Prepared by Marivi Gondola
Science Teacher
In our class you will be required to write essays for exams or as part of assignments. The essay will differentiate from the research paper in the sense that it will be shorter in length and it will allow for more personal input from the student. You will be required to write content, comparison/contrast, subject essays for exams or to discuss about topics learned in class.
The main parts of the science essay are: introduction, body or content, conclusion, and list of references cited or bibliography (when required). Below is a brief description of the general content of each part.
Introduction
This part is used in order to capture the reader's attention. It should include a thesis statement, fact, or quotes. The thesis statement, fact or quotes should closely connect to the problem or question assigned. These elements should help the reader understand the intention and scope of the paper and focus on its aims. At the same time the introduction should help the writer establish his/her purpose.
Body
Logically organized supporting evidence or ideas. Includes details, events, evidence, or facts that support your thesis. Appropriate credit should be given to sources.
Conclusion
Relevant concepts and/or evidence should be summarized. It should also include an in depth reflection on the overall content, making reference to the main aspects. The elements of the conclusion should link to the thesis statement. Personal reflections on the issues presented are presented.
References (Bibliography)
A list of the sources used (when appropriate). Please refer to Guidelines for writing the research paper in science.
Format of the paper
Spacing: 1.5
Letter size: 12
Font: your choice
Length: Varies. From 650-750 words
Include word count
Helpful Hints
Because you must use and work with the words and ideas of others, you should understand and remember that you must be honest by not using information from others without acknowledging their work.
Avoid the following (Markman and Waddell, 1981):
1. word-for-word plagiarism
2. transposing or substituting words
3. selecting perfect sentences or phrases
Do the following:
1. use quotations or paraphrase the information
2. give the author credit in the phrase or sentence. For example: As Charles Darwin concluded on his book On the Origin of Species : ???...
3. put a footnote number at the end of the paraphrase or quotation, or
4. put the author’s last name and the year of publication at the end of the passage
5. only the paraphrase could be used without quotation marks.
6. it is not necessary to quote or to footnote a well-known, generally accepted fact.
Writing the Bibliography:
There are different accepted ways to write a bibliography in Science papers. However, whichever method you decide to use you need to be consistent. There are some examples below that could be of great help.
Models for magazine articles or periodical literature
1. With no author:
“Pleistocene Population Explosions? Science, October 1, 1993. Volume 262,
pp. 27-28.
2. A magazine article with an author:
Gibbons, Ann. “A First Step Toward Gene Therapy for Hemophilia B?. Science,
October 1, 1993. Volume 262, pp. 29-30.
Model for books
1. With one author:
Arms, Karen. Environmental Science. United States: Saunders College Publishing,
1994.
2. With two authors:
Shraer, William D. and Herbert J. Stoltze. Biology the Study of Life. United States:
Prentice Hall, 1994.
3. With more than two authors:
Bradford, Mundy P. et al. Organic and Biological Chemistry. United States: Saunders
College Publishing Company, 1993.
Evaluation Criteria for the Research Paper
The following aspects will be assessed (see guidelines for writing research papers in science):
RUBRIC
Presentation and Neatness (5 points) -legible and neatly presented -proper lettering size -correct spacing -has a front page with all the information needed -pages are numbered
Form (10points) -paper organized in order (5) -all parts are included (title, introduction, body, conclusion, bibliography) (5)
Content (Body) (40 points) -information is complete (20) -information is well-organized and the ideas follow a logical sequence (5) -main concepts involved are clearly defined or explained (10) -objectives are accomplished or thesis is strongly supported throughout the paper (5)
Introduction (10 points) -thesis or objectives are clearly presented (5) -all types of sources used are identified (5)
Use of Information (10 points)
-sources are properly cited, quoted or paraphrased (5)
-references are properly listed and the same form is consistently used (5)
References:
Stein, I. 1991.
Bibliography
Markman Roberta H. and Marie L. Wadell. Writing the Research Paper. United States: Barron’s Educational Series, 1981.
