David Daniels' WRIT 1133 Class
David Daniels

What does it mean to write like a scientist in an academic setting, David J. Daniels asked his students in WRIT1133? How does scientific discourse get translated, sometimes dubiously, into the popular press?

To familiarize his students with the traditions of scientific discourse, Daniels had them design and conduct small-scale empirical studies. Some students chose to distribute a survey to friends across campus. Others broke out microwaves, air pumps, plastic bottles, and campfire stoves.

To document their findings, students followed the standard conventions of a scientific paper: Introduction, Methods, Results, and Conclusion. Then Daniels asked them to translate their writing into user-friendly, overly non-scientific prose, akin to the kind of brief blurbettes, a term Daniels students adopted, that find their way into Discover Magazine.

Here, we see students make reference to their own empirical studies, presumably to convey a sense of ethos. But as Daniels classes understood, journalists working within the popular press often arrive at conclusions that scientists themselves never had, and that sometimes findings are exaggerated in order to reel in readers.

Below are excerpts from student blurbettes:

"Caffeine Addiction? Its All Your Fault," by Ian Cross:

You would think that in our health-conscious society, wed be aware of the ill-effects of caffeinated beverages. But there is also that other end of the spectrum: addicts who cant even open their eyelids without the aroma of their mocha latte.

Ian Cross, a scientist at the University of Denver, recently published a study that indicates that the amount you sleep each night will actually effect how much coffee your body craves. According to Cross, the less sleep a college student gets, the more likely theyll turn to caffeine products to get them through the day. Its a viscous an unhealthy cycle, says Cross, that begs the question: What else can we do?

"Whats All The Plus About?: How the Coca Cola Giant Is Fooling Consumers," by Michelle Haan:

Recent scientific studies show that Diet Coke and the new Diet Coke Plus dont taste the same at all, despite Coca Colas marketing scheme. In fact, according to researchers at the University of Denver, the sweetness ratings of such beverages differ tremendously, which raises the question of how many more things are falsely advertised?

Are marketers hiding something from us by insisting the popular drinks taste the same when, clearly, they dont? According to researcher Michelle Haan, yes.

"So Long Ye Olde Burger Place," by Haydn Hite:

Could fortune be favoring ethnic fast food more than the traditional burger joint? It would seem so, at least according to researchers at the University of Denver.

Scientist Haydn Hite has determined that costumer loyalties are rapidly changing to favor a more diverse palette. Fast food places such as Panda Express, Taco Bell, and L&L Hawaiian BBQ, are quickly gaining costumer loyalty as American begins to crave new tastes. Patrons who once went to KFC for a refreshingly different meal are now finding solace in the crispy orange chicken at that nearby Panda Express or the slow-cooked Kalua pork at L&L.

What will the future bring? According to Hite, only time can tell.

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