How to write a
scientific essay?
Scientific research is exciting but is also demanding! A lot of
information is gathered and analyzed to effectively
communicate ideas, findings and arguments in a well structured
manner. Scientific research explains how science and society
affect each other through many factors, hence it plays an
important role in society and contributes to the advancement
of humanity. It’s important to use logically consistent
arguments and to put an emphasis on evidence to ensure the
authenticity of the scientific text.
In order to develop your science writing skills, follow the
checklists below to produce your best work.
Essay Sections:
The section headings should be centered and the body of the text should follow immediately below
the heading. Do not begin each section on a new page, except for the Title Page and the Works Cited.
1. Introduction
2. Problem
3. Solution
4. Factor
5. Conclusion
6. Works Cited
Avoid using personal pronouns such as “I”, “you”, “we”. Try to use “one” or the passive.
e.g. “In order to achieve these results, one should be very careful with the
measurements ” Or “These results were achieved because measurements were
carefully taken
The font is also important so use Calibri. In a scientific text Comic Sans is NOT appropriate. Use the font size
12, double line spacing, and number the pages, so your teacher doesn’t find it difficult to read the text.
Include primary and secondary sources.
Primary: original documents from someone who witnessed the event
Secondary: a document written by an expert who didn’t experience or participate in the event you
are researching about.
Check these elements in the
box once you have added
them to your title page.
Heading (on the first page)
● First Name, last name (nickname)
● Ms. T Cantillo
● Year Level and class
● Date submitted: e.g. 15 November 2016
● On the header: last name and page #
1 - Introduction
In the introduction, lead the reader to the theme of the essay while showing your understanding of the
topic. Explain the meaning and the relationship between the keywords that relate to your topic. You can
also state questions regarding this topic, which leads the reader to be excited about reading your work.
Support your ideas with at least 2 in text citations and do not forget to use the present tense.
Example of an introductory question: How does the study of physical or chemical reactions help in the
development of society?
For this section, include COMPARE and CONTRAST sentences.
Example:
Golden Eagles are apt (able) to hunt for prey while Bald Eagles are more likely to take an easy meal.
You can use these transition words to compare and contrast the physical and chemical property
keywords which your teacher has given you in class: “conversely”, “however”, “even though”, “despite”,
“although”, “when comparing the two ”
Introduction checklist: Check these elements in the
box once you have added
them.
- Do you have a good question?
- Add at least 4 keywords to your introduction and justify why they are
relevant to the essay.
- Introduction is in the ‘present tense’.
- 2 in text citations supporting your ideas.
- Use 2 transition words from the green box.
2 - Problem
Describe the problem in a very detailed way. Do not use words such as “great”, “awesome”, “sad”, etc. Use
graphics, charts, numbers, quantitative data for statistics to support your problem.
Answer the questions below for a detailed description of your problem:
- (1) What causes the problem?
- (2) How does the problem affect the individual?
- (3) How does the problem affect society on a local/global scale?
- (4) How does the problem affect the environment?
For this section, include CAUSE and EFFECT sentences. Example:
Many Bald Eagles were killed by pesticides and illegal hunting that they were in danger of becoming extinct.
Other words: “so”, “because”, “under these circumstances”, “for this reason”, “in effect”, “consequently”, “therefore”...
Problem checklist:
Check these elements in the
box once you have added
them to your essay.
- You have answered the questions above on what causes the problem (1),
how does it affect the individual (2), society (3), and the environment (4).
- Problem section is in the ‘present tense’.
- 3 in text citations
- Use 3 cause and effect sentences.
- Quantitative data.
- If you use a table, the source goes below the table, not in the works cited
3 - Solution
The solution for the problem needs to be science based, a solution developed from scientific knowledge.
Form a balanced review, clearly supported by evidence of the positive and negative effects of using
science in order to solve the problem. Use graphics, charts, numbers, quantitative data to support your
ideas.
Answer the questions below for a detailed description of your solution:
- (1) How was the solution developed? By who?
- (2) Which ATL Skills were used to develop the science based solution?
- (3) How does the solution work?
- (4) How effective is the solution? What are its limitations?
- (5) How does the solution impact individuals and society on a local/global scale?
- (6) Are there any negative effects which derive (come) from the solution?
For this section, include PROBLEM and SOLUTION sentences. Example:
When a raptor species declines, scientist take wild bird eggs to raise in captivity and increase the number of birds.
Other words: “as a result”, “in effect”, “then”, “firstly”, “secondly”, “in fact”, “to clarify”, “since”...
Solution checklist: Check these elements in the box
once you have added them..
- Answered the questions above: how was the solution developed (1), how
does it work (2), how effective is it? what are its limitations? (3) impact on
individuals and society (4), possible negative effects (5).
- Is in the ‘present tense’?
- 3 citations support your ideas.
- 3 problem and solution sentences.
- Quantitative data
- If you use a table, the source goes below the table, not in the works cited
4 - Factors
Choose ONE of the factors below and justify how it affects or is affected by your science based solution.
Remember to only explain how the science based solution affects the factor, not the problem.
- (1) How and why is the solution affecting this factor?
- (2) How does the solution positively and negatively affect the factor?
- (3) Why is it important to consider the factor when developing the solution? How does the factor help us
to determine if the solution is in fact tailored to the needs it’s addressing?
- (4) How does the factor impact individuals and society on a local/global scale?
Economic (production, distribution and use of income, wealth, commodities)
Environmental (circumstances, objects, nature)
Social (society and its members)
Moral (personal beliefs)
Ethics (society’s beliefs)
Cultural (traditions, language, customs, values, goals)
Political (government, law, public affairs, policies)
For this section, include transition words such as: “which proves that”, “which leads to”, “based on”,
“that is why”, “what follows from this is obvious”, “is a consequence of”, “consequently”, “so”...
Factor checklist: Check these elements in the
box once you have added
them.
- Answered the questions above: how the solution affects a factor (1),
why (2), why is it relevant for the analysis of the solution (3) and how
does the factor impact individuals and society (4)
- ‘present tense’
- 2 transition words from the green table above.
- Quantitative data.
5 - Conclusion
In your conclusion, answer the question of your introduction, based on your research. Conclusions usually
start with the following words: “In conclusion”, “To summarize”, “Overall”, “In brief”, etc. You
should have a brief summary of your main ideas, justify the title of your essay and try to make the reader
remember your words.
Check these elements in the
box once you have added
Conclusion checklist: them.
- Started with one of the words in green above.
- Answered the question in the introduction.
- Summarized the main ideas.
ATL Skills List
1- Communication Skills (are you a better communicator? Why?)
2- Collaboration Skills (did you develop better ways to work with others? How?)
3 - Organization Skills (did this assignment provide you with opportunities to be more organized with your time?)
4- Affective Skills (was this research very stressful? How did you overcome stress? were you able to motivate yourself and
persevere (overcome difficulties by not giving up when things went bad)?)
5- Reflection Skills (do you think you have become a better learner during this research? Why?)
6- Information Literacy Skills (was it easy to research this topic? How?)
7- Media Literacy Skills (where did you get the information from? Are you sure you got it from a reliable source?)
8- Critical Thinking Skills (Do you think you have analysed this issue in-depth? Why?)
9- Creative Thinking Skills (Were you innovative in your ideas? How?)
10- Transfer Skills (can you use the knowledge you have acquired in different subjects or in your personal life? Justify.)
6 - Works Cited
Check if ALL the references follow the MLA format by using EasyBib. Talk to Ms Kathy about this if you have
any questions, her email is kathyf@concordian.ac.th. Make sure they are in their own page, alphabetized
and the title for this page Works Cited is on top of the page and centered.
