Each genre we looked at had its unique purposes, audience, structure, and style. The informative review sought to inform the audience about a scientific issue such as the story of Henrietta Lacks. The style was formal and objective as it presented the science behind HeLa cells and the ethical accompaniments. A sustainability position paper should take a persuasive tone. Here, I was arguing that abandoned buildings should be repurposed for housing the homeless, which our group Sustainability PSA (Public Service Announcement) video would visually depict and make a direct call to action. A group member named Farhan gave a major contribution in simplifying and explaining very clearly how abandoned building usage can be done. The research proposal and presentation had to identify a gap in knowledge, propose a credible project for investigation, and present that proposal to both lay and academic audiences.

Linguistic differences do influence how sciences are communicated and received. I learned from the readings of this course that language barriers gradually build mistrust, especially in healthcare. Scientific language can be rendered inaccessible and alienating. Science writers must work toward the use of plain language, define scientific or technical terms, use visual materials, among others, to create a bridge of understanding. If I were presenting my informative review on Henrietta Lacks to an audience of second language learners or people without a scientific background, then I would want to simplify the medical terms, produce visuals, and use analogies to get the point across.The SPSA video utilizes gripping imagery to express the urgency of homelessness and solutions that are possibly viable. The message was made without regard for language differences and, I would think, speakers of all varieties other than standard American English would have identified with it.

When writing the Informative review, I was challenged with dissecting scientific journal articles. I realized the importance of addressing institutional racism, especially in science history. I made sure I mentioned in my writing the unethical treatment of Henrietta Lacks and how those past acts continue to make many people skeptical today. While learning about sustainability, social equity, and environmental justice for the position paper and PSA, I took pictures of a homeless environment that demonstrated the sustainability issue. There were some challenges on the way during the group project, like coordinating schedules and merging different writing styles; however, we were able to work through it via constant communication and collaboration, mainly due to Farhan easing the work on our visuals.For my research proposal, I found my niche by looking for gaps in the literature on probiotic effectiveness in food products versus supplements. Credible sources were located with databases such as PubMed and ScienceDirect. Peer review sessions were valuable beyond belief. Feedback from my classmates enabled me to focus, clarify, and resolve many issues of structure with my thesis. It was among my most important growing experiences.

In my informative review, I tailored my explanations of HeLa cell science to an audience unfamiliar with biomedical research, while also confronting the historical racism involved in how those cells were obtained. For the position paper and PSA, I aimed to connect with a general audience concerned about homelessness and urban decay. I supported my thesis by citing the costs and environmental consequences of leaving buildings abandoned. The PSA used warm colors and empathetic language to humanize the homeless population and emphasize a community-centered solution.When presenting my research proposal, I used tables and visuals to compare probiotic effects in different sources. The VoiceOver allowed me to narrate my reasoning, which made my argument more personal and accessible. Oral presentation helped me engage with the audience differently than a paper would; I had to think more about tone, pacing, and visual appeal. Presenting research orally emphasized the human side of science—something I’ll carry forward in all my future scientific communication.