Writing for Biology Class Part 3: Grammar and Proof-reading Materials taken from Knisely, Karin. (2009). Writing in Biology. Sinaur/Freeman and edited by Angela Bush, SRVHS

Hints for Writing “Good” Lab Reports Do not use first person language Example: I noticed that when the yeast was mixed with sugar-water, it smelled like bread. Revised: When the yeast was mixed with sugar-water, it smelled like bread Write to enlighten your peers (other students), not to impress your teacher Do not use unnecessary verbiage Keep it simple and get to the point! See slides 5-8 Do not use language that you don’t understand Use scientific words when appropriate. Define terms that are unfamiliar to your audience. Do not use jargon Avoid clichés, slang, and abbreviations. Do not plagiarize 2

Use Complete Sentences and Proper Grammar Always include the question in your answer to ensure complete, comprehensible sentences Do not use pronouns without antecedents, use nouns! Example: No, it did not. Revised: No, the sand did not show signs of life under the microscope Not sure if it is a pronoun, or if you are properly using a pronoun? Check this website! Do not use contractions in formal writing Be sure your word usage is correct Spell check will not correct a word that is spelled correctly, but used incorrectly! Grammar check often misses these mistakes too! See slides 9-12 3

Use Well Developed Paragraphs Each paragraph focuses on one topic The first sentence introduces the topic Subsequent sentences support the topic sentence Connecting phrases are use to achieve good flow between sentences. 4

Clarity in Writing (avoiding redundancy) Redundant Revised It is absolutely essential It is essential Mutual cooperation Cooperation Totally unique Unique The solution was obtained and transferred The solution was transferred

Examples of Clarity There are two protein assays that are often used in research laboratories. It is interesting to note that some enzymes are stable at temperatures above 60°C.

Empty Phrases (wasted words) Concise A majority of Most As soon as When At all times Always Based on the fact that Because For this reason So In fact Don’t use at all Functions to, serves to It is interesting to note that

Empty Phrases (con’t). Referred to as Called With the exception of Concise Referred to as Called With the exception of Except Came to the conclusion Concluded With the result that So that At a much greater rate than Faster So as to To Despite the fact that Although, though At the present now

Word Usage: Affect vs Effect Affect is a verb that means “to influence.” Example: Temperature affects enzyme activity. Effect can be a noun, effect means “result,” if effect is used as a verb “to cause.” Example (noun): We studied the effect of temperature on enzyme activity. Example (verb): High temperature effected a change in the shape of the enzyme, which destroyed the enzyme’s activity.

Word Usage Cont’d Fewer vs. less. Use fewer when a quantity can be counted. Use less when the quantity is unknown. Do not use contractions in formal writing. Use it is instead of it’s. Lowered vs. raised. Transitive verbs require a direct object, a noun to act on. Example: Wrong: The fish’s body temperature lowered the response to the cold water. Correct: The cold water lowered the fish’s body temperature.

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