How To Write A Good College Science Paper

Guest Blogger:  Sandra Miller

Writing a paper will always be a part of every student’s academic life. While creative writing may be difficult, writing a scientific paper is even harder. Although the basic parts of the paper and format are already provided, every claim should be supported by scientific data and research. Hence, the following should guide you in writing your science paper.

Use Headings

 A science paper should be properly labeled and organized with headings – abstract, introduction, materials and methods, results, discussion, conclusion and recommendation – to allow readers to identify and understand the research. Use capital letters, highlight in bold face or use different font sizes to emphasize the sections in the science paper. 

 Use the Proper Tenses

 Every paper should be written in proper tenses to make it readable, sensible and understandable for readers. When writing a science paper, make sure that the past, present and future tenses are used accordingly – past tense for describing a result of an experiment; present tense for presenting an established claim; and future tense for indicating that further work needs to be done.

Provide concise and supporting statements

 Unlike all types of subjects, a science paper should be objective, direct to the point and supported by data and research. Details supporting the claim should also be explained in the paper because science is based on proven facts, methods and theories. The use of flowery words has no place when writing a scientific research so as much as possible, avoid slang or poetic language.

 Be careful in making a statement

 Again, science is based on facts that are proven through scientific research and experiment. As much as possible, personal opinions should not be included and every statement and claim must be supported by evidence.

 When writing the result and discussion aspect of the paper, interpret the results according to the data shown on the experiment conducted. This time, personal opinions may be used especially when explaining observations made and making an analysis of the experiment conducted. Data should be presented in figures or description of observations and do not include anything that is not the result of a study. Highlight the significant results and connect it with the scientific questioned posed in the paper and provide recommendations for further study.

Avoid scientific jargons

 Jargons are terminologies which students get addicted to using in order to make their paper look more impressive and professional-sounding. That is okay as long as the jargons are explained in a manner which an ordinary person will understand. However, when you are not familiar with the word and you don’t know how to properly use the term, avoid using scientific jargons. Instead of making an impression, you will end up distorting the meaning of the phrases which can affect the grade of your paper. 

           Keep in mind that writing a science paper is different. By following the procedures properly and making sure that all the data, observations and results are interpreted and conveyed according to the experiment conducted and in the manner which readers can understand, every student will be able to write an impressive science paper

Sandra Miller is a freelance writer from Brooklyn. She always uses professional editing services to help make her writing perfect.