A Student Handbook for Writing in Biology

by Knisely, Karen

• ISBN13: 9780716767091
• ISBN10: 0716767090
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-11-29
• Publisher: W. H. Freeman

Summary

This book provides practical advice to students who are learning to write according to the conventions in biology. Using the standards of journal publication as a model, the author provides, in a user-friendly format, specific instructions on: using biology databases to locate references; developing sound reading strategies; paraphrasing for improved comprehension; writing for a particular audience with the appropriate tone; preparing lab reports or scientific papers, posters, and oral presentations with accepted format and content; self-evaluating drafts; and using peer and instructor feedback for professional development.

Table of Contents

Preface	xiii
The Scientific Method	1	(10)
An Introduction to the Scientific Method	1	(10)
Ask a Question	2	(1)
Look for Answers to Your Question	2	(1)
Turn Your Question into a Hypothesis	2	(1)
Design an Experiment to Test Your Hypothesis	3	(1)
Make Predictions about the Outcome of Your Experiment	4	(1)
Collect Data	5	(2)
Organize the Data	7	(1)
Try to Explain the Results	8	(1)
Revise Original Hypotheses to Take New Findings into Account	8	(1)
Share Findings with Other Scientists	8	(3)
Finding Primary References	11	(8)
Current Journal Articles	12	(2)
References Cited in ``Hits''	14	(1)
Books	15	(1)
The Internet	16	(3)
Connecting to the Internet	16	(1)
General Navigation	16	(1)
Search Tools	17	(1)
Evaluate Internet Sources Critically	17	(2)
Reading and Writing Scientific Papers	19	(10)
Types of Scientific Writing	19	(1)
Hallmarks of Scientific Writing	19	(1)
Scientific Paper Format	20	(2)
Styles for Documenting References	22	(1)
Strategies for Reading Journal Articles	22	(2)
Strategies for Reading your Textbook	24	(2)
Study Groups	26	(1)
Avoid Plagiarism: Paraphrase What You Read	26	(1)
The Benefits of Learning to Write Scientific Papers	27	(1)
Credibility and Reputation	27	(1)
Model Papers	28	(1)
Step-by-Step Instructions for Preparing a Laboratory Report or Scientific Paper	29	(38)
Timetable	29	(1)
Format Your Report Correctly	30	(3)
Computer Savvy	31	(2)
Getting Started	33	(1)
Reread the Laboratory Exercise	33	(1)
Audience and Tone	33	(1)
Start with the Materials and Methods Section	34	(4)
Writing Style	35	(1)
Details: To Include or Not To Include?	35	(3)
Do the Results Section Next	38	(16)
Tips for Writing the Body of the Results Section	39	(3)
Visuals	42	(6)
Organizing Your Data	48	(5)
Think Ahead to the Discussion	53	(1)
Equations	54	(1)
Make Connections	54	(2)
Write the Discussion	55	(1)
Write the Introduction	55	(1)
Effective Advertising	56	(1)
Write the Abstract	56	(1)
Write the Title	57	(1)
Documenting Sources	57	(10)
Citation and Reference Formats	58	(1)
The Citation-Sequence System	59	(1)
The Name-Year System	59	(1)
Electronic Journal Articles	59	(4)
Sources from the Internet and the World Wide Web	63	(2)
Unpublished Laboratory Exercise	65	(1)
Personal Communication	65	(2)
Revision	67	(32)
Getting Ready to Revise	67	(3)
Take a Break	67	(1)
Look at the Big Picture	67	(1)
Get Feedback	68	(2)
Revise Again	70	(26)
Conventions in Biology	71	(3)
Numbers	74	(1)
Standard Abbreviations	75	(1)
Punctuation	75	(6)
Clarity	81	(4)
Grammar	85	(4)
Word usage	89	(4)
Spelling	93	(1)
Global Revision	94	(2)
The Biology Lab Report Checklist	96	(3)
A ``Good'' Sample Student Laboratory Report	99	(14)
Laboratory Report Mistakes	108	(5)
Poster Presentations	113	(6)
Why Posters?	113	(1)
Poster Format	113	(2)
Size	113	(1)
Font (Type Size and Appearance)	114	(1)
Poster Esthetics	115	(1)
Nuts and Bolts	115	(1)
Poster Content	115	(3)
Title Banner	116	(1)
Introduction	116	(1)
Materials and Methods	116	(1)
Results	116	(1)
Discussion or Conclusions	117	(1)
Literature Citations	118	(1)
Presenting Your Poster	118	(1)
Oral Presentations	119	(10)
Organization	119	(1)
Plan Ahead	120	(1)
Write the Text	120	(1)
Prepare the Visuals	121	(3)
Rehearsal	124	(1)
Delivery	125	(2)
Presentation Style	125	(1)
Integrating Visuals	125	(1)
Interacting with the Audience	126	(1)
Group Presentations	127	(1)
Fielding Listener Questions	127	(1)
Feedback	127	(2)
APPENDIX 1 Word Processing Basics in Microsoft Word	129	(46)
Good Housekeeping Habits	129	(9)
File Organization	129	(4)
Saving your Files	133	(3)
Protecting your Files Against Viruses and Worms	136	(1)
Removing Files	136	(2)
Formatting a Document	138	(14)
Menu Bar and Toolbars	138	(2)
Paper	140	(1)
Margins	141	(1)
Font Style and Point Size	142	(1)
Page Numbers	142	(1)
Page Breaks	143	(1)
Line Spacing	143	(1)
Aligning Text	144	(1)
Justification	145	(1)
Indentation	145	(1)
Tabs	145	(1)
Creating a Table	146	(1)
Lists That Begin with Numbers or Bullets	147	(3)
Style	150	(1)
Templates	151	(1)
Editing the Text	152	(7)
Views	153	(1)
Cut, Copy, and Paste	154	(1)
Find and Replace	154	(1)
Spelling and Grammar	155	(3)
Word Count	158	(1)
Tracking Changes Made By Peer Reviewers	158	(1)
Special Functions in Scientific Papers	159	(16)
Greek Letters and Mathematical Symbols	160	(4)
Superscripts and Subscripts	164	(1)
Italics	165	(1)
Customizing Your Toolbars	165	(2)
Shortcut Keys	167	(1)
AutoCorrect	168	(2)
Tables Inserted in the Document	170	(1)
Figures Imported from Another Program Such as Excel	171	(1)
Equations	172	(1)
Leaving Space for Sketches	172	(2)
Hanging Indent to List References in the Name-Year System	174	(1)
APPENDIX 2 Making XY Graphs in Microsoft Excel	175	(32)
The Microsoft Excel Screen	176	(2)
Title bar	176	(1)
Menu bar	177	(1)
Toolbars	177	(1)
Formula bar	178	(1)
Entering Data in Spreadsheet	178	(6)
Terminology	180	(1)
Using Chart Wizard to Plot the Data	180	(4)
Modifying Graphs	184	(8)
Chart Type	184	(1)
Source Data	185	(1)
Chart Options	186	(1)
Location	186	(1)
Add Data	186	(1)
Add Trendline	186	(1)
Format Data Series	186	(2)
Format Plot Area	188	(1)
Format Chart Area	188	(1)
Format Legend	188	(1)
Format Axes	188	(1)
Format Axis Label	188	(1)
Inserting Greek Characters and Other Symbols in Axis Labels	189	(3)
Applying CBE Guidelines to Figure A2.7	192	(1)
Importing Graphs into Microsoft Word	192	(2)
Trendlines	194	(4)
Example: Standard Curve for a Protein Assay	196	(2)
Multiple Lines on One Set of Axes	198	(2)
Multiple Trendlines on One Set of Axes	200	(3)
Figures as an Appendix to the Lab Report	203	(2)
Importing Tables into a Word Document	205	(2)
APPENDIX 3 Preparing Oral Presentations with Microsoft PowerPoint	207	(24)
Starting PowerPoint	207	(1)
Choosing a Slide Layout	208	(3)
Sample Presentation	208	(2)
Creating a Title	210	(1)
Adding New Slides	211	(1)
Formatting Text	211	(2)
Adding Images	213	(3)
Copy and Paste	213	(1)
Insert | Picture	214	(1)
Drawing Toolbar	214	(2)
Adding a Table	216	(1)
Adding a Graph	216	(1)
Navigating among Slides	216	(1)
Saving and Printing Presentations	217	(1)
Revising and Polishing Presentations	218	(9)
Moving Slides	219	(1)
Adding and Deleting Slides	219	(1)
Copying Slides	219	(1)
Spell Check	220	(1)
Special Effects	220	(7)
Delivering Your Presentation	227	(4)
Running the Show	228	(1)
Navigating among Slides during a Slide Show	228	(3)
Bibliography	231	(2)
Index	233