Science Essay

Betty P.

Learn How to Write an A+ Science Essay

11 min read

science essay

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Did you ever imagine that essay writing was just for students in the Humanities? Well, think again! 

For science students, tackling a science essay might seem challenging, as it not only demands a deep understanding of the subject but also strong writing skills. 

However, fret not because we've got your back!

With the right steps and tips, you can write an engaging and informative science essay easily!

This blog will take you through all the important steps of writing a science essay, from choosing a topic to presenting the final work.

So, let's get into it!

Arrow Down

  • 1. What Is a Science Essay?
  • 2. How To Write a Science Essay?
  • 3. How to Structure a Science Essay?
  • 4. Science Essay Examples
  • 5. How to Choose the Right Science Essay Topic
  • 6. Science Essay Topics
  • 7. Science Essay Writing Tips

What Is a Science Essay?

A science essay is an academic paper focusing on a scientific topic from physics, chemistry, biology, or any other scientific field.

Science essays are mostly expository. That is, they require you to explain your chosen topic in detail. However, they can also be descriptive and exploratory.

A descriptive science essay aims to describe a certain scientific phenomenon according to established knowledge.

On the other hand, the exploratory science essay requires you to go beyond the current theories and explore new interpretations.

So before you set out to write your essay, always check out the instructions given by your instructor. Whether a science essay is expository or exploratory must be clear from the start. Or, if you face any difficulty, you can take help from a science essay writer as well. 

Moreover, check out this video to understand scientific writing in detail.

Now that you know what it is, let's look at the steps you need to take to write a science essay. 

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How To Write a Science Essay?

Writing a science essay is not as complex as it may seem. All you need to do is follow the right steps to create an impressive piece of work that meets the assigned criteria.

Here's what you need to do:

Choose Your Topic

A good topic forms the foundation for an engaging and well-written essay. Therefore, you should ensure that you pick something interesting or relevant to your field of study. 

To choose a good topic, you can brainstorm ideas relating to the subject matter. You may also find inspiration from other science essays or articles about the same topic.

Conduct Research

Once you have chosen your topic, start researching it thoroughly to develop a strong argument or discussion in your essay. 

Make sure you use reliable sources and cite them properly . You should also make notes while conducting your research so that you can reference them easily when writing the essay. Or, you can get expert assistance from an essay writing service to manage your citations. 

Create an Outline

A good essay outline helps to organize the ideas in your paper. It serves as a guide throughout the writing process and ensures you don’t miss out on important points.

An outline makes it easier to write a well-structured paper that flows logically. It should be detailed enough to guide you through the entire writing process.

However, your outline should be flexible, and it's sometimes better to change it along the way to improve your structure.

Start Writing

Once you have a good outline, start writing the essay by following your plan.

The first step in writing any essay is to draft it. This means putting your thoughts down on paper in a rough form without worrying about grammar or spelling mistakes.

So begin your essay by introducing the topic, then carefully explain it using evidence and examples to support your argument.

Don't worry if your first draft isn't perfect - it's just the starting point!

Proofread & Edit

After finishing your first draft, take time to proofread and edit it for grammar and spelling mistakes.

Proofreading is the process of checking for grammatical mistakes. It should be done after you have finished writing your essay.

Editing, on the other hand, involves reviewing the structure and organization of your essay and its content. It should be done before you submit your final work.

Both proofreading and editing are essential for producing a high-quality essay. Make sure to give yourself enough time to do them properly!

After revising the essay, you should format it according to the guidelines given by your instructor. This could involve using a specific font size, page margins, or citation style.

Most science essays are written in Times New Roman font with 12-point size and double spacing. The margins should be 1 inch on all sides, and the text should be justified.

In addition, you must cite your sources properly using a recognized citation style such as APA , Chicago , or Harvard . Make sure to follow the guidelines closely so that your essay looks professional.

Following these steps will help you create an informative and well-structured science essay that meets the given criteria.

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How to Structure a Science Essay?

A basic science essay structure includes an introduction, body, and conclusion. 

Let's look at each of these briefly.

  • Introduction

Your essay introduction should introduce your topic and provide a brief overview of what you will discuss in the essay. It should also state your thesis or main argument.

For instance, a thesis statement for a science essay could be, 

"The human body is capable of incredible feats, as evidenced by the many athletes who have competed in the Olympic games."

The body of your essay will contain the bulk of your argument or discussion. It should be divided into paragraphs, each discussing a different point.

For instance, imagine you were writing about sports and the human body. 

Your first paragraph can discuss the physical capabilities of the human body. 

The second paragraph may be about the physical benefits of competing in sports. 

Similarly, in the third paragraph, you can present one or two case studies of specific athletes to support your point. 

Once you have explained all your points in the body, it’s time to conclude the essay.

Your essay conclusion should summarize the main points of your essay and leave the reader with a sense of closure.

In the conclusion, you reiterate your thesis and sum up your arguments. You can also suggest implications or potential applications of the ideas discussed in the essay. 

By following this structure, you will create a well-organized essay.

Check out a few example essays to see this structure in practice.

Science Essay Examples

A great way to get inspired when writing a science essay is to look at other examples of successful essays written by others. 

Here are some examples that will give you an idea of how to write your essay.

Science Essay About Genetics - Science Essay Example

Environmental Science Essay Example | PDF Sample

The Science of Nanotechnology

Science, Non-Science, and Pseudo-Science

The Science Of Science Education

Science in our Daily Lives

Short Science Essay Example

Let’s take a look at a short science essay: 

Want to read more essay examples? Here, you can find more science essay examples to learn from.

How to Choose the Right Science Essay Topic

Choosing the right science essay topic is a critical first step in crafting a compelling and engaging essay. Here's a concise guide on how to make this decision wisely:

  • Consider Your Interests: Start by reflecting on your personal interests within the realm of science. Selecting a topic that genuinely fascinates you will make the research and writing process more enjoyable and motivated.
  • Relevance to the Course: Ensure that your chosen topic aligns with your course or assignment requirements. Read the assignment guidelines carefully to understand the scope and focus expected by your instructor.
  • Current Trends and Issues: Stay updated with the latest scientific developments and trends. Opting for a topic that addresses contemporary issues not only makes your essay relevant but also demonstrates your awareness of current events in the field.
  • Narrow Down the Scope: Science is vast, so narrow your topic to a manageable scope. Instead of a broad subject like "Climate Change," consider a more specific angle like "The Impact of Melting Arctic Ice on Global Sea Levels."
  • Available Resources: Ensure that there are sufficient credible sources and research materials available for your chosen topic. A lack of resources can hinder your research efforts.
  • Discuss with Your Instructor: If you're uncertain about your topic choice, don't hesitate to consult your instructor or professor. They can provide valuable guidance and may even suggest specific topics based on your academic goals.

Science Essay Topics

Choosing an appropriate topic for a science essay is one of the first steps in writing a successful paper.

Here are a few science essay topics to get you started:

  • How space exploration affects our daily lives?
  • How has technology changed our understanding of medicine?
  • Are there ethical considerations to consider when conducting scientific research?
  • How does climate change affect the biodiversity of different parts of the world?
  • How can artificial intelligence be used in medicine?
  • What impact have vaccines had on global health?
  • What is the future of renewable energy?
  • How do we ensure that genetically modified organisms are safe for humans and the environment?
  • The influence of social media on human behavior: A social science perspective
  • What are the potential risks and benefits of stem cell therapy?

Important science topics can cover anything from space exploration to chemistry and biology. So you can choose any topic according to your interests!

Need more topics? We have gathered 100+ science essay topics to help you find a great topic!

Continue reading to find some tips to help you write a successful science essay. 

Science Essay Writing Tips

Once you have chosen a topic and looked at examples, it's time to start writing the science essay.

Here are some key tips for a successful essay:

  • Research thoroughly

Make sure you do extensive research before you begin writing your paper. This will ensure that the facts and figures you include are accurate and supported by reliable sources.

  • Use clear language

Avoid using jargon or overly technical language when writing your essay. Plain language is easier to understand and more engaging for readers.

  • Referencing

Always provide references for any information you include in your essay. This will demonstrate that you acknowledge other people's work and show that the evidence you use is credible.

Make sure to follow the basic structure of an essay and organize your thoughts into clear sections. This will improve the flow and make your essay easier to read.

  • Ask someone to proofread

It’s also a good idea to get someone else to proofread your work as they may spot mistakes that you have missed.

These few tips will help ensure that your science essay is well-written and informative!

You've learned the steps to writing a successful science essay and looked at some examples and topics to get you started. 

Make sure you thoroughly research, use clear language, structure your thoughts, and proofread your essay. With these tips, you’re sure to write a great science essay! 

Do you still need expert help writing a science essay? Our science essay writing service is here to help. With our team of professional writers, you can rest assured that your essay will be written to the highest standards.

Contact our essay service now to get started!

Also, do not forget to try our essay typer tool for quick and cost-free aid with your essays!

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Betty P.

Betty is a freelance writer and researcher. She has a Masters in literature and enjoys providing writing services to her clients. Betty is an avid reader and loves learning new things. She has provided writing services to clients from all academic levels and related academic fields.

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Mastering the Art of Crafting an A+ Science Essay

Mastering science essay writing: a comprehensive guide for students, what is a science essay.

Science essays serve as a vital bridge between the realm of scientific inquiry and the wider world. They are a medium through which students can articulate their understanding of scientific concepts, theories, experiments, and findings. But what exactly constitutes a science essay?

At its core, a science essay is an academic piece of writing that explores a scientific topic or issue in depth. Unlike traditional essays, which may focus on literature, history, or philosophy, science essays delve into the complexities of the natural world and the scientific method used to understand it.

These essays come in various forms, each with its unique purpose and structure. They may take the shape of analytical essays, where students critically evaluate existing scientific research or theories. Alternatively, they could be argumentative essays, where students take a stance on a scientific controversy or propose a solution to a scientific problem. Additionally, science essays may also include reports of scientific experiments, observations, or fieldwork, presenting findings and drawing conclusions based on empirical evidence.

Regardless of the specific type, all science essays share common characteristics. They are evidence-based, relying on scientific literature, data, and experimentation to support claims and arguments. They are also written in a clear, concise, and precise manner, using language that is accessible to both scientific experts and non-experts alike. Furthermore, science essays adhere to academic conventions, including proper citation of sources and adherence to formatting guidelines such as APA, MLA, or Chicago style.

In essence, a science essay is not merely a means of demonstrating knowledge; it is a tool for engaging with the scientific community, contributing to the advancement of knowledge, and fostering critical thinking skills. By mastering the art of writing science essays, students can develop their ability to communicate complex scientific ideas effectively, paving the way for future success in their academic and professional endeavors.

Structuring Your Science Essay

When it comes to writing a science essay, the structure plays a pivotal role in ensuring clarity, coherence, and persuasiveness. By following a well-organized structure, you can effectively convey your ideas, present your arguments, and engage your reader from start to finish. Here’s how to structure your science essay for maximum impact:

Introduction: Hooking Your Reader and Presenting Your Thesis

The introduction serves as the gateway to your essay, setting the stage for what is to come and capturing the reader’s attention from the outset. To craft an effective introduction:

Hook Your Reader: Begin with a compelling hook or attention-grabbing anecdote that piques the reader’s curiosity and draws them into the topic. This could be a surprising fact, a thought-provoking question, or a relevant quote.

Provide Background Information: Offer brief background information on the topic to provide context and establish the significance of the subject matter. Highlight any relevant scientific theories, concepts, or research findings that will be discussed in the essay.

Present Your Thesis Statement: Clearly state your thesis statement, which outlines the main argument or purpose of your essay. Your thesis should be concise, specific, and debatable, providing a roadmap for the reader to follow as they navigate through your essay.

By crafting a compelling introduction, you lay the foundation for a well-structured and engaging science essay that captivates your reader’s interest from the very beginning.

Body Paragraphs: Organizing Your Arguments and Supporting Evidence

The body paragraphs form the heart of your science essay, where you develop your arguments, present supporting evidence, and delve into the complexities of your topic. To effectively structure your body paragraphs:

Focus on One Main Idea per Paragraph: Each body paragraph should revolve around a single main idea or argument that supports your thesis statement. Begin with a topic sentence that introduces the main point of the paragraph and provides a transition from the previous paragraph.

Provide Supporting Evidence: Support your main idea with relevant evidence, examples, or data drawn from your research. This could include scientific studies, experiments, observations, or scholarly sources that bolster your argument and lend credibility to your claims.

Offer Analysis and Interpretation: Analyze the evidence presented and explain how it supports your argument or contributes to your overall thesis. Offer insightful interpretations, draw connections between different pieces of evidence, and demonstrate your understanding of the subject matter.

Ensure Smooth Transitions: Use transition words and phrases to guide the reader smoothly from one paragraph to the next. This helps maintain coherence and clarity throughout your essay, allowing the reader to follow your line of reasoning effortlessly.

By organizing your body paragraphs in a logical and coherent manner, you can effectively convey your arguments, present compelling evidence, and persuade your reader of the validity of your claims.

Conclusion: Reinforcing Your Thesis and Leaving a Lasting Impression

The conclusion serves as the final opportunity to reinforce your thesis, summarize your key points, and leave a lasting impression on your reader. To craft an effective conclusion:

Restate Your Thesis: Begin by restating your thesis statement in slightly different words, emphasizing the main argument or central claim of your essay. This reaffirms the significance of your topic and reminds the reader of the purpose of your essay.

Summarize Your Key Points: Provide a brief summary of the main points discussed in your essay, highlighting the most important findings, arguments, or insights presented. This helps reinforce your thesis and reinforces the main takeaways for the reader.

Offer Insights or Recommendations: Reflect on the implications of your research and offer insights, recommendations, or suggestions for further study. Consider the broader significance of your findings and how they contribute to the existing body of scientific knowledge.

End with a Strong Closing Statement: Conclude your essay with a memorable closing statement that leaves a lasting impression on the reader. This could be a thought-provoking question, a call to action, or a powerful reflection that ties back to the introductory hook.

By crafting a compelling conclusion, you can leave your reader with a sense of closure, reinforce the significance of your thesis, and leave them with a lasting impression that resonates beyond the pages of your essay.

In summary, structuring your science essay with a captivating introduction, well-organized body paragraphs, and a compelling conclusion is essential for effectively communicating your ideas, engaging your reader, and making a persuasive argument. By following these guidelines, you can craft a structured and coherent essay that showcases your understanding of the subject matter and leaves a lasting impact on your audience.

Incorporating Scientific Evidence

In the realm of science essays, the strength of your argument hinges on the quality and relevance of the evidence you present. Scientific evidence serves as the backbone of your essay, providing support for your claims, validating your arguments, and bolstering your credibility as a writer. Here’s how to effectively incorporate scientific evidence into your essay:

Choosing the Right Evidence to Strengthen Your Argument

  • Relevance is Key: Select evidence that directly supports your thesis statement and aligns with the main arguments you’re making in your essay. Avoid tangential or unrelated evidence that may detract from the focus of your essay.
  • Prioritize Credible Sources: Seek out evidence from reputable scientific sources such as peer-reviewed journals, academic textbooks, and reliable websites. Pay attention to the expertise and authority of the authors, as well as the publication venue’s reputation within the scientific community.
  • Consider the Currency of the Evidence: Choose recent and up-to-date evidence whenever possible, particularly in rapidly evolving fields of science. While seminal studies may hold historical significance, newer research often reflects the current state of knowledge and understanding.
  • Diversify Your Sources: Draw evidence from a variety of sources to provide a comprehensive and balanced perspective on the topic. Incorporate a mix of primary research studies, meta-analyses, expert opinions, and statistical data to strengthen your argument.
  • Evaluate the Strength of the Evidence: Assess the quality and reliability of the evidence by examining factors such as sample size, methodology, statistical significance, and potential biases. Strong evidence is characterized by robust study designs, rigorous data analysis, and consistent findings.

Integrating Data, Experiments, and Case Studies Effectively

  • Provide Context: Introduce each piece of evidence with context to help the reader understand its significance and relevance to your argument. Explain the background of the study, the research question addressed, and the methodology employed to collect and analyze data.
  • Present Data Clearly: Use tables, graphs, charts, and diagrams to present quantitative data in a clear and visually appealing manner. Ensure that the data are properly labeled, annotated, and explained to facilitate interpretation by the reader.
  • Analyze and Interpret Findings: Analyze the findings of the studies or experiments you’re citing and interpret their implications in relation to your argument. Discuss how the evidence supports or challenges existing theories, hypotheses, or prevailing viewpoints in the field.
  • Provide Examples and Case Studies: Illustrate your arguments with real-world examples, case studies, or anecdotes that demonstrate the practical applications or consequences of the scientific concepts under discussion. Case studies can offer concrete evidence of theoretical principles in action and lend credibility to your argument.
  • Draw Connections Between Evidence: Connect different pieces of evidence together to build a cohesive and compelling narrative. Identify patterns, trends, or relationships among the evidence presented and use them to strengthen your overall argument.

By carefully selecting and integrating scientific evidence into your essay, you can substantiate your claims, enhance the credibility of your arguments, and engage your reader on a deeper level. Remember to prioritize relevance, credibility, and clarity when incorporating evidence, and to provide sufficient context and analysis to help your reader understand its significance within the broader context of your essay.

The Art of Writing Clear and Concise

In the realm of science essays, clarity and conciseness are paramount. As a writer, your goal is to communicate complex scientific ideas in a way that is accessible to your audience while maintaining accuracy and precision. Here are two key principles to master the art of clear and concise writing in your science essays:

Avoiding Jargon: Communicating Complex Ideas Simply

  • Know Your Audience: Tailor your language to your intended audience, whether they are fellow scientists, students, or general readers with varying levels of scientific expertise. Avoid unnecessary technical jargon that may alienate or confuse your readers.
  • Define Key Terms: When introducing technical terms or specialized terminology, provide clear definitions to ensure that your readers understand the concepts you’re discussing. Define terms in a way that is concise and accessible, using language that is familiar to your audience.
  • Use Analogies and Examples: Simplify complex scientific concepts by using analogies, metaphors, or real-world examples that resonate with your readers’ experiences. Analogies can help bridge the gap between unfamiliar scientific concepts and everyday phenomena, making them easier to grasp.
  • Clarify Ambiguous Language: Avoid ambiguous or vague language that may lead to misunderstandings. Be precise in your choice of words and phrases, and strive for clarity in your explanations. If a term or concept has multiple interpretations, clarify your meaning to avoid confusion.
  • Test for Comprehension: Put yourself in your readers’ shoes and consider whether your writing is clear and understandable to someone with limited background knowledge in the subject. Ask for feedback from peers or colleagues to ensure that your writing effectively communicates your ideas.

Precision in Language: Conveying Scientific Concepts with Accuracy

  • Use Specific Language: Choose words and phrases that accurately convey your intended meaning and avoid vague or imprecise language. Be specific in your descriptions, measurements, and observations to ensure clarity and accuracy.
  • Define Technical Terms: Define technical terms and scientific terminology clearly and concisely to avoid ambiguity or misunderstanding. Provide definitions, explanations, or contextual clues to help readers understand the meaning of specialized terms within the context of your essay.
  • Be Mindful of Nuance: Pay attention to nuances in language and terminology, especially when discussing complex scientific concepts or theories. Use language with care to accurately convey subtle distinctions or variations in meaning.
  • Avoid Overly Technical Language: While precision is important, be cautious not to overwhelm your readers with overly technical language or excessive detail. Strike a balance between precision and accessibility, using language that is appropriate for your audience and the level of expertise expected.
  • Edit for Clarity and Accuracy: Review your writing carefully to ensure that your language is precise, accurate, and free from errors. Clarify any ambiguities, refine your explanations, and eliminate unnecessary or redundant language to enhance clarity and conciseness.

By adhering to these principles of clear and concise writing, you can effectively communicate complex scientific ideas with precision, accuracy, and accessibility in your science essays. Strive to make your writing engaging and understandable to your audience, while maintaining the integrity and rigor of scientific communication.

Editing and Proofreading

Crafting a successful science essay doesn’t end with the completion of the first draft. In fact, the revision process is where the magic truly happens. Editing and proofreading your essay is essential to ensure clarity, coherence, and accuracy. Let’s explore the importance of revision and common mistakes to watch out for:

The Importance of Revision: Polishing Your Science Essay for Excellence

  • Enhancing Clarity and Coherence: Revision allows you to refine your ideas, clarify your arguments, and ensure that your essay flows smoothly from start to finish. By reviewing and restructuring your sentences and paragraphs, you can improve the overall coherence and readability of your essay.
  • Strengthening Your Argument: During the revision process, you have the opportunity to evaluate the strength of your argument and identify any weaknesses or gaps in your reasoning. You can strengthen your argument by providing additional evidence, refining your analysis, and addressing counterarguments effectively.
  • Checking for Accuracy and Precision: Revision also involves verifying the accuracy of your scientific information, ensuring that all facts, data, and citations are correct and properly referenced. Pay close attention to details such as units of measurement, statistical analysis, and scientific terminology to maintain precision in your writing.
  • Polishing Your Language: Use the revision process to refine your language and style, eliminating unnecessary words, phrases, and repetitions. Aim for clarity, conciseness, and precision in your writing, choosing words and expressions that effectively convey your ideas to your audience.
  • Finalizing Formatting and Citation: Before submitting your essay, ensure that it adheres to the required formatting guidelines and citation style. Check the formatting of your title page, headings, citations, and reference list to ensure consistency and accuracy.

Common Mistakes to Watch Out For and How to Correct Them

  • Grammatical Errors: Watch out for grammatical errors such as subject-verb agreement, tense consistency, and punctuation mistakes. Use grammar-checking tools or seek feedback from peers to identify and correct errors in your writing.
  • Spelling and Typographical Errors: Proofread your essay carefully to catch any spelling mistakes, typos, or misspelled words. Pay attention to commonly confused words and homophones that may not be flagged by spell-checking tools.
  • Inconsistent Formatting: Check for consistency in formatting throughout your essay, including headings, font style and size, margins, and spacing. Ensure that your essay follows the required formatting guidelines specified by your instructor or institution.
  • Weak Transitions: Review your essay for weak or abrupt transitions between paragraphs and sections. Use transition words and phrases to guide the reader smoothly from one idea to the next, creating a cohesive and logical flow of information.
  • Plagiarism: Avoid plagiarism by properly citing all sources used in your essay and giving credit to the original authors. Use quotation marks for direct quotes and paraphrase information in your own words while providing a citation to acknowledge the source.

By diligently editing and proofreading your science essay, you can polish your writing to achieve excellence, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and coherence. Take the time to review your essay thoroughly, addressing common mistakes and refining your arguments to create a polished and professional final product.

Citations and References

In the realm of academia, citations and references play a crucial role in acknowledging the contributions of other scholars, providing evidence to support your arguments, and maintaining academic integrity. Understanding different citation styles and properly citing sources are essential skills for every science essay writer. Let’s delve into the specifics:

Understanding Different Citation Styles: APA, MLA, and Chicago

APA (American Psychological Association): APA style is commonly used in the social sciences and sciences, including psychology, sociology, and biology. It features in-text citations with the author’s last name and year of publication, along with a corresponding reference list at the end of the document.

MLA (Modern Language Association): MLA style is typically used in the humanities, such as literature, languages, and cultural studies. It employs in-text citations with the author’s last name and page number, as well as a Works Cited page listing all sources cited in the essay.

Chicago Style: Chicago style encompasses two main citation formats: notes and bibliography (often used in humanities) and author-date (similar to APA, commonly used in social sciences and sciences). Chicago style offers flexibility in citation formats, allowing for either footnotes or in-text citations, along with a bibliography or reference list.

Properly Citing Sources to Avoid Plagiarism and Maintain Academic Integrity

  • In-Text Citations: Whenever you use information, ideas, or direct quotes from a source, provide an in-text citation to acknowledge the source’s author and publication year. This allows readers to locate the original source if they wish to explore further.
  • Quotation Marks for Direct Quotes: When directly quoting a source, enclose the quoted text in quotation marks and provide an in-text citation indicating the source’s author, publication year, and page number (if applicable).
  • Reference List or Works Cited Page: Compile a comprehensive list of all sources cited in your essay and include it at the end of your document. Arrange the sources alphabetically by the author’s last name (or title if no author is provided), following the formatting guidelines of your chosen citation style.
  • Provide Sufficient Information: Ensure that your citations include all necessary information for readers to identify and locate the sources cited. This typically includes the author’s name, title of the work, publication date, publisher, and relevant page numbers.
  • Paraphrase and Summarize Ethically: When paraphrasing or summarizing information from a source, rephrase the content in your own words while still acknowledging the original source through an in-text citation. Avoid copying verbatim text without proper attribution, as this constitutes plagiarism.
  • Be Consistent: Maintain consistency in your citation style throughout your essay, adhering to the formatting guidelines prescribed by your instructor or institution. Consistent citation practices enhance the readability and professionalism of your work.

By understanding the nuances of different citation styles and adhering to proper citation practices, you can avoid plagiarism, give credit to the original authors, and uphold the principles of academic integrity in your science essays. Remember to consult relevant style guides and resources for specific citation formatting instructions, and always double-check your citations to ensure accuracy and completeness.

Going Above and Beyond: Tips for Excellence

To truly excel in crafting your science essay, consider going beyond the basics and incorporating additional elements that enhance clarity, engagement, and effectiveness. Here are two key tips for taking your essay to the next level:

Incorporating Visuals: Using Diagrams, Graphs, and Images to Enhance Understanding

  • Enhance Comprehension: Visual aids such as diagrams, graphs, charts, and images can effectively illustrate complex scientific concepts and relationships, making them easier for readers to understand. Use visuals to complement your written explanations and provide visual representations of data, processes, or structures discussed in your essay.
  • Choose Appropriate Visuals: Select visuals that are relevant, clear, and visually appealing, ensuring that they enhance rather than detract from your essay. Consider the type of information you’re presenting and choose the most appropriate format, whether it’s a line graph to illustrate trends, a schematic diagram to depict a process, or a photograph to showcase a specimen or experiment.
  • Label and Caption Effectively: Provide clear labels, titles, and captions for your visuals to guide readers in interpreting the information presented. Include relevant annotations, explanations, and units of measurement to ensure that readers understand the significance of the visual and how it relates to the content of your essay.
  • Integrate Seamlessly: Integrate visuals seamlessly into your essay, placing them strategically within the text where they enhance understanding and reinforce key points. Refer to visuals in your writing to draw attention to specific elements and provide context for their interpretation.
  • Ensure Accessibility: Consider the accessibility of your visuals for all readers, including those with visual impairments or disabilities. Provide alternative text descriptions for images and ensure that graphs and diagrams are compatible with screen readers and assistive technologies.

Seeking Feedback: Utilizing Peer Review and Instructor Feedback to Improve Your Essay

  • Engage in Peer Review: Share your essay with peers or classmates for feedback and constructive criticism. Peer review allows you to gain fresh perspectives on your writing, identify areas for improvement, and receive valuable insights from others who may offer different viewpoints or expertise.
  • Consider Instructor Feedback: Take advantage of feedback provided by your instructor or academic supervisor to identify strengths and weaknesses in your essay. Pay attention to specific suggestions for improvement and use them as guidance for revising and refining your work.
  • Be Open to Critique: Approach feedback with an open mind and a willingness to learn and grow as a writer. Acknowledge areas where your essay may fall short and consider how you can address any shortcomings to enhance the quality and effectiveness of your writing.
  • Iterate and Revise: Use feedback as a springboard for revision, iterating on your essay to incorporate suggestions, clarify points, and strengthen your argument. Take the time to revise and refine your essay based on feedback received, aiming for continuous improvement with each draft.
  • Seek Additional Resources: In addition to peer and instructor feedback, seek out additional resources and support to further enhance your essay-writing skills. Consider attending writing workshops, consulting writing guides and style manuals, or seeking assistance from academic support services to refine your craft.

By incorporating visuals effectively and seeking feedback from peers and instructors, you can elevate your science essay to new heights of excellence. Embrace opportunities for collaboration, learning, and improvement, and strive to continually refine your writing skills to produce essays that are engaging, informative, and impactful.

Writing an A+ science essay requires dedication, attention to detail, and a commitment to excellence. Throughout this guide, we’ve explored the key steps and strategies for crafting a stellar science essay that engages readers, communicates complex ideas effectively, and upholds academic standards. As you conclude your journey through this guide, let’s recapitulate the essential steps and empower you to tackle future essay assignments with confidence:

Recapitulating the Key Steps to Writing an A+ Science Essay

  • Understand the Assignment: Begin by thoroughly understanding the essay prompt, identifying key requirements, and clarifying expectations with your instructor.
  • Research Thoroughly: Conduct comprehensive research using credible sources to gather relevant information and evidence to support your arguments.
  • Craft a Strong Thesis Statement: Develop a clear and concise thesis statement that articulates your main argument and sets the direction for your essay.
  • Structure Your Essay Effectively: Organize your essay with a compelling introduction, well-structured body paragraphs, and a convincing conclusion that reinforces your thesis.
  • Incorporate Scientific Evidence: Choose appropriate evidence, such as data, experiments, and case studies, to substantiate your arguments and strengthen your essay.
  • Write Clearly and Concisely: Communicate complex scientific ideas in simple, accessible language, avoiding jargon and ensuring precision in your writing.
  • Edit and Proofread Diligently: Revise your essay carefully to polish your writing, correct errors, and ensure coherence, clarity, and accuracy.
  • Cite Sources Properly: Follow the guidelines of your chosen citation style (APA, MLA, Chicago) to cite sources accurately and avoid plagiarism.
  • Incorporate Visuals and Seek Feedback: Enhance your essay with visuals such as diagrams and graphs, and seek feedback from peers and instructors to refine your work further.

Empowering Yourself to Tackle Future Essay Assignments with Confidence

Armed with the knowledge, skills, and strategies outlined in this guide, you are well-equipped to tackle future science essay assignments with confidence. Approach each essay as an opportunity for growth and learning, embracing the challenges and seeking opportunities to refine your writing craft. Remember to:

  • Plan and organize your time effectively to allow ample time for research, writing, and revision.
  • Embrace feedback as a valuable tool for improvement, and actively seek out opportunities for peer review and instructor guidance.
  • Continuously expand your knowledge and expertise in your field of study, staying informed of the latest developments and trends.
  • Stay true to your unique voice and perspective as a writer, and strive to communicate your ideas with clarity, passion, and conviction.

By embodying these principles and approaches, you can confidently navigate the intricacies of science essay writing, producing essays that are not only academically rigorous but also engaging, insightful, and impactful. As you embark on your journey as a science essay writer , remember that each essay is an opportunity to sharpen your skills, deepen your understanding, and contribute to the broader conversation in your field of study. Embrace the challenge, and let your passion for science shine through in your writing.

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Effective Writing

To construct sentences that reflect your ideas, focus these sentences appropriately. Express one idea per sentence. Use your current topic — that is, what you are writing about — as the grammatical subject of your sentence (see Verbs: Choosing between active and passive voice ). When writing a complex sentence (a sentence that includes several clauses), place the main idea in the main clause rather than a subordinate clause. In particular, focus on the phenomenon at hand, not on the fact that you observed it.

Constructing your sentences logically is a good start, but it may not be enough. To ensure they are readable, make sure your sentences do not tax readers' short-term memory by obliging these readers to remember long pieces of text before knowing what to do with them. In other words, keep together what goes together. Then, work on conciseness: See whether you can replace long phrases with shorter ones or eliminate words without loss of clarity or accuracy.

The following screens cover the drafting process in more detail. Specifically, they discuss how to use verbs effectively and how to take care of your text's mechanics.

Shutterstock. Much of the strength of a clause comes from its verb. Therefore, to express your ideas accurately, choose an appropriate verb and use it well. In particular, use it in the right tense, choose carefully between active and passive voice, and avoid dangling verb forms.

Verbs are for describing actions, states, or occurrences. To give a clause its full strength and keep it short, do not bury the action, state, or occurrence in a noun (typically combined with a weak verb), as in "The catalyst produced a significant increase in conversion rate." Instead write, "The catalyst increased the conversion rate significantly." The examples below show how an action, state, or occurrence can be moved from a noun back to a verb.

Using the right tense

In your scientific paper, use verb tenses (past, present, and future) exactly as you would in ordinary writing. Use the past tense to report what happened in the past: what you did, what someone reported, what happened in an experiment, and so on. Use the present tense to express general truths, such as conclusions (drawn by you or by others) and atemporal facts (including information about what the paper does or covers). Reserve the future tense for perspectives: what you will do in the coming months or years. Typically, most of your sentences will be in the past tense, some will be in the present tense, and very few, if any, will be in the future tense.

Work done We collected blood samples from . . . Groves et al. determined the growth rate of . . . Consequently, astronomers decided to rename . . . Work reported Jankowsky reported a similar growth rate . . . In 2009, Chu published an alternative method to . . . Irarrázaval observed the opposite behavior in . . . Observations The mice in Group A developed , on average, twice as much . . . The number of defects increased sharply . . . The conversion rate was close to 95% . . .

Present tense

General truths Microbes in the human gut have a profound influence on . . . The Reynolds number provides a measure of . . . Smoking increases the risk of coronary heart disease . . . Atemporal facts This paper presents the results of . . . Section 3.1 explains the difference between . . . Behbood's 1969 paper provides a framework for . . .

Future tense

Perspectives In a follow-up experiment, we will study the role of . . . The influence of temperature will be the object of future research . . .

Note the difference in scope between a statement in the past tense and the same statement in the present tense: "The temperature increased linearly over time" refers to a specific experiment, whereas "The temperature increases linearly over time" generalizes the experimental observation, suggesting that the temperature always increases linearly over time in such circumstances.

In complex sentences, you may have to combine two different tenses — for example, "In 1905, Albert Einstein postulated that the speed of light is constant . . . . " In this sentence, postulated refers to something that happened in the past (in 1905) and is therefore in the past tense, whereas is expresses a general truth and is in the present tense.

Choosing between active and passive voice

In English, verbs can express an action in one of two voices. The active voice focuses on the agent: "John measured the temperature." (Here, the agent — John — is the grammatical subject of the sentence.) In contrast, the passive voice focuses on the object that is acted upon: "The temperature was measured by John." (Here, the temperature, not John, is the grammatical subject of the sentence.)

To choose between active and passive voice, consider above all what you are discussing (your topic) and place it in the subject position. For example, should you write "The preprocessor sorts the two arrays" or "The two arrays are sorted by the preprocessor"? If you are discussing the preprocessor, the first sentence is the better option. In contrast, if you are discussing the arrays, the second sentence is better. If you are unsure what you are discussing, consider the surrounding sentences: Are they about the preprocessor or the two arrays?

The desire to be objective in scientific writing has led to an overuse of the passive voice, often accompanied by the exclusion of agents: "The temperature was measured " (with the verb at the end of the sentence). Admittedly, the agent is often irrelevant: No matter who measured the temperature, we would expect its value to be the same. However, a systematic preference for the passive voice is by no means optimal, for at least two reasons.

For one, sentences written in the passive voice are often less interesting or more difficult to read than those written in the active voice. A verb in the active voice does not require a person as the agent; an inanimate object is often appropriate. For example, the rather uninteresting sentence "The temperature was measured . . . " may be replaced by the more interesting "The measured temperature of 253°C suggests a secondary reaction in . . . ." In the second sentence, the subject is still temperature (so the focus remains the same), but the verb suggests is in the active voice. Similarly, the hard-to-read sentence "In this section, a discussion of the influence of the recirculating-water temperature on the conversion rate of . . . is presented " (long subject, verb at the end) can be turned into "This section discusses the influence of . . . . " The subject is now section , which is what this sentence is really about, yet the focus on the discussion has been maintained through the active-voice verb discusses .

As a second argument against a systematic preference for the passive voice, readers sometimes need people to be mentioned. A sentence such as "The temperature is believed to be the cause for . . . " is ambiguous. Readers will want to know who believes this — the authors of the paper, or the scientific community as a whole? To clarify the sentence, use the active voice and set the appropriate people as the subject, in either the third or the first person, as in the examples below.

Biologists believe the temperature to be . . . Keustermans et al. (1997) believe the temperature to be . . . The authors believe the temperature to be . . . We believe the temperature to be . . .

Avoiding dangling verb forms

A verb form needs a subject, either expressed or implied. When the verb is in a non-finite form, such as an infinitive ( to do ) or a participle ( doing ), its subject is implied to be the subject of the clause, or sometimes the closest noun phrase. In such cases, construct your sentences carefully to avoid suggesting nonsense. Consider the following two examples.

To dissect its brain, the affected fly was mounted on a . . . After aging for 72 hours at 50°C, we observed a shift in . . .

Here, the first sentence implies that the affected fly dissected its own brain, and the second implies that the authors of the paper needed to age for 72 hours at 50°C in order to observe the shift. To restore the intended meaning while keeping the infinitive to dissect or the participle aging , change the subject of each sentence as appropriate:

To dissect its brain, we mounted the affected fly on a . . . After aging for 72 hours at 50°C, the samples exhibited a shift in . . .

Alternatively, you can change or remove the infinitive or participle to restore the intended meaning:

To have its brain dissected , the affected fly was mounted on a . . . After the samples aged for 72 hours at 50°C, we observed a shift in . . .

In communication, every detail counts. Although your focus should be on conveying your message through an appropriate structure at all levels, you should also save some time to attend to the more mechanical aspects of writing in English, such as using abbreviations, writing numbers, capitalizing words, using hyphens when needed, and punctuating your text correctly.

Using abbreviations

Beware of overusing abbreviations, especially acronyms — such as GNP for gold nanoparticles . Abbreviations help keep a text concise, but they can also render it cryptic. Many acronyms also have several possible extensions ( GNP also stands for gross national product ).

Write acronyms (and only acronyms) in all uppercase ( GNP , not gnp ).

Introduce acronyms systematically the first time they are used in a document. First write the full expression, then provide the acronym in parentheses. In the full expression, and unless the journal to which you submit your paper uses a different convention, capitalize the letters that form the acronym: "we prepared Gold NanoParticles (GNP) by . . . " These capitals help readers quickly recognize what the acronym designates.

  • Do not use capitals in the full expression when you are not introducing an acronym: "we prepared gold nanoparticles by… "
  • As a more general rule, use first what readers know or can understand best, then put in parentheses what may be new to them. If the acronym is better known than the full expression, as may be the case for techniques such as SEM or projects such as FALCON, consider placing the acronym first: "The FALCON (Fission-Activated Laser Concept) program at…"
  • In the rare case that an acronym is commonly known, you might not need to introduce it. One example is DNA in the life sciences. When in doubt, however, introduce the acronym.

In papers, consider the abstract as a stand-alone document. Therefore, if you use an acronym in both the abstract and the corresponding full paper, introduce that acronym twice: the first time you use it in the abstract and the first time you use it in the full paper. However, if you find that you use an acronym only once or twice after introducing it in your abstract, the benefit of it is limited — consider avoiding the acronym and using the full expression each time (unless you think some readers know the acronym better than the full expression).

Writing numbers

In general, write single-digit numbers (zero to nine) in words, as in three hours , and multidigit numbers (10 and above) in numerals, as in 24 hours . This rule has many exceptions, but most of them are reasonably intuitive, as shown hereafter.

Use numerals for numbers from zero to nine

  • when using them with abbreviated units ( 3 mV );
  • in dates and times ( 3 October , 3 pm );
  • to identify figures and other items ( Figure 3 );
  • for consistency when these numbers are mixed with larger numbers ( series of 3, 7, and 24 experiments ).

Use words for numbers above 10 if these numbers come at the beginning of a sentence or heading ("Two thousand eight was a challenging year for . . . "). As an alternative, rephrase the sentence to avoid this issue altogether ("The year 2008 was challenging for . . . " ) .

Capitalizing words

Capitals are often overused. In English, use initial capitals

  • at beginnings: the start of a sentence, of a heading, etc.;
  • for proper nouns, including nouns describing groups (compare physics and the Physics Department );
  • for items identified by their number (compare in the next figure and in Figure 2 ), unless the journal to which you submit your paper uses a different convention;
  • for specific words: names of days ( Monday ) and months ( April ), adjectives of nationality ( Algerian ), etc.

In contrast, do not use initial capitals for common nouns: Resist the temptation to glorify a concept, technique, or compound with capitals. For example, write finite-element method (not Finite-Element Method ), mass spectrometry (not Mass Spectrometry ), carbon dioxide (not Carbon Dioxide ), and so on, unless you are introducing an acronym (see Mechanics: Using abbreviations ).

Using hyphens

Punctuating text.

Punctuation has many rules in English; here are three that are often a challenge for non-native speakers.

As a rule, insert a comma between the subject of the main clause and whatever comes in front of it, no matter how short, as in "Surprisingly, the temperature did not increase." This comma is not always required, but it often helps and never hurts the meaning of a sentence, so it is good practice.

In series of three or more items, separate items with commas ( red, white, and blue ; yesterday, today, or tomorrow ). Do not use a comma for a series of two items ( black and white ).

In displayed lists, use the same punctuation as you would in normal text (but consider dropping the and ).

The system is fast, flexible, and reliable.
The system is fast, flexible, reliable.

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How to successfully write a scientific essay.

Posted by Cody Rhodes

If you are undertaking a course which relates to science, you are more or less apt to write an essay on science. You need to know how to write a science essay irrespective of whether your professor gives you a topic or you come up with one. Additionally, you need to have an end objective in mind. Writing a science essay necessitates that you produce an article which has all the details and facts about the subject matter and it ought to be to the point. Also, you need to know and understand that science essays are more or less different from other types of essays. They require you to be analytical and precise when answering questions. Hence, this can be quite challenging and tiresome. However, that should not deter you from learning how to write your paper. You can always inquire for pre-written research papers for sale from writing services like EssayZoo.

Also, you can read other people’s articles and find out how they produce and develop unique and high-quality papers. Moreover, this will help you understand how to approach your essays in different ways. Nonetheless, if you want to learn how to write a scientific paper in a successful manner, consider the following tips.

How to successfully write a scientific essay

Select a topic for your article Like any other type of essay, you need to have a topic before you start the actual writing process. Your professor or instructor may give you a science essay topic to write about or ask you to come up with yours. When selecting a topic for your paper, ensure that you choose one you can write about. Do not pick a complex topic which can make the writing process boring and infuriating for you. Instead, choose one that you are familiar with. Select a topic you will not struggle gathering information about. Also, you need to have an interest in it. If you are unable to come up with a good topic, trying reading other people’s articles. This will help you develop a topic with ease.

Draft a plan After selecting a topic, the next step is drafting a plan or an outline. An outline is fundamental in writing a scientific essay as it is the foundation on which your paper is built. Additionally, it acts as a road map for your article. Hence, you need to incorporate all the thoughts and ideas you will include in your essay in the outline. You need to know what you will include in the introduction, the body, and the conclusion. Drafting a plan helps you save a lot of time when writing your paper. Also, it helps you to keep track of the primary objective of your article.

Start writing the article After drafting a plan, you can begin the writing process. Writing your paper will be smooth and easier as you have an outline which helps simplify the writing process. When writing your article, begin with a strong hook for your introduction. Dictate the direction your paper will take. Provide some background information and state the issue you will discuss as well as the solutions you have come up with. Arrange the body of your article according to the essay structure you will use to guide you. Also, ensure that you use transitory sentences to show the relationship between the paragraphs of your article. Conclude your essay by summarizing all the key points. Also, highlight the practical potential of our findings and their impacts.

Proofread and check for errors in the paper Before submitting or forwarding your article, it is fundamental that you proofread and correct all the errors that you come across. Delivering a paper that is full of mistakes can affect your overall performance in a negative manner. Thus, it is essential you revise your paper and check for errors. Correct all of them. Ask a friend to proofread your paper. He or she may spot some of the mistakes you did not come across.

In conclusion, writing a scientific essay differs from writing other types of papers. A scientific essay requires you to produce an article which has all the information and facts about the subject matter and it ought to be to the point. Nonetheless, the scientific essay formats similar to the format of any other essay: introduction, body, and conclusion. You need to use your outline to guide you through the writing process. To learn how to write a scientific essay in a successful manner, consider the tips above.

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SciTechEdit International | Science Editing Services for Scientists and Academics

Making your scientific discoveries understandable to others is one of the most important things you can do as a scientist. You might come up with brilliant ideas, design clever experiments, and make groundbreaking discoveries. But if you can’t explain your work to your fellow scientists, your career won’t move forward.

Back in the early 90s, during my time at the University of California in Irvine , my research led me to a paper citation that seemed relevant to my work. I went to great lengths to get a hold of that paper, which was written in English but not by a native English speaker. Unfortunately, I couldn’t understand it well enough to confirm if the cited information was accurate. I tried contacting the authors multiple times but got no response. As a result, I couldn’t reference their work in my own papers, even though it seemed relevant. Being a good writer is crucial for success in science. Speaking English fluently doesn’t necessarily mean you can write well, even for native speakers. Writing skills improve with practice and guidance. However, simply having experience or guidance won’t make you a better writer unless you put in the effort to write.

  • AI Tools for Science Writing: Why, How, When, and When Not To
  • 15 Tips for Writing Influential Science Articles

15 Tips for Self-Editing Your Science Manuscript

18 Scientific Writing Tips

Tips to Improve your Scientific Writing

1. organize your thoughts, ideas, and actions in a logical manner.

Begin with sufficient background information to take your reader along the pathway from your observations to your hypothesis. Describe the background to appeal to a broad group of readers. Provide sufficient context to communicate the significance of your inquiry and experimental findings. Omit extraneous information so that the reader can obtain a clear picture. Group similar ideas together and state your ideas and thoughts concisely. Present ideas in a consistent manner throughout the manuscript. The most common structure of a scientific manuscript is the IMRAD (Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion) format.

2. Provide clear descriptions

Repeat complex concepts as needed, explaining them from various angles. Begin with simplicity, advancing complexity as required for comprehension. Tailor your writing to your audience’s level of expertise, whether they understand specialized terms or require prior explanations. Keep your explanations straightforward.

3. Simplify your word choices

Utilize clear, straightforward language to ensure that both students and researchers, regardless of their field or English proficiency, can easily comprehend and engage with your research.

4. Write concisely

Note that this article mentions “ concise writing ” several times. Avoid lengthy or needless descriptions and paragraphs, as nobody values them.

5. Use passive and active voice appropriately

In science writing, it is important to know when to use passive and active voice. Using active voice makes your writing more natural, direct, and engaging, and you should employ it when discussing widely accepted findings. The Introduction section should primarily employ active voice because it narrates “what is.” However, when discussing the results of a particular study, it’s advisable to use passive voice. In the Methods and Results sections, passive voice should be employed to describe what you did and what you found. In the Discussion section, a mixture of passive and active voice is acceptable, but take care not to mix the 2 together in a single sentence.

6. Select the most appropriate word

Selecting the appropriate words can be challenging. The best words accurately capture what the author is trying to convey. If a word is not sufficiently precise, use a thesaurus to replace the word or phrase with a more appropriate word. Precise words allow for specific, clear, and accurate expression. While science writing differs from literature in that it does not need to be colorful, it should not be boring.

7. Broaden your vocabulary

Use clear, specific, and concrete words. Expand your vocabulary by reading in a broad range of fields and looking up terms you don’t know.

8. Avoid filler words

Filler words are unnecessary words that are vague and meaningless or do not add to the meaning or clarity of the sentence. Consider the following examples: “ it is ”, “ it was ”, “ there is ”, and “ there has been ”, “ it is important “, “ it is hypothesized that “, “ it was predicted that “, “ there is evidence suggesting that “, “ in order to ”, and “ there is a significant relationship “. All of these phrases can be replaced with more direct and clear language.  See our list of words and phrases to avoid here .

9. Read what you write

Ensure you vary sentence length to maintain reader engagement and avoid a monotonous rhythm. However, don’t create excessively long or convoluted sentences that might hinder the reader’s comprehension. To enhance readability, consider reading the manuscript aloud to yourself after taking a break or having someone else review it.

10. Optimize paragraph and sentence structure

Each paragraph should present a single unifying idea or concept. Extremely long paragraphs tend to distract or confuse readers. If longer paragraphs are necessary, alternate them with shorter paragraphs to provide balance and rhythm to your writing. A good sentence allows readers to obtain critical information with the least effort.

Poor sentence structure interferes with the flow. Keep modifiers close to the object they are modifying. Consider the following sentence: “ Systemic diseases that may affect joint function such as infection should be closely monitored. ” In this example, “such as infection” is misplaced, as it is not a joint function, but rather a systemic disease. The meaning is more clear in the revised sentence: “ Systemic diseases such as infection that may affect joint function should be closely monitored. ”

11. Use transitions to control the flow

Sentences and paragraphs should flow seamlessly. Place transitional phrases and sentences at the beginning and end of the paragraphs to help the reader move smoothly through the paper.

12. Word repetition

Avoid repetitive use of the same word or phrase; opt for a more descriptive alternative whenever possible. Ensure that you do not sacrifice precision for variability.  See our science-related Word Choice list here .

13. Improve readability with consistent formatting

Although in many cases it is no longer necessary to format your manuscript for a specific journal before peer review, you should pay attention to formatting for consistency. Use the same font size throughout; format headings consistently (e.g., bolded or not bolded, all uppercase or not, italicized or not); and references should be provided in an easy-to-follow, consistent format. Use appropriate subheadings in the Materials and Methods, and Results sections to help the reader quickly navigate your paper.

14. Use parallel construction to facilitate understanding

Your hypothesis, experimental measures, and results should be presented in the same order in the Abstract, Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, and Tables. Words or phrases joined by coordinating conjunctions (and, but, for, nor, or, so, and yet) should have the same form.

15. Maintain consistent use of labels, abbreviations, and acronyms

Measures and variable/group names and labels should be consistent in both form and content throughout the text to avoid confusing the reader.

16. Use abbreviations and acronyms to aid the reader

Only use abbreviations/acronyms to help the reader more easily understand the paper. Follow the general rule of utilizing standard, accepted abbreviations/acronyms that appear at least 3 times in the main text of the paper. Always ask yourself, “Does this benefit me or the reader?” Exceptions might be applicable for widely-used abbreviations/acronyms where spelling them out might confuse the reader.

17. Minimize pronoun use for clarity

Make sure every pronoun is very clear, so the reader knows what it represents. In this case, being redundant may contribute to the clarity. Don’t refer to ‘this’ or ‘that’ because it makes the reader go back to the previous paragraph to see what ‘this’ or ‘that’ means. Also, limit or avoid the use of “former” and latter”.

18. Read your writing out loud

To assess the rhythm and identify repetitive words and phrases both within and between sentences and paragraphs, read your final paper aloud. Frequently, you will encounter unnecessary words that can be removed or substituted with more suitable alternatives.

Science Writing Tips

Remember, your writing is your chance to show the scientific world who you are. You want to present a scholarly, clear, well-written description of your interests, ideas, results, and interpretations to encourage dialogue between scientists. Change your goal from that of simply publishing your manuscript to that of publishing an interesting manuscript that encourages discussion and citation, and inspires additional questions and hypotheses due to its fundamental clarity to the reader.

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Storytelling in Science Writing

Page Contents

  • 2.1 The And, But, Therefore Technique in Film and TV
  • 2.2 The And, But, Therefore Technique in Science Writing
  • 2.3 Let’s Explore the ABT Structure
  • 2.4.1 And, And, And (AAA) 
  • 2.4.2 And, But, Therefore (ABT) 
  • 2.4.3 Despite, However, Yet (DHY) 
  • 2.5.1 Structuring your research article 
  • 2.5.2 Structuring your whole thesis and thesis chapters  
  • 2.5.3 Structuring your Abstract 
  • 2.5.4 Structuring your Introduction 
  • 2.6 Your Turn to Create an ABT Paragraph
  • 2.7 More Information on the And, But, Therefore Technique
  • 3.1 The Logline Technique in Film and TV
  • 3.2 The Logline Technique in Science Writing
  • 3.3 Why Use the Logline Technique?
  • 3.4 When to Use the Logline Technique?
  • 3.5 Your Turn to Create a Logline
  • 3.6 More Information on the Logline Technique
  • 4.1 Storyboarding in Film and TV
  • 4.2 Storyboarding in Science Writing
  • 4.3 Three Different Methods for Creating Storyboards
  • 4.4 Storyboard Examples
  • 4.5 Why Use the Storyboarding Technique?
  • 4.6 When to Use the Storyboarding Technique?
  • 4.7 Your Turn to Create a Storyboard
  • 4.8 More Information on the Storyboarding Technique
  • 5.1 How to Use All Techniques in Combination

Welcome to the Storytelling in Science Writing module. The techniques in this module all come from the world of film and TV. The first technique, using the And, But, Therefore structure, can create an engaging narrative. The second technique, creating a logline, can help identify the single focus of your scientific articles. The last technique, creating a storyboard, can help with structuring your writing. 

A white male with short brown hair and a light brown beard with moustache. He wears a buttoned up collar shirt and he smiles at the camera.

I am Chris Greyson-Gaito, and I will help you through the different storytelling techniques. I am currently a researcher examining food webs and ecological-economics. I really enjoy trying to incorporate story into my science writing. I have found the techniques I will show here to be immensely helpful. I hope you will find these techniques similarly useful.

[A series of animated characters and objects appear in sequence over a backdrop that resembles an unfolded scroll. First, a trail of footprints appears. A detective wearing a hat and smoking a pipe follows the trail of footprints. A superhero with a ponytail and cape flies overhead. A knight riding a horse points a sword to the sky. The horse rears back on its hind legs then charges away. A witch and a cat on a broomstick fly into view. The cat extends a paw and shoots a fireball. A pirate ship lets loose a barrage of cannon balls. A dragon flaps its wings as it flies overhead. A rocket ship appears next to a planet with a ring system. The planet disappears and the rocket ship transforms into a star. The Writing in the Sciences logo and the title “Storytelling in Science Writing” appears.]

[The narrator Chris, a white man wearing a blue t-shirt, appears below the logo and video title.]

Welcome to the Storytelling in Science Writing module. My name is Chris Greyson-Gaito and I will be your facilitator. I am a former writing support teaching assistant at the University of Guelph who mentored students through the writing process in all disciplines. Currently, I am a researcher who uses mathematical modelling to explore food webs and ecological-economics.

In this module, we will explore how to incorporate story and narrative into your scientific writing. I hope by the end of this module you will understand that scientific writing can be engaging and fun. We will go through three techniques from the TV and film scriptwriting industry that will help you write engaging scientific articles and theses.

First, we will use the And, But, Therefore structure to write in an engaging manner. Next, we will create loglines to identify the single problem of your paper. Finally, we will explore storyboarding to help structure your paper.

And, But, Therefore

The and, but, therefore technique in film and tv.

Let’s use a silly story I created to understand the And, But, Therefore technique.

The And, But, Therefore Technique in Science Writing

The And, But, Therefore (ABT) structure can be used in scientific writing. Below, I highlight the general purpose of each And, But, and Therefore section and compare how this structure functions in a fictional story versus in a scientific article: 

Let’s Explore the ABT Structure

On the following document, follow the instructions to explore the ABT structure in stories and scientific articles.

NOTE: You can view this document online, but you can also download it below as an accessible screen reader document.

Download PDF (Explore the ABT Structure – Worksheet)

Why Use the And, But, Therefore Technique?

To answer the question “ Why use the And, But, Therefore technique?” , let’s compare the ABT structure with other narrative structures in, what Dr. Randy Olson termed, the “narrative spectrum.” 

And, And, And (AAA) 

  • List of facts without narrative 

And, But, Therefore (ABT) 

  • Simple, cohesive narrative 

Despite, However, Yet (DHY) 

  • Too many narrative directions 
  • Too many tensions, conflicts, or problems 

The three abstracts below illustrate the narrative spectrum. One abstract is And, And, And (AAA), one abstract is And, But, Therefore (ABT), and one abstract is Despite, However, Yet (DHY). Try to determine whether each abstract is AAA, ABT, or DHY.

Bone is now regarded to be a key regulator of a number of metabolic processes, in addition to the regulation of mineral metabolism. However, our understanding of complex bone metabolic interactions at a systems level remains rudimentary, limiting our ability to assess systemic mechanisms underlying diseases and develop novel therapeutics. In vitro molecular biology and bioinformatics approaches have frequently been used to understand the mechanistic changes underlying disease at the cell level, however, these approaches lack the capability to interrogate dynamic multi-bone metabolic interactions in vivo . Here we present a novel and integrative approach to understand complex bone metabolic interactions in vivo using total-body positron emission tomography (PET) network analysis of murine 18F-FDG scans, as a biomarker of glucose metabolism signature in bones. In this report we show that different bones within the skeleton have a unique glucose metabolism and form a complex metabolic network. These data could have important therapeutic implications in the management of the metabolic syndrome and skeletal disease. The application of our approach to clinical and preclinical total-body PET studies promises to reveal further physiological and pathological tissue interactions, which simplistic PET standard uptake values analysis fail to interrogate, extending beyond skeletal metabolism, due to the diversity of PET radiotracers available and under development as well as the advent of clinical total-body PET systems.  

Suchacki, K. J., C. J. Alcaide-Corral, S. Nimale, M. G. Macaskill, R. H. Stimson, C. Farquharson, T. C. Freeman, and A. A. S. Tavares. 2021. A systems-level analysis of dynamic total-body pet data reveals complex skeletal energy metabolism networks in vivo. BioRxiv 431368, ver. 1, preprint. Abstract used under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

The flux of detrital particles produced by plankton is an important component of the biological carbon pump. We investigate how food web structure and organisms’ size regulate particulate carbon export efficiency (the fraction of primary production that is exported via detrital particles at a given depth). We use the Nutrient-Unicellular-Multicellular (NUM) mechanistic size-spectrum model of the planktonic community (unicellular protists and copepods), embedded within a 3D model representation of the global ocean circulation. The ecosystem model generates emergent food webs and size distributions of all organisms and detrital particles. Model outputs are compared to field data. We find that strong predation by copepods increases export efficiency, while protist predation reduces it. We find no clear relation between primary production and export efficiency. Temperature indirectly drives carbon export efficiency by affecting the biomass of copepods. High temperatures, combined with nutrient limitation, result in low growth efficiency, smaller trophic transfer to higher trophic levels, and decreased carbon export efficiency. Even though copepods consume a large fraction of the detritus produced, they do not markedly attenuate the particle flux. Our simulations illustrate the complex relation between the planktonic food web and export efficiency, and highlights the central role of zooplankton and their size structure.  

Serra-Pompei, C., B. A. Ward, J. Pinti, A. W. Visser, T. Kiørboe, and K. H. Andersen. 2021. Zooplankton trophic dynamics drive carbon export efficiency. BioRxiv 434455, ver. 1, preprint. Abstract used under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0  

A major challenge in community ecology is to understand the mechanisms promoting stable local coexistence. A necessary feature of local coexistence is that species show negative frequency dependence, rescuing rare species from exclusion. However, most studies have focused on ecological differences driving negative frequency dependence, ignoring non-ecological mechanisms such as reproductive interactions. Here, we combined field studies with behavioural and mesocosm experiments to investigate how reproductive interactions within and between species promote coexistence. Our results indicate that the intensity of male mating harassment and sexual conflict increases as species become more common, reducing female productivity and leading to negative frequency dependence. Moreover, field surveys reveal that negative frequency dependence operates in natural settings, consistent with our experimental results. These results suggest that sexual conflict can promote local coexistence and highlights the importance of studying reproductive interactions together with ecological differences to better understand the mechanisms promoting species coexistence.  

Gomez-Llano, M., S. Nilén, I. Moodie, and E. I. Svensson. 2021. Sexual conflict promotes species coexistence through negative frequency dependence. BioRxiv 434376, ver. 1, preprint. Abstract used under CC-BY 4.0 .  

Abstract 1: DHY

Abstract 2: AAA

Abstract 3: ABT

Hopefully you found the ABT abstract the most engaging. In the AAA structure, a reader is often not excited by (or interested in) a list of facts. In the DHY structure, there are too many problems and the article is unfocused, confusing the reader. Therefore, the best narrative structure along this spectrum is the ABT structure because there is one single focus and it introduces a problem which excites the reader. The answer to why use the And, But, Therefore technique is the ABT structure can help to produce engaging writing. 

When to Use the And, But, Therefore Technique?

Structuring your research article .

  • As shown above, a research article takes the form of introducing known information, stating a problem, and then returning with an answer to that problem. This is the ABT structure. Remember, one answer to the problem in your article may be “we don’t know” if you do not have significant results (which is very common in science.) 
  • When writing your research articles, try to ensure that your whole article follows the ABT structure.

Structuring your whole thesis and thesis chapters  

  • A thesis usually has multiple smaller problems nested within a larger problem. Often each thesis chapter is a research article on one of the smaller problems. Therefore, the ABT structure can be used within a thesis chapter. The ABT structure can also be used for the whole thesis because the general introduction of the thesis can introduce the known information and general problem the thesis will attempt to solve. The general concluding chapter will then bring all the ideas together and provide a conclusion to the general problem. 

Structuring your Abstract 

  • An abstract is a summary of the whole paper, so abstracts are an excellent place to use the ABT structure.

Structuring your Introduction 

  • An Introduction begins with known information, then introduces a knowledge gap or problem. Technically, an Introduction should not provide a conclusion, but you can end an Introduction with a brief summary of the results, which is effectively your Therefore part of the ABT structure.

Your Turn to Create an ABT Paragraph

On the following document, follow the instructions to create your own ABT paragraph.

Download PDF (Create an ABT Paragraph – Worksheet)

More Information on the And, But, Therefore Technique

Olson, R. 2015.  Houston, We have a Narrative: Why Science Needs Story.   University of Chicago Press 

Science Needs Story : A Blog for the ABT Framework and Story Circles Narrative Training

The Logline Technique in Film and TV

A logline is a common technique in film and TV. Loglines are used to sell a film or TV script to a producer. Thus, a logline must be engaging and simple enough to excite a producer.  

A logline is a one-sentence summary of a movie or TV program. This summary should contain one core conflict or problem.

Examples of film loglines:

When an optimistic farm boy discovers that he has powers, he teams up with other rebel fighters to liberate the galaxy from the sinister forces of the Empire. Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope
When his son is swept out to sea, an anxious clownfish embarks on a perilous journey across a treacherous ocean to bring him back. Finding Nemo

The Logline Technique in Science Writing

In science writing, the core conflict is the problem or knowledge gap that must be solved. The logline identifies this core problem or knowledge gap and provides the answer. 

Examples of science loglines: 

DNA is a two chained structure, not a three chained structure. Molecular Structure of Nucleic Acids: A Structure for Deoxyribose Nucleic Acid
Hardwood content changes the community structure of parasitoid species associated with spruce budworm. Hardwood content impacts the parasitoid community associated with Eastern spruce budworm (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

Why Use the Logline Technique?

Often scientific researchers will write about too many problems that can confuse the reader. Thus, the logline technique can help to focus your thesis, thesis chapter, or scientific article around one problem. 

When to Use the Logline Technique?

  • Because the logline technique helps to focus scientific writing, the logline technique should be done before any writing occurs. Then, as you write you can continually refer back to your logline to ensure you keep the single focus of your writing. 
  • Remember too that the single focus of your thesis, thesis chapter, or article can change as you write. That is not a problem. You are free to update your logline as you write. Just ensure that the logline is about one problem and your writing is focused on this single problem. 
  • Lastly, you can use your logline to create your title. In many ways, your title is a logline because the title must engage a reader and usually it provides the result of your study (the answer to your knowledge gap). 

Your Turn to Create a Logline

On the following document, follow the instructions to create your own logline.

Download PDF (Create a Logline)

More Information on the Logline Technique

Snyder, B. 2005.  Save the cat! The Last book on screenwriting you’ll ever need.   Michael Wiese Productions 

Screenwriting Tips: How to Write a Logline . MasterClass 

Storyboarding

Storyboarding in film and tv.

Script writers for film will often produce a storyboard before they create their script. A storyboard is essentially a graphic representation of a story with cards or images that make up each scene. In script writing, storyboards are useful to create the narrative, identify the key scenes, and ensure the flow of the story makes sense and is interesting. Because storyboards are usually made of cards on large surfaces, script writers can move scenes around, change scenes, and visualize the whole story before any funds or time is invested in producing the film.

A person standing in front of notes, mind-maps, and other graphics.

Storyboarding in Science Writing

Storyboarding in science is just as useful. Before any writing is done, you, the writer, can create the narrative of your article, identify your key paragraphs, and decide on the flow of your paragraphs.  

For a scientific article (or your thesis or thesis chapter), the general technique is as follows: 

Think about your scientific article in three Acts. 

  • Act 1 – Introduction 
  • Act 2A – Methods 
  • Act 2B – Results 
  • Act 3 – Discussion 

Each scene in your scientific story is a paragraph in your article. When thinking about scenes (paragraphs), identify the main point you want to convey to your reader. Often the point of each scene is the single idea or message that you want the reader to understand. The point of the scene can also indicate the function of the paragraph. For example, the function and point of the last paragraph in the Introduction section is to summarize the goals, hypotheses, methods, and results. 

A useful strategy when creating your scenes is the “known to new” technique. For each scene, identify the “known” information. The known information is what the reader already knows prior to reading this specific scene. Often this known information is the information from the previous scene. Sometimes (especially for the first scene), the known information is general knowledge that most readers interested in your article will know. Sometimes the known information will be information from scenes earlier in the article. For example, a Discussion scene will use known information from the Results section. Next, identify what “new” information your scene provides that logically follows from the known information. The known to new technique is useful for ensuring that the order and flow of your ideas make sense. Thus, the known to new technique is most useful in the Introduction and Discussion sections of an article because you need to lead your reader through your logic and ideas carefully. In contrast, you may not need to use the known to new technique for the Methods and Results sections because often the scenes in these sections are listing information chronologically. 

On your storyboard, you can add as many scenes as you feel are necessary. As you add scenes or after adding all your scenes, you can change the order of the scenes or even change out scenes with new scenes. 

Adding drafts of your figures to Act 2B: Results can be very useful. 

Three Different Methods for Creating Storyboards

In the following video, I will show you three different methods for creating storyboards. Two of these methods are using templates that we have created for you. These templates are 1) a fillable pdf, and 2) a presentation. The final method is using a corkboard and cue cards.

In this video, I will show you three different methods for creating storyboards. Two of these methods are using templates that we have created for you. These templates are a fillable pdf and a presentation. The final method is using a corkboard and cue cards. However, there is no correct method for storyboarding. Instead, use whatever method works best for you and adapt the method for your needs. Really, the most important aspects of storyboarding are identifying your scenes or paragraphs, identifying the message of each scene, and ensuring that the flow of scenes makes sense.

[Image of document with logo for Writing in the Sciences and the title “Storytelling in Science Writing” and the sub-heading “Storyboard Template – Fillable PDF.”] Let’s start by using the fillable pdf that we have created as a template for you to make your own storyboards. In this fillable pdf template, we have created tables for each section of a scientific article. [Document scrolls quickly showing a number of blank tables with 4 columns across and 3 rows down on each table.] We have tables for the introduction, the methods, the results, and the discussion sections. [Shows table for Act 1: Introduction with 4 columns labeled Scene 1, 2, 3, and 4 respectively. Under each column is three fillable boxes labelled Point:, Known:, and New:.] Within each table, each column is a scene where you can enter the point or message of your scene, the known information that sets up the scene, and the new information that the scene provides. We have also provided extra scenes in case you need more than four scenes per section.

As an example, I will fill in the first scene column of the introduction as if I was storyboarding for the article “Hardwood content impacts the parasitoid community associated with Eastern spruce budworm (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)”. [Types in text “There are massive outbreaks of spruce budworm caterpillars.] My message for this scene is simply that there are massive outbreaks of spruce budworm caterpillars because the first scene in the introduction should be quite broad but still related to my research question which was “how do hardwood trees impact parasitoid communities?” The known information is that spruce budworm caterpillars cause extensive forest damage. [Types in text “Spruce budworm caterpillars cause large forest damage.] Although you may not personally know that spruce budworm caterpillars cause extensive forest damage, my target audience of forest researchers and managers will know this. The new information for this scene is that we need to find methods to reduce the severity of spruce budworm caterpillar outbreaks. [Types in text “Need to find methods to reduce severity of spruce budworm caterpillar outbreaks.] This is new because it follows from the known information, and I want to use this new information to set up the next scene. So that’s an example of filling in a single scene. Let’s look at a completely filled out storyboard. [Scrolls through a document with text boxes filled in. To access and download this document, visit the WITS website – see link below – and under “Storyboard Example” on the Storytelling in Science Writing Module, check out the example of a storyboard that was created using the fillable pdf template.]

Remember that as you fill out a storyboard or start writing, you can move around scenes or add new scenes. [Document scrolls and stops on the Act 1: Introduction table. Text is copied from one box, deleted, and pasted into another box.] For the sake of an example, I will exchange scene 2 with scene 3. Now, I know this new order does not make sense, but I know that because I can move the scenes around and because I have carefully thought about the flow of ideas using the known-to-new technique. Finally, you will notice in the methods and results section, that I did not add information in the known and new sections. [Table for Act 2A: Methods shows information in the boxes for Point but not for Known or New.] This is because information in the methods and results sections are usually given chronologically or the flow of information is a lot more obvious. You are welcome to add thoughts to the known and new sections for the methods and results scenes but you may not find it useful.

[A Powerpoint Slide template with thumbnails along the lefthand side.] Let’s move onto the second method. Here, we will be using presentation slides to create a storyboard. In fact, my PhD supervisor is always asking me and my fellow laboratory colleagues to create presentation storyboards because he thinks presentation storyboards (and storyboarding in general) really helps to hone and improve your story in any research article. [Clicks through the thumbnails to show different slides, including Purpose, Instructions, Introduction, Methods, etc. To access and download this powerpoint template, visit the WITS website – see link below – and under “Your Turn to Create a Storyboard” on the Storytelling in Science Writing Module, check out the presentation template.]

We have again created a presentation template for you to create a storyboard. In this presentation template, we have created individual slides for a single scene in each of the introduction, methods, results, and discussion acts. As you create your storyboard, you will need to duplicate these template slides to create new scenes. [Slide shows title Act 1: Introduction, Scene #, and 3 headings for Point:, Known:, and New:.] Again, in each scene slide, we have added sections for you to add the point or the message of the scene, and the known and new information in the scene. As an example, I will create a scene slide for the second scene in my introduction. My point for this scene is that “Hardwood trees could reduce severity of spruce budworm caterpillar outbreaks.” This is my point because my research question is “how do hardwood trees impact parasitoid communities” and so I must introduce hardwood trees in the context of spruce budworm caterpillar research. My known information is actually a copy of the new information in the previous scene because the new information in the previous scene is now the known information that sets up this scene. [Need to find methods to reduce severity of spruce budworm caterpillar outbreaks.] My new information is that “Researchers think hardwood trees could help” reduce the severity of spruce budworm caterpillar outbreaks because I plan to provide ideas and evidence in this scene to show research on hardwood trees and spruce budworm caterpillar outbreaks. Let’s see the whole storyboard filled out. [Clicks through the thumbnails to show each slide with detailed text. To access and download this powerpoint example, visit the WITS website – see link below – and under “Storyboard Example” on the Storytelling in Science Writing Module, check out the example of a storyboard that was created using the presentation template.] I have multiple scenes for each section and I can move scenes around if I want. [Drags one slide above another.]

Finally, let’s look at one method to create a physical storyboard. [Chris, a white man wearing a blue t-shirt, stands to the side pointing down at a a corkboard covered in white cue cards, each with illegible text written on them. They are organized in rows and columns.] For this method, you will need a corkboard (or a large piece of cardboard), lots of cue cards, and lots of pins. [Chris shows the camera a blank cue card and a container of push pins.] On this corkboard, find a way to denote the different acts of a scientific paper. [Chris takes a cue card from the board and hold it up to the camera. He points at the headings Point, Known, and New, each with illegible text written after them.] Now, use the cue cards as your scenes. On each cue card write the point or message of your scene, and the known and new information. Pin up your scenes and move your scenes around as I am doing right now. [Chris unpins a card and switches its placement with another beside it.]

Storyboard Examples

Check out my storyboard for the article “ Hardwood content impacts the parasitoid community associated with Eastern spruce budworm (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) ” using the fillable pdf and presentation templates.

EXAMPLE #1: Check out the following example of a storyboard that was created using the fillable pdf template.

Download PDF (Storyboard Example – PDF)

EXAMPLE #2: Check out the following example of a storyboard that was created using the presentation template.

Download PPTX (Storyboard Example – Presentation)

Why Use the Storyboarding Technique?

  • Writing without a plan (a storyboard) is difficult because you don’t know what each paragraph will be about and what the general structure of your thesis chapter or article will be. 
  • Sometimes you can waste time by writing without a storyboard because you will try to write something that you discover later is not useful for the reader. Perhaps they don’t need to know this information to understand your knowledge gap and your answer to the knowledge gap. 
  • Therefore, use the storyboard to ensure you effectively communicate your knowledge gap and your answer. Use storyboarding to save time. 

When to Use the Storyboarding Technique?

  • The best time to use the storyboarding technique is before you start writing. Create your storyboard, then share your storyboard with your supervisor or your colleagues to get feedback. After getting feedback on your storyboard, start writing. 
  • Continually come back to your storyboard as you write. Try to match your writing to your storyboard but remember that you can update and change the storyboard as your write.

Your Turn to Create a Storyboard

To create a digital storyboard, use either of these templates (specific instructions and starter scenes are in the templates.) Both templates are useful tools for helping writers develop and organize their scenes and acts.

TEMPLATE #1: This first template is a PDF document with fillable boxes within a table .

Download PDF (Create a Storyboard – Fillable Template)

TEMPLATE #2: This next template uses Powerpoint presentation slides for organizing the scenes and acts.  

NOTE: You can view this document online, but you can also download it below as an accessible screen reader document.

Download PPTX (Create a Storyboard – Powerpoint Template)

Or, you can create a physical storyboard using whatever tool you like. For example, use a corkboard and cue cards or a big sheet of paper and cue cards. The tool doesn’t matter, only the general method.

More Information on the Storyboarding Technique

Snyder, B. 2005.  Save the cat! The Last book on screenwriting you’ll ever need .  Michael Wiese Productions 

The Art of Science Writing, Part 1: Getting Started .  Science with Style blog.

Closing Remarks

How to use all techniques in combination.

  • The ABT paragraph can be thought of as a longer version of the logline. So, you could write an ABT paragraph about your research and then use the ABT paragraph to create your logline. 
  • The logline technique can be used before creating the storyboard to ensure your storyboard is focused. I suggest placing the logline right next to your storyboard as you create your storyboard. 
  • Finally, always think about the ABT structure as you create your storyboard (and then write). You will want to ensure your whole storyboard (and your Introduction) follows the ABT structure.

We have reached the end of the Storytelling in Science Writing module. We have learned that scientific articles are structured similarly to a story, that using the And, But, Therefore structure can create an engaging narrative, that loglines can help identify the single focus of your scientific articles, and that storyboarding can help with structuring your writing. 

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science essay writing

The Ultimate Guide to Writing an A+ Science Essay

Writing a science essay as a student can sometimes feel daunting. It requires a solid understanding of the topic along with good writing skills. However, many science students tend to struggle with essay writing. But here’s the good news – you don’t have to worry! With the right steps and tips, you can effortlessly craft an engaging and informative science essay. This blog will guide you through the essential steps, from topic selection to presenting your final work. Let’s dive in and get started!

What Is a Science Essay?

A science essay focuses on a scientific topic from physics, chemistry, biology, or any other scientific field. These custom essays can be expository, descriptive, or exploratory.

Expository science essays explain a chosen topic in detail, relying on established knowledge. Descriptive science essays aim to describe scientific phenomena based on existing information. Exploratory science essays go beyond current theories, exploring new interpretations.

Before you begin writing, check the instructions provided by your instructor. It’s important to clarify whether your science essay should be expository or exploratory. If you encounter any difficulties, consider seeking assistance from a science essay writer.

Now, let’s delve into the steps you should follow to write a science essay.

How To Write a Science Essay?

Writing a science essay is simpler than you think. Just follow these steps to create an impressive piece that meets the assigned criteria. Here’s what you need to do:

Choose Your Topic

Choosing the right topic is crucial for crafting a captivating and well-written essay. So, make sure to select something intriguing and relevant to your field of study. To find inspiration, brainstorm ideas related to the subject matter. You can also explore science essays or articles on the same topic. Remember, a unique and concise topic will set your essay apart and make it truly outstanding.

Conduct Research

When you’ve selected your topic, dive into thorough research to build a compelling argument or discussion for your essay. Use reliable sources and cite them correctly. Take notes during your research for easy referencing when writing. Alternatively, you may seek help from an essay writing service for expert assistance with citations.

Create an Outline

Having a solid outline is crucial for organizing your ideas and guiding you through the writing process. It ensures that you don’t overlook any essential points while helping you maintain a logical flow in your paper. Your outline should strike the right balance between being detailed enough to provide guidance and being adaptable to accommodate improvements in your structure. Keep in mind that a well-structured paper is easier to write and more coherent for your readers. So embrace the power of outlining and enhance your writing journey.

Start Writing

Once you have a solid outline, begin writing your essay by following your plan. The first step is to draft your thoughts on paper without fretting over grammar or spelling errors. Introduce the topic, support your argument with evidence and examples, and don’t stress if your first draft isn’t flawless—it’s just a starting point!

Proofread & Edit

After completing your initial draft, make sure to allocate sufficient time for proofreading and editing. Proofreading involves meticulously checking for any grammatical and spelling errors in your essay. On the other hand, editing focuses on assessing the structure, organization, and content. Both proofreading and editing are crucial for generating a top-notch essay. Prioritize ample time for these steps to ensure exceptional quality in your final submission.

Format your revised essay according to your instructor’s guidelines. This includes using a specific font size, page margins, and citation style. Most science essays use Times New Roman font, 12-point size, and double spacing. The margins should be 1 inch on all sides, and the text should be justified. Additionally, remember to properly cite your sources using recognized citation styles like APA, Chicago, or Harvard. Adhering closely to these guidelines will result in a professional-looking, informative, and well-structured science essay that meets the required criteria.

How to Structure a Science Essay?

A science essay consists of an introduction, body, and conclusion.

Introduction

Introduce the topic and provide an overview of the essay. State the thesis or main argument. For a science essay, a thesis could be, “The human body’s incredible feats are showcased through Olympic athletes.”

The body contains the main argument or discussion, divided into paragraphs. For example, discuss the physical capabilities of the human body, the benefits of sports, and use case studies to support your points.

Summarize the main points and provide closure. Restate the thesis, summarize arguments, and suggest implications or applications of the ideas in the essay.

By following this structure, you’ll create a well-organized essay. Check out example essays to see this structure in practice.

Science Essay Topics

Choosing an appropriate science essay topic is crucial for writing a successful paper. Here are some engaging topics to consider:

  • Impact of space exploration on our daily lives.
  • Technological advancements in medicine and their impact.
  • Ethical considerations in scientific research.
  • Climate change and its effect on global biodiversity.
  • Applications of artificial intelligence in medicine.
  • The transformative role of vaccines in global health.
  • The future of renewable energy sources.
  • Ensuring safety of genetically modified organisms.
  • Solutions for reducing air pollution.
  • Assessing risks and benefits of stem cell therapy.

Science essay topics can encompass a wide range of subjects, including space exploration, chemistry, and biology. Choose a topic that interests you and continue reading for tips on crafting a successful essay.

Science Essay Writing Tips

Once you’ve selected a topic and reviewed examples, it’s time to start writing your science essay. Here are some tips for success:

Thoroughly research: Before you begin writing, conduct extensive research to ensure the accuracy and credibility of the information you include.

Use clear language: Avoid jargon or overly technical terms. Instead, aim for plain language that is easy to understand and engaging for readers.

Provide references: Always acknowledge other people’s work by including proper references. This establishes credibility and highlights the reliability of the evidence you use.

Structure your essay: Follow the basic essay structure and organize your thoughts into clear sections. This improves the flow and enhances readability.

Seek proofreading assistance: It’s a good idea to have someone else proofread your work to catch any mistakes you might have missed.

These tips will help you create a well-written and informative science essay!

You’ve got the steps to write a successful science essay and examples to kickstart your journey. Remember to research, communicate clearly, structure your thoughts, and proofread. With these tips, you’ll create an outstanding science essay! Need expert help? Our essay writing service is here for you. Our professional writers guarantee top-notch quality. Reach out now to get started!

Science Essay Examples

Caleb S.

Best Science Essay Examples to Learn From

Published on: May 3, 2023

Last updated on: Jan 31, 2024

Science Essay Examples

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Are you struggling to write a science essay that stands out? 

Are you tired of feeling overwhelmed by scientific jargon and complicated concepts? 

You're not alone. 

Science essays can be a challenge for even the most dedicated students. It's no wonder that so many students struggle to produce top-notch papers.

But fear not! 

In this blog post, we'll provide you with some science essay examples and tips. We will help you write a top-notch paper that impresses your professor and earns you a high grade. 

So buckle up and get ready to tackle science essays like a pro!

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Science Essay Examples for Students

Writing a science essay can be a daunting task for students. However, with the right guidance and examples, it can also be a rewarding and enlightening experience.

Here, we'll provide you with examples so you can elevate your own writing.

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Science Essay Examples for Different Subjects

Science is a vast field that encompasses many different subjects, from biology to physics to chemistry. As a student, you may find yourself tasked with writing a science essay on a subject that you're not particularly familiar with. 

We have provided you with science essay examples for different subjects to help you get started.

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University Science Essay Examples

Science essays are important part of university-level education. However, different universities may have different requirements and expectations when it comes to writing these essays. 

That's why we've compiled some science essay examples for different universities. You can see what works and what doesn't, and tailor your own writing accordingly.

Scientific Essay Example University

Mcmaster Health Science Essay Example

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Structure of a Science Essay

Science essays are a crucial part of many subjects, and learning to structure them effectively is essential for achieving academic success. 

Let’s explore scientific essay structure.

Introduction

The introduction of a science essay should introduce the topic and provide some context for the reader. 

You should explain the purpose of the essay and provide a thesis statement that outlines the main argument you will make in the essay. A good introduction should also capture the reader's interest and motivate them to read on.

Check out these how to start a science essay examples for better understanding:

Body Paragraphs

The body paragraphs of a science essay should provide evidence to support the thesis statement. You should use scientific evidence, research, and data to support your argument. 

Each paragraph should focus on one key point, and the points should be organized logically to create a coherent argument. It is essential to provide citations for all sources you use in your essay.

Here is an example for you:

The conclusion of a science essay should summarize the main points of the essay and restate the thesis statement in a compelling manner. 

You should also provide some final thoughts or recommendations based on the evidence presented in the essay. 

The conclusion should be concise and leave a lasting impression on the reader.

Natural Science Essay Topics

There are countless interesting, thought-provoking and problem solving essay topics in science.

Explore some compelling natural science essay topics to inspire your writing.

Science Essay Topics for 5th Graders

  • The importance of recycling for our environment
  • The different types of clouds and how they form
  • How animals hibernate during the winter months
  • The different types of rocks and how they are formed
  • The role of bees in pollination and food production
  • How light travels and how we see objects
  • The properties of magnets and how they work
  • The different stages of stem cell research 
  • The human digestive system and how it works
  • The effects of pollution on our environment and health

Science Essay Topics for 6th Graders

  • The impact of climate change on the planet
  • The different types of energy and how they are produced
  • The importance of water conservation and management
  • The role of artificial intelligence in human life
  • The structure and function of the human respiratory system
  • The properties and uses of acids and bases
  • The effect of light on plant growth and development
  • The differences between renewable and non-renewable energy sources
  • The process of photosynthesis and its importance for life on Earth
  • The impact of technology on the environment and society

Science Essay Topics for 7th Graders

  • The structure and function of the human circulatory system
  • The different types of fossils and how they are formed
  • The impact of natural disasters on the environment and human life
  • The pros and cons of bacteria in our bodies and in the environment
  • The physics of sound and how it travels
  • The effects of air pollution in United States
  • The properties and uses of different types of waves (sound, light, etc.)
  • The process of cell division and its role in growth and repair
  • The structure and function of the human nervous system
  • The different types of ecosystems and their unique characteristics

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Tips for Writing a Science Essay

Writing a science essay can be challenging, especially if you don't have much experience in writing academic papers. 

However, with the right approach and strategies, you can produce a high-quality science essays. 

Here are some tips to help you write a successful science essay:

Understand the assignment requirements: Before you start writing your essay, make sure you understand the assignment requirements. Read the prompt carefully and make note of any specific guidelines or formatting requirements.

Choose a topic that interests you: Writing about a topic that you find interesting and engaging can make the process enjoyable and rewarding. Consider topics that you have studied in class or that you have a personal interest in.

Conduct thorough research: To write a successful science essay, you need to have a deep understanding of the topic you are writing about. Conduct thorough research using reliable sources such as academic journals, textbooks, and reputable websites.

Develop a clear and concise thesis statement: Your thesis statement should clearly state your argument or position on the topic you are writing about. It should be concise and specific, and should be supported by evidence throughout your essay.

Use evidence to support your claims: When writing a science essay, it's important to use evidence to support your claims and arguments. This can include scientific data, research findings, and expert opinions.

Edit and proofread your essay: Before submitting your essay, make sure to edit and proofread it carefully. Check for spelling and grammatical errors. Ensure that your essay is formatted correctly according to the assignment requirements.

In conclusion, this blog has provided a comprehensive guide to writing a successful science essay. 

By following the tips, students can produce high-quality essays that showcase their understanding of science.

If you're struggling to write a science essay or need additional assistance, CollegeEssay.org is one of the best online essay services to help you out,

Our expert writers have extensive experience in writing science essays for students of all levels. 

So why wait? Contact our science essay writing service today!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some common mistakes to avoid when writing a science essay.

Some common mistakes to avoid include:

  • Plagiarizing content
  • Using incorrect or unreliable sources
  • Failing to clearly state your thesis
  • Using overly complex language 

How can I make my science essay stand out?

To make your science essay stand out, consider choosing a unique or controversial topic. Using relevant and up-to-date sources, and present your information in a clear and concise manner. You can also consider using visuals such as graphs or charts to enhance your essay.

What should I do if I'm struggling to come up with a topic for my science essay?

If you're struggling to come up with a topic for your science essay, consider discussing potential topics with your instructor or classmates. You can also conduct research online or in academic journals to find inspiration.

How important is research when writing a science essay?

Research is an essential component of writing a science essay. Your essay should be grounded in accurate and reliable scientific information. That is why it's important to conduct thorough research using reputable sources.

Can I use personal anecdotes or experiences in my science essay?

While personal anecdotes or experiences can be engaging, they may not always be relevant to a science essay. It's important to focus on presenting factual information and scientific evidence to support your argument or position.

Caleb S. (Law, Literature)

Caleb S. has extensive experience in writing and holds a Masters from Oxford University. He takes great satisfaction in helping students exceed their academic goals. Caleb always puts the needs of his clients first and is dedicated to providing quality service.

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Our 4th Annual STEM Writing Contest

We invite students to choose an issue or question in science, technology, engineering, math or health, then write an engaging 500-word explanation. Contest Dates: Jan. 18 - Feb. 15, 2023.

science essay writing

By The Learning Network

Update, Jan. 9, 2024: We are not running our STEM Writing Contest for the 2023-24 school year, but students might be in participating in our new informational writing contest .

Update, April 11, 2023: Winners have been announced!

What makes sea dragons so strange? How did chewing shape human evolution? Why do thunderstorms occur much less frequently over the ocean than over land? What does the Webb telescope reveal about events in the early millenniums of the universe?

If you click on any of these articles, you’ll see that they are written for a general reader. Special technical or scientific knowledge is not required, and each is designed to get our attention and keep it — by giving us “news we can use” in our own lives, or by exploring something fascinating in a way that makes it easy to understand and shows us why it matters.

That’s what Times journalists do every day across our Science , Health and Technology sections, and it’s what Science News and Science News Explores do on their sites too, where journalists explain things like why sea sponges sneeze , how face mites clean our skin and why noises sound different on Mars than on Earth.

For this contest, The Learning Network invites you to bring that same spirit of inquiry and discovery to finding a STEM-related question, concept or issue you’re interested in, and, in 500 words or fewer, explaining it to a general audience in a way that not only helps us understand, but also engages us and makes us see why it’s important.

So what questions do you have about how the world works? What science, technology, engineering, math or health questions might be inspired by your own life or experiences? What innovations, processes or problems in any of these areas puzzle or intrigue you? What concepts in STEM — whether from biology, physics, psychology, computer science, algebra or calculus — have you learned about, in or out of school, that might be useful or fun to explain to others?

The best of this kind of writing includes three elements we’ll be asking you to include, too:

It begins with an engaging hook to get readers’ attention and make us care about the subject.

It quotes experts and/or includes research on the topic to give context and credibility .

It explains why the topic matters . Why do you care? Why should we care? Whom or what does it affect, why and how? How is it relevant to broader questions in the field, to the world today and to our own lives?

Take a look at the full guidelines and related resources below. Please post any questions you have in the comments and we’ll answer you there, or write to us at [email protected]. And, consider hanging this PDF one-page announcement on your class bulletin board.

Here’s what you need to know:

Contest guidelines, resources for teachers and students, frequently asked questions, how to submit.

1. Choose a STEM topic you care about.

Maybe it’s something personal — you just found out you’re nearsighted and you want to know what that means, or you want to learn about the brain and how to create more efficient study habits.

Or, maybe it’s something cool you observed in science lab that you’d like to explain, or a phenomenon you’ve noticed in your own neighborhood, school or backyard that you’d like to investigate. It could be a topic you already know a great deal about and want to explain to others, or something you’ve never thought about until now.

Please choose something you are genuinely curious about. We’ve been running student writing contests for over a decade, and one thing we know for sure is that the best writing is inspired by students’ real interests, not from a one-size-fits-all assignment given to an entire class.

2. Make sure your topic is narrow enough that you can cover it well in 500 words or fewer.

You probably can’t explain the entire circulatory system within our word limit, but you probably can explain why the heart keeps beating. You probably can’t get across all the thinking and research on the science of happiness , but you probably can choose one research-backed recommendation and explore it.

3. Do research, and cite your sources.

For this contest, we are collaborating with Science News. At least one of your sources must be from either The New York Times, Science News OR its sister site, Science News Explores. But of course you can use all three, and any other additional sources.

We provide you with a separate field to make a list of sources you used to write your article or essay. You can format your list however you want; we will not judge your entry based on formatting in this section. And, internal citations are not necessary.

We also encourage you to interview experts whose work is relevant to your chosen topic. But that doesn’t mean you have to call the head of the U.S. Forest Service if you want to write about butterfly habitats. You can talk to a local park ranger or gardener who has experience with and extensive knowledge about the topic.

And, of course, part of your research can be your own investigations. Let’s say you’re writing about teenagers’ use of e-books. You might survey your own class or grade about their habits and preferences, then use those findings in your piece.

4. But be very careful to put quotations around any direct quotes you use, and to cite the source of anything you paraphrase.

Make sure your work is your own. If we put a sentence from your submission into a search engine, we don’t want to find it anywhere else — unless you’re clearly quoting or citing that source.

5. Your submission must be 500 words or fewer, not including the title.

6. Here is the rubric that shows exactly what we’re looking for .

7. We have a new required field this year about your research and writing process.

While our judges will NOT use what you write in this section to select finalists, we’d love some insight into how you decided what to write about, as well as how you researched and composed.

8. Please submit only one entry per student.

Write your essay by yourself or with a group, but please submit only one essay per student. If you are working as a team, just remember to submit all of your names when you post your entry. And if you’re submitting as part of a team, you should not also submit as an individual.

9. You must be a student age 13 to 19 in middle school or high school to participate.

See below for more details.

10. The deadline for this contest is Wednesday, Feb. 15, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific time.

We provide a small window of time after that deadline to allow for technical difficulties. However, at some point after the deadline, our contest submission form closes and you will not be allowed to submit an entry, so please be mindful of the deadline and submit early.

Our full Informational Writing Unit .

A webinar, available on YouTube , with Learning Network staff and expert educators on teaching informational writing with The New York Times.

Mentor texts that demonstrate three important elements of STEM writing: hooking the reader , quoting and paraphrasing experts and research and explaining why a topic matters .

Examples of STEM writers discussing the process behind their work: an annotated article by Nicholas St. Fleur , a science reporter at The Times; an annotated essay and video by a 2021 contest winner; an annotated article on Covid misinformation by a technology reporter; and a video conversation with two students who won the contest in 2020.

Short videos with advice from Times writers on hooking the reader ; explaining why a topic matters ; quoting and paraphrasing ; research ; and selecting the right topic .

The work of our 2022 , 2021 and 2020 winners.

A writing prompt: What Questions Do You Have About How the World Works?

A lesson plan: Teaching Science with the ‘Trilobites’ Column , and all of our Lessons of the Day that concern STEM-related topics .

A teacher background sheet on science journalism and a “Think Like a Science Journalist” activity guide for students, both created by Science News Learning .

Our contest rubric .

Answers to your questions about judging, the rules and teaching with this contest. Please read these thoroughly and, if you still can’t find what you’re looking for, post your query in the comments or write to us at [email protected].

QUESTIONS ABOUT JUDGING

How will my essay be judged?

Your work will be read by journalists from The New York Times and Science News as well as by Learning Network staff members and STEM educators from around the United States. We will use this rubric to judge entries.

What is the “prize”?

Having your work published on The New York Times Learning Network.

When will the winners be announced?

About two months after the contest has closed.

My essay wasn’t selected as a winner. Can you tell me why?

We receive thousands of entries for this contest, so, unfortunately, our team does not have the capacity to provide individual feedback on each student’s essay.

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE RULES

Who is eligible to participate in this contest?

This contest is open to students ages 13 to 19 who are in middle school or high school around the world. College students cannot submit an entry. However, high school students (including high school postgraduate students) who are taking one or more college classes can participate. Students attending their first year of a two-year CEGEP in Quebec Province can also participate. In addition, students age 19 or under who have completed high school but are taking a gap year or are otherwise not enrolled in college can participate.

The children and stepchildren of New York Times employees are not eligible to enter this contest. Nor are students who live in the same household as those employees.

My essay was published in my school newspaper. Can I submit it to this contest?

No. We ask that your essay be original for this contest. Please don’t submit anything you have already published at the time of submission, whether in a school newspaper, for another contest or anywhere else.

Do I need a Works Cited page?

Yes. We provide you with a separate field to list the sources you used to write your essay. You’re allowed to format your list however you want; we will not judge your entry based on formatting in this section. Internal citations are not necessary.

Can I have someone else check my work?

We understand that students will often revise their work based on feedback from teachers and peers. That is allowed for this contest. However, be sure that the final submission reflects the ideas, voice and writing ability of the student, not someone else.

Who can I contact if I have questions about this contest or am having issues submitting my entry?

Leave a comment on this post or write to us at [email protected].

QUESTIONS ABOUT TEACHING WITH THIS CONTEST

I’m a teacher. What resources do you have to help me teach with this contest?

Start with our unit plan for informational writing . It includes writing prompts, mentor texts and lesson plans that can support this contest.

You might also invite your students to read the winners of last year’s contest to get inspiration for their own work.

Do my students need a New York Times subscription to access these resources?

No. All of the resources on The Learning Network are free.

If your students don’t have a subscription to The New York Times, they can also get access to Times pieces through The Learning Network . All the activities for students on our site, including mentor texts and writing prompts, plus the Times articles they link to, are free. Students can search for articles using the search tool on our home page.

This contest is closed.

This contest is a collaboration with the Society for Science , publisher of Science News , a source of independent nonprofit journalism on the latest in science, medicine and technology since 1921, Science News Explores and the Science News Learning program .

Essay on Science and Technology for Students and Children

500+ words essay on science and technology.

Essay on Science and Technology: Science and technology are important parts of our day to day life. We get up in the morning from the ringing of our alarm clocks and go to bed at night after switching our lights off. All these luxuries that we are able to afford are a resultant of science and technology . Most importantly, how we can do all this in a short time are because of the advancement of science and technology only. It is hard to imagine our life now without science and technology. Indeed our existence itself depends on it now. Every day new technologies are coming up which are making human life easier and more comfortable. Thus, we live in an era of science and technology.

Essentially, Science and Technology have introduced us to the establishment of modern civilization . This development contributes greatly to almost every aspect of our daily life. Hence, people get the chance to enjoy these results, which make our lives more relaxed and pleasurable.

Essay on Science and Technology

Benefits of Science and Technology

If we think about it, there are numerous benefits of science and technology. They range from the little things to the big ones. For instance, the morning paper which we read that delivers us reliable information is a result of scientific progress. In addition, the electrical devices without which life is hard to imagine like a refrigerator, AC, microwave and more are a result of technological advancement.

Furthermore, if we look at the transport scenario, we notice how science and technology play a major role here as well. We can quickly reach the other part of the earth within hours, all thanks to advancing technology.

In addition, science and technology have enabled man to look further than our planet. The discovery of new planets and the establishment of satellites in space is because of the very same science and technology. Similarly, science and technology have also made an impact on the medical and agricultural fields. The various cures being discovered for diseases have saved millions of lives through science. Moreover, technology has enhanced the production of different crops benefitting the farmers largely.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

India and Science and Technology

Ever since British rule, India has been in talks all over the world. After gaining independence, it is science and technology which helped India advance through times. Now, it has become an essential source of creative and foundational scientific developments all over the world. In other words, all the incredible scientific and technological advancements of our country have enhanced the Indian economy.

science essay writing

Looking at the most recent achievement, India successfully launched Chandrayaan 2. This lunar exploration of India has earned critical acclaim from all over the world. Once again, this achievement was made possible due to science and technology.

In conclusion, we must admit that science and technology have led human civilization to achieve perfection in living. However, we must utilize everything in wise perspectives and to limited extents. Misuse of science and technology can produce harmful consequences. Therefore, we must monitor the use and be wise in our actions.

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How Does Writing Fit Into the ‘Science of Reading’?

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In one sense, the national conversation about what it will take to make sure all children become strong readers has been wildly successful: States are passing legislation supporting evidence-based teaching approaches , and school districts are rushing to supply training. Publishers are under pressure to drop older materials . And for the first time in years, an instructional issue—reading—is headlining education media coverage.

In the middle of all that, though, the focus on the “science of reading” has elided its twin component in literacy instruction: writing.

Writing is intrinsically important for all students to learn—after all, it is the primary way beyond speech that humans communicate. But more than that, research suggests that teaching students to write in an integrated fashion with reading is not only efficient, it’s effective.

Yet writing is often underplayed in the elementary grades. Too often, it is separated from schools’ reading block. Writing is not assessed as frequently as reading, and principals, worried about reading-exam scores, direct teachers to focus on one often at the expense of the other. Finally, beyond the English/language arts block, kids often aren’t asked to do much writing in early grades.

“Sometimes, in an early-literacy classroom, you’ll hear a teacher say, ‘It’s time to pick up your pencils,’” said Wiley Blevins, an author and literacy consultant who provides training in schools. “But your pencils should be in your hand almost the entire morning.”

Strikingly, many of the critiques that reading researchers have made against the “balanced literacy” approach that has held sway in schools for decades could equally apply to writing instruction: Foundational writing skills—like phonics and language structure—have not generally been taught systematically or explicitly.

And like the “find the main idea” strategies commonly taught in reading comprehension, writing instruction has tended to focus on content-neutral tasks, rather than deepening students’ connections to the content they learn.

Education Week wants to bring more attention to these connections in the stories that make up this special collection . But first, we want to delve deeper into the case for including writing in every step of the elementary curriculum.

Why has writing been missing from the reading conversation?

Much like the body of knowledge on how children learn to read words, it is also settled science that reading and writing draw on shared knowledge, even though they have traditionally been segmented in instruction.

“The body of research is substantial in both number of studies and quality of studies. There’s no question that reading and writing share a lot of real estate, they depend on a lot of the same knowledge and skills,” said Timothy Shanahan, an emeritus professor of education at the University of Illinois Chicago. “Pick your spot: text structure, vocabulary, sound-symbol relationships, ‘world knowledge.’”

The reasons for the bifurcation in reading and writing are legion. One is that the two fields have typically been studied separately. (Researchers studying writing usually didn’t examine whether a writing intervention, for instance, also aided students’ reading abilities—and vice versa.)

Some scholars also finger the dominance of the federally commissioned National Reading Panel report, which in 2000 outlined key instructional components of learning to read. The review didn’t examine the connection of writing to reading.

Looking even further back yields insights, too. Penmanship and spelling were historically the only parts of writing that were taught, and when writing reappeared in the latter half of the 20th century, it tended to focus on “process writing,” emphasizing personal experience and story generation over other genres. Only when the Common Core State Standards appeared in 2010 did the emphasis shift to writing about nonfiction texts and across subjects—the idea that students should be writing about what they’ve learned.

And finally, teaching writing is hard. Few studies document what preparation teachers receive to teach writing, but in surveys, many teachers say they received little training in their college education courses. That’s probably why only a little over half of teachers, in one 2016 survey, said that they enjoyed teaching writing.

Writing should begin in the early grades

These factors all work against what is probably the most important conclusion from the research over the last few decades: Students in the early-elementary grades need lots of varied opportunities to write.

“Students need support in their writing,” said Dana Robertson, an associate professor of reading and literacy education at the school of education at Virginia Tech who also studies how instructional change takes root in schools. “They need to be taught explicitly the skills and strategies of writing and they need to see the connections of reading, writing, and knowledge development.”

While research supports some fundamental tenets of writing instruction—that it should be structured, for instance, and involve drafting and revising—it hasn’t yet pointed to a specific teaching recipe that works best.

One of the challenges, the researchers note, is that while reading curricula have improved over the years, they still don’t typically provide many supports for students—or teachers, for that matter—for writing. Teachers often have to supplement with additions that don’t always mesh well with their core, grade-level content instruction.

“We have a lot of activities in writing we know are good,” Shanahan said. “We don’t really have a yearlong elementary-school-level curriculum in writing. That just doesn’t exist the way it does in reading.”

Nevertheless, practitioners like Blevins work writing into every reading lesson, even in the earliest grades. And all the components that make up a solid reading program can be enhanced through writing activities.

4 Key Things to Know About How Reading and Writing Interlock

Want a quick summary of what research tells us about the instructional connections between reading and writing?

1. Reading and writing are intimately connected.

Research on the connections began in the early 1980s and has grown more robust with time.

Among the newest and most important additions are three research syntheses conducted by Steve Graham, a professor at the University of Arizona, and his research partners. One of them examined whether writing instruction also led to improvements in students’ reading ability; a second examined the inverse question. Both found significant positive effects for reading and writing.

A third meta-analysis gets one step closer to classroom instruction. Graham and partners examined 47 studies of instructional programs that balanced both reading and writing—no program could feature more than 60 percent of one or the other. The results showed generally positive effects on both reading and writing measures.

2. Writing matters even at the earliest grades, when students are learning to read.

Studies show that the prewriting students do in early education carries meaningful signals about their decoding, spelling, and reading comprehension later on. Reading experts say that students should be supported in writing almost as soon as they begin reading, and evidence suggests that both spelling and handwriting are connected to the ability to connect speech to print and to oral language development.

3. Like reading, writing must be taught explicitly.

Writing is a complex task that demands much of students’ cognitive resources. Researchers generally agree that writing must be explicitly taught—rather than left up to students to “figure out” the rules on their own.

There isn’t as much research about how precisely to do this. One 2019 review, in fact, found significant overlap among the dozen writing programs studied, and concluded that all showed signs of boosting learning. Debates abound about the amount of structure students need and in what sequence, such as whether they need to master sentence construction before moving onto paragraphs and lengthier texts.

But in general, students should be guided on how to construct sentences and paragraphs, and they should have access to models and exemplars, the research suggests. They also need to understand the iterative nature of writing, including how to draft and revise.

A number of different writing frameworks incorporating various degrees of structure and modeling are available, though most of them have not been studied empirically.

4. Writing can help students learn content—and make sense of it.

Much of reading comprehension depends on helping students absorb “world knowledge”—think arts, ancient cultures, literature, and science—so that they can make sense of increasingly sophisticated texts and ideas as their reading improves. Writing can enhance students’ content learning, too, and should be emphasized rather than taking a back seat to the more commonly taught stories and personal reflections.

Graham and colleagues conducted another meta-analysis of nearly 60 studies looking at this idea of “writing to learn” in mathematics, science, and social studies. The studies included a mix of higher-order assignments, like analyses and argumentative writing, and lower-level ones, like summarizing and explaining. The study found that across all three disciplines, writing about the content improved student learning.

If students are doing work on phonemic awareness—the ability to recognize sounds—they shouldn’t merely manipulate sounds orally; they can put them on the page using letters. If students are learning how to decode, they can also encode—record written letters and words while they say the sounds out loud.

And students can write as they begin learning about language structure. When Blevins’ students are mainly working with decodable texts with controlled vocabularies, writing can support their knowledge about how texts and narratives work: how sentences are put together and how they can be pulled apart and reconstructed. Teachers can prompt them in these tasks, asking them to rephrase a sentence as a question, split up two sentences, or combine them.

“Young kids are writing these mile-long sentences that become second nature. We set a higher bar, and they are fully capable of doing it. We can demystify a bit some of that complex text if we develop early on how to talk about sentences—how they’re created, how they’re joined,” Blevins said. “There are all these things you can do that are helpful to develop an understanding of how sentences work and to get lots of practice.”

As students progress through the elementary grades, this structured work grows more sophisticated. They need to be taught both sentence and paragraph structure , and they need to learn how different writing purposes and genres—narrative, persuasive, analytical—demand different approaches. Most of all, the research indicates, students need opportunities to write at length often.

Using writing to support students’ exploration of content

Reading is far more than foundational skills, of course. It means introducing students to rich content and the specialized vocabulary in each discipline and then ensuring that they read, discuss, analyze, and write about those ideas. The work to systematically build students’ knowledge begins in the early grades and progresses throughout their K-12 experience.

Here again, available evidence suggests that writing can be a useful tool to help students explore, deepen, and draw connections in this content. With the proper supports, writing can be a method for students to retell and analyze what they’ve learned in discussions of content and literature throughout the school day —in addition to their creative writing.

This “writing to learn” approach need not wait for students to master foundational skills. In the K-2 grades especially, much content is learned through teacher read-alouds and conversation that include more complex vocabulary and ideas than the texts students are capable of reading. But that should not preclude students from writing about this content, experts say.

“We do a read-aloud or a media piece and we write about what we learned. It’s just a part of how you’re responding, or sharing, what you’ve learned across texts; it’s not a separate thing from reading,” Blevins said. “If I am doing read-alouds on a concept—on animal habitats, for example—my decodable texts will be on animals. And students are able to include some of these more sophisticated ideas and language in their writing, because we’ve elevated the conversations around these texts.”

In this set of stories , Education Week examines the connections between elementary-level reading and writing in three areas— encoding , language and text structure , and content-area learning . But there are so many more examples.

Please write us to share yours when you’ve finished.

Want to read more about the research that informed this story? Here’s a bibliography to start you off.

Berninger V. W., Abbott, R. D., Abbott, S. P., Graham S., & Richards T. (2002). Writing and reading: Connections between language by hand and language by eye. J ournal of Learning Disabilities. Special Issue: The Language of Written Language, 35(1), 39–56 Berninger, Virginia, Robert D. Abbott, Janine Jones, Beverly J. Wolf, Laura Gould, Marci Anderson-Younstrom, Shirley Shimada, Kenn Apel. (2006) “Early development of language by hand: composing, reading, listening, and speaking connections; three letter-writing modes; and fast mapping in spelling.” Developmental Neuropsychology, 29(1), pp. 61-92 Cabell, Sonia Q, Laura S. Tortorelli, and Hope K. Gerde (2013). “How Do I Write…? Scaffolding Preschoolers’ Early Writing Skills.” The Reading Teacher, 66(8), pp. 650-659. Gerde, H.K., Bingham, G.E. & Wasik, B.A. (2012). “Writing in Early Childhood Classrooms: Guidance for Best Practices.” Early Childhood Education Journal 40, 351–359 (2012) Gilbert, Jennifer, and Steve Graham. (2010). “Teaching Writing to Elementary Students in Grades 4–6: A National Survey.” The Elementary School Journal 110(44) Graham, Steve, et al. (2017). “Effectiveness of Literacy Programs Balancing Reading and Writing Instruction: A Meta-Analysis.” Reading Research Quarterly, 53(3) pp. 279–304 Graham, Steve, and Michael Hebert. (2011). “Writing to Read: A Meta-Analysis of the Impact of Writing and Writing Instruction on Reading.” Harvard Educational Review (2011) 81(4): 710–744. Graham, Steve. (2020). “The Sciences of Reading and Writing Must Become More Fully Integrated.” Reading Research Quarterly, 55(S1) pp. S35–S44 Graham, Steve, Sharlene A. Kiuhara, and Meade MacKay. (2020).”The Effects of Writing on Learning in Science, Social Studies, and Mathematics: A Meta-Analysis.” Review of Educational Research April 2020, Vol 90, No. 2, pp. 179–226 Shanahan, Timothy. “History of Writing and Reading Connections.” in Shanahan, Timothy. (2016). “Relationships between reading and writing development.” In C. MacArthur, S. Graham, & J. Fitzgerald (Eds.), Handbook of writing research (2nd ed., pp. 194–207). New York, NY: Guilford. Slavin, Robert, Lake, C., Inns, A., Baye, A., Dachet, D., & Haslam, J. (2019). “A quantitative synthesis of research on writing approaches in grades 2 to 12.” London: Education Endowment Foundation. Troia, Gary. (2014). Evidence-based practices for writing instruction (Document No. IC-5). Retrieved from University of Florida, Collaboration for Effective Educator, Development, Accountability, and Reform Center website: http://ceedar.education.ufl.edu/tools/innovation-configuration/ Troia, Gary, and Steve Graham. (2016).“Common Core Writing and Language Standards and Aligned State Assessments: A National Survey of Teacher Beliefs and Attitudes.” Reading and Writing 29(9).

A version of this article appeared in the January 25, 2023 edition of Education Week as How Does Writing Fit Into the ‘Science of Reading’?

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Why writing by hand beats typing for thinking and learning

Jonathan Lambert

A close-up of a woman's hand writing in a notebook.

If you're like many digitally savvy Americans, it has likely been a while since you've spent much time writing by hand.

The laborious process of tracing out our thoughts, letter by letter, on the page is becoming a relic of the past in our screen-dominated world, where text messages and thumb-typed grocery lists have replaced handwritten letters and sticky notes. Electronic keyboards offer obvious efficiency benefits that have undoubtedly boosted our productivity — imagine having to write all your emails longhand.

To keep up, many schools are introducing computers as early as preschool, meaning some kids may learn the basics of typing before writing by hand.

But giving up this slower, more tactile way of expressing ourselves may come at a significant cost, according to a growing body of research that's uncovering the surprising cognitive benefits of taking pen to paper, or even stylus to iPad — for both children and adults.

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In kids, studies show that tracing out ABCs, as opposed to typing them, leads to better and longer-lasting recognition and understanding of letters. Writing by hand also improves memory and recall of words, laying down the foundations of literacy and learning. In adults, taking notes by hand during a lecture, instead of typing, can lead to better conceptual understanding of material.

"There's actually some very important things going on during the embodied experience of writing by hand," says Ramesh Balasubramaniam , a neuroscientist at the University of California, Merced. "It has important cognitive benefits."

While those benefits have long been recognized by some (for instance, many authors, including Jennifer Egan and Neil Gaiman , draft their stories by hand to stoke creativity), scientists have only recently started investigating why writing by hand has these effects.

A slew of recent brain imaging research suggests handwriting's power stems from the relative complexity of the process and how it forces different brain systems to work together to reproduce the shapes of letters in our heads onto the page.

Your brain on handwriting

Both handwriting and typing involve moving our hands and fingers to create words on a page. But handwriting, it turns out, requires a lot more fine-tuned coordination between the motor and visual systems. This seems to more deeply engage the brain in ways that support learning.

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"Handwriting is probably among the most complex motor skills that the brain is capable of," says Marieke Longcamp , a cognitive neuroscientist at Aix-Marseille Université.

Gripping a pen nimbly enough to write is a complicated task, as it requires your brain to continuously monitor the pressure that each finger exerts on the pen. Then, your motor system has to delicately modify that pressure to re-create each letter of the words in your head on the page.

"Your fingers have to each do something different to produce a recognizable letter," says Sophia Vinci-Booher , an educational neuroscientist at Vanderbilt University. Adding to the complexity, your visual system must continuously process that letter as it's formed. With each stroke, your brain compares the unfolding script with mental models of the letters and words, making adjustments to fingers in real time to create the letters' shapes, says Vinci-Booher.

That's not true for typing.

To type "tap" your fingers don't have to trace out the form of the letters — they just make three relatively simple and uniform movements. In comparison, it takes a lot more brainpower, as well as cross-talk between brain areas, to write than type.

Recent brain imaging studies bolster this idea. A study published in January found that when students write by hand, brain areas involved in motor and visual information processing " sync up " with areas crucial to memory formation, firing at frequencies associated with learning.

"We don't see that [synchronized activity] in typewriting at all," says Audrey van der Meer , a psychologist and study co-author at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. She suggests that writing by hand is a neurobiologically richer process and that this richness may confer some cognitive benefits.

Other experts agree. "There seems to be something fundamental about engaging your body to produce these shapes," says Robert Wiley , a cognitive psychologist at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro. "It lets you make associations between your body and what you're seeing and hearing," he says, which might give the mind more footholds for accessing a given concept or idea.

Those extra footholds are especially important for learning in kids, but they may give adults a leg up too. Wiley and others worry that ditching handwriting for typing could have serious consequences for how we all learn and think.

What might be lost as handwriting wanes

The clearest consequence of screens and keyboards replacing pen and paper might be on kids' ability to learn the building blocks of literacy — letters.

"Letter recognition in early childhood is actually one of the best predictors of later reading and math attainment," says Vinci-Booher. Her work suggests the process of learning to write letters by hand is crucial for learning to read them.

"When kids write letters, they're just messy," she says. As kids practice writing "A," each iteration is different, and that variability helps solidify their conceptual understanding of the letter.

Research suggests kids learn to recognize letters better when seeing variable handwritten examples, compared with uniform typed examples.

This helps develop areas of the brain used during reading in older children and adults, Vinci-Booher found.

"This could be one of the ways that early experiences actually translate to long-term life outcomes," she says. "These visually demanding, fine motor actions bake in neural communication patterns that are really important for learning later on."

Ditching handwriting instruction could mean that those skills don't get developed as well, which could impair kids' ability to learn down the road.

"If young children are not receiving any handwriting training, which is very good brain stimulation, then their brains simply won't reach their full potential," says van der Meer. "It's scary to think of the potential consequences."

Many states are trying to avoid these risks by mandating cursive instruction. This year, California started requiring elementary school students to learn cursive , and similar bills are moving through state legislatures in several states, including Indiana, Kentucky, South Carolina and Wisconsin. (So far, evidence suggests that it's the writing by hand that matters, not whether it's print or cursive.)

Slowing down and processing information

For adults, one of the main benefits of writing by hand is that it simply forces us to slow down.

During a meeting or lecture, it's possible to type what you're hearing verbatim. But often, "you're not actually processing that information — you're just typing in the blind," says van der Meer. "If you take notes by hand, you can't write everything down," she says.

The relative slowness of the medium forces you to process the information, writing key words or phrases and using drawing or arrows to work through ideas, she says. "You make the information your own," she says, which helps it stick in the brain.

Such connections and integration are still possible when typing, but they need to be made more intentionally. And sometimes, efficiency wins out. "When you're writing a long essay, it's obviously much more practical to use a keyboard," says van der Meer.

Still, given our long history of using our hands to mark meaning in the world, some scientists worry about the more diffuse consequences of offloading our thinking to computers.

"We're foisting a lot of our knowledge, extending our cognition, to other devices, so it's only natural that we've started using these other agents to do our writing for us," says Balasubramaniam.

It's possible that this might free up our minds to do other kinds of hard thinking, he says. Or we might be sacrificing a fundamental process that's crucial for the kinds of immersive cognitive experiences that enable us to learn and think at our full potential.

Balasubramaniam stresses, however, that we don't have to ditch digital tools to harness the power of handwriting. So far, research suggests that scribbling with a stylus on a screen activates the same brain pathways as etching ink on paper. It's the movement that counts, he says, not its final form.

Jonathan Lambert is a Washington, D.C.-based freelance journalist who covers science, health and policy.

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TechBullion

TechBullion

How to write political science essay.

science essay writing

If you are not able to write a comprehensive essay on Political Science, this tool is available for your assistance. Writing a political science essay might seem tough, but with the help of a Political Science Essay Writing service , you can do it well. This guide will help you understand how to write a good political science essay, from understanding the assignment to making your final draft perfect.

Understanding the Assignment

The first step is to understand what your essay needs to be about. Read the essay prompt carefully and make sure you know what is expected. Are you supposed to analyze an event, argue a point of view, or compare different ideas? Knowing this will help you focus your research and writing.

Key Parts of the Assignment

  • Clear Topic: Make sure you understand the topic and what it covers.
  • Thesis Statement: Write a clear and short statement that shows your main argument.
  • Research Requirements: Find out what kind of research you need. Do you need to use original sources, books, articles, or all of these?
  • Formatting Rules: Follow the required formatting style (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.).

Doing Research

Research is very important for writing a political science essay. You need to find good information from reliable sources to support your thesis. Use a mix of original sources (documents, speeches, etc.) and secondary sources (books, articles, etc.) to give a full view of your topic.

Tips for Good Research

  • Start Early: Give yourself plenty of time to find and read your sources.
  • Use Academic Databases: Use databases like JSTOR, Google Scholar, and your school’s library.
  • Take Good Notes: Keep track of your sources and the information they provide.
  • Check Sources Carefully: Make sure each source is reliable and relevant.

Making Your Thesis Statement

Your thesis statement is the main idea of your essay. It should clearly say what your argument is and guide the rest of your essay. A strong thesis statement is specific, can be argued against, and is supported by evidence.

Examples of Thesis Statements

  • Weak: “Democracy is important.”
  • Strong: “The adoption of democratic principles in post-colonial states has significantly improved governance and reduced corruption.”

Creating an Outline

An outline helps you organize your thoughts and makes sure your essay has a clear flow. Start with your thesis statement and then list your main points, followed by evidence for each point.

Writing the Introduction

The introduction sets up your essay. It should catch the reader’s attention, provide background on your topic, and present your thesis statement.

Elements of a Strong Introduction

  • Hook: An interesting fact, quote, or question to engage the reader.
  • Background Information: Explain the context and importance of your topic.
  • Thesis Statement: Clearly state your main argument.

Developing Body Paragraphs

Each body paragraph should focus on a single main point that supports your thesis. Start with a topic sentence, provide evidence, and explain how the evidence supports your point.

Structuring Body Paragraphs

  • Topic Sentence: Introduce the main point of the paragraph.
  • Evidence: Present facts, quotes, or data to support your point.
  • Analysis: Explain how the evidence supports your thesis.
  • Transition: Link to the next paragraph.

Writing a Persuasive Essay

We also write persuasive essays. Persuasive essay writing service aims to convince the reader of a particular point of view. To write a persuasive essay, present strong arguments, backed by solid evidence, and address counterarguments.

Tips for Persuasive Writing

  • Know Your Audience: Understand the values and beliefs of your audience.
  • Use Strong Evidence: Support your arguments with reliable sources.
  • Address Counterarguments: Acknowledge opposing views and refute them.
  • Appeal to Emotion: Use emotional appeals to strengthen your argument.

Crafting the Conclusion

The conclusion is your last chance to make an impression on the reader. Summarize your main points, restate your thesis in a new way, and provide a final thought or call to action.

Elements of a Strong Conclusion

  • Restate Thesis: Repeat your main argument in a new way.
  • Summarize Main Points: Recap the key points of your essay.
  • Final Thought: Leave the reader with something to think about.

Editing and Proofreading

After finishing your first draft, it’s time to revise and polish your essay. Editing and proofreading are important steps to make sure your essay is clear, concise, and free of errors.

Tips for Effective Editing

  • Take a Break: Step away from your essay for a while before revising.
  • Read Aloud: Reading your essay out loud can help you catch errors.
  • Get Feedback: Have someone else review your essay.
  • Check for Consistency: Ensure your arguments and evidence are consistent throughout the essay.

Final Thoughts

Writing a political science essay can be challenging, but with careful planning, research, and writing, you can produce a strong and well-argued essay. Stay focused on your thesis, support your arguments with solid evidence, and take the time to revise your work. Whether you are writing about political theories, historical events, or current issues, the skills you develop in writing political science essays will serve you well in your academic and professional career.

If you need extra help, our tools and services are here to support you in your writing journey.

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