The Discovery of DNA

Draft 3.1: The Science Narrative This assignment asks you to select a scientific discovery, concept, or problem
and to introduce it to a general public audience in narrative form. That is to say, your treatment of the topic
should not be simply explanatory, but rather should tell a story that educates your reader by capturing her
imagination as vividly as possible. The most successful essays will draw their readers into the story through the
use of elements such as strong narrative voice, detailed description, well-realized characters (human or
otherwise), and a compelling conflict. As such, the most effective narrative essays will do several things (not
necessarily in this order): ● Tell a story using a variety of external (sight, sound, touch, smell, etc.) and internal
(feelings, emotions, thoughts, etc.) details ● Give the reader a sense of the broader scientific meaning or
significance of the story ● Show what effect the story has had on human life