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Chapters 8 and 9 in Environmental Communication cover two somewhat disparate subjects.  In the former, Robert Cox discusses environmental justice and, in the latter, he discusses symbolic legitimacy. (more…)

Too often it seems like we as humans tend to shoot the messenger.  In Chapter 7 of Science in Public, Jane Gregory and Steve Miller discuss this trend.  Chapter 6 of Environmental Communication also deals with the risks of risk.  Science and the media that covers it often act as that messenger by exposing preexisting hazards in the environment to the public. (more…)

Modes of communication have constantly evolved throughout human history.  There has, however, been something unique about the latest development in media.  The internet has allowed us to communicate at an unbelievably fast rate.  A century ago, our current situation would have been unfathomable.  It follows that such a development would bring with it some major changes in our traditional forms of communication. (more…)

In Chapter 5 of Science in Public, Jane Gregory and Steve Miller explain the challenge of making news out of scientific issues.  They differentiate between the normal journalist and the scientific journalist. (more…)

Science is powerful.  In the third and fourth chapters of Science in Public, Jane Gregory and Steve Miller discuss its place in public understanding.  Why should science be part of the public’s understanding?  Would it even be a good thing?  If so, how does the science community actually accomplish that? (more…)

Throughout the third and fourth chapters of Environmental Communication, Robert Cox focuses on many legal aspects that relate to environmental journalism.  This second part of the book transitioned from the history of the environmental movement in general to the legal precedents and procedures that can be used in pursuit of environmental protection and justice. (more…)

Environmental Communication and the Public Sphere, written by Robert Cox, pertains directly and quite clearly to the focus of this Environmental & Science Journalism class.  Much of our class time has revolved around the importance of translating complex scientific and environmental concepts to a wide audience. (more…)

Chapter 4

Once you have reached chapter four, all the preliminary routines have been completed and the actual writing can begin.  Hancock continues her strategy of listing advice on how to successfully manage the transfer of complex, abstract ideas into concrete, black ink words on a page.  The preparation and interviews have been finished and now it is time to start.

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Sometimes writing may seem like an art.  Where do the ideas and words and thoughts come from?  Writers and journalists must remember that it really must be viewed as a craft.  Rarely can a writer sit down and simply write beautiful, eloquent prose or poetry.  It is something to be practiced and improved.

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The first chapter of Science in Public acts almost as an introduction that was never written.  Before actually discussing science’s function in the public, Jane Gregory and Steve Miller must first explain how it gets to the public and its significance.

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