1. BIOL 4398 Current Topics in Life Sciences
Lecture 2
Review paper; Citations; Editing of drafts
improves communication
leads to a firmer understanding of your project

2. Literature review Introduction Main Body Conclusion Background
Overview of field/research
Thesis
Main Body
Covers key points of thesis
Synthesize previous work, current understanding of topic, controversies, incorporate your own analysis
Relate key points to thesis
Conclusion
Summarize and connect main points and thesis
Significance of major supporting points
Suggest future research
Review of a current topic

3. Fact versus opinion A fact must be supported with a citation.
An opinion should be clearly expressed as such.
The data suggests…
seem
possibility

4. Citing sources Important! Cite often, but don’t over-do it
Acknowledgement of ideas that are not yours.
Shows you are well-read and knowledgeable about the topic.
Cite often, but don’t over-do it
Write in your own words; do not use quotes.
Not always at the end of a sentence.
Ethical and legal obligation to give others credit for what is theirs
If an entire paragraph only uses 1 source, cite near the beginning and again near the end.
Kim and colleagues (1976) demonstrated…
in a list…
If same authors have multiple papers in the same year, use a, b

5. Improving writing style
Read good writing!
Smooth transitions of sentences and paragraphs.
Well-organized paragraphs with a topic sentence, followed by supporting sentences.
KISS method
Browse owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/ for grammar basics, punctuation, sentence structure, etc.
Avoid long, involved sentences and overuse of polysyllabic words. Long, run-on sentences often obscure your meaning, and frequent use of cumbersome words reduces the readability of the paper. Check for excessive use of commas and conjunctions (“and,” “but,” “or”). These often connect clauses that can be more clearly separated into two or more sentences.
supporting sentences provide an explanation and the evidence for your idea in the topic sentence
Be concise and to the point, but explain your idea well

6. Revising
Review the overall content, organization, flow of coherent ideas, consistency.
work on improving articulating your main idea
Polish your prose style.
sentence sturcture, bad grammar, excessiveness, vagueness
Proofread
proper word usage, punctuation, spelling, other typos
Focus on the important job of articulating and organizing your main ideas
you may need to go back to some papers or find a few new ones.
regoranize
Examine individual paragraphs and sentences closely for clarity, accuracy and conciseness.
thesis sentence, supporting sentences relevent and relate to thesis of the paragraph, transitions
clarity of each sentence, watch for awkward sentences
excessive use of particular words, passive voice
it, its, theirs, they, them, those, this
great info and examples in your book
Inspect final form of the paper

7. Revising Allow plenty of time for revising.
Save all versions of your draft.
Backup.
Read at least one draft on paper.