Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Apr 1989

Moving beyond the <i>What</i> to the <i>Why</i>: Differences in Professional and Popular Science Writing

Katherine E. Rowan Purdue University West Lafayette

Abstract

This article argues that an understanding of professional and popular science writers' goals provides a basis for both explaining and evaluating their language use. Rhetoricians fault scientists for unnecessarily stilted language; scientists fault popularists for inaccuracy and sensationalism. Although these charges are sometimes justified, they deflect attention from the obstacles writers face and the ways in which they use language to overcome these obstacles.

Journal
Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published
1989-04-01
DOI
10.2190/2v4e-g0xu-2k4p-uqh0
Open Access
Closed
Topics
multilingual writers

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (5)

  1. MacDonald (2005)
    The Language of Journalism in Treatments of Hormone Replacement News
    Written Communication
  2. Fahnestock (2004)
    Preserving the Figure
    Written Communication
  3. Charney (2003)
    Lone Geniuses in Popular Science
    Written Communication
  4. Hirst (2003)
    Scientific Jargon, Good and Bad
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  5. Lott et al. (1996)
    Implications of Professional Writing Experiences of Academic Veterinary Scienti…
    Technical Communication Quarterly

Cites in this index (6)

  1. ROWAN (1988)
    A Contemporary Theory of Explanatory Writing
    Written Communication
  2. Bostian et al. (1987)
    Scientists: Can They Read What They Write?
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  3. Journet (1986)
    Parallels in Scientific and Literary Discourse: Stephen Jay Gould and the Scien…
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  4. FAHNESTOCK (1986)
    Accommodating Science
    Written Communication
  5. Kies (1985)
    Some Stylistic Features of Business and Technical Writing: The Functions of Pas…
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Show all 6 →
  1. Gross (1985)
    The Form of the Experimental Paper: A Realization of the Myth of Induction
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Also cites 7 works outside this index ↓
  1. 10.1080/00335637509383302
     ↗
  2. 10.2307/1309864
     ↗
  3. 10.1017/CBO9781139173438
     ↗
  4. 10.1080/23808985.1987.11678642
     ↗
  5. 10.1126/science.7123230
     ↗
  6. 10.1126/science.198.4312.75
     ↗
  7. 10.1080/03634528409384764
     ↗
CrossRef global citation count: 13 View in citation network →

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