The Language of Popular Science

Download or read book The Language of Popular Science written by Olga A. Pilkington and published by McFarland. This book was released on 2019-01-09 with total page 197 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: If you read (or write) popular science, you might sometimes wonder: how do the authors manage to make subjects that once put you to sleep in science class both so entertaining and approachable? The use of language is key. Based on analyses of popular science bestsellers, this linguistic study shows how expert popularizers use the voices and narratives of scientists to engage readers, demonstrating the power of science and portraying researchers as champions of knowledge. By doing so they often blur the lines between nonfiction and fiction, inviting readers to take part in thought experiments and turn ordinary scientists into omnipotent heroes.