Let’s face it: Most of us are confused by science and technology. Because innovations hammer us daily, we can’t keep up. Many people shut their minds to new information because of this. How should a writer cut through the complexity?
When you take on a hard-to-understand topic like the equipment used in a nuclear power plant, your first goal is to develop a rudimentary understanding of the facility and its workings. Ask questions, take notes, summarize, clarify what you don’t know. Get the information down on paper in a format that you understand. That’s the first step – giving you the ability to now translate for others.
I often call my job that of a “translator.” The talented writer is finding a subject and sharing it with an audience so others understand what you wrote. From there, you dig deeper and may want to persuade your readership on an issue or raise a cause for action. Regardless, the first step is writing so others understand you, and that requires you understand the material yourself.
Highly complex material like information technology systems, nuclear power or toxic chemicals can make your eyes glaze over. Find the core of what you need to communicate first. Write your message down. State complicated terms as simply as possible and use language that a general audience understands. Don’t over-write. Go back and read what you wrote, and ask yourself the question: “Will this makes sense to the Average Joe?”
If not, head back to the starting gate. Your goal is translating complex material into building blocks so others understand and take action. Keep that in mind as guidance, and your ability to share science, technology and other complicated issues of the day will grow.
When you take on a hard-to-understand topic like the equipment used in a nuclear power plant, your first goal is to develop a rudimentary understanding of the facility and its workings. Ask questions, take notes, summarize, clarify what you don’t know. Get the information down on paper in a format that you understand. That’s the first step – giving you the ability to now translate for others.
I often call my job that of a “translator.” The talented writer is finding a subject and sharing it with an audience so others understand what you wrote. From there, you dig deeper and may want to persuade your readership on an issue or raise a cause for action. Regardless, the first step is writing so others understand you, and that requires you understand the material yourself.
Highly complex material like information technology systems, nuclear power or toxic chemicals can make your eyes glaze over. Find the core of what you need to communicate first. Write your message down. State complicated terms as simply as possible and use language that a general audience understands. Don’t over-write. Go back and read what you wrote, and ask yourself the question: “Will this makes sense to the Average Joe?”
If not, head back to the starting gate. Your goal is translating complex material into building blocks so others understand and take action. Keep that in mind as guidance, and your ability to share science, technology and other complicated issues of the day will grow.