WRITING IN BIOLOGY

Writing for scientific purposes can be challenging and usually requires both discipline-specific study and lots of practice. Here you will find suggestions for how to read and review primary literature, models of scientific writing particular to different assignment you might encounter in course work, and explanations of several conventions of scientific writing.

Introductory Lab Report Writing

One page detailed guide to the sections needed in a common lab report (pdf)

Check list of the information needed in a common lab report (pdf) . Great to use while writing or right before handing in a report to make sure you have completed each necessary section.

Examples of common language mistakes seen in lab reports: Common Mistakes (pdf) and Answers to Common Mistakes (pdf).

If you are still having trouble writing a lab report checkout our slideshow tutorial on writing and revising lab reports commonly assigned in Bio 1107 & 1108: Lab Report Writing Basics & Revising Lab Reports (pdf).

Reading & Writing for the W Course

Strategy on how to tackle reading primary research articles assigned for critique or review papers in upper level biology courses: Practical Guide to Reading the Primary Literature in Biology (pdf).

Guide to identification of the informative versus persua-sive aspects of primary biology literature. This handout can help guide reading of the primary literature: The "Says/Does" Approach to Reading Primary Literature (pdf).

How to construct the overall format of a successful W paper, based on advice from Ecology and Evolutionary Biology professor Carl Schlichting: The Hourglass Approach to Writing a Paper (pdf).

Example thesis statements (pdf).

General advice for writing in Bio 244/245W from Ecology and Evolutionary Biology professor Carl Schlichting (pdf).

Examples of the type of language to use when write a scientific critique and how to effectively summarize a research study: Model of Short Paper Summary (pdf)

Checklist for revising a scientific essay (pdf).



Writing a Scientific Research Proposal

Detailed guide to the organization and sections of a research proposal (designed for PLSC 4215) (pdf).

Check list for writing a research proposal (pdf). Great to use while writing or right before handing in a proposal to make sure you have completed each necessary section

Systematic Kinesiology Review

Check list for the organization and sections of a Systematic Scientific Review in Exercise Prescription (pdf). Great to use while writing or right before handing in a review to make sure you have completed each necessary section (designed for EKIN 5507).

Web Links

Books

Check out the Writing Center locations in CLAS and the Library for great books on writing in the sciences such as:

Jan Pechenik's "Writing in Biology" (2006). A resource on writing in biology that covers all aspects of writing, commonly encountered by undergraduates.

Victoria McMillan's "Writing Papers in the Biological Sciences" (2006). Excellent resource, full of practical tips and advice for undergraduate science writers.