Often pieces of science writing, which offer great insight into scientific concepts, aren’t overly renowned or successful because of their inability to lure and entice readers, perhaps due to the absence of conventions evident in fictitious texts (such as humour, a protagonist, a story). Flatland by Edwin A. Abbott is an intriguing read that has some of these conventions, and inquires into the concept of dimensions in a very unconventional (unlike normal science writing) way. As opposed to directly educating the audience with hard facts, a method that bores readers, Edwin A. Abbott presents his ideas in a peculiar, humorous and very interesting manner; through the life and travels of a square.
Rather than Abbott simply informing us of the characteristics of the 1st dimension and that which exists inside it, we are informed through the eyes of a square. A fictional element is introduced; Characters. The introduction of characters into this text allows Abbott to incorporate a story into the book (as you can not have a story without characters). Also, the different dimensions are proposed as individual societies, with different features, which we are informed of by the square. Another fictional element is introduced; Setting.By introducing conventions of novels, Abbott allows himself to introduce non- factual elements into the text to enhance it and make it more enjoyable. An example of this is humour. Subtle indirect humour is evident throughout flatland. An example of this is the sexist society that is Flatland. To many readers the various sexist laws in flatland may be slightly humorous (such as women not being allowed to be side-on to men, and having to enter the house from the right side door). Furthermore, the presence of Victorian social mores provides a laugh, as in this age we see these mores as being ridiculous. This is a non factual element, yet it plays an important role in the text because as square is describing the social mores (i.e women being required to face a certain direction), we gain insight into many of the concepts being presented to us (in this case we learn of the problem they face in that women are almost invisible when seen from a certain direction).
Another reason Flatland is such a successful book, is because average people can understand it. The language Abbott uses is quite simple, contrasting greatly with most pieces of science writing in which overly complex words and sentences are employed. The story is told from a 1st person point of view, meaning much of it is dialogue or thought sentences. This means the language is basic, as most people don’t use eloquent words in everyday speech. Furthermore, Abbott employs diagrams and pictures to assist him in conveying the concepts present in this book to the reader. This is very effective, as on many occasions as I progressed through this book I was aided in understanding an abstract concept by a helpful diagram (such as the one below).
(above) Diagram of how beings in flatland perceive each other, assisting the reader in understanding the concept.
Flatland is not your average piece of science writing. It is truly something else, something magnificent. Edwin A. Abbott has crafted a masterpiece, applying his vast knowledge of the English language to create a text that makes the ordinary wonderful. It makes the abstract comprehensible and, foremost, it makes the sometimes mind-numbing genre of science writing exciting and stimulating. For these reasons, and many unmentioned others, Flatland is an extraordinary piece of Science Writing
the science dimension 
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