Science V. Story: Narrative Strategies for Science Communicators (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9780520380820)

Uncovering common threads across types of science skepticism to show why these controversial narratives stick and how we can more effectively counter them through storytelling

Science v. Story analyzes four scientific controversies--climate change, evolution, vaccination, and COVID-19--through the lens of storytelling. Instead of viewing stories as adversaries to scientific practices, Emma Frances Bloomfield demonstrates how storytelling is integral to science communication. Drawing from narrative theory and rhetorical studies, Science v. Story examines scientific stories and rival stories, including disingenuous rival stories that undermine scientific conclusions and productive rival stories that work to make science more inclusive.

Science v. Story offers two tools to evaluate and build stories: narrative webs and narrative constellations. These visual mapping tools chart the features of a story (i.e., characters, action, sequence, scope, storyteller, and content) to locate opportunities for audience engagement. Bloomfield ultimately argues that we can strengthen science communication by incorporating storytelling in critical ways that are attentive to audience and context.


Author: Emma Frances Bloomfield
ISBN-10: 0520380827
ISBN-13: 9780520380820
Publisher: University of California Press
Language: English
Published: 02/27/2024
Pages: 288
Format: Paperback
Weight: 0.90lbs
Size: 8.90h x 6.00w x 1.20d