Organizing Scientific Writing
Initial Publication Date: June 6, 2009
Summary
In a number of my classes for geology majors I give writing assignments along with some explicit instructions about how to organize their writing. They write initial drafts, which are subjected to peer review according to a standard rubric. They then go over another draft with me in my office, and then submit the final draft.
Learning Goals
Students should learn how to implement a writing strategy when approaching a scientific writing project. To accomplish this, they need to understand what readers expect to find, and where they expect to find it.
Improving scientific writing is a goal of this exercise.
Improving scientific writing is a goal of this exercise.
Context for Use
This can be used in any upper-division or graduate-level science course.
Description and Teaching Materials
In a number of my classes for geology majors I give writing assignments along with some explicit instructions about how to organize their writing. They write initial drafts, which are subjected to peer review according to a standard rubric. They then go over another draft with me in my office, and then submit the final draft. I have included two essays they have to read and a rubric (see references and resources section).
Teaching Notes and Tips
The thing to keep in mind is that students need to learn to THINK about scientific writing--not just to follow some canned format. Many students think of their writing too much as putting their thoughts on paper and too little as communicating with other human beings.
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Assessment
See the attached rubric.
References and Resources
How To Organize a Paragraph (Microsoft Word 46kB Nov11 19)
How To Organize a Scientific Paper (Microsoft Word 55kB Nov11 19)
Rubric (Microsoft Word 37kB Jun2 09)
How To Organize a Scientific Paper (Microsoft Word 55kB Nov11 19)
Rubric (Microsoft Word 37kB Jun2 09)