Science v. Story

Emma Frances Bloomfield

ISBN 10: 0520380827 / ISBN 13: 9780520380820

Published by University of California Press, US, 2024

About this Item

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.

Seller Inventory # LU-9780520380820

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Science v. Story
• Publisher: University of California Press, US
• Publication Date: 2024
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0520380827
• ISBN 13: 9780520380820
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: New
• Weight: 408 grams

About this title

Synopsis

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.
 

About the Author

Emma Frances Bloomfield is Associate Professor of Communication Studies at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and author of Communication Strategies for Engaging Climate Skeptics: Religion and the Environment.