The feature currently has me stumped for ideas, and Dr. Reidy contributed to my uncertainty in class today.
I do know that I would like my target publication to be Scientific American. I have not read this magazine much, unfortunately, but browsing headlines and feature summaries on their website, I feel like I could get into it (I'll have to make a trip to the library to browse some hard copies, because I can't figure out a way to access full features online). Also, I'm pretty sure that unless I get a Ph.D and wait 8 years to publish, they would never consider my submission, but maybe there is some similar less-renowned publication which I could submit to, while aspiring to Scientific American standards.
Feature articles in Scientific American seem to discuss scientific issues in an accessible way which invites the reader to think, and I can get on board with that. The authors still apply background knowledge of the subject and latest research about it, which is where I start to wonder what niche I can write about.
A couple of the features relate to education, which is exciting for me, because that's what I've been studying and thinking about most in the past couple of years. Still, the most interesting articles seem to incorporate specific case studies or recent research, and I wonder if I should get out there and interview more people who are working on science that interests me.
As my peers in my writing group know, my Profile draft was a complete flop (although re-writing it was worth it), so whatever I do with my feature, I want to be able to back it up and apply my "humanities" skills and other knowledge to make it legit.
My skills are writing, whatever I've learned from being an Exponent editor, thinking about education (although I wouldn't claim to be a true "educator" yet), language (English and Spanish and thinking about the way language functions), snowboarding (there could be something there), and cooking (why not).
Now, what can I say about any of these things which is scientific and not widely known? Or, completely unrelated to these things, should I talk to more science-y people and build a story from the ground up?
I'm glad I'm not the only one with no clue what this feature will be on. We'll figure it out, I'm sure. But at least you've figured out your venue - that's a good start. And I like how you stated exactly why you you like "Scientific America."
ReplyDeleteAs for your interest tying in with science, and I know this completely goes against your pedagogy, but have you ever heard of the book "Grammar as Science"? I think it's more about what Dr. Reidy talked about in class today, on how scientist use language... but yes, I only mention this per our conversation about your interview. Anyway, as future teachers, we have to teach curriculum and integrate RTI that is scientifically based, right? Maybe you could find science in curriculum or something. I dunno. Just a thought.
Scientific American does have pretty strict guidelines about who can publish. The Smithsonian magazine does a lot of science pieces and seems to have more relaxed submission rules. http://www.smithsonianmag.com/contact-us/submission-guidelines.html Discover magazine also has a more relaxed style, but they don't accept submissions.
ReplyDeleteThere's nothing stopping you from writing in a style that mimics Scientific American, as if you could actually submit there, but I think your first step has to be nailing down your subject.
I wish I could help you more with your subject, but I haven't got a clue where to start either. Maybe our group could do some brainstorming in class?
Susan Andrus