course’s goals are.
Unit 2: Communicating Science | The latest research on the science of science communication, critical thinking, political information processing, and more!
Unit 3: Adopting a Marketing Mindset | Any good science writer is also a marketer, because knowing your audience is critical for effective communication!
Unit 4: Grammar and Style | Exhaustive detail about how to write more clearly and break your academic writing habits.
Unit 5: Ways to Write About Science | Covers explainer articles, news articles, op-eds, and technical writing using examples.
Unit 6: Becoming a Science Writer | Advice for breaking into a science writing career, including how to write a pitch and publications that take submissions.
Learner Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, learners will:
Understand the latest perspectives on science communication.
Adopt a marketing mindset for reaching varied audiences with science writing.
Improve clarity of writing through detailed study of grammar and style principles.
Learn the basic principles of news writing, technical writing, and explainer articles.
Receive tips for success for starting a writing career.
Course Prerequisite
This course is for science undergraduate and graduate students, researchers, technicians, health care professionals, science educators, engineers, and other science-trained professionals. It is ideal for professional academics. Our training is designed to help you understand the art of popular “informal” science writing if you have only performed scientific and academic writing previously.
Recommended Reading
Bernoff, J. (2016). Writing Without Bullshit: Boost your career by saying what you mean. New York: Harper Business, An Imprint of Harper Collins.
Greene, A. E. (2013). Writing Science in Plain English. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press.
Olson, Randy. (2018) Don’t Be Such a Scientist: Talking Substance in an Age of Style. Island Press/Center for Resource Economics.
Ready to Start?
This button takes you to the payment portal.
After your payment is processed, you will receive an email invitation to register for our Learn site.
That invitation will allow you to access the course materials.
Please email info@sciworthy.com if you do not receive the invitation within 24 hours.