Use this Simple 5-Pillar Formula to Communicate Science

Test your content for balance with audience needs and accuracy

By Melanie Wilt, APR, Shift•ology Communication

Communication is the science of creating meaning. So, why don’t more people practice communication with the rigor of science? 

If you seek to more effectively connect with your audience when you have complex ideas and issues to explain, try applying the RISER™ formula. Anyone can use this 5-part formula outlined below to test that your content balances the audience’s needs while ensuring your message is scientifically accurate and understandable. 

Relevant – Think about your audience first. If it’s not relevant, there’s not much chance they will care. Connect by understanding the audience’s level of interest and comprehension, and consider other messages they’re receiving. 

Interesting – Consider what makes the information interesting to the audience. You may find rocket science interesting because it’s your job to engineer jet fuel, but others probably don’t until they see it burning to propel their commercial aircraft. 

Simple – Keep it simple, stupid = KISS. It’s an age-old mnemonic because it works. 

Evidence-based – This is what truly sets apart science-based communication: back up your claims with evidence in the form of data, examples, visual aids and anecdotes. You don’t have to share the whole data set, but make it interesting and relevant by mining the gems and presenting it in a simple way that’s easy to grasp. Be transparent and make your entire data set accessible for more analytical minds that want to dig deeper.  

Repeatable – Finally, what you communicate should be memorable. After all, if your goal is to create meaning, the receiver has to process and retain the information. The test is whether or not the audience can accurately repeat the takeaway information. 

Each time you apply the RISER™ formula, you will easily make sense of complex and challenging ideas to share with audiences across any platform. The five content pillars in the RISER™ formula will help your technical content land with impact without sacrificing scientific accuracy.

© Melanie F. Wilt, Shift•ology Communication, 2025. All rights reserved.