The Message Box
Communicating Your Science Effectively
Principles of Science Communication
- Know Your Audience
- Frame Your Message
- Lead With Results
- Avoid Jargon
Section 1: The Issue
- Describes the overarching issue or topic: Big Picture
- Broad enough to cover key points
- Specific enough to set up what's to come
- Concise and clear
- “Frames” the rest of the message box
Section 2: The Problem
- The part of the broader issue that your work is addressing
- Builds upon your work and expert knowledge
- Try to focus on one problem per audience
- Often the Problem is your research question
- This section sets you up for So What
Section 3: The "So What?"
- This is the crux of the message box
- Why should you audience care?
- What about your research is important for them to know?
- Why are you talking to them about it?
Section 4: The Solution
- Outlines the options for solving the Problem
- Can your audience influence or act upon this?
- There may be multiple solutions
- Make sure your Solution relates back to the Problem. Edit one or both as needed
Section 5: The Benefit
- What are the benefits of addressing the Problem?
- What good things come from implementing your Solution?
- Make sure it connects with you So What
- Benefits and So What may be similar
Make Your Message Memorable
- Support your message with data
- Limit the use of numbers and statistics
- Use specific examples
- Compare numbers to concepts, help people relate
- Don't use jargon
- Lead with what you know
