Why and How According to Cheryl Forbes Should Science Writing for a Popular Audience Rely on Convention of Narrative or Story Telling?

Haokun Wang

1433292

HW 2

May 19

1. Why and how according to Cheryl Forbes should science writing for a popular audience rely on convention of narrative or story telling?

According to the article, the first reason that science writing should rely on convention of narrative and story telling is that the writers want readers to participate in and to be a part of the journey. Especially in the introduction or the preface of the article, using the narrative way could catch the excitement of the readers. Take an example from the article, Angier compares a beetle head to a diadem in her scientific article, it tells the reader a more visualized picture, and makes the readers more addictive to this article. “ For of all characteristics of narrative, the credible, personable, reliable, conversational presence of the teller of the tale is the most important. (p 51)” A proper narrator could establish empathy and connection with the readers. Also, a good narrative might include a protagonist, a problem, dramatic tension, location, time, dialogue and etc.

1. How does Ronald Wright turn the scientific debate about the Neanderthals and the Cro-magnons in to an exciting “story” without losing factual credibility?

Ronald Wright uses a lot fact, examples, and his own experience in the debate about the Neanderthals and the Cro-magonons to make this story more excited. For example, the writer mentions, “The Neanderthal was heavyset and brawny, like a professional weightlifter or wrestler.” The metaphor here make the reader have a more visualized image for Neanderthals, compared with the word “ Strength” that Wright uses to describe Neanderthals, the metaphor is more attractive. The author also said “ The Neanderthals might pass unnoticed on the New York subway.” When I was reading this sentence, the view of Neanderthal appear in my mind automatically, and I even could imagine the picture when Neanderthal is in the New York subway. There are also some other points making readers get into the story. Ronald’s writing style also make the boring debt more close to our life.