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As a science reporter or reporting scientist, you will be writing about important events in science, linking them to subjects of global interest to gain readers’ interest. Other times you might be writing about interesting people in the world of science. Your aim will be to captivate readers with clear, factual, and appealing stories that relate the world of science to the readers, by linking them to other aspects such as finances, entertainment, health, the environment, etc, all the while speaking from a scientific point of view. The first things you need are stories; this will be easy if these are assigned to you, otherwise you will have to dig them up yourself. The sooner you get started on a story, the better. The best moment to write is when inspiration hits you! If the article you are preparing is meant for a magazine or other publication with a tight deadline, you should plan ahead carefully. Give yourself plenty of time to prepare so you can avoid rushing at the last minute. If you have to interview sources, be sure to contact them well in advance to find out when they are free. Begin by researching your subject, read up on the topic and familiarize yourself with it. Then look for the top specialist in the field. As you read and study up on the topic you are researching, write down questions you have and issues you want to clear up. When interviewing a source, be sure to take notes carefully. Misquoting a source can be catastrophic to a reporter’s career, especially if you are just starting out. You can ask your source about the possibility of using a recorder to be sure you capture exactly what they say. |
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