science essay writing

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• Karen Boiko

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• Comparative Media Studies/Writing

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• Academic Writing
• Creative Writing
• Nonfiction Prose

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The science essay, course description.

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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 ).

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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.

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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Science Essay Writing (First-Year Undergraduates)

Writing an Argumentative Science Essay

These resources have been designed to help teach students how to write a well-structured argumentative science essay (approximately 1,250 words) over the course of a term. They will take part in four interactive in-class activity sessions (intended to last 50 – 60 min each) that each focus on a different, critical theme in writing essays, and which are designed to supplement pre-class homework readings and short activities.

Student essays can be written to address any brief. An example is:

Identify a current controversy in science that interests you. State your opinion, and present the evidence that justifies your position.

The four in-class activity sessions will help students develop their essays (see Table 1).

Table 1: The four topics that will be covered in in-class activity sessions will help students develop their essays over the term. ‘PRE’ classes refer to readings and very short activities that must be completed before they come to the in-class sessions.

Figure 1. Essay Writing Framework

• Pre-Class Activity
• In-Class Activity
• Activity Solutions

The Fundamental Components of a Good Essay Structure

A good essay requires a good structure; it needs to be clear and concise, and it needs to integrate ‘signposts’ throughout so that a reader is able to follow the logical argument that the author is making. There is no room for an author’s thoughts to wander away from the purpose of the essay, because such misdirection will lead to the reader becoming confused. To stop this confusion arising, various writing and reading conventions have developed over time. One of these conventions is the internal structure of an academic essay.

This internal structure resembles an ‘ ɪ ’ shape. The top horizontal bar represents the thesis , or part of the essay that will comprise a thesis statement and one or more development statements. The thesis statement is the claim of the argument presented in the essay. Without this, the reader would not know what to expect the rest of the essay to develop. The development statement(s) are also crucial as they tells a reader which points will be used to support the argument, and also which order they will be presented in. If some of these points are not listed – or presented in a different order to the one stated – the reader might fail to understand the author’s intent, or even discount the steps used to support the argument.

The vertical bar of the ‘ ɪ ’ represents the main body of the essay, where each of the points presented in the development part of the thesis should be presented and discussed. Examples and references (citations) are generally included in these paragraphs, but it is important to note that each paragraph should contain only one main idea with examples or references that justify it. This main idea should be presented in a topic sentence at the beginning of the paragraph; these topic sentences act as signposts throughout the main body of the essay.

The bottom horizontal bar of the ‘ ɪ ’ represents the summary/conclusion of the essay. Here the thesis (main claim) and pieces of supporting evidence (different points that developed the argument) are restated briefly to show the reader why/how everything fits together. No new information should be added to the essay at this point.

** Materials adapted from those provided by Joanne Nakonechny, UBC Skylight **

Thesis and Development Statements Recap:

How to write a good thesis statement

Your defining sentence/sentences must clearly state the main idea of your writing. You must include the subject you will discuss and the points that you will make about that subject in the order in which you will write about them.

The value of development statements

These list the different reasons (which will be accompanied with evidence) that the writer is going to use to support his/her claim. These narrowed or more focused points provide the steps of the argument to establish the validity of the thesis statement.

Note that if these reasons are too broad, the essay will be vague, because not all aspects of them can be addressed.

Vague development example:

“Science can solve starvation, disease and crime.”

Stronger development example:

“Science, through genetically modified foods and better crop fertilizers, can contribute to solving starvation.”

Note that this second example provides the reader with information about the specific steps the writer is going to use to support the thesis that science can contribute to solving starvation; genetically modified foods and better crop fertilizers are the reasons that the author is going to expand on to support his/her claim that science can contribute to solving starvation.

Activity 1 (complete before the in-class session)

Throughout these classes, you will develop an argumentative essay in which you state a clear thesis, make claims and supply reasons and evidence to support these reasons, and write a sound conclusion. To begin with, you must:

• Identify a current controversy in science that interests you.
• State your opinion and some of the reasons that you can use as evidence to support your position.
• Come to class prepared to speak about these with a partner.

The Fundamentals of a Good Essay Structure [In-Class Session]

Activity 1 (5 minutes)

Produce short written responses that show:

• One idea in the reading that you already use in your essay writing
• One idea in the reading that you will now use in your essay writing

Activity 2 (10 minutes)

Take part in a class discussion about the structure that a good essay should take. Specifically, think about and discuss:

#What is a thesis statement? #What are development statements? How are they linked to the thesis statement? #What is the purpose of these parts of an essay? #How should the main body of an essay be organized? #What is a topic sentence? Is it the same as a development statement? #What sort of information should appear in the conclusion to an essay?

Activity 3 (10 minutes)

As a general rule, thesis statements in many essays are too general, which means it is not possible for the author to fully address them with reasons and evidence in his/her writing. Stronger thesis statements should provide narrowed or more focused points.

Rank the following four thesis statements (from best to worst) and justify your decisions:

Activity 4 (15 minutes)

In the homework, you were asked to identify a current controversy in science that interests you, and to state your opinion and think of some of the reasons that you could use to support your position.

Choose a partner and briefly speak to them about this (you should both aim to have spoken about your interests and opinions within five minutes).

Now, in the next five minutes, try to write a thesis statement and one or more development statements that you will use to begin your argumentative essay.

And, in the last five minutes, talk to your partner about your thesis statement and development statement(s) and see if you can help each other improve them.

Hint: Are your statements too broad/vague, and do they list enough reasons that you will use to support the main claim made in the thesis statement. Re-writing a thesis statement can take some time, but revision is an important part of the writing process. Try to settle on a good thesis and development statement by the next class but don’t rush things – in many ways, these are the most important parts of an essay.

The suggested solutions of these activities require a password for access. We encourage interested instructors to contact Dr. Jackie Stewart and the ScWRL team to obtain access. Please fill out the Access Request and Feedback Form to inquire about resources you are interested in.

Click here for suggested solutions password protected page for: Activity solutions

Searching the Literature and Including Citations and References

Effective Searching

For tips on how to search the literature effectively, to find useful material that could support the development of your essay, and on how to integrate these into your essay, we advise you to read our guides here and here .

Avoiding Plagiarism

Before coming to class, we also ask you to read the following information about plagiarism, so that you know how to identify the different types – and, more importantly, avoid them in your own writing; after all, it is your responsibility to know what plagiarism is and how to avoid it.

To start, review the information in this website link: http://help.library.ubc.ca/planning-your-research/academic-integrity-plagiarism/ , before reading more at this one: http://learningcommons.ubc.ca/resource-guides/avoiding-plagiarism/

You should come to class with an idea about how to avoid each of the three types of plagiarism noted here, ready to participate in a discussion about the main issues. Make some brief notes if you feel they will help you.

Identifying Different Types of Sources

Read the following website link to learn how to differentiate between different types of sources and evaluate how appropriate and useful they are for your essay here: http://help.library.ubc.ca/evaluating-and-citing-sources/evaluating-information-sources/ Make sure you read the information about ‘Primary Sources’ and the related link to ‘Learn about finding…’.

You are also encouraged to watch the following Grammar Squirrel videos to help you solidify these concepts:

• Citing Sources in Science Writing

Make some brief notes on the main differences between primary, secondary and tertiary resources and come to class ready to discuss these.

Searching the Literature

To help you start gathering material for your essay, you should start searching for appropriate literature to support your thesis and the reasons that you are going to develop in the main body of your writing. For a guide on how best to do this, see here .

Before class, find one example of each of primary, secondary and tertiary sources that relate to your essay. On a single sheet of paper, for each resource, write notes on the following, and bring these with you to the in-class session.

• Is this a primary, secondary or tertiary source? Why?
• How might you use this resource in your essay?

For your homework, you were asked to review information about the three main types of plagiarism, and how these can be avoided. You were also asked to read information and watch videos about identifying different types of sources.

Activity 1 (10 minutes)

Take part in a discussion with your classmates and instructor(s) about the three main types of plagiarism. What are they? Have you ever committed any of these before without realizing? How can you avoid plagiarism in your essays?

Activity 2 (15 minutes)

First, take part in a brief discussion with your classmates and instructor(s) about the differences between primary, secondary and tertiary sources. Why are primary sources usually preferred for use in essays and scholarly writing? Are any tertiary sources useful or reliable? Why/why not?

Second, form groups of 4-6 people, and take turns to fill out a table of primary, secondary, and tertiary sources that you each found to support the development of your essays.

When filling out the second column (How might you use this?) , think about how the information contained in this source applies to the scientific controversy that you are writing about; specifically, try to outline how you could use this source to provide a reason and evidence to support the thesis of your argument. You should explain this to your classmates as you fill in the table.

Take part in a discussion with all of your classmates and instructor(s) about the sources that you found. Are they suitable for inclusion in your essays? Why/why not? How are you going to find more sources to help add content depth to your essays?

Activity 4 (10 minutes)

Work with a partner to try to paraphrase some of the information in one of your sources (preferably your primary source); remember the video you watched before class about integrating sources in your work – it is important in science essays to reword what has been written in a source and then attribute the idea to the author(s) of that source.

For now, try to just reword the key information so that it could be included in the main body of your essay. For a more complete guide to attributing the information to the author(s) of the source from which it came, please read the following if you have not already done so: Integrating and Citing Sources .

It is important that you learn the correct format for including citations in your essay, and for compiling the references list at the end.

Click here for suggested solutions password protected page for: Activity Solutions

Paragraph Structure, Topic Sentences and Transitions

Good essays are easy to read and follow a logical development. Structuring the content of your essay in an organized way is thus critical to making sure your reader(s) understand the argument you are making. Even the most content-rich essay can be misinterpreted if it is not structured properly.

A good structure relies upon effective paragraphing. You should try to only include one main content point per paragraph, even if this means some paragraphs are much smaller than others; the key when writing an essay that defends a thesis statement is to use one paragraph for each reason that you present to provide support for your main claim.

Once you have split your essay into discrete paragraphs, you should add in topic sentences to begin each one; these sentences should act as signposts for your reader(s), telling them clearly and succinctly what they can expect to read about in the following paragraph. You can think of them as mini development statements that map the logical development of your essay from paragraph to paragraph.

Finally, you should add in transitions (little words and phrases) that link each sentence together smoothly and make everything easy to read. Words such as ‘initially’, ‘secondly’, ‘however’, ‘furthermore’ and ‘lastly,’ and phrases such as ‘as a result’, ‘on the other hand’ and ‘in addition’ are typical examples that you probably already use on a day-to-day basis.

For more information on effective paragraphing, we advise you to read the following student guide before coming to class: Organizing

Think about the different elements that make a piece of writing effective, and come to class prepared to discuss some of these.

Also, make sure that you bring at least two primary sources that you have found to use in your essay; you will work on writing paragraphs about these with a partner in class.

To prepare you for this class, you should have read the student guide about organizing your writing (how to paragraph effectively). Remember that you must present your essay in a logical way if it is to be interpreted as you mean it to be by your reader(s). A big part of this is invested in writing paragraphs that each present one main idea.

Take part in a class discussion by thinking about the following question: “What makes a good piece of writing?” Hint: Think of as many things as possible (not just those that relate to paragraphing, and structure).

Your instructor will brainstorm the class ideas on the blackboard/whiteboard, but you should do the same so that you can refer to your notes later.

Activity 2 (25 minutes)

Take out the sources that you brought with you (which relate to the current scientific controversy that you are going to discuss in your essay); you should have brought at least two, and these should preferably be primary sources.

Take 10 minutes to write a paragraph about each one so that it could fit into the essay you are writing. Use the brainstorm/notes you took from Activity 1 to help guide your writing. Do not worry too much about writing long paragraphs at this point, but try to make sure you only talk in depth about the one main point of the source you are using in each one.

In the remaining five minutes, try to write a topic sentence for each paragraph; remember that this should act as a mini development statement (or a signpost) that tells a reader what they can expect to read about in the coming paragraph. Lastly, try to add some transition words/phrases to link all the sentences smoothly together.

Make sure you include a citation for your sources (at least one per paragraph)

Activity 3 (15 minutes)

Swap your writing with a partner, and read each other’s work. In the first 10 minutes, make notes on their writing (being constructive) that will help them improve it. Some things to focus on include:

• Is there only one main point per paragraph?
• Does each topic sentence serve as a good signpost? Is it clear from this one sentence alone what the author is going to talk about in that paragraph?
• Does each sentence transition smoothly into the next one?
• Are any of the transition words/phrases confusing?
• Does the writing follow a logical path?
• Are there any confusing terms used (overly complex words, or science jargon)?
• Are the citations formatted correctly?

For the last five minutes, you should take your piece of writing back and begin to improve it based on the feedback your partner gave you. If you do not finish all of these improvements by the end of class, you should complete them as homework; you should try to complete a first draft of your essay soon after this class anyway.

The Importance of Peer Review

When a researcher, or team of researchers, finishes a stage of work, they usually write a paper presenting their methods, findings and conclusions. They then send the paper to a scientific journal to be considered for publication. If the journal’s editor thinks it is suitable for their journal he/she will send the paper to other scientists, who research and publish in the same field and ask them to:

• Comment on its validity – are the research results credible; is the design and methodology appropriate?
• Judge the significance – is it an important finding?
• Determine its originality – are the results new? Does the paper refer properly to work performed by others?
• Give an opinion as to whether the paper should be published, improved or rejected (usually to be submitted elsewhere).

This process is called peer review, and it is incredibly important in making sure that only high-quality written work appears in the literature , but it also allows authors to improve their original work based on the feedback of others.

Did you know?

There are around 21,000 scholarly and scientific journals that use the peer-review system. A high proportion of these are scientific, technical or medical journals, which together publish over 1,000,000 research papers each year.

By the way...

Peer review is also used to assess scientists’ applications for research funds. Funding bodies, such as medical research charities, seek expert advice on a scientist’s proposal before agreeing to pay for it. Peer review in this instance is used to judge which applications have the best potential to help an organization achieve its objectives.

Peer Review – Your Essay

You are not reporting the results of experiments in a journal article or applying for funding, but are writing an essay about a current controversy in science that interests you.

The process of peer review that you will undertake is very similar, however; by hearing what your peers think about your work before you hand it in, you should gain a valuable insight into how they interpret it, and where they think it can be improved. If you make suggested improvements, it is very likely that it will receive a higher grade when you hand it to your instructors.

You already have some experience of the peer-review system, because you provided feedback on a partner’s two paragraphs in the last class, and had them provide you with feedback on your own writing.

For some further tips on how to give effective feedback, make sure you read the following guide before coming to class: How to Give and Receive Effective Feedback , and arrive ready to participate in a discussion about peer review and its importance.

Make sure you also bring a draft of your essay to class; you will be working with a partner to provide feedback on these essays.

Peer review ensures that only high-quality work appears in the science literature; it also allows a writer to improve his/her work based on feedback provided by someone within his/her field. Today you will get the chance to provide constructive feedback on someone else’s essay, while having them comment on yours. This exchange should help you improve your work greatly.

Take part in a class discussion about peer review and its importance. Some specific questions to think about include:

• What would happen if scientists didn't have their work reviewed by their peers?
• Are they any downsides? What happens if there is a disagreement?
• What sort of feedback is the best to give/receive?

Activity 2 (30 minutes)

Choose a partner (preferably someone you haven’t worked with before) and swap your essay drafts. First of all, read through their essay in its entirety before going back and reading it in smaller chunks. Comment on it by annotating the work where you are confused, or where you think improvements can be made. Rather than editing it, suggest other options that would lead to improvements (e.g. don’t make the improvements yourself).

Pay extra attention to the most important elements that dictate whether an essay has a good structure and reads well:

• Are the thesis and development statements clear? Are they too narrow or too broad?
• Is the work split up into paragraphs that focus on one main point each?
• Does the essay follow a logical path of development? Do the reasons that are supplied to support the original thesis follow the order that they were set out in the original development statement(s)?
• Are topic sentences used effectively so that someone who was lost (just started reading halfway through) would understand the route being taken (what the author was going to elaborate on in a given paragraph)?
• Are transition words and phrases used effectively so that each sentence transitions smoothly into the next one?
• Is the conclusion clear and concise? Does the author introduce any new material here that is confusing in any way?
• Is the essay interesting? Do you feel you have learned something new? Do you agree with the thesis statement now that you have read the whole essay (have you been convinced by the author’s argument)?

Read through the comments you have received from your partner and make sure you understand them all. Once you are satisfied that you do, spend the remaining time making improvements based on their feedback. You will not be able to finish all of these in class, but you can take the feedback away with you and use it to improve your essay before handing it in.

Essay Writing Introduction

Essay Structure: Pre-Class Activity | In-Class Activity

Sources and Avoiding Plagiarism: Pre-Class Activity | In-Class Activity

Paragraphing: Pre-Class Activity | In-Class Activity

Peer Review: Pre-Class Activity | In-Class Activity

Click here for suggested solutions password protected page for: Pre-class activity and In-class activity solutions

Introduction to Science Essay Writing Essay

Writing a science essay differs from an ordinary essay because it deals with more complex and specialized topics. Science essays are often used to write about discoveries, observations, and hypotheses pertaining to this specific field.

A science essay requires the writer to have a basic understanding of a particular scientific topic. From that point, the writer will then go on a journey of research and discovery in order to present his documented conclusions on the science essay topic. The steps that guide a writer when writing a science essay are as follows:

• Introduction. The science essay must present a topic background followed by an argument or proposition. After which the scientist will then present his interpretation of the topic while defining technical terms. Finally, the writer will explain the steps by which the science essay will present the experiment.
• Body. Just like with any other essay, a science essay must develop in a logical manner leading to the scientist’s point of view on the matter. It is important to present all relevant information in support of the argument within the body of the science essay using figures, tables, references, numbers, and labels whenever necessary.
• Conclusion. The scientist must remember to restate the purpose of his experiment/essay. He must then collate all his evidence in support of his science essay reasons and conclusions. Finally, he must make suggestions for future research whenever necessary.
• Reference List. A science essay is no different from other essays because one must still present all his references for the information contained within the essay.

Science essay writing only sounds difficult. Actually, it only has additional steps when compared to other essay formats.

• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2023, November 1). Introduction to Science Essay Writing. https://ivypanda.com/essays/introduction-to-science-essay-writing/

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1. IvyPanda . "Introduction to Science Essay Writing." November 1, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/introduction-to-science-essay-writing/.

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How to Write a Scientific Essay

When writing any essay it’s important to always keep the end goal in mind. You want to produce a document that is detailed, factual, about the subject matter and most importantly to the point.

Writing scientific essays will always be slightly different to when you write an essay for say English Literature . You need to be more analytical and precise when answering your questions. To help achieve this, you need to keep three golden rules in mind.

• Analysing the question, so that you know exactly what you have to do

Planning your answer

• Writing the essay

Now, let’s look at these steps in more detail to help you fully understand how to apply the three golden rules.

Analysing the question

• Start by looking at the instruction. Essays need to be written out in continuous prose. You shouldn’t be using bullet points or writing in note form.
• If it helps to make a particular point, however, you can use a diagram providing it is relevant and adequately explained.
• Look at the topic you are required to write about. The wording of the essay title tells you what you should confine your answer to – there is no place for interesting facts about other areas.

The next step is to plan your answer. What we are going to try to do is show you how to produce an effective plan in a very short time. You need a framework to show your knowledge otherwise it is too easy to concentrate on only a few aspects.

For example, when writing an essay on biology we can divide the topic up in a number of different ways. So, if you have to answer a question like ‘Outline the main properties of life and system reproduction’

The steps for planning are simple. Firstly, define the main terms within the question that need to be addressed. Then list the properties asked for and lastly, roughly assess how many words of your word count you are going to allocate to each term.

Writing the Essay

The final step (you’re almost there), now you have your plan in place for the essay, it’s time to get it all down in black and white. Follow your plan for answering the question, making sure you stick to the word count, check your spelling and grammar and give credit where credit’s (always reference your sources).

How Tutors Breakdown Essays

An exceptional essay

• reflects the detail that could be expected from a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of relevant parts of the specification
• is free from fundamental errors
• maintains appropriate depth and accuracy throughout
• includes two or more paragraphs of material that indicates greater depth or breadth of study

A good essay

An average essay

• contains a significant amount of material that reflects the detail that could be expected from a knowledge and understanding of relevant parts of the specification.

In practice this will amount to about half the essay.

• is likely to reflect limited knowledge of some areas and to be patchy in quality
• demonstrates a good understanding of basic principles with some errors and evidence of misunderstanding

A poor essay

• contains much material which is below the level expected of a candidate who has completed the course
• Contains fundamental errors reflecting a poor grasp of basic principles and concepts

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Science Essay Examples

Best Science Essay Examples to Learn From

Published on: May 3, 2023

Last updated on: Jan 31, 2024

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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.

Science Essay Example SPM

Scientific Essay Example Pdf (Insert

Science Paper Example

Science Project Essay Example

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.

Social Science Essay Example

Political Science Essay Example

Environmental Science Essay Example

Health Science Essay Example

Computer Science Essay Example

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

Cornell Arts And 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.

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Are you looking for examples of science essays? 

We all know that writing a good science essay can be tough, whether you are a school or college student. It's hard to know where to start and how to make your essay interesting.

But there is a solution! Reading some good examples can help!

Below are eight science essay examples you can use as inspiration for your own science essay. 

• 1. Science Essay Examples
• 2. Science Essay Writing Tips

Reading sample essays is a great way to get a sense of what makes for a good science essay. You can learn from the way experienced writers approach the task.

So check these out!

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Science Essay Writing Tips

Now that you have read through some great science essay examples, it's time to learn how to write a science essay yourself.

If you're a student of the sciences, you probably have some experience with science essays. Whether you love them or hate them, there's no denying that science essays are a part of life for anyone who wants to pursue a career in science.

The good news is that, with a little practice, writing a science essay can be an easy and rewarding experience. 

The following tips will help you write the best science essay possible.

Pick a Good Topic

The first step to writing a great science essay is to pick a good topic. Try to pick something you're interested in and know at least something about. A good topic will make the writing process much easier and more enjoyable.

Here are a few examples of good science essay topics.

• The Benefits of Organic Foods
• The Advancements in Stem Cell Research
• The Importance of Recycling
• The Negative Effects of Pollution
• The Positive Effects of Exercise
• Ethical Issues in Scientific Experimentation
• The Advantages and Disadvantages of Alternative Energy Sources
• The Dangers of Smoking
• The Benefits of a Healthy Diet
• How to Save the Environment

Need more topics? Check out this blog with more than 150 interestin g science essay topics .

Do Your Research

Before you start writing any essay, it's important to do your research. This is especially true for science essays, where you need to have a strong understanding of the topic you're writing about.

The best way to do your research is to gather information from reliable sources. Make sure to read articles, books, and other materials from experts in the field. You will get a better understanding of the topic, and it will help you write a more persuasive essay.

This will give you material to work with when it comes time to write your essay.

In short, once you've chosen a topic, it's time to do some research. Gather as much information as you can about your topic from reliable sources.

Make an Outline

Now that you have all of your research gathered, it's time to start organizing it into an outline for your essay.

In the outline, list all of the main points you want to make and the supporting evidence you found through research.

Additionally, decide the structure your essay should follow. Having an outline will help you structure your thoughts and keep your essay on track.

Start Your First Draft

Once you’ve done your research and made an outline, start working on the first draft of your essay.

Write Your Introduction

Your introduction should introduce the reader to your topic and give some background information on the scientific concepts involved.

It should also include a thesis statement—a brief statement that summarizes what you'll discuss in your essay. 

Write Your Body Paragraphs

Each body paragraph should focus on one main idea related to your thesis statement. A body paragraph begins with a topic sentence, which tells the reader what the paragraph is about.

Moreover, you should include evidence from your research to support each main idea.

In other words, the body paragraph consists of a topic sentence and evidence. It also shows how the evidence is related to the main thesis of the essay.

Write the Conclusion

In your conclusion, provide a summary of everything that you've discussed in your essay and reiterate your thesis statement.

Make sure you don’t introduce any new points in the conclusion. However, you may leave the reader with food for thought.

Edit and Revise

After you've written your first draft, take some time to edit and revise it. 

Make sure each sentence is clear and concise and that all of your ideas are properly supported by evidence.

Editing and revision are two of the most important steps in the writing process.

Editing is the process of reviewing your work to make sure its grammar and style are correct. Revision is the process of revisiting your work and making changes to improve it.

Editing and revision are essential for producing a high-quality piece of writing. So make sure you don't skip this step!

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Get Feedback From Someone Else

Once you're satisfied with your edit, ask someone else (preferably an experienced science essay writer) to read it over and give their feedback. 

Having your essay proofread by others can help you pick up on mistakes that you might have missed. It can also help you identify areas where your argument may be unclear or could use more evidence to support your claims.

Getting feedback is an important part of the writing process, so make sure you take the time to do it.

Finalize Your Essay

Finally, polish up your formatting and page layout, and you're good to go! Make sure that your essay follows the formatting guidelines provided by your instructor.

Here are some general formatting rules:

• Use standard font, such as Times New Roman
• Set the font size to 12 point
• Double-space your essay
• Include page numbers
• 1-inch margins on both sides
• Indent the first line of every paragraph

By following these simple tips, you can write a great science essay without too much trouble. Just remember to choose a good topic, do your research, make an outline, and edit & revise your final draft before submitting it.

In conclusion,

Writing a science essay can be daunting, but it doesn't have to be. With the samples and tips provided in this blog, you will surely ace it!

Do you need help writing a science essay?  Our science essay writing service will write it for you!

Our essay writing service consists of experienced writers who can help you write a high-quality essay that will get you the grade you deserve. We always meet deadlines and provide affordable prices. You can also use our essay typer to write your essays for free.

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Essays About Science: Top 12 Examples and Prompts

Science can explain almost every aspect of our lives; if you want to write essays about science, start by reading our guide.

The word “science” comes from the Latin word Scientia or “knowledge,” It does indeed leave us with no shortage of knowledge as it advances to extraordinary levels. It is present in almost every aspect of our lives, allowing us to live the way we do today and helping us improve society. 

In the 21st century, we see science everywhere. It has given us the technology we deem “essential” today, from our mobile phones to air conditioning units to lightbulbs and refrigerators. Yet, it has also allowed us to learn so much about the unknown, such as the endless vacuum of space and the ocean’s mysterious depths. It is, without a doubt, a vehicle for humanity to obtain knowledge and use this knowledge to flourish. 

To start writing essays about science, look at some of our featured essay examples below. 

1. The challenging environment for science in the 21st century by Nithaya Chetty 

2. disadvantages of science by ella gray, 3. reflections from a nobel winner: scientists need time to make discoveries by donna strickland.

• 4.  ​​The fact of cloning by Cesar Hill

5. T. Rex Like You Haven’t Seen Him: With Feathers by Jason Farago

6. common, cheap ingredients can break down some ‘forever chemicals’ by jude coleman, 1. what is science, 2. a noteworthy scientist, 3. why is it important to study science, 4. are robots a net positive for society, 5. types of sciences, 6. science’s role in warfare.

“Open-ended, unfettered science in its purest form has, over the centuries, been pursued in the interests of understanding nature in a fundamental way, and long may that continue. Scientific ideas and discoveries have often been very successfully exploited for commercial gain and societal improvements, and much of the science system today the world over is designed to push scientists in the direction of more relevance.”

For South Africa to prosper, Chetty encourages cooperation and innovation among scientists. He discusses several problems the country faces, including the politicization of research, a weak economy, and misuse of scientific discoveries. These challenges, he believes, can be overcome if the nation works as one and with the international community and if the education system is improved. 

“Technology can make people lazy. Many people are already dependent and embrace this technology. Like students playing computer games instead of going to school or study. Technology also brings us privacy issues. From cell phone signal interceptions to email hacking, people are now worried about their once private information becoming public knowledge and making profit out of video scandals.”

Gray discusses the adverse effects technology, a science product, has had on human life and society. These include pollution, the inability to communicate properly, and laziness. 

She also acknowledges that technology has made life easier for almost everyone but believes that technology, as it is used now, is detrimental; more responsible use of technology is ideal.

“We must give scientists the opportunity through funding and time to pursue curiosity-based, long-term, basic-science research. Work that does not have direct ramifications for industry or our economy is also worthy. There’s no telling what can come from supporting a curious mind trying to discover something new.”

Strickland, a Nobel Prize winner, explains that a great scientific discovery can only come with ample time for scientists to research, using her work as an example. She describes her work on chirped pulse amplification and its possible applications, including removing brain tumors. Her Nobel-awarded work was done over a long time, and scientists must be afforded ample time and funding to make breakthroughs like hers. 

4.  ​​ The fact of cloning by Cesar Hill

“Any research into human cloning would eventually need to be tested on humans. Cloning might be used to create a “perfect human”. Cloning might have a detrimental effect family relationship. However the debate over cloning has more pros out weighting the cons, giving us a over site of the many advantages cloning has and the effects of it as well. Cloning has many ups and downs nevertheless there are many different ways in which it can be used to adapt and analyse new ways of medicine.”

Hill details both the pros and cons of cloning. It can be used for medical purposes and help us understand genetics more, perhaps even allowing us to prevent genetic diseases in children. However, it is expensive, and many oppose it on religious grounds. Regardless, Hill believes that the process has more advantages than disadvantages and is a net good. 

“For the kids who will throng this new exhibition, and who will adore this show’s colorful animations and fossilized dino poop, T. rex may still appear to be a thrilling monster. But staring in the eyes of the feather-flecked annihilators here, adults may have a more uncanny feeling of identification with the beasts at the pinnacle of the food chain. You can be a killer of unprecedented savagery, but the climate always takes the coup de grâce.”

In his essay, Farago reviews an exhibition on the Tyrannosaurus Rex involving an important scientific discovery: it was a feathered dinosaur. He details the different displays in the exhibition, including models of other dinosaurs that helped scientists realize that the T-Rex had feathers. 

“Understanding this mechanism is just one step in undoing forever chemicals, Dichtel’s team said. And more research is needed: There are other classes of PFAS that require their own solutions. This process wouldn’t work to tackle PFAS out in the environment, because it requires a concentrated amount of the chemicals. But it could one day be used in wastewater treatment plants, where the pollutants could be filtered out of the water, concentrated and then broken down.”

Coleman explains a discovery by which scientists were able to break down a perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substance, a “forever chemical” dangerous to the environment. He explains how they could break the chemical bond and turn the “forever chemical” into something harmless. This is important because pollution can be reduced significantly, particularly in the water. 

Writing Prompts on Essays about Science

“Science” is quite a broad term and encompasses many concepts and definitions. Define science, explain what it involves and how we can use it, and give examples of how it is present in the world. If you want, you can also briefly discuss what science means to you personally. 

Many individuals have made remarkable scientific discoveries, contributing to the wealth of knowledge we have acquired through science. For your essay, choose one scientist you feel has made a noteworthy contribution to their field. Then, give a brief background on the scientists and explain the discovery or invention that makes them essential. 

Consider what it means to study science: how is it relevant now? What lessons can we learn from science? Then, examine the presence of science in today’s world and write about the importance of science in our day-to-day lives- be sure to give examples to support your points. Finally, in your essay, be sure to keep in mind the times we are living in today.

When we think of science, robots are often one of the first things that come to mind. However, there is much to discuss regarding safety, especially artificial intelligence. Discuss the pros and cons of robots and AI, then conclude whether or not the benefits outweigh the disadvantages. Finally, provide adequate evidence to reinforce your argument and explain it in detail. 

From biology to chemistry to physics, science has many branches, each dealing with different aspects of the world and universe. Choose one branch of science and then explain what it is, define basic concepts under this science, and give examples of how it is applied: Are any inventions requiring it? How about something we know today thanks to scientific discovery? Answer these questions in your own words for a compelling essay.

Undoubtedly, technology developed using science has had devastating effects, from nuclear weapons to self-flying fighter jets to deadly new guns and tanks. Examine scientific developments’ role in the war: Do they make it more brutal? Or do they reduce the casualties? Make sure to conduct ample research before writing your essay; this topic is debatable. 

For help with your essays, check out our round-up of the best essay checkers .

If you’re looking for inspiration, check out our round-up of essay topics about nature .

Martin is an avid writer specializing in editing and proofreading. He also enjoys literary analysis and writing about food and travel.

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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!

Essay on Science for Students and Children

500+ words essay on science.

Essay on science:  As we look back in our ancient times we see so much development in the world. The world is full of gadgets and machinery . Machinery does everything in our surroundings. How did it get possible? How did we become so modern? It was all possible with the help of science. Science has played a major role in the development of our society. Furthermore, Science has made our lives easier and carefree.

Science in our Daily Lives

As I have mentioned earlier Science has got many changes in our lives. First of all, transportation is easier now. With the help of Science it now easier to travel long distances . Moreover, the time of traveling is also reduced. Various high-speed vehicles are available these days. These vehicles have totally changed. The phase of our society. Science upgraded steam engines to electric engines. In earlier times people were traveling with cycles. But now everybody travels on motorcycles and cars. This saves time and effort. And this is all possible with the help of Science.

Secondly, Science made us reach to the moon. But we never stopped there. It also gave us a glance at Mars. This is one of the greatest achievements. This was only possible with Science. These days Scientists make many satellites . Because of which we are using high-speed Internet. These satellites revolve around the earth every day and night. Even without making us aware of it. Science is the backbone of our society. Science gave us so much in our present time. Due to this, the teacher in our schools teaches Science from an early age.

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

Science as a Subject

In class 1 only a student has Science as a subject. This only tells us about the importance of Science. Science taught us about Our Solar System. The Solar System consists of 9 planets and the Sun. Most Noteworthy was that it also tells us about the origin of our planet. Above all, we cannot deny that Science helps us in shaping our future. But not only it tells us about our future, but it also tells us about our past.

When the student reaches class 6, Science gets divided into three more subcategories. These subcategories were Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. First of all, Physics taught us about the machines. Physics is an interesting subject. It is a logical subject.

Furthermore, the second subject was Chemistry . Chemistry is a subject that deals with an element found inside the earth. Even more, it helps in making various products. Products like medicine and cosmetics etc. result in human benefits.

Last but not least, the subject of Biology . Biology is a subject that teaches us about our Human body. It tells us about its various parts. Furthermore, it even teaches the students about cells. Cells are present in human blood. Science is so advanced that it did let us know even that.

Leading Scientists in the field of Science

Finally, many scientists like Thomas Edison , Sir Isaac Newton were born in this world. They have done great Inventions. Thomas Edison invented the light bulb. If he did not invent that we would stay in dark. Because of this Thomas Edison’s name marks in history.

Another famous Scientist was Sir Isaac Newton . Sir Isaac Newton told us about Gravity. With the help of this, we were able to discover many other theories.

In India Scientists A..P.J Abdul was there. He contributed much towards our space research and defense forces. He made many advanced missiles. These Scientists did great work and we will always remember them.

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Guest Essay

The Next Frontier? Philosophy in Space.

By Joseph O. Chapa

Dr. Chapa is a U.S. Air Force officer and the author of “Is Remote Warfare Moral?”

The window to apply to be a NASA astronaut — a window that opens only about every four years — closes this month, on April 16. Though I’ve submitted an application, I don’t expect to make the cut.

The educational requirements for the astronaut program are clear: Applicants must possess at least a master’s degree in a STEM field (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), a doctorate in medicine or a test pilot school graduate patch. Though I have a Ph.D., it’s in philosophy. (And though I’m an Air Force pilot, I’m not a test pilot.)

I hesitate to tell NASA its business. But I think its requirements are closing the astronaut program off from important insights from the humanities and social sciences.

Of course, the requirement for astronauts to have technical training makes some intuitive sense. NASA was founded in 1958 “to provide for research into problems of flight within and outside the earth’s atmosphere.” Who better to solve flight problems than scientists and engineers? What’s more, NASA’s space missions have long conducted science experiments to learn how plant and animal life behaves in the far-flung emptiness between us and the moon.

But the need for STEM in space might be waning — just as the need for humanities and the social sciences waxes. After all, the “problems of flight” that once tethered us to this planet have largely been solved, thanks in no small part to all those scientist and engineer astronauts who blazed the trail to space.

By contrast, the future of our relationship with the cosmos — a colony on the moon? Humans on Mars? Contact with intelligent alien life? — will require thoughtful inquiry from many disciplines. We will need sociologists and anthropologists to help us imagine new communities; theologians and linguists if we find we are not alone in the universe; political and legal theorists to sort out the governing principles of interstellar life.

Naturally, some scholars can study these topics while still earthbound. But so can many of today’s astronauts, who often end up working on projects unrelated to their academic training. The idea behind sending people with a wider array of academic disciplines into the cosmos is not just to give scholars a taste of outer space, but also to put them in fruitful conversation with one another.

My own discipline, philosophy, may be better suited for this kind of exploration than some might think. To be sure, much philosophy can be done from an armchair. Descartes arrived at his famous conclusion, “I think, therefore, I am,” while warming himself by the fire and, as he noted, “wearing a winter dressing gown.”

But some of the greatest philosophical breakthroughs occurred only because their authors had firsthand experience with extreme and uncomfortable conditions. We might not have the Stoic philosophy of Epictetus had he not faced the hardship of slavery in Nero’s court. We might not have Thomas Hobbes’s “Leviathan” (and his principle of the “consent of the governed,” so central to the American experiment), but for his flight from the English Civil War. And we might not have Hannah Arendt’s insights on the “banality of evil” had she not attended the trial of Adolf Eichmann, a chief architect of the Holocaust.

Not all philosophers who want to learn what it means to be human in this vast and expanding universe need to experience living in space. But perhaps some of us should.

Throughout the history of Western philosophy, space has often served as stand-in for life’s deepest truths. Plato thought that the things of this world were mere images of true reality, and that true reality existed in the heavens beyond. What inspired admiration and awe in Immanuel Kant was not just the moral law within all of us but also the “starry heavens above.” The Platos and Kants of today are in a position to take a much closer look at those very heavens.

In general, the work of philosophy is to ask, “And suppose this proposition is right, what then?” When faced with a proposition — say, “The mind and body are separable,” or “One must always act to achieve the greatest happiness for the greatest number” — the philosopher takes another step and asks, “What are the implications of such a view?”

Though Earth has been our only home, it may not be our home forever. What are the implications of that proposition? What might that mean for our conception of nationhood? Of community? Of ourselves and our place in the world? This would be the work of space philosophers.

These days, unfortunately, the prestige of STEM continues to eclipse that of the social sciences and humanities. It seems unlikely that NASA will buck this trend.

That would be bad news for me, personally — but I think also for humanity at large. One day we may all echo Jodie Foster’s character in the sci-fi movie “Contact . ” When the mysteries of space-time were unfurled before her, all she could manage to say was, “They should have sent a poet.”

Joseph O. Chapa ( @JosephOChapa ) is a U.S. Air Force officer and the author of “Is Remote Warfare Moral?”

The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. We’d like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips . And here’s our email: [email protected] .

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The War at Stanford

I didn’t know that college would be a factory of unreason.

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ne of the section leaders for my computer-science class, Hamza El Boudali, believes that President Joe Biden should be killed. “I’m not calling for a civilian to do it, but I think a military should,” the 23-year-old Stanford University student told a small group of protesters last month. “I’d be happy if Biden was dead.” He thinks that Stanford is complicit in what he calls the genocide of Palestinians, and that Biden is not only complicit but responsible for it. “I’m not calling for a vigilante to do it,” he later clarified, “but I’m saying he is guilty of mass murder and should be treated in the same way that a terrorist with darker skin would be (and we all know terrorists with dark skin are typically bombed and drone striked by American planes).” El Boudali has also said that he believes that Hamas’s October 7 attack was a justifiable act of resistance, and that he would actually prefer Hamas rule America in place of its current government (though he clarified later that he “doesn’t mean Hamas is perfect”). When you ask him what his cause is, he answers: “Peace.”

I switched to a different computer-science section.

Israel is 7,500 miles away from Stanford’s campus, where I am a sophomore. But the Hamas invasion and the Israeli counterinvasion have fractured my university, a place typically less focused on geopolitics than on venture-capital funding for the latest dorm-based tech start-up. Few students would call for Biden’s head—I think—but many of the same young people who say they want peace in Gaza don’t seem to realize that they are in fact advocating for violence. Extremism has swept through classrooms and dorms, and it is becoming normal for students to be harassed and intimidated for their faith, heritage, or appearance—they have been called perpetrators of genocide for wearing kippahs, and accused of supporting terrorism for wearing keffiyehs. The extremism and anti-Semitism at Ivy League universities on the East Coast have attracted so much media and congressional attention that two Ivy presidents have lost their jobs. But few people seem to have noticed the culture war that has taken over our California campus.

For four months, two rival groups of protesters, separated by a narrow bike path, faced off on Stanford’s palm-covered grounds. The “Sit-In to Stop Genocide” encampment was erected by students in mid-October, even before Israeli troops had crossed into Gaza, to demand that the university divest from Israel and condemn its behavior. Posters were hung equating Hamas with Ukraine and Nelson Mandela. Across from the sit-in, a rival group of pro-Israel students eventually set up the “Blue and White Tent” to provide, as one activist put it, a “safe space” to “be a proud Jew on campus.” Soon it became the center of its own cluster of tents, with photos of Hamas’s victims sitting opposite the rubble-ridden images of Gaza and a long (and incomplete) list of the names of slain Palestinians displayed by the students at the sit-in.

Some days the dueling encampments would host only a few people each, but on a sunny weekday afternoon, there could be dozens. Most of the time, the groups tolerated each other. But not always. Students on both sides were reportedly spit on and yelled at, and had their belongings destroyed. (The perpetrators in many cases seemed to be adults who weren’t affiliated with Stanford, a security guard told me.) The university put in place round-the-clock security, but when something actually happened, no one quite knew what to do.

Conor Friedersdorf: How October 7 changed America’s free speech culture

Stanford has a policy barring overnight camping, but for months didn’t enforce it, “out of a desire to support the peaceful expression of free speech in the ways that students choose to exercise that expression”—and, the administration told alumni, because the university feared that confronting the students would only make the conflict worse. When the school finally said the tents had to go last month, enormous protests against the university administration, and against Israel, followed.

“We don’t want no two states! We want all of ’48!” students chanted, a slogan advocating that Israel be dismantled and replaced by a single Arab nation. Palestinian flags flew alongside bright “Welcome!” banners left over from new-student orientation. A young woman gave a speech that seemed to capture the sense of urgency and power that so many students here feel. “We are Stanford University!” she shouted. “We control things!”

“W e’ve had protests in the past,” Richard Saller, the university’s interim president, told me in November—about the environment, and apartheid, and Vietnam. But they didn’t pit “students against each other” the way that this conflict has.

I’ve spoken with Saller, a scholar of Roman history, a few times over the past six months in my capacity as a student journalist. We first met in September, a few weeks into his tenure. His predecessor, Marc Tessier-Lavigne, had resigned as president after my reporting for The Stanford Daily exposed misconduct in his academic research. (Tessier-Lavigne had failed to retract papers with faked data over the course of 20 years. In his resignation statement , he denied allegations of fraud and misconduct; a Stanford investigation determined that he had not personally manipulated data or ordered any manipulation but that he had repeatedly “failed to decisively and forthrightly correct mistakes” from his lab.)

In that first conversation, Saller told me that everyone was “eager to move on” from the Tessier-Lavigne scandal. He was cheerful and upbeat. He knew he wasn’t staying in the job long; he hadn’t even bothered to move into the recently vacated presidential manor. In any case, campus, at that time, was serene. Then, a week later, came October 7.

The attack was as clear a litmus test as one could imagine for the Middle East conflict. Hamas insurgents raided homes and a music festival with the goal of slaughtering as many civilians as possible. Some victims were raped and mutilated, several independent investigations found. Hundreds of hostages were taken into Gaza and many have been tortured.

This, of course, was bad. Saying this was bad does not negate or marginalize the abuses and suffering Palestinians have experienced in Gaza and elsewhere. Everyone, of every ideology, should be able to say that this was bad. But much of this campus failed that simple test.

Two days after the deadliest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust, Stanford released milquetoast statements marking the “moment of intense emotion” and declaring “deep concern” over “the crisis in Israel and Palestine.” The official statements did not use the words Hamas or violence .

The absence of a clear institutional response led some teachers to take matters into their own hands. During a mandatory freshman seminar on October 10, a lecturer named Ameer Loggins tossed out his lesson plan to tell students that the actions of the Palestinian “military force” had been justified, that Israelis were colonizers, and that the Holocaust had been overemphasized, according to interviews I conducted with students in the class. Loggins then asked the Jewish students to identify themselves. He instructed one of them to “stand up, face the window, and he kind of kicked away his chair,” a witness told me. Loggins described this as an effort to demonstrate Israel’s treatment of Palestinians. (Loggins did not reply to a request for comment; a spokesperson for Stanford said that there were “different recollections of the details regarding what happened” in the class.)

“We’re only in our third week of college, and we’re afraid to be here,” three students in the class wrote in an email that night to administrators. “This isn’t what Stanford was supposed to be.” The class Loggins taught is called COLLEGE, short for “Civic, Liberal, and Global Education,” and it is billed as an effort to develop “the skills that empower and enable us to live together.”

Loggins was suspended from teaching duties and an investigation was opened; this angered pro-Palestine activists, who organized a petition that garnered more than 1,700 signatures contesting the suspension. A pamphlet from the petitioners argued that Loggins’s behavior had not been out of bounds.

The day after the class, Stanford put out a statement written by Saller and Jenny Martinez, the university provost, more forcefully condemning the Hamas attack. Immediately, this new statement generated backlash.

Pro-Palestine activists complained about it during an event held the same day, the first of several “teach-ins” about the conflict. Students gathered in one of Stanford’s dorms to “bear witness to the struggles of decolonization.” The grievances and pain shared by Palestinian students were real. They told of discrimination and violence, of frightened family members subjected to harsh conditions. But the most raucous reaction from the crowd was in response to a young woman who said, “You ask us, do we condemn Hamas? Fuck you!” She added that she was “so proud of my resistance.”

David Palumbo-Liu, a professor of comparative literature with a focus on postcolonial studies, also spoke at the teach-in, explaining to the crowd that “European settlers” had come to “replace” Palestine’s “native population.”

Palumbo-Liu is known as an intelligent and supportive professor, and is popular among students, who call him by his initials, DPL. I wanted to ask him about his involvement in the teach-in, so we met one day in a café a few hundred feet away from the tents. I asked if he could elaborate on what he’d said at the event about Palestine’s native population. He was happy to expand: This was “one of those discussions that could go on forever. Like, who is actually native? At what point does nativism lapse, right? Well, you haven’t been native for X number of years, so …” In the end, he said, “you have two people who both feel they have a claim to the land,” and “they have to live together. Both sides have to cede something.”

The struggle at Stanford, he told me, “is to find a way in which open discussions can be had that allow people to disagree.” It’s true that Stanford has utterly failed in its efforts to encourage productive dialogue. But I still found it hard to reconcile DPL’s words with his public statements on Israel, which he’d recently said on Facebook should be “the most hated nation in the world.” He also wrote: “When Zionists say they don’t feel ‘safe’ on campus, I’ve come to see that as they no longer feel immune to criticism of Israel.” He continued: “Well as the saying goes, get used to it.”

Z ionists, and indeed Jewish students of all political beliefs, have been given good reason to fear for their safety. They’ve been followed, harassed, and called derogatory racial epithets. At least one was told he was a “dirty Jew.” At least twice, mezuzahs have been ripped from students’ doors, and swastikas have been drawn in dorms. Arab and Muslim students also face alarming threats. The computer-science section leader, El Boudali, a pro-Palestine activist, told me he felt “safe personally,” but knew others who did not: “Some people have reported feeling like they’re followed, especially women who wear the hijab.”

In a remarkably short period of time, aggression and abuse have become commonplace, an accepted part of campus activism. In January, Jewish students organized an event dedicated to ameliorating anti-Semitism. It marked one of Saller’s first public appearances in the new year. Its topic seemed uncontroversial, and I thought it would generate little backlash.

Protests began before the panel discussion even started, with activists lining the stairs leading to the auditorium. During the event they drowned out the panelists, one of whom was Israel’s special envoy for combatting anti-Semitism, by demanding a cease-fire. After participants began cycling out into the dark, things got ugly.

Activists, their faces covered by keffiyehs or medical masks, confronted attendees. “Go back to Brooklyn!” a young woman shouted at Jewish students. One protester, who emerged as the leader of the group, said that she and her compatriots would “take all of your places and ensure Israel falls.” She told attendees to get “off our fucking campus” and launched into conspiracy theories about Jews being involved in “child trafficking.” As a rabbi tried to leave the event, protesters pursued him, chanting, “There is only one solution! Intifada revolution!”

At one point, some members of the group turned on a few Stanford employees, including another rabbi, an imam, and a chaplain, telling them, “We know your names and we know where you work.” The ringleader added: “And we’ll soon find out where you live.” The religious leaders formed a protective barrier in front of the Jewish students. The rabbi and the imam appeared to be crying.

S aller avoided the protest by leaving through another door. Early that morning, his private residence had been vandalized. Protesters frequently tell him he “can’t hide” and shout him down. “We charge you with genocide!” they chant, demanding that Stanford divest from Israel. (When asked whether Stanford actually invested in Israel, a spokesperson replied that, beyond small exposures from passive funds that track indexes such as the S&P 500, the university’s endowment “has no direct holdings in Israeli companies, or direct holdings in defense contractors.”)

When the university finally said the protest tents had to be removed, students responded by accusing Saller of suppressing their right to free speech. This is probably the last charge he expected to face. Saller once served as provost at the University of Chicago, which is known for holding itself to a position of strict institutional neutrality so that its students can freely explore ideas for themselves. Saller has a lifelong belief in First Amendment rights. But that conviction in impartial college governance does not align with Stanford’s behavior in recent years. Despite the fact that many students seemed largely uninterested in the headlines before this year, Stanford’s administrative leadership has often taken positions on political issues and events, such as the Paris climate conference and the murder of George Floyd. After Russia invaded Ukraine, Stanford’s Hoover Tower was lit up in blue and yellow, and the school released a statement in solidarity.

Thomas Chatterton Williams: Let the activists have their loathsome rallies

When we first met, a week before October 7, I asked Saller about this. Did Stanford have a moral duty to denounce the war in Ukraine, for example, or the ethnic cleansing of Uyghur Muslims in China? “On international political issues, no,” he said. “That’s not a responsibility for the university as a whole, as an institution.”

But when Saller tried to apply his convictions on neutrality for the first time as president, dozens of faculty members condemned the response, many pro-Israel alumni were outraged, donors had private discussions about pulling funding, and an Israeli university sent an open letter to Saller and Martinez saying, “Stanford’s administration has failed us.” The initial statement had tried to make clear that the school’s policy was not Israel-specific: It noted that the university would not take a position on the turmoil in Nagorno-Karabakh (where Armenians are undergoing ethnic cleansing) either. But the message didn’t get through.

Saller had to beat an awkward retreat or risk the exact sort of public humiliation that he, as caretaker president, had presumably been hired to avoid. He came up with a compromise that landed somewhere in the middle: an unequivocal condemnation of Hamas’s “intolerable atrocities” paired with a statement making clear that Stanford would commit to institutional neutrality going forward.

“The events in Israel and Gaza this week have affected and engaged large numbers of students on our campus in ways that many other events have not,” the statement read. “This is why we feel compelled to both address the impact of these events on our campus and to explain why our general policy of not issuing statements about news events not directly connected to campus has limited the breadth of our comments thus far, and why you should not expect frequent commentary from us in the future.”

I asked Saller why he had changed tack on Israel and not on Nagorno-Karabakh. “We don’t feel as if we should be making statements on every war crime and atrocity,” he told me. This felt like a statement in and of itself.

In making such decisions, Saller works closely with Martinez, Stanford’s provost. I happened to interview her, too, a few days before October 7, not long after she’d been appointed. When I asked about her hopes for the job, she said that a “priority is ensuring an environment in which free speech and academic freedom are preserved.”

We talked about the so-called Leonard Law—a provision unique to California that requires private universities to be governed by the same First Amendment protections as public ones. This restricts what Stanford can do in terms of penalizing speech, putting it in a stricter bind than Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania, or any of the other elite private institutions that have more latitude to set the standards for their campus (whether or not they have done so).

So I was surprised when, in December, the university announced that abstract calls for genocide “clearly violate Stanford’s Fundamental Standard, the code of conduct for all students at the university.” The statement was a response to the outrage following the congressional testimony of three university presidents—outrage that eventually led to the resignation of two of them, Harvard’s Claudine Gay and Penn’s Liz Magill. Gay and Magill, who had both previously held positions at Stanford, did not commit to punishing calls for the genocide of Jews.

Experts told me that Stanford’s policy is impossible to enforce—and Saller himself acknowledged as much in our March interview.

“Liz Magill is a good friend,” Saller told me, adding, “Having watched what happened at Harvard and Penn, it seemed prudent” to publicly state that Stanford rejected calls for genocide. But saying that those calls violate the code of conduct “is not the same thing as to say that we could actually punish it.”

Stanford’s leaders seem to be trying their best while adapting to the situation in real time. But the muddled messaging has created a policy of neutrality that does not feel neutral at all.

When we met back in November, I tried to get Saller to open up about his experience running an institution in turmoil. What’s it like to know that so many students seem to believe that he—a mild-mannered 71-year-old classicist who swing-dances with his anthropologist wife—is a warmonger? Saller was more candid than I expected—perhaps more candid than any prominent university president has been yet. We sat in the same conference room as we had in September. The weather hadn’t really changed. Yet I felt like I was sitting in front of a different person. He was hunched over and looked exhausted, and his voice broke when he talked about the loss of life in Gaza and Israel and “the fact that we’re caught up in it.” A capable administrator with decades of experience, Saller seemed almost at a loss. “It’s been a kind of roller coaster, to be honest.”

He said he hadn’t anticipated the deluge of the emails “blaming me for lack of moral courage.” Anything the university says seems bound to be wrong: “If I say that our position is that we grieve over the loss of innocent lives, that in itself will draw some hostile reactions.”

“I find that really difficult to navigate,” he said with a sigh.

By March, it seemed that his views had solidified. He said he knew he was “a target,” but he was not going to be pushed into issuing any more statements. The continuing crisis seems to have granted him new insight. “I am certain that whatever I say will not have any material effect on the war in Gaza.” It’s hard to argue with that.

P eople tend to blame the campus wars on two villains: dithering administrators and radical student activists. But colleges have always had dithering administrators and radical student activists. To my mind, it’s the average students who have changed.

Elite universities attract a certain kind of student: the overachieving striver who has won all the right accolades for all the right activities. Is it such a surprise that the kids who are trained in the constant pursuit of perfect scores think they have to look at the world like a series of multiple-choice questions, with clearly right or wrong answers? Or that they think they can gamify a political cause in the same way they ace a standardized test?

Everyone knows that the only reliable way to get into a school like Stanford is to be really good at looking really good. Now that they’re here, students know that one easy way to keep looking good is to side with the majority of protesters, and condemn Israel.

It’s not that there isn’t real anger and anxiety over what is happening in Gaza—there is, and justifiably so. I know that among the protesters are many people who are deeply connected to this issue. But they are not the majority. What really activates the crowds now seems less a principled devotion to Palestine or to pacifism than a desire for collective action, to fit in by embracing the fashionable cause of the moment—as if a centuries-old conflict in which both sides have stolen and killed could ever be a simple matter of right and wrong. In their haste to exhibit moral righteousness, many of the least informed protesters end up being the loudest and most uncompromising.

Today’s students grew up in the Trump era, in which violent rhetoric has become a normal part of political discourse and activism is as easy as reposting an infographic. Many young people have come to feel that being angry is enough to foment change. Furious at the world’s injustices and desperate for a simple way to express that fury, they don’t seem interested in any form of engagement more nuanced than backing a pure protagonist and denouncing an evil enemy. They don’t, always, seem that concerned with the truth.

At the protest last month to prevent the removal of the sit-in, an activist in a pink Women’s March “pussy hat” shouted that no rape was committed by Hamas on October 7. “There hasn’t been proof of these rape accusations,” a student told me in a separate conversation, criticizing the Blue and White Tent for spreading what he considered to be misinformation about sexual violence. (In March, a United Nations report found “reasonable grounds to believe that conflict-related sexual violence,” including “rape and gang rape,” occurred in multiple locations on October 7, as well as “clear and convincing information” on the “rape and sexualized torture” of hostages.) “The level of propaganda” surrounding Hamas, he told me, “is just unbelievable.”

The real story at Stanford is not about the malicious actors who endorse sexual assault and murder as forms of resistance, but about those who passively enable them because they believe their side can do no wrong. You don’t have to understand what you’re arguing for in order to argue for it. You don’t have to be able to name the river or the sea under discussion to chant “From the river to the sea.” This kind of obliviousness explains how one of my friends, a gay activist, can justify Hamas’s actions, even though it would have the two of us—an outspoken queer person and a Jewish reporter—killed in a heartbeat. A similar mentality can exist on the other side: I have heard students insist on the absolute righteousness of Israel yet seem uninterested in learning anything about what life is like in Gaza.

I’m familiar with the pull of achievement culture—after all, I’m a product of the same system. I fell in love with Stanford as a 7-year-old, lying on the floor of an East Coast library and picturing all the cool technology those West Coast geniuses were dreaming up. I cried when I was accepted; I spent the next few months scrolling through the course catalog, giddy with anticipation. I wanted to learn everything.

I learned more than I expected. Within my first week here, someone asked me: “Why are all Jews so rich?” In 2016, when Stanford’s undergraduate senate had debated a resolution against anti-Semitism, one of its members argued that the idea of “Jews controlling the media, economy, government, and other societal institutions” represented “a very valid discussion.” (He apologized, and the resolution passed.) In my dorm last year, a student discussed being Jewish and awoke the next day to swastikas and a portrait of Hitler affixed to his door.

David Frum: There is no right to bully and harass

I grew up secularly, with no strong affiliation to Jewish culture. When I found out as a teenager that some of my ancestors had hidden their identity from their children and that dozens of my relatives had died in the Holocaust (something no living member of my family had known), I felt the barest tremor of identity. After I saw so many people I know cheering after October 7, I felt something stronger stir. I know others have experienced something similar. Even a professor texted me to say that she felt Jewish in a way she never had before.

But my frustration with the conflict on campus has little to do with my own identity. Across the many conversations and hours of formal interviews I conducted for this article, I’ve encountered a persistent anti-intellectual streak. I’ve watched many of my classmates treat death so cavalierly that they can protest as a pregame to a party. Indeed, two parties at Stanford were reported to the university this fall for allegedly making people say “Fuck Israel” or “Free Palestine” to get in the door. A spokesperson for the university said it was “unable to confirm the facts of what occurred,” but that it had “met with students involved in both parties to make clear that Stanford’s nondiscrimination policy applies to parties.” As a friend emailed me not long ago: “A place that was supposed to be a sanctuary from such unreason has become a factory for it.”

Readers may be tempted to discount the conduct displayed at Stanford. After all, the thinking goes, these are privileged kids doing what they always do: embracing faux-radicalism in college before taking jobs in fintech or consulting. These students, some might say, aren’t representative of America.

And yet they are representative of something: of the conduct many of the most accomplished students in my generation have accepted as tolerable, and what that means for the future of our country. I admire activism. We need people willing to protest what they see as wrong and take on entrenched systems of repression. But we also need to read, learn, discuss, accept the existence of nuance, embrace diversity of thought, and hold our own allies to high standards. More than ever, we need universities to teach young people how to do all of this.

F or so long , Stanford’s physical standoff seemed intractable. Then, in early February, a storm swept in, and the natural world dictated its own conclusion.

Heavy rains flooded campus. For hours, the students battled to save their tents. The sit-in activists used sandbags and anything else they could find to hold back the water—at one point, David Palumbo-Liu, the professor, told me he stood in the lashing downpour to anchor one of the sit-in’s tents with his own body. When the storm hit, many of the Jewish activists had been attending a discussion on anti-Semitism. They raced back and struggled to salvage the Blue and White Tent, but it was too late—the wind had ripped it out of the ground.

The next day, the weary Jewish protesters returned to discover that their space had been taken.

A new collection of tents had been set up by El Boudali, the pro-Palestine activist, and a dozen friends. He said they were there to protest Islamophobia and to teach about Islam and jihad, and that they were a separate entity from the Sit-In to Stop Genocide, though I observed students cycling between the tents. Palestinian flags now flew from the bookstore to the quad.

Administrators told me they’d quickly informed El Boudali and his allies that the space had been reserved by the Jewish advocates, and offered to help move them to a different location. But the protesters told me they had no intention of going. (El Boudali later said that they did not take over the entire space, and would have been “happy to exist side by side, but they wanted to kick us off entirely from that lawn.”)

When it was clear that the area where they’d set up their tents would not be ceded back to the pro-Israel group willingly, Stanford changed course and decided to clear everyone out in one fell swoop. On February 8, school officials ordered all students to vacate the plaza overnight. The university was finally going to enforce its rule prohibiting people from sleeping outside on campus and requiring the removal of belongings from the plaza between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. The order cited the danger posed by the storm as a justification for changing course and, probably hoping to avoid allegations of bias, described the decision as “viewpoint-neutral.”

That didn’t work.

About a week of protests, led by the sit-in organizers, followed. Chants were chanted. More demands for a “river to the sea” solution to the Israel problem were made. A friend boasted to me about her willingness to be arrested. Stanford sent a handful of staff members, who stood near balloons left over from an event earlier in the day. They were there, one of them told me, to “make students feel supported and safe.”

In the end, Saller and Martinez agreed to talk with the leaders of the sit-in about their demands to divest the university and condemn Israel, under the proviso that the activists comply with Stanford’s anti-camping guidelines “regardless of the outcome of discussions.” Eight days after they were first instructed to leave, 120 days after setting up camp, the sit-in protesters slept in their own beds. In defiance of the university’s instructions, they left behind their tents. But sometime in the very early hours of the morning, law-enforcement officers confiscated the structures. The area was cordoned off without any violence and the plaza filled once more with electric skateboards and farmers’ markets.

The conflict continues in its own way. Saller was just shouted down by protesters chanting “No peace on stolen land” at a Family Weekend event, and protesters later displayed an effigy of him covered in blood. Students still feel tense; Saller still seems worried. He told me that the university is planning to change all manner of things—residential-assistant training, new-student orientation, even the acceptance letters that students receive—in hopes of fostering a culture of greater tolerance. But no campus edict or panel discussion can address a problem that is so much bigger than our university.

At one rally last fall, a speaker expressed disillusionment about the power of “peaceful resistance” on college campuses. “What is there left to do but to take up arms?” The crowd cheered as he said Israel must be destroyed. But what would happen to its citizens? I’d prefer to believe that most protesters chanting “Palestine is Arab” and shouting that we must “smash the Zionist settler state” don’t actually think Jews should be killed en masse. But can one truly be so ignorant as to advocate widespread violence in the name of peace?

When the world is rendered in black-and-white—portrayed as a simple fight between colonizer and colonized—the answer is yes. Solutions, by this logic, are absolute: Israel or Palestine, nothing in between. Either you support liberation of the oppressed or you support genocide. Either Stanford is all good or all bad; all in favor of free speech or all authoritarian; all anti-Semitic or all Islamophobic.

At January’s anti-anti-Semitism event, I watched an exchange between a Jewish attendee and a protester from a few feet away. “Are you pro-Palestine?” the protester asked.

“Yes,” the attendee responded, and he went on to describe his disgust with the human-rights abuses Palestinians have faced for years.

“But are you a Zionist?”

“Then we are enemies.”