THINKtober 2022

Inspired by Inktober, this month we will be sharing science communication-related content each day!

Last Updated on November 20, 2022

Graphic by Elena YH Lin

Image Description: Text “THINKtober SciComm Collective” and leafy vines upon a warm yellow-to-orange ombre background.

THINKtober 2022 Prompts

Image Description: Inktober 2022 prompts list, inspired by Inktober.

1 Framing • 2 Bloom • 3 Logos • 4 Ethos • 5 Pathos • 6 Breath • 7 Surprise • 8 Analogy • 9 Signal • 10 Muse • 11 Didactic • 12 Glow • 13 Community • 14 Audience • 15 Cycle • 16 Outreach • 17 Misconception • 18 Microscopic • 19 Jargon • 20 Empathy • 21 Climb • 22 Engage • 23 Everyday • 24 Dense • 25 Inclusive • 26 Policy • 27 Climate • 28 Accessible • 29 Explore • 30 Bacteria • 31 Awe.

Join us using the hashtags #THINKtober #THINKtober2022.

OCT 1 • Framing

Framing is a technique used by science communicators to direct their audience’s attention to a certain aspect of their chosen topic within a particular context. Since people have limited attention spans, it is important to determine what to include, what to emphasize, and what to omit from our communication efforts.

by Abbey
Image Description: Black and white photo of two hands coming together to create a frame with sunlight beaming through the centre.

OCT 2 • Bloom

If you’re anything like us, you may be sad to see the summer blooms come to an end in the Northern Hemisphere.

How do flowers know when to bloom (and when to stop)? When environmental conditions are optimal for reproduction, flowering plants send proteins to their growing shoots. These proteins signal to the developing plant tissue that it should become a flower, rather than a leaf. As the days grow colder and shorter, these proteins can be stored, halting flowering until conditions are favorable again.

So fret not! The blooms will be back in spring, when light, temperature, and other conditions are just right.

by Danielle / image courtesy of Katharina N. from Pixabay / sources: Susila et al., Science; Pin & Nilsson, Plant Cell Environ
Image Description: White daisies and green grass beneath a blue sky.

OCT 3 • Logos

Logos is a rhetorical technique that uses logic to appeal to an audience. Think facts and stats! While logos can be an effective tool for communication, you cannot always rely on logic alone to help you win an argument or communicate science, as it may come across as boring and dry.

by Abbey
Image Description: Black and white photo of a hand putting the final piece in a puzzle that has an image of a lightbulb beaming inside the outline of a human head.

OCT 4 • Ethos

Ethos is a rhetorical technique that appeals to people’s trust and respect for credible and qualified sources. By showing that you share similar values and beliefs, and that you possess the necessary qualification to be communicating about your chosen topic, you can convince people to listen to your message!

by Abbey
Image Description: Black and white photo of two hands shaking one another.

OCT 4 • Ethos

One of the quickest ways to grab your audience’s attention is to appeal to their emotions, or pathos. In science, this technique may not be the first to come to mind; however, it can be a very effective communication tool! For example, astronomers can appeal to people’s sense of wonder and awe; health scientists can evoke empathy and compassion; and climate scientists can elicit fear and urgency.

by Abbey
Image Description: Black and white photo of nine sticky notes showing faces with different emotions such as happy, sad, surprised and confused.