21W.031

Spring 2020

Writing Assignment #1:

a Science Essay for the General Public

≥1500 words (~6-7 pages)

Due: Sun., 3/8 11:59 pm

 

For this assignment, you will write about some aspect of science, engineering, mathematics, or technology for a general audience. Through this assignment, you will gain experience in:

• Identifying, developing, and shaping a topic for a particular audience and purpose;
• Researching that topic through a variety of published (and other) sources;
• Conveying scientific and technical information in a way that is both comprehensible and engaging to a general audience;
• Using illustrations to help convey technical information to a general audience.

 

Here is the scenario:   Imagine that the editors of the NY Times Science section have decided to issue a special series of articles on science, mathematics, and engineering written specifically by undergraduates pursuing these fields. The series will be titled Periscope:  Expanding horizons through the lenses of  aspiring scientists, mathematicians, and engineers.   They will publish 18 essays: one per week for 18 weeks.   You will be submitting an article for this imaginary series in the NY Times! But first, you will need to submit and obtain approval of a Prospectus for your essay, describing the topic, scope, and purpose of the piece. (See Guidelines for Assignment #1a&b)

Picking a topic

Your first task will be to find a topic that interests you, and that you think could be the basis for an intriguing and informative essay for people who have relatively little knowledge of this subject.

 

Shaping your topic: Defining your focus, purpose, and audience

Next, you will need to consider the specific focus and purpose of your essay. What aspect of the topic do you want to concentrate on? Is that compatible with the length of the piece? Why do you want to write about this? What do you want the reader to “take away” from your essay? Who do you envision as your readers? What assumptions will you be making about your readers?

 

Researching your topic

With these preliminary ideas about your essay, you will be ready to begin researching your topic. One way to do this is to search for a variety of articles on your topic. Another valuable source of information might be a person here at MIT who is involved in research in the area you’re writing about. You could go and visit a lab or group that is carrying out that research and talk with someone who’s involved in the work. I’m available to help facilitate contacts with people and resources here at MIT. You may find that your initial ideas about the focus and purpose of the essay will undergo some changes and refinement as you research your topic.

 

Style and Format

You’re encouraged to use illustrations to engage readers and elucidate ideas and concepts. Also, since we’re imagining that the essay will appear both in print and online, you can include a maximum of two hyperlinks (e.g. to a YouTube video).

 The essay should be formatted using a standard 12 pt font (for the main text), 1.5 or double-spacing, and standard margins (1 inch).

 

Using and Citing Sources

The essay must include a Bibliography of sources cited in the text. You’re also encouraged to include a list of Additional Sources or Recommended Readings for your audience. We will discuss the method for citing sources in this essay.