In the New York Times there is a science column under the heading “Observatory” that seems to be regularly written by Sindya N. Bhanoo. The column is a series of very short science news stories published weekly—they’re each only around 200-300 words and they limit themselves to just the bare essentials, just the core of the science. The “Observatory” postings usually begin with an introductory sentence/paragraph that draws the reader in by connecting the science news at hand with everyday life; the second paragraph then states the news directly; the middle paragraphs briefly describe the science and/or experiments, often including statements from the researchers themselves; and ends with some sort of overarching summary sentence or vision for the future.
This particular story describes new research that suggests toddlers are aware of a person’s intent and that they actually base their actions on such judgments. The organization of the story, more or less, follows the rough template described above. Bhanoo begins by comparing babies to professional adults through this ability to judge: “Understanding another’s intent is an important skill for lawyers, and perhaps politicians and businessmen as well, but according to a new study, it is an ability that even toddlers have.” This brings the reader in and makes them continue to read through the story, especially because it is so short. She also adds important quotes from scientists saying how surprising and exciting this discovery is, and also how useful it is for understanding human society. Bhanoo’s writing is engaging and concise—she draws the reader in, clearly explains the science, and makes the reader care.
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