biology essay guide

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How to Write a Biology Essay

By: Tasha Kolesnikova

Studying natural sciences and biology in particular, you’ll deal with essays as one of the ways to assess your knowledge and skills. Professors believe that this assignment helps students to develop their skills regardless of the major you pursue. Future biologists should organize their ideas in a structured and transparent manner, using reliable sources and persuasive examples to support your perspective. Even if you’ll work in laboratories, you will deal with written reports.

What is a Biology Essay?

Select the topic for your essay, select a research question, create an outline, essay introduction, thesis statement, essay conclusion, citation and references, look for samples, practice your writing, plan your writing process, ask for feedback, appropriate language for complexity science, writing services, editing proofreading services, what is biology as science, what is the importance of biology in our life, major concepts and topics in biology.

Don’t worry if you don’t have enough experience and doubt your ability to deliver a perfect paper. We have prepared useful tips to help you write a killer biology essay and deliver it on time.

A biology essay is a piece of student writing where you provide arguments and ideas concerning a particular biological topic.

There are various academic essay types, and you can adhere to one of them. For example, you can write a descriptive paper explaining a biological subject. Or an argumentative paper, providing evidence to support your point of view. One of the most common essay types is a cause and effect piece where you explain the reasons and the consequences of some events. You can also come up with the “how-to” instruction or a detailed analysis . The concrete type depends on your professor’s requirements and your preference.

How to Write a Good Essay in Biology

Some people consider writing an art process. However, it is a work that requires your time and effort. You should organize the whole process if you want to get the desired result. There is a step-by-step instruction to follow.

If you want to get a good grade, it is important not only to make your paper informative but also enjoyable. It depends on the topic you choose. And it is crucial to stay on something that you wish to explore. Try to find something you want to investigate.

It is not easy because you may have many ideas in your head, but once you start writing, they disappear. That’s why studying at college, you should always have a notebook at hand, to write down things that come to mind.

The most effective way to select the topic is a brainstorming technique. Let your brain provide you with 30-50 decent options, and then research to create the shortlist with the best ones.

Writing a biology essay, you should use a scientific approach. Come up with a research question you want to answer in your paper. Of course, you shouldn’t choose something too complicated that it is impossible to work through in terms of one piece. It shouldn’t be too obvious as well. Connect your research question with the topic.

Starting a paper, you should have a clear plan to follow. Most student papers have a 5-paragraph structure with specific instructions. It would be almost impossible to keep the main idea and develop good arguments if you just begin. It would help if you started with the outline to keep it in mind when writing.

Don’t worry about how it looks. Nobody will check your plan (if your professor didn’t ask you to deliver it as well). You can organize your thoughts the way you like. Sketches, paints, mind maps, and so on. Use anything you need to make your paper structured. Get rid of all ideas that don’t work for your research question, even if they seem reasonable. You may use them in another paper.

Whenever you need it, you can make some amends and correct your outline.

It is the first paragraph that is intended to attract the readers’ attention. Writing it, you should consider your target audience.

If you’re preparing a paper for newbies, you should provide some basic knowledge, interesting facts, and statistics to introduce the topic.

However, the experienced audience may find such an introduction a bit boring. They already know the main point, and they have a single question: why is this topic important? So, you should provide them with an explanation of why you have chosen this issue and which directions you see for further development.

The introduction finishes with the thesis. It is your research question or the statement you’re going to develop in the body paragraphs. In other words, you should synthesize the overall essay, meaning just in one sentence. It will explain to your readers what the paper is about and your point of view. Without a strong thesis statement, the whole piece becomes useless, given that the audience cannot understand your position.

Body paragraphs are the essay core because they are most voluminous and informative. Once you’ve grabbed the readers’ attention, you should provide them with food for thought.

In a classic 5-paragraph essay structure body takes 3 paragraphs. Each of them is intended to reveal just one idea. You need to provide a short thesis, an explanation, and an example to illustrate your point.

It would help if you were very attentive in writing the essay body because it is easy to lose your way. This is where your outline may be helpful.

Once your readers finish the paper, they have a question “So what?” If you leave them with it, you’ll fail. Your task is to provide an answer to explain how the audience can use the information you’ve written in the body.

Don’t use any new data; just conclude the thoughts you’ve already declared. Are they important in any sense? Can readers conduct their research and gain more insights? Should they be more attentive to environmental issues?

You’ve written a paper with a particular goal (except for getting a good grade), so show your readers whether you’ve achieved it.

Most academic papers require authors to provide additional information. For example, a list of references you’ve used. It is impossible to write a biology essay without data from books, websites, research papers, and so on. And if you use any journal or other source, you should cite it correctly since, in the other case, your piece would be considered plagiarism.

You should adhere to a particular citation style. When it comes to biology, the academic society uses the APA and the CSE format. Make sure you know what style your professor prefers. You also need a relevant guide with all requirements to follow.

Some Essay Tips for Successful Writing

Whatever major you pursue, you’ll deal with written assignments that affect your academic performance. That’s why you need to develop your writing skills. Here you’ll find some actionable tips to follow.

If you want to write well, you should read well. There are various modern sources where you can find many biology papers. It goes about scientific books and journals, specific web-portals. Don’t undervalue the fiction literature as well. You need to understand how other people write and to learn from them.

Once you’ve noticed something interesting that is worth your attention, write it down. You may use these notes in your future writings.

Coming up with a perfect piece, you should understand what the “perfect” stands for. Please take a look at some essays or a research paper example and analyze them.

It doesn’t mean that all samples that are published online are excellent. They have advantages and disadvantages, and you should mention them.

However, don’t copy and paste these samples. Your paper should be unique, and it goes not about paraphrasing some sentences only. The ideas and concepts you use should be fresh as well. Even if you’re just a student, without tremendous research opportunities, you may look at the issue from an interesting angle. Essay samples will show you the right direction.

You shouldn’t expect that your first paper will be outstanding. You have to submit dozens of poor essays until you succeed. It means you should use any opportunity to write something. Whether it is a note, a blog post, a lab report, or an experiment description, you should master your ability to formulate thoughts and choose the best words to convey your ideas.

Don’t leave these texts without attention since you can’t become a better writer if you don’t know your mistakes. Find a mentor who will provide you with essential tips. There are many useful resources online, and you can always hire a professional tutor who will support you.

You can’t sit and wait for the inspiration. Your professor won’t understand the excuse that you aren't in an appropriate mood to write a paper. Therefore you should be able to organize yourself and the work process.

Firstly, define stages, e.g., the research stage, the introduction writing, and so on. Think about how many times you’re going to devote to each of them and include these tasks in your calendar. You can use different strategies, starting with the most complicated part, or, vice versa, from the easiest one. It doesn’t matter if you’re able to provide a good result.

It is also important to get rid of all distractors in advance. Switch off your smartphone and make sure you have anything you need to come up with a paper. It won’t leave the space for procrastination.

People are usually biased when it goes to work. You can’t define for sure whether your biology essay deserves an A-grade. And it would be the wrong decision to wait until your professor spoils your academic performance. You can then discuss your writing with your friends, fellow students, instructors at the college club. If you think someone can provide you with professional assistance, ask for it. Feedback will show your strengths to focus on and weaknesses to work out.

Writing a research paper, you should use a language of scientific thought to explain your ideas. Think about the audience and its level of education. If your paper is full of specific terms, most readers won’t understand it. However, it should not be too simple at the same time since you’re a future biologist and should speak this language at a decent level.

It is also important to know all requirements and follow them. Each paper has its features, so make sure you understand the essay, analysis paper, or a lab report format before writing.

Get Biology Essay From Us

Modern students are lucky in some way. They have unlimited educational opportunities. Most likely, you can find any information you need just in a couple of minutes. However, it imposes on you a particular responsibility that leads to immense stress. Even the term FOMO, fear of missing out, is common for many people these days.

It means that if you can’t cope with a bunch of tasks, you should take a pause and relax. Our professional writing service is here to help you with any assignment. Just fill in the order form and provide us with your requirements. We’ll deliver your biology essay exactly on time!

Firstly, you can hire a professional essay writer who will prepare the biology paper from scratch. We work with people who have a Master’s or Ph.D. degree in natural science, as well as the writing experience. Having prepared dozens of assignments for students from different educational institutions, they know what professors expect. So, if you want to unload your head, without worsening your academic performance, rely on our authors.

The papers we deliver are always high-quality. They don’t contain any plagiarism and mistakes. If you have some objections, contact our customer support for qualified help.

If you have written the paper on yourself, you’ve covered a lot of ground. The writing process is exhausting, and sometimes there is no opportunity to read the final draft several times and make sure it is flawless. Before you deliver the paper, it is vital to get rid of all mistakes and typos. Our professional proofreaders will read the text with a keen eye and make necessary changes.

Don’t hesitate to use professional help since it is your chance to provide a fantastic result with fewer hurdles!

Biology is a science that studies our life in different ways. Students learn about organisms and living creatures that inhabit the planet, their functions, behavior, interaction, and their individual and historical development.

Modern biology covers various sub-topics, such as virology that studies viruses, botany that studies plants, the anatomy that studies the human’s body, etc. Some students choose a particular direction to work in, but all these subjects are united. It would be best if you had morphology and genetics knowledge to succeed with microbiology, and vice versa.

Writing a biology essay, you should think about their final purpose. Some papers are intended to provide people with a fresh look, e.g., when you find exciting information and want to share it with your colleagues. At the same time, you can write a paper for people who don’t have solid biology knowledge. These essays will be very different, so you need to approach this task with all responsibility.

Biology knowledge is important regardless of your career plans. Many facets point to this. First, this science is mainly studying life that is surrounding us. Second, it is important to have an understanding of how all organisms interact with each other. And the next reason that is no less important is the diversity of our life. Thanks to biology knowledge, people treat illnesses, improve food quality, and take care of the whole ecosystem.

It is the study of life that helps people shape the world and provides them with answers that explain why things happen.

Studying biology, you’ll deal with the following topics:

• Cellular structure and function;
• Evolution and natural selection;
• Heredity and genetics;
• Ecosystems and interdependence.

Many concepts are accepted by modern biology science. These are ideas and understandings that professors want you to remember. For example, all organisms share a standard set of important life processes. It goes about movement, respiration, reproduction, nutrition, and others. All organisms use the same genetic system to maintain continuity. The next essential concept is about species that arise, change, and become extinct over time. Diverse adaptations are the reason why evolution results and ensures survival.

Writing your paper, you should show your knowledge and understanding of significant biology concepts and topics. It would be an excellent platform to create powerful, evidence-based content.

And of course, if you need a  website that writes an essay for you , you're on the right page! Feel free to send us your request!

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BIOLOGY JUNCTION

Test And Quizzes for Biology, Pre-AP, Or AP Biology For Teachers And Students

How to Write a Biology Essay

“The point of the essay is to change things.” – Edward Tufte

Writing a biology essay can be a complex task, requiring not only a deep understanding of the subject but also the ability to present scientific information clearly and effectively. Prepare well and exploit a structured approach to crafting a compelling and well-researched biology text. Some simple steps go from understanding the assignment and conducting detailed research to structuring your essay and incorporating credible sources so that you can reach academic excellence without any complications. For qualitative preparation check out biology essay examples on a trustworthy source and follow the expert instructions to ensure your text meets the high standards of scientific writing.

Understand the Biological Context

You will hardly create any qualitative content unless you clearly understand what you are going to write about. Identify the biological concept or phenomenon that is to be at the center of your writing. If you have any hesitations or your assignment seems ambiguous to you, consult your professor for clarifications or any educational assistant for further directions.

What can help you dive deeper into your biological context is also a literature review. Proceed through a thorough literature review to understand the current state of research on the topic. Look up databases like PubMed, Google Scholar, and institutional libraries.

Formulate a Hypothesis or Research Question

Pass on to generate a hypothesis or research question that is going to be the core of your essay. If your writing involves an experimental or observational study, formulate a clear, testable hypothesis. Develop a specific research question to guide your investigation if it’s a review or analytical essay. So, define the type of your text and formulate its central point respectively for further successful steps.

Conduct Detailed Research and Data Collection

Now that you know your context and your attitude as for the assignment it is time to back it up with the proof. Start with primary sources, covering research articles, original studies, and scientific experiments. When you have enough, pass on to secondary sources, such as review articles, meta-analyses, and books for broader context.

Additionally, biological research allows you to conduct data analysis to strengthen your essay arguments. If the step is relevant to your work, analyze raw data from experiments or existing datasets using statistical methods. Create or refer to graphs, tables, and figures to present data effectively.

Create and Follow a Structured Outline with Scientific Rigor

Sometimes it is very difficult to organize your work properly so that you can finish it on time and produce qualitative content without any delay. So the very next step is to create a structured outline with scientific rigor so that you can stick to it to write a fundamental essay.

● Abstract – if you are required to, begin with an abstract. Provide a concise summary of the essay, including the research question, methods, key findings, and conclusions.

● Introduction – the next step or the primary point when an abstract is not necessary is to write an introduction. For your introduction include detailed background information with references to key studies and findings. Explain the significance of the topic within the field of biology. And don’t forget to state your thesis or hypothesis clearly. The rest of your writing will be tied to it. Be confident you’ve singled out the central idea of your topic and the findings related.

● Methods – if necessary or stated in the assignment, dwell on the methods you’ve exploited when researching and writing. Provide a description of the experimental design, including controls, variables, and procedures. Add the list of materials and equipment used. Explain how data was collected and recorded. This part of the essay will be solid proof of your no-plagiarism work.

● Results – think of the way you are going to display the results of your research and organize them appropriately. Present data in an organizedmanner using figures, tables, and charts. Add statistical tests if used and their outcomes.

● Discussion – remember that you not only have to present the data and evidence you have collected but also analyze and show your attitude to the findings. Interpret the results in the context of the research question or hypothesis. Compare findings with previous studies and discuss similarities and differences. Be open about any limitations in your study or analysis.

● Conclusion – with the analysis of your findings ready, you should summarize your work with a proper conclusion. Dwell on how your findings support or disprove the thesis/hypothesis. Discuss the broader implications of your findings for the field of biology. Suggest areas for further research.

Make an outline and cover it step by step so that you have a logical and strong text in the end. This will help you to get everything important and finish up your essay on time. Usually with a scientific assignment, you don’t need the inspiration to guide you but should have a proper organization of the writing process to assist you. Outlining will be a crucial part of your well-organized work with the essay.

Incorporate Scientific Evidence

Your biological essay will be no more but the words compound together unless you exploit strong scientific evidence to support your arguments. Ensure all references are from peer-reviewed scientific journals or reputable academic sources. Use a consistent citation style (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago) and include in-text citations and a bibliography to guarantee the genuineness and trustworthiness of your sources and proofs.

Exploit direct quotations sparingly; prefer paraphrasing and summarizing with proper citations. Put the evidence in between your personal conclusions and attitude to the issue you are addressing in your writing. This will display you have processed the question under study deeply and made your own conclusions out of your findings.

Consider Formatting and Technical Details

Scientific essay requires a relevant approach to its formatting and presentation. Use proper scientific nomenclature, italicizing genus and species names (e.g., Homo sapiens). Make sure you exploit standard units of measurement (SI units) and provide conversions if necessary. Define acronyms and abbreviations the first time they are used. Pay attention to these points when proofreading and editing or get someone to help you with a fresh look. A thorough approach and consistency in details will only add to the quality of your essay.

Spend Time on Proofreading and Peer Review

Take care your scientific essay looks appropriate and proves your level of qualification. Proofreading and thorough review will help you create a desirable image for your writing. Check for grammatical errors, scientific accuracy, and clarity. Use apps and tools to optimize and speed up the process. If possible, have your writing reviewed by a peer or mentor in the field for additional feedback. Or reach out to professionals from online services for high-end proofreading and review.

Care about Adherence to Ethical Guidelines

In the age of tolerance, you should also be confident that your essay doesn’t diminish or offend anyone’s rights and position as to your topic under study. Begin with ethical considerations. If your writing involves discussing experiments on humans or animals, ensure it adheres to ethical guidelines and includes necessary approvals. Additionally, avoid plagiarism by properly citing all sources and using original language. Check your text for authenticity with the help of anti-plagiarism tools on the Internet but beware of scams for anyone to steal your work.

Biology Essay Conclusion

Writing a biology essay involves proper planning, thorough research, and attention to detail. Cover some essential measures so that you can craft a well-structured and scientifically sound text that effectively communicates your findings and arguments. Mind the assignment and formulating a hypothesis to presenting data and discussing implications since each element plays a crucial role in the overall quality of your work. Remember to adhere to ethical guidelines, properly cite all sources, and seek feedback from peers or mentors. With these tools and strategies, you’ll be well-equipped to produce a high-quality biology essay that displays your knowledge and analytical skills.

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Tips on How to Write a Biology Essay: Learn from the Example of Jellyfish Essay

How to Write a Biology Essay

In this article, we will guide you on how to write a perfect biology essay from scratch. You’ll find various tips to help you excel in writing your essay and creating a paper worth the highest grades. We also prepared a jellyfish essay example for you, so it can be easier to enhance all the specifics and structure of this kind of paper.

What is Biology Essay

A biology essay is a student-written work where you present arguments and ideas about a particular biological topic. The essay on biology can take different forms like argumentative, cause-and-effect, descriptive, detailed analysis, or ‘how-to’ instruction, depending on the professor’s guidelines and writer’s preferences. 

A descriptive paper can explain a biological subject, while an argumentative one provides evidence to support a point of view. It’s up to you to choose which type is more suitable for the topic you’re writing about. The most common type is a cause-and-effect essay explaining an event’s reasons and consequences. 

How to Craft a Perfect Essay About Biology

Writing is an art form that requires time and effort. But if you prefer someone else to write the paper for you, you can just text the experts, ‘ do my homework for me ,’ and consider it done. 

Here is the step by step instruction to organize the process for desired results. 

Choose Your Biology Essay Topic

To get a good grade:

• make your paper informative and enjoyable by choosing a topic you wish to explore. 
• Use a brainstorming technique to generate 30-50 options for biology essay topics and research to create a shortlist. 
• Keep a notebook to jot down your ideas.

Choose a Question for Research

When writing a biology essay, use a scientific approach by selecting a research question related to your topic. Always avoid overly complex or apparent questions. You can also text our profs ‘ write my research paper ,’ and it can be done in a blink.

Create an Outline

Always have a clear plan when writing biology essays while starting a paper. Use a 5-paragraph structure with an outline to keep your main idea and arguments organized. Use any format that works best for you and adjust as needed. Discard any ideas that don’t fit your research question.

Use a Strong Thesis Statement

The introduction should end with a strong thesis statement synthesizing the overall essay, conveying the research question and your point of view. The paper is ineffective without a clear thesis, as readers may not understand your position.

Use Citation and References

Include a list of references in your academic papers, such as biology essays, to avoid plagiarism and provide data sources. Use the appropriate citation style, like APA or CSE, and consult a guide for requirements.

How to Structure a Biology Essay

Ensure your essay has an attention-grabbing introduction, a detailed body, and a solid conclusion with distinct sections. Use around seven paragraphs for the main body, adjusting as needed for the required word count.

Biology Essay Introduction

In the introduction of your essay about biology, showcase your expertise by providing a brief background of the topic and stating the essay’s objective. For a research paper, explain why the study is relevant. Make sure the reader understands the essence of your subject.

The body section of your essay on biology should focus on supporting and defending your thesis statement. To achieve this, make a list of essential points to cover and address each one step by step. Starting a new paragraph for each point ensures neatness and a continuous flow. 

In conclusion, restate your thesis statement and summarize supporting points to solidify your arguments. Avoid introducing new concepts, and leave a lasting impression on your instructor.

Jellyfish Essay - Example of a Biology Essay About a Fascinating Creature of the Ocean

Jellyfish, also known as jellies, are incredible creatures of the ocean. They’re members of the phylum Cnidaria, including corals and sea anemones. You can find jellyfish in every ocean around the globe, from the surface to the depths of the sea. 

Do you know what shape the jellyfish body has?! It’s one of their most unique features. Their bell-shaped body comprises a soft, jelly-like substance called mesoglea, found between two cellular layers. The outer layer of cells, the epidermis, is thin and flexible, while the inner layer, the gastrodermis, contains the jellyfish’s digestive system. At the bottom of the bell is the mouth, surrounded by tentacles armed with stinging cells called nematocysts. 

The jellyfish tentacles consist of venom-filled sacs, which can be potentially dangerous and life-threatening. Considering the severity of its sting, researchers have gathered information on how to treat it effectively. Use thick clothing, tweezers, sticks, or gloves to alleviate the sting. It’s crucial to avoid touching the sting with bare skin since the venom can cause severe harm. Always dispose of the tool used for removing the sting to prevent re-stinging. 

Jellyfish are creatures that feed on small fish and other tiny marine organisms. They capture their prey using the tentacles and bring it to their mouth. Once the food is inside the jellyfish, it’s broken down by digestive enzymes and absorbed into the gastrovascular cavity. 

An exciting thing about jelly is its life cycle. They go through several stages of development, starting as a tiny, free-swimming larva and then growing into a polyp. The polyp stage is stationary, and the jellyfish attaches itself to a surface using a sticky pad. During this stage, the jellyfish reproduces asexually, creating clones of itself. These clones then break off from the polyp and develop into the familiar bell-shaped body of the adult jellyfish. 

Jellyfish play an essential role in the ocean’s ecosystem too. They’re a food source for many marine creatures, including sea turtles and some fish species. They also help to control the population of tiny marine animals by feeding on them, and their waste products contribute to the nutrient cycle in the ocean.

However, jellyfish populations can sometimes explode and become a nuisance. This phenomenon mostly occurs when their natural predators are eliminated from the ecosystem or when water conditions, like temperature and salinity, are conducive for jellyfish growth. In cases where jellyfish populations reach excessive levels, they can clog fishing nets and interfere with other human activities in the ocean.

Jellyfish really are stunning creatures of the ocean. They’re diverse, with many different species, and are essential to the marine ecosystem. While they can sometimes become a nuisance, they’re vital to the ocean’s food web and nutrient cycle. Studying jellyfish can give us a greater understanding of the complex and interconnected systems that make up our oceans.

Practical Tips for Creating Perfect Academic Papers

Developing writing skills is crucial for your academic success regardless of your major. Check out these tips we provided for improving your writing. But if you aren't fond of writing, you can easily hand it to professionals by saying, ‘ do homework for me .’

Search for Samples or Examples

To improve your writing, analyze examples of well-written biology essays or research papers. Although not all online samples are perfect, they can still provide insights into what works and what doesn’t. However, avoid plagiarism and ensure your paper is original by presenting fresh ideas and a unique perspective. 

Read Whenever You Can

Develop your writing skills by reading widely and extensively. Look for biology papers in scientific journals, websites, or books. Don’t forget to take notes on interesting points that you can use in your papers later.

Practice Makes Perfect

Don’t expect to write a perfect paper on your first try, so take every opportunity to practice your writing. Find a mentor if needed and use online resources to learn from your mistakes and improve your skills.

Always Organize Your Writing Process

Organize your work process instead of waiting for inspiration by defining stages, scheduling time for each task, and eliminating distractions. Don’t wait for mood to write an essay about biology; use different strategies to overcome writer’s block.

Proofread and Get Other Feedback

It’s hard to assess your own work accurately. Seek feedback from peers or instructors to identify strengths and weaknesses to improve upon. Don’t wait for your professor’s feedback to know if your biology essay is good. 

Interesting Biology Essay Topics from Our Experts to Practice Your Writing

In this paragraph, we listed different biology essay topics from which you can choose your preferred one and practice writing to excel in your academic papers.

• A jellyfish - my favorite creature
• Facts about animal behavior
• Biodiversity conservation
• Chemical Ecology
• Impacts of air pollution
• Acid Rain’s impact on wildlife
• The greenhouse effect
• Causes of global warming
• Effects of climate change on nature
• Ways to avoid water pollution

These are interesting topics and also some of the most significant environmental problems. Choose the one you like and practice.

Final Thoughts

This article provides tips that will definitely make your writing process easier and more effective. Adjust these tips while writing your biology paper and structure it as we did in the jellyfish essay example. But if you still prefer a professional to do it for you, contact us by writing ‘ do my research paper ,’ and our experts will handle it.

Ryan Acton is an essay-writing expert with a Ph.D. in Sociology, specializing in sociological research and historical analysis. By partnering with EssayHub, he provides comprehensive support to students, helping them craft well-informed essays across a variety of topics.

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How To Write A Biology Essay

Table of Contents

Content of this article

Topic choice.

• Content page
• Research question
• Introduction
• Investigation

Biology papers give us an opportunity of understanding forms that are complex in life. This, therefore, means you will have the chance to fully understand the plants as well as the animals found in the ecosystem. People are given assignments on biology so that they can fully research and have knowledge concerning the components of nature. An essay on biology also assists people in how to care for and tend to themselves. These biology papers also assist in fully understanding how the world and humanity are related. An essay on biology will, therefore, assist in answering queries and issues related to biology. The tips from our academic essay writing service may help a person to make the work professional without errors and mistakes. A primary element to keep in mind when writing biology papers is always to have a biology essay draft that will assist you all through the writing process. Biology essay topics need to be detailed so that they can be differentiated from other types of papers.

The topics of the biology papers determine the points that will be used in the article. This, therefore, means that the biology essay writing guide is dependent on the topic selected . Ensure that you fully understand what the biology essay writing expects from you and create a biology essay outline that will assist you in preparing an excellent piece. Biology essay outlining assists in the construction of detailed articles. Below are biology essay topics that one can use in biology essay writing.

Biology essay topics

• Are vaccines necessary in our system?
• Omnivore’s plants
• How did the dinosaurs just disappear?
• Did the evolution start from the monkeys?
• Which are the most intelligent animals on the face of the earth?
• Why do the male seahorses often carry the offspring?
• How were the wolves domesticated?
• The genetic mutations in plants and animals.
• How the albino animals are different; is this trait also shared in plants and humans?
• The process of aging in humans.

These are some of the good biology essay topics that you can use to produce an article that is standard.

Biology essay structure

The outline for a biology essay gives you clear guidelines on how to go about writing the article. The biology essay draft should go in line with the topic that the writer has chosen.

The biology essay outlining is as illustrated below:

1. The title

• The title page offers clear indications of the biology essay focus.
• The title should be precisely phrased and at the same time based on the hypothesis.
• Avoid jargon for the title to look professional.
• The title should also give the reader a quick understanding of the topic.

2. The content page

This page is located at the beginning of biology papers after the abstract and the title pages. The page shows the numbers as well as the subsections of the essay on biology.

3. The research question

The topics for a biology essay determine the research questions to be used. The research question shows what the article is trying to establish. Keep in mind that the question is not the same as the title.

• The question in motion should be highlighted in the introduction. The content page will give the reader an understanding of the article.
• The question should introduce new ideas as well.

4. The introduction

The biology essay introduction is the most crucial part of the article, as it will determine whether the readers will want to read more of the piece or not.

• The introduction for a biology essay should illustrate what is being argued in the article.
• For an introduction to be successful, the contents need to be brief and accurate.
• Another professional way how to start a biology essay introduction is by illustrating how you reached the focus of the research.
• The introduction should also contain the references that were accessed.
• What might be revealed in the study should also be highlighted in the opening section.

5. The investigation

The study section gives you the chance of illustrating how the data was selected as well as its reliability.

• You need to clearly explain, describe and justify the choice of collecting primary data.
• Don’t forget to state the sources of the experiments. The method used should be detailed. Someone would want to repeat the same procedure.
• Ensure that the investigations are ethical and not cruel.

6. The analysis

• The body is the meat of the literature essay. The body covers most of the article. A common way how to write a biology essay body is by using at least three paragraphs.
• The biology essay tips need to be relevant to the research question being discussed. The points should also give assertion to the reader.
• Highlight the biology essay prompts as well. Elaborate on how the ideas have been used to support the question in the essay on biology.
• For an effective essay on biology writing, discuss each point in its paragraph. This technique will give you the chance of exhausting the points.

7. The biology essay conclusion

The end of the article should be firm and sum up the whole article. The conclusion is a formal way how to conclude a biology essay. The conclusion restates the points for emphasis and makes the final argument clear. This section also gives you the chance of drawing connections between the points and questions being discussed. The conclusion for a biology essay also gives room for you to show your engagement with the essay on biology on a personal ground. The conclusion should be in a position of reformulating a new hypothesis as well as comparing the content to the secondary sources used. You can finish up the biology essay by stating the significance of the statistical tests done.

8. The references

Making citations is an essential issue in biology papers. There are quite some formatting and citation styles ranging from APA to MLA.  You should, therefore, be keen on the style specified. Referencing styles depends on the academic discipline that one is in. For instance, APA is used in psychology, education, and sciences

Archetti M 2000. The origin of autumn colors by coevolution. Journal of Theoretical Biology, 205: 625–63

9. Sources for essay choice

Sources can either be secondary or primary. The primary source refers to any work that can be accessed originally. The secondary source refers to the works that have been original, but have been produced by another person. Examples of secondary sources include books , encyclopedias, and journals among other recreated works. You can use both the primary and secondary data to make your biology paper a success.

10. Finalizing the Essay

Once the essay on biology has been written, a revision is necessary to ensure the content is in order. A standard method of review is proofreading. Proofreading gives you the chance to analyze your work and correct errors that are avoidable.

• April 25, 2023
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Mastering A Level Biology Essays: Smart Tips and Unbeatable Examples

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Introduction

A Level Biology is a challenging but rewarding course that covers a wide range of topics, from DNA and genetic inheritance to ecosystems and biodiversity. The key to success in this subject lies in understanding and applying the core principles of Biology and expressing your understanding in well-structured, coherent essays. In this article, we will provide you with some essential tips for writing outstanding A Level Biology essays, as well as presenting clear examples to help you master the essay-writing process.

• Understand the essay question

The first and most important step in writing an A Level Biology essay is to clearly understand the question. Break down the question into its key terms and implications, and ensure you comprehend what the examiner is asking you to discuss. Make a note of any key words or phrases that should feature in your essay, as these will help you structure your response and ensure you cover all the necessary points.

• Plan your essay

Before you begin writing your essay, take the time to plan your response. Create an outline that maps out the main points you want to make, as well as the order in which you will discuss them. This will enable you to develop a logical and coherent argument that addresses all the key aspects of the question.

• Include an engaging introduction

An effective introduction is crucial to grabbing the reader’s attention and setting the tone for your essay. Begin with a general statement that links to the essay question, and then narrow down your focus to present your main argument or line of inquiry. Finish your introduction with a clear thesis statement, which outlines the central points you will cover in your essay, demonstrating a solid understanding of the topic.

Example: The discovery of DNA and the subsequent advancements in genetic research have proven instrumental in understanding the role of genetics ininheritance of traits and diseases. This essay will discuss the role of genetic inheritance in the development of several human diseases, namely: Cystic Fibrosis, Huntington’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease, as well as the ethical implications surrounding genetic testing and treatment.

• Use specific examples to support your arguments

In A Level Biology essays, it is essential to provide examples that demonstrate your understanding of the material and support your claims. Try to include a range of examples from different areas of the subject to show that you have a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the course material.

Example: Cystic Fibrosis is an example of a genetic disorder caused by a mutation in the CFTR gene, which results in thick and sticky mucus production in affected individuals. This condition can lead to respiratory and digestive complications, illustrating the significant impact of genetic inheritance on an individual’s health.

• Synthesize information from multiple sources

To demonstrate a high level of understanding, A Level Biology essays should integrate information from various sources, such as class notes, textbooks, and scientific articles. Be sure to support your ideas with specific references to the source material, and use your own words to explain the concepts in a clear and concise manner.

• Address counterarguments and controversies

In any scientific field, there are often debates and controversies surrounding key concepts and theories. To show a comprehensive grasp of the subject matter, be sure to address counterarguments and discuss opposing viewpoints in your essay.

Example: While genetic testing for diseases such as Huntington’s has the potential to provide valuable information for individuals at risk, there are ethical concerns about the potential misuse of genetic information by employers, insurance companies, and even government entities. Weighing the benefits of genetic testing and treatment against these ethical concerns is an ongoing debate within the scientific community.

• Write a strong conclusion

To wrap up your essay, restate your main argument and summarize the key points you have made. Provide a clear and concise conclusion that demonstrates the significance of your argument and its implications for the broader field of Biology.

Example: In conclusion, the role of genetic inheritance in human diseases, as illustrated by Cystic Fibrosis, Huntington’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease, underscores the immense potential of genetic research to improve our understanding of human health. However, as we continue to advance our knowledge and develop new treatments and testing methods, it is crucial that we remain conscious of the ethical implications that come with such advancements in order to protect individuals’ rights and liberties.

• Proofread and edit your essay

Finally, make sure you thoroughly proofread and edit your essay to correct any grammar, spelling, or punctuation errors, and to ensure that your argument flows smoothly and logically. Consider asking a friend or peer to review your essay and provide feedback – a fresh perspective can help you identify areas for improvement that you may have overlooked.

In summary, mastering A Level Biology essays involves understanding the essay question, planning a clear and logical response, using specific examples and evidence, synthesizing information from multiple sources, addressing counterarguments and controversies, and crafting a compelling introduction and conclusion. By following these steps and using the examples provided, you will be well on your way to delivering high-quality, insightful essays that demonstrate an excellent understanding of the complex and fascinating world of Biology.

Good luck, and happy essay writing!

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Biology Extended Essay: The Complete Guide for IB Students

by  Antony W

March 13, 2023

Biology Extended Essay is an assignment that requires you to explore biological issue relevant to you and your environment.

Your focus should be on a particular biological emphasis within a broader context of scientific investigation. Given that the focus is on a biological system, you’ll have to make an analytical argument as you write the essay.

In this guide, you’ll learn exactly what you need to know about the IB Biology Extended Essay . Our goal with this lesson is to give you the most important information about the subject so that you can get the assignment done right.

What is Biology in an IB Extended Essay?

Biology in IB Extended Essay is the examination of living organisms and their life processes. The assignment integrates biological theories and examines the nature of the subject.

While you can approach a Biology EE from varying viewpoints, the treatment of the material used in your investigation must be 100% biological.

IB Biology Extended Essay Topics

The topic you choose to explore in your IB Biology Extended Essay shouldn’t be too broad or too narrow. Make sure you choose a focused topic that’s easy to investigate and easy to explain.

Your teacher expects you to explain how you arrived at your research question, and the best way to do that is to outline the aspects you wish to consider in the essay.

You may also have to formulate one or more hypothesis based on the research question.

The EE guide on the subject recommends that you choose your topics carefully, making sure you refrain from inappropriate topics such as those that are likely to inflict pain, involve the use of dangerous substances, or linked to safety concern.

You should avoid topics whose outcome are either obvious or already well known and documented in textbooks.

Doing Research for Your IB Biology Extended Essay

You will need to do primary and secondary research for your Biology Extended Essay.

1. Primary Research

For primary research, you can collect data from fieldwork, surveys, biological drawings, and biological observations.

If you’ve picked topic that requires practical work, you may have to conduct multiple, extensive fieldwork or do lab tests. In such a case, you will have to provide a detailed explanation of the experimental research procedures sued.

2. Secondary Research

When it comes to secondary research, you get data or information from literature.

Some students restate the information they collect from secondary sources, but doing so often adds little or no value to a Biology Extended Essay.

Therefore, the right approach is to analyze the data or information in an original way to add a new dimension and value to your research and to the essay at large.

Whether you do primary research, secondary research, or a combination of both, you need to make sure you have access to enough data or information to answer your research question.

How Do You Write an IB Biology Extended Essay?

The first step to writing a comprehensive, 4,000-word essay in Biology EE is to use the right scientific techniques to analyze the data you collect during research.

You then have to present your argument or evaluation based on the analysis you’ve completed.

You can include graphs, tables, and diagrams, and make sure you point out their significance in the essay so they’re easy to understand.

As with any other EE, your Biology essay should have a good structure and demonstrate a logical progression. Feel free to use headings and subheadings in the essay because it imposes a concise structure.

Your evaluation of the research questions should demonstrate that you not only understand the results from your experiments but also can explain their significance in a wider academic context.

Since you aren’t sure about what to expect from biological experiments, you may have to account for anomalies or unexpected results in your investigation.

In such a case, you have to provide explanations for the expected outcome and give an alternative explanation for such findings.

The subject also allows you to propose slight or major changes to the hypothesis presented in the essay, in which case you will have to suggest relevant approaches to testing the new changes.

Evaluation of Your Biology EE

Writing your EE in Biology also requires that you undertake a critical evaluation of the work that you have already done.

The evaluation helps you to identify and explain the limitation of your research by a number of factors including the reliability and validity of statistics, the precision of experimenting equipment and the reliability of sources.

You also need to consider biological limitations of your research. Such limitations are likely to arise from the inability to generalize based on a single form of an organism or problems of control and repeatability when using living organisms in your research.

Biology Internal Assessment vs Biology Extended Essay

It’s important to keep in mind that a Biology Extended Essay is not an extension of the Internal Assessment in the same subject. There are a few differences that set the two assignments apart, and it’s important to know them before you start working on the essay.

Get Extended Essay Writing Help

Do you need help with your Extended Essay in Biology? Our team of IB experts is here to help you write the 4,000-word essay, even if it’s on a complex topic. You can click here to learn more.

About the author 

Antony W is a professional writer and coach at Help for Assessment. He spends countless hours every day researching and writing great content filled with expert advice on how to write engaging essays, research papers, and assignments.

Extended Essay: Sciences: Biology

• Step 1 - Choosing a Subject
• Step 2 - Choosing a Topic
• Step 3 - Draft a Research Question
• Step 4 - Finding Sources
• Step 5 - Evaluating Information
• Step 6 - Bibliography & Citation
• Step 7 - Organizing Information
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Extended Essay in Biology

Extended Essays in Biology

Choosing a topic

Choosing a Topic

Biology is the science that deals with living organisms and life processes. A biology EE should incorporate biological theory and emphasize why it is relevant today.

The topic must relates specifically to biology. Many topics can be approached from different viewpoints, but for an EE in biology the treatment of the topic must be clearly biological. For example, an EE in an interdisciplinary area such as biochemistry will, if registered under the subject of biology, be judged solely on its biological content.

Disease, for example, could be considered through many different lenses. A biology paper about diseases would focus on their impact on particular organisms or life processes, and not on medical treatment, or the economic effects of the disease on society.

Approaches to research

Primary Research

Essays in biology may be based on data collected by the student through:

Essays that involve lab work, or fieldwork, should include a clear and concise description of the experimental procedure. Students taking an experimental approach must also consult secondary sources.

Secondary Research

Students can base their essays on data or information obtained from literature (secondary studies). However, in this case they should use the data in an original way. Essays that simply restate facts or data taken directly from the sources are of little value.

Biology Sources

Even students doing primary research will still need to reference secondary sources. And students relying entirely on secondary sources will need to find sources not only of written information but also experimental data which they can analyze.

Writing the Essay

An essay in the sciences requires is more than just generating and presenting data. Analysis of the data is also essential. The main body of the essay should consist of an argument or evaluation based on the data or information presented . You can gather your own data through a variety of methods, or rely on secondary data. You should use graphs, tables, or diagrams to point out the significance of your findings.

You should ensure that the main body of the essay is well structured and has an obvious logical progression. You can use numbered and headed paragraphs to impose a clear structure. Your evaluation should show that you understand the the data they have collected and its significance to the world.

In your analysis, you should also describe and explain the limitations imposed on the research by factors such as

• the suitability and reliability of the sources accessed
• accuracy and precision of measuring equipment
• sample size
• validity and reliability of statistics

Students  should also consider biological limitations such as:

• those arising from the problem of repeatability and control when using living material
• the difficulties of generalizing from research based on a single type of organism or environment.

Exceptions for Safety and Academic Honesty

Safety and Ethics in Choosing a Topic

In all cases where human subjects are used as the basis for an investigation, clear evidence of informed consent must be provided in accordance with the IB guidelines.

Some topics may be inadmissible because their means of investigation are unethical. For example, investigations that:

• are based on experiments likely to inflict pain on, or cause stress to, living organisms
• are likely to have a harmful effect on health, eg culturing micro-organisms at or near body temperature (37°C)
• involve access to, or publication of, confidential medical information.

Some topics may be unsuitable because of safety issues. Adequate safety apparatus and qualified supervision is required for experiments involving dangerous substances such as:

• toxic or dangerous chemicals
• carcinogenic substances
• radioactive materials.

Other topics may be unsuitable because the outcome is already well known and documented in standard textbooks.

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Review Essays for the Biological sciences

A review essay for the biological sciences serves to discuss and synthesize key findings on a particular subject. Review papers are helpful to the writer and their colleagues in gaining critical awareness in specialized fields that may or may not be their own.

This guide explains what a review essay is and identifies several approaches to writing a review essay. Although much of the information is geared directly to the biological sciences, it is generally applicable to review essays in all fields.

What is a Review Essay?

A review essay is a synthesis of primary sources (mainly research papers presented in academic journals) on a given topic. A biological review essay demonstrates that the writer has thorough understanding of the literature and can formulate a useful analysis. While no new research is presented by the writer, the field benefits from the review by recieving a new perspective. There are several approaches one may take when writing a biological review:

A State of the art review

A state of the art review considers mainly the most current research in a given area. The review may offer new perspectives on an issue or point out an area in need of further research.

A Historical review

A historical review is a survey of the development of a particular field of study. It may examine the early stages of the field, key findings to present, key theoretical models and their evolution, etc.

A Comparison of perspectives review

A comparison of perspectives review contrasts various ways of looking at a certain topic. If in fact there is a debate over some process or idea, a comparison of perspectives review may illustrate the research that supports both sides. A comparison of perspectives review may introduce a new perspective by way of comparing it to another.

A Synthesis of two fields review

Many times researchers in different fields may be working on similar problems. A synthesis of two fields review provides insights into a given topic based on a review of the literature from two or more disciplines.

A Theoretical model building review

A theoretical model building review examines the literature within a given area with the intention of developing new theoretical assumptions.

Key Considerations for Writing a Biological Review Essay

This guide will inform you of certain things not to miss when writing a review essay. It will also give you some information about using and documenting your sources.

Keep your focus narrow.

When writing a review essay it is important to keep the scope of the topic narrow enough so that you can discuss it thoroughly. For example a topic such as air quality in factories could be narrowed significantly to something like carbon dioxide levels in auto manufacturing plants .

A good way to narrow your focus is to start with a broad topic that is of some interest to you, then read some of the literature in the field. Look for a thread of the discussion that points to a more specific topic.

Analyze, synthesize, and interpret.

A review essay is not a pure summary of the information you read for your review. You are required to analyze, synthesize, and interpret the information you read in some meaningful way.

It is not enough to simply present the material you have found, you must go beyond that and explain its relevance and significance to the topic at hand.

Establish a clear thesis from the onset of your writing and examine which pieces of your reading help you in developing and supporting the ideas in your thesis.

Use only academic sources.

A review essay reviews the academic body of literature—articles and research presented in academic journals. Lay periodicals such as, Discover , Scientific America , or Popular Science , are not adequate sources for an academic review essay.

If you are having trouble finding the academic journals in your field, ask one of your professors or a reference librarian.

Document your sources.

The material that you discuss in a review essay is obviously not your own, therefore it is crucial to document your sources properly. Proper documentation is crucial for two reasons: 1. It prevents the writer from being accused of plagiarism and 2. It gives the reader the opportunity to locate the sources the writer has reviewed because they may find them valuable in their own academic pursuits. Proper documentation depends on which style guide you are following.

Quote sparingly and properly.

No one wants to read a paper that is simply a string of quotes; reserve direct quotations for when you want to create a big impact. Often times the way a quote is written will not fit with the language or the style of your paper so paraphrase the authors words carefully and verbage as necessary to create a well formed paragraph.

Choose an informative title.

The title you choose for your review essay should give some indication of what lies ahead for the reader. You might consider the process you took in narrowing your topic to help you with your title—think of the title as something specific rather than a vague representation of your paper's topic. For example the title Wastewater Treatment might be more informative if rewritten as The Removal of Cloroform Bacteria as Practiced by California's Municipal Water Treatment Facilities .

Consider your audience.

More than likely your audience will be your academic peers, therefore you can make a couple assumptions and choose a writing style that suits the audience. Though your audience may lack the detailed knowledge you have about your topic, they do have similar background knowledge to you. You can assume that you audience understands much of the technical language you have to use to write about your topic and you do not have to go into great detail about background information.

Elements of a Review Essay

This guide explains each section of a review essay and gives specific information about what should be included in each.

On the title page include the title, your name, and the date. Your instructor may have additional requirements (such as the course number, etc.) so be sure to follow the guidelines on the assignment sheet. Professional journals may also have more specific requirements for the title page.

An abstract is a brief summary of your review. The abstract should include only the main points of your review. Think of the abstract as a chance for the reader to preview your paper and decide if they want to read on for the details.

Introduction

The introduction of your review should accomplish three things:

• It may sound redundant to "introduce" your topic in the introduction, but often times writer's fail to do so. Let the reader in on background information specific to the topic, define terms that may be unfamiliar to them, explain the scope of the discussion, and your purpose for writing the review.
• Think of your review essay as a statement in the larger conversation of your academic community. Your review is your way of entering into that conversation and it is important to briefly address why your review is relevant to the discussion. You may feel the relevance is obvious because you are so familiar with the topic, but your readers have not yet established that familiarity.
• The thesis is the main idea that you want to get across to your reader. your thesis should be a clear statement of what you intend to prove or illustrate by your review. By revealing your thesis in the introduction the reader knows what to expect in the rest of the paper.

The discussion section is the body of your paper. The discussion section contains information that develops and supports your thesis. While there is no particular form that a discussion section must take there are several considerations that a writer must follow when building a discussion.

• A review essay is not simply a summary of literature you have reviewed. Be careful not to leave out your own analysis of the ideas presented in the literature. Synthesize the material from all the works—what are the connections you see, or the connections you are trying to illustrate, among your readings.

A review essay is not a pure summary of the information you read for your review. You are required to analyze, synthesize, and interpret the information you read in some meaningful way. It is not enough to simply present the material you have found, you must go beyond that and explain its relevance and significance to the topic at hand. Establish a clear thesis from the onset of your writing and examine which pieces of your reading help you in developing and supporting the ideas in your thesis.

• Keep your discussion focused on your topic and more importantly your thesis. Don't let tangents or extraneous material get in the way of a concise, coherent discussion. A well focused paper is crucial in getting your message across to your reader.
• Keeping your points organized makes it easier for the reader to follow along and make sense of your review. Start each paragraph with a topic sentence that relates back to your thesis. The headings used for this guide give you some idea of how to organize the overall paper, but as far as the discussion section goes use meaningful subheadings that relate to your content to organize your points.
• Your thesis should illustrate your objectives in writing the review and your discussion should serve to accomplish your objectives. Make sure your keep your discussion related to the thesis in order to meet your objectives. If you find that your discussion does not relate so much to your thesis, don't panic, you might want to revise your thesis instead of reworking the discussion.

Conclusions

Because the conclusions section often gets left for last it is often the weakest part of a student review essay. It is as crucial a part of the paper as any and should be treated as such.

A good conclusion should illustrate the key connections between your major points and your thesis as well as they key connections between your thesis and the broader discussion—what is the significance of your paper in a larger context? Make some conclusions —where have you arrived as a result of writing this paper?

Be careful not to present any new information in the conclusion section.

Here you report all the works you have cited in your paper. The format for a references page varies by discipline as does how you should cite your references within the paper.

Bastek, Neal. (1999). Review Essays for the Biological Sciences. Writing@CSU . Colorado State University. https://writing.colostate.edu/guides/guide.cfm?guideid=79

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The Complete IB Extended Essay Guide: Examples, Topics, and Ideas

International Baccalaureate (IB)

IB students around the globe fear writing the Extended Essay, but it doesn't have to be a source of stress! In this article, I'll get you excited about writing your Extended Essay and provide you with the resources you need to get an A on it.

If you're reading this article, I'm going to assume you're an IB student getting ready to write your Extended Essay. If you're looking at this as a potential future IB student, I recommend reading our introductory IB articles first, including our guide to what the IB program is and our full coverage of the IB curriculum .

IB Extended Essay: Why Should You Trust My Advice?

I myself am a recipient of an IB Diploma, and I happened to receive an A on my IB Extended Essay. Don't believe me? The proof is in the IBO pudding:

If you're confused by what this report means, EE is short for Extended Essay , and English A1 is the subject that my Extended Essay topic coordinated with. In layman's terms, my IB Diploma was graded in May 2010, I wrote my Extended Essay in the English A1 category, and I received an A grade on it.

What Is the Extended Essay in the IB Diploma Programme?

The IB Extended Essay, or EE , is a mini-thesis you write under the supervision of an IB advisor (an IB teacher at your school), which counts toward your IB Diploma (learn more about the major IB Diploma requirements in our guide) . I will explain exactly how the EE affects your Diploma later in this article.

For the Extended Essay, you will choose a research question as a topic, conduct the research independently, then write an essay on your findings . The essay itself is a long one—although there's a cap of 4,000 words, most successful essays get very close to this limit.

Keep in mind that the IB requires this essay to be a "formal piece of academic writing," meaning you'll have to do outside research and cite additional sources.

The IB Extended Essay must include the following:

• A title page
• Contents page
• Introduction
• Body of the essay
• References and bibliography

Additionally, your research topic must fall into one of the six approved DP categories , or IB subject groups, which are as follows:

• Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature
• Group 2: Language Acquisition
• Group 3: Individuals and Societies
• Group 4: Sciences
• Group 5: Mathematics
• Group 6: The Arts

Once you figure out your category and have identified a potential research topic, it's time to pick your advisor, who is normally an IB teacher at your school (though you can also find one online ). This person will help direct your research, and they'll conduct the reflection sessions you'll have to do as part of your Extended Essay.

As of 2018, the IB requires a "reflection process" as part of your EE supervision process. To fulfill this requirement, you have to meet at least three times with your supervisor in what the IB calls "reflection sessions." These meetings are not only mandatory but are also part of the formal assessment of the EE and your research methods.

According to the IB, the purpose of these meetings is to "provide an opportunity for students to reflect on their engagement with the research process." Basically, these meetings give your supervisor the opportunity to offer feedback, push you to think differently, and encourage you to evaluate your research process.

The final reflection session is called the viva voce, and it's a short 10- to 15-minute interview between you and your advisor. This happens at the very end of the EE process, and it's designed to help your advisor write their report, which factors into your EE grade.

Here are the topics covered in your viva voce :

• A check on plagiarism and malpractice
• Your reflection on your project's successes and difficulties
• Your reflection on what you've learned during the EE process

Your completed Extended Essay, along with your supervisor's report, will then be sent to the IB to be graded. We'll cover the assessment criteria in just a moment.

We'll help you learn how to have those "lightbulb" moments...even on test day!  

What Should You Write About in Your IB Extended Essay?

You can technically write about anything, so long as it falls within one of the approved categories listed above.

It's best to choose a topic that matches one of the IB courses , (such as Theatre, Film, Spanish, French, Math, Biology, etc.), which shouldn't be difficult because there are so many class subjects.

Here is a range of sample topics with the attached extended essay:

• Biology: The Effect of Age and Gender on the Photoreceptor Cells in the Human Retina
• Chemistry: How Does Reflux Time Affect the Yield and Purity of Ethyl Aminobenzoate (Benzocaine), and How Effective is Recrystallisation as a Purification Technique for This Compound?
• English: An Exploration of Jane Austen's Use of the Outdoors in Emma
• Geography: The Effect of Location on the Educational Attainment of Indigenous Secondary Students in Queensland, Australia
• Math: Alhazen's Billiard Problem
• Visual Arts: Can Luc Tuymans Be Classified as a Political Painter?

You can see from how varied the topics are that you have a lot of freedom when it comes to picking a topic . So how do you pick when the options are limitless?

How to Write a Stellar IB Extended Essay: 6 Essential Tips

Below are six key tips to keep in mind as you work on your Extended Essay for the IB DP. Follow these and you're sure to get an A!

#1: Write About Something You Enjoy

You can't expect to write a compelling essay if you're not a fan of the topic on which you're writing. For example, I just love British theatre and ended up writing my Extended Essay on a revolution in post-WWII British theatre. (Yes, I'm definitely a #TheatreNerd.)

I really encourage anyone who pursues an IB Diploma to take the Extended Essay seriously. I was fortunate enough to receive a full-tuition merit scholarship to USC's School of Dramatic Arts program. In my interview for the scholarship, I spoke passionately about my Extended Essay; thus, I genuinely think my Extended Essay helped me get my scholarship.

But how do you find a topic you're passionate about? Start by thinking about which classes you enjoy the most and why . Do you like math classes because you like to solve problems? Or do you enjoy English because you like to analyze literary texts?

Keep in mind that there's no right or wrong answer when it comes to choosing your Extended Essay topic. You're not more likely to get high marks because you're writing about science, just like you're not doomed to failure because you've chosen to tackle the social sciences. The quality of what you produce—not the field you choose to research within—will determine your grade.

Once you've figured out your category, you should brainstorm more specific topics by putting pen to paper . What was your favorite chapter you learned in that class? Was it astrophysics or mechanics? What did you like about that specific chapter? Is there something you want to learn more about? I recommend spending a few hours on this type of brainstorming.

One last note: if you're truly stumped on what to research, pick a topic that will help you in your future major or career . That way you can use your Extended Essay as a talking point in your college essays (and it will prepare you for your studies to come too!).

#2: Select a Topic That Is Neither Too Broad nor Too Narrow

There's a fine line between broad and narrow. You need to write about something specific, but not so specific that you can't write 4,000 words on it.

You can't write about WWII because that would be a book's worth of material. You also don't want to write about what type of soup prisoners of war received behind enemy lines, because you probably won’t be able to come up with 4,000 words of material about it. However, you could possibly write about how the conditions in German POW camps—and the rations provided—were directly affected by the Nazis' successes and failures on the front, including the use of captured factories and prison labor in Eastern Europe to increase production. WWII military history might be a little overdone, but you get my point.

If you're really stuck trying to pinpoint a not-too-broad-or-too-narrow topic, I suggest trying to brainstorm a topic that uses a comparison. Once you begin looking through the list of sample essays below, you'll notice that many use comparisons to formulate their main arguments.

I also used a comparison in my EE, contrasting Harold Pinter's Party Time with John Osborne's Look Back in Anger in order to show a transition in British theatre. Topics with comparisons of two to three plays, books, and so on tend to be the sweet spot. You can analyze each item and then compare them with one another after doing some in-depth analysis of each individually. The ways these items compare and contrast will end up forming the thesis of your essay!

When choosing a comparative topic, the key is that the comparison should be significant. I compared two plays to illustrate the transition in British theatre, but you could compare the ways different regional dialects affect people's job prospects or how different temperatures may or may not affect the mating patterns of lightning bugs. The point here is that comparisons not only help you limit your topic, but they also help you build your argument.

Comparisons are not the only way to get a grade-A EE, though. If after brainstorming, you pick a non-comparison-based topic and are still unsure whether your topic is too broad or narrow, spend about 30 minutes doing some basic research and see how much material is out there.

If there are more than 1,000 books, articles, or documentaries out there on that exact topic, it may be too broad. But if there are only two books that have any connection to your topic, it may be too narrow. If you're still unsure, ask your advisor—it's what they're there for! Speaking of advisors...

Don't get stuck with a narrow topic!

#3: Choose an Advisor Who Is Familiar With Your Topic

If you're not certain of who you would like to be your advisor, create a list of your top three choices. Next, write down the pros and cons of each possibility (I know this sounds tedious, but it really helps!).

For example, Mr. Green is my favorite teacher and we get along really well, but he teaches English. For my EE, I want to conduct an experiment that compares the efficiency of American electric cars with foreign electric cars.

I had Ms. White a year ago. She teaches physics and enjoyed having me in her class. Unlike Mr. Green, Ms. White could help me design my experiment.

Based on my topic and what I need from my advisor, Ms. White would be a better fit for me than would Mr. Green (even though I like him a lot).

The moral of my story is this: do not just ask your favorite teacher to be your advisor . They might be a hindrance to you if they teach another subject. For example, I would not recommend asking your biology teacher to guide you in writing an English literature-based EE.

There can, of course, be exceptions to this rule. If you have a teacher who's passionate and knowledgeable about your topic (as my English teacher was about my theatre topic), you could ask that instructor. Consider all your options before you do this. There was no theatre teacher at my high school, so I couldn't find a theatre-specific advisor, but I chose the next best thing.

Before you approach a teacher to serve as your advisor, check with your high school to see what requirements they have for this process. Some IB high schools require your IB Extended Essay advisor to sign an Agreement Form , for instance.

Make sure that you ask your IB coordinator whether there is any required paperwork to fill out. If your school needs a specific form signed, bring it with you when you ask your teacher to be your EE advisor.

#4: Pick an Advisor Who Will Push You to Be Your Best

Some teachers might just take on students because they have to and aren't very passionate about reading drafts, only giving you minimal feedback. Choose a teacher who will take the time to read several drafts of your essay and give you extensive notes. I would not have gotten my A without being pushed to make my Extended Essay draft better.

Ask a teacher that you have experience with through class or an extracurricular activity. Do not ask a teacher that you have absolutely no connection to. If a teacher already knows you, that means they already know your strengths and weaknesses, so they know what to look for, where you need to improve, and how to encourage your best work.

Also, don't forget that your supervisor's assessment is part of your overall EE score . If you're meeting with someone who pushes you to do better—and you actually take their advice—they'll have more impressive things to say about you than a supervisor who doesn't know you well and isn't heavily involved in your research process.

Be aware that the IB only allows advisors to make suggestions and give constructive criticism. Your teacher cannot actually help you write your EE. The IB recommends that the supervisor spends approximately two to three hours in total with the candidate discussing the EE.

#5: Make Sure Your Essay Has a Clear Structure and Flow

The IB likes structure. Your EE needs a clear introduction (which should be one to two double-spaced pages), research question/focus (i.e., what you're investigating), a body, and a conclusion (about one double-spaced page). An essay with unclear organization will be graded poorly.

The body of your EE should make up the bulk of the essay. It should be about eight to 18 pages long (again, depending on your topic). Your body can be split into multiple parts. For example, if you were doing a comparison, you might have one third of your body as Novel A Analysis, another third as Novel B Analysis, and the final third as your comparison of Novels A and B.

If you're conducting an experiment or analyzing data, such as in this EE , your EE body should have a clear structure that aligns with the scientific method ; you should state the research question, discuss your method, present the data, analyze the data, explain any uncertainties, and draw a conclusion and/or evaluate the success of the experiment.

#6: Start Writing Sooner Rather Than Later!

You will not be able to crank out a 4,000-word essay in just a week and get an A on it. You'll be reading many, many articles (and, depending on your topic, possibly books and plays as well!). As such, it's imperative that you start your research as soon as possible.

Each school has a slightly different deadline for the Extended Essay. Some schools want them as soon as November of your senior year; others will take them as late as February. Your school will tell you what your deadline is. If they haven't mentioned it by February of your junior year, ask your IB coordinator about it.

Some high schools will provide you with a timeline of when you need to come up with a topic, when you need to meet with your advisor, and when certain drafts are due. Not all schools do this. Ask your IB coordinator if you are unsure whether you are on a specific timeline.

Below is my recommended EE timeline. While it's earlier than most schools, it'll save you a ton of heartache (trust me, I remember how hard this process was!):

• January/February of Junior Year: Come up with your final research topic (or at least your top three options).
• February of Junior Year: Approach a teacher about being your EE advisor. If they decline, keep asking others until you find one. See my notes above on how to pick an EE advisor.
• April/May of Junior Year: Submit an outline of your EE and a bibliography of potential research sources (I recommend at least seven to 10) to your EE advisor. Meet with your EE advisor to discuss your outline.
• Summer Between Junior and Senior Year: Complete your first full draft over the summer between your junior and senior year. I know, I know—no one wants to work during the summer, but trust me—this will save you so much stress come fall when you are busy with college applications and other internal assessments for your IB classes. You will want to have this first full draft done because you will want to complete a couple of draft cycles as you likely won't be able to get everything you want to say into 4,000 articulate words on the first attempt. Try to get this first draft into the best possible shape so you don't have to work on too many revisions during the school year on top of your homework, college applications, and extracurriculars.
• August/September of Senior Year: Turn in your first draft of your EE to your advisor and receive feedback. Work on incorporating their feedback into your essay. If they have a lot of suggestions for improvement, ask if they will read one more draft before the final draft.
• September/October of Senior Year: Submit the second draft of your EE to your advisor (if necessary) and look at their feedback. Work on creating the best possible final draft.
• November-February of Senior Year: Schedule your viva voce. Submit two copies of your final draft to your school to be sent off to the IB. You likely will not get your grade until after you graduate.

Remember that in the middle of these milestones, you'll need to schedule two other reflection sessions with your advisor . (Your teachers will actually take notes on these sessions on a form like this one , which then gets submitted to the IB.)

I recommend doing them when you get feedback on your drafts, but these meetings will ultimately be up to your supervisor. Just don't forget to do them!

The early bird DOES get the worm!

How Is the IB Extended Essay Graded?

Extended Essays are graded by examiners appointed by the IB on a scale of 0 to 34 . You'll be graded on five criteria, each with its own set of points. You can learn more about how EE scoring works by reading the IB guide to extended essays .

• Criterion A: Focus and Method (6 points maximum)
• Criterion B: Knowledge and Understanding (6 points maximum)
• Criterion C: Critical Thinking (12 points maximum)
• Criterion D: Presentation (4 points maximum)
• Criterion E: Engagement (6 points maximum)

How well you do on each of these criteria will determine the final letter grade you get for your EE. You must earn at least a D to be eligible to receive your IB Diploma.

Although each criterion has a point value, the IB explicitly states that graders are not converting point totals into grades; instead, they're using qualitative grade descriptors to determine the final grade of your Extended Essay . Grade descriptors are on pages 102-103 of this document .

Here's a rough estimate of how these different point values translate to letter grades based on previous scoring methods for the EE. This is just an estimate —you should read and understand the grade descriptors so you know exactly what the scorers are looking for.

Here is the breakdown of EE scores (from the May 2021 bulletin):

How Does the Extended Essay Grade Affect Your IB Diploma?

The Extended Essay grade is combined with your TOK (Theory of Knowledge) grade to determine how many points you get toward your IB Diploma.

To learn about Theory of Knowledge or how many points you need to receive an IB Diploma, read our complete guide to the IB program and our guide to the IB Diploma requirements .

This diagram shows how the two scores are combined to determine how many points you receive for your IB diploma (3 being the most, 0 being the least). In order to get your IB Diploma, you have to earn 24 points across both categories (the TOK and EE). The highest score anyone can earn is 45 points.

Let's say you get an A on your EE and a B on TOK. You will get 3 points toward your Diploma. As of 2014, a student who scores an E on either the extended essay or TOK essay will not be eligible to receive an IB Diploma .

Prior to the class of 2010, a Diploma candidate could receive a failing grade in either the Extended Essay or Theory of Knowledge and still be awarded a Diploma, but this is no longer true.

Figuring out how you're assessed can be a little tricky. Luckily, the IB breaks everything down here in this document . (The assessment information begins on page 219.)

40+ Sample Extended Essays for the IB Diploma Programme

In case you want a little more guidance on how to get an A on your EE, here are over 40 excellent (grade A) sample extended essays for your reading pleasure. Essays are grouped by IB subject.

• Business Management 1
• Chemistry 1
• Chemistry 2
• Chemistry 3
• Chemistry 4
• Chemistry 5
• Chemistry 6
• Chemistry 7
• Computer Science 1
• Economics 1
• Design Technology 1
• Design Technology 2
• Environmental Systems and Societies 1
• Geography 1
• Geography 2
• Geography 3
• Geography 4
• Geography 5
• Geography 6
• Literature and Performance 1
• Mathematics 1
• Mathematics 2
• Mathematics 3
• Mathematics 4
• Mathematics 5
• Philosophy 1
• Philosophy 2
• Philosophy 3
• Philosophy 4
• Philosophy 5
• Psychology 1
• Psychology 2
• Psychology 3
• Psychology 4
• Psychology 5
• Social and Cultural Anthropology 1
• Social and Cultural Anthropology 2
• Social and Cultural Anthropology 3
• Sports, Exercise and Health Science 1
• Sports, Exercise and Health Science 2
• Visual Arts 1
• Visual Arts 2
• Visual Arts 3
• Visual Arts 4
• Visual Arts 5
• World Religion 1
• World Religion 2
• World Religion 3

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Ultimate Guide To Biology Writing: Everything You Need to Know

Biology writing is a promising career path and a skill that individuals with varying levels of expertise can hone. This comprehensive guide aims to equip aspiring and seasoned biology writers with current essential knowledge about the guidelines and techniques necessary to excel in this field. By following the expert tips in this guide, you can refine your writing abilities, develop strong and relevant scientific vocabularies, and produce persuasive and informative pieces that captivate your readers.

Whether you are a seasoned professional or simply an enthusiast looking to expand your skills, this guide will be invaluable in your endeavors to become a successful biology writer.

It is always a dream for every science scholar to have their paper published in reputable journals. Shockingly, more than 60% of published articles were initially rejected. How can you be among the slim 30% of publications accepted at the first submission? The first thing a biologist must do is understand scientific writing conventions. How do you format your biology paper? What are the various types of writing in biology? What are the common mistakes to avoid in biology research writing? This free, short guide to writing about biology will answer all these questions to boost your academic and scientific writing in biological sciences.

What is Scientific Writing?

Scientific writing involves technical writing to communicate scientific concepts to other scientists in written form, such as a presentation, book, essay, or a document. A scientific writer broadly writes about physical and life sciences like biology, chemistry, and physics. Excellent biology and scientific writing skills promote professional success across various aspects of life. This form of writing comprises extensive research and the use of exact words to communicate summarized findings, peer reviews, or grant requests for future projects. Other reasons for scientific writing include seeking professional school admission and employment opportunities like biology writing jobs

Background Information on Writing in Biology

According to  Statista.com , the United States recorded over 49.4 thousand writers and authors in 2021 alone.  Studies  have shown that professional biologists spend more than 50% of their time writing. Scientists require an expert approach when writing their manuscripts; students do the same when writing their academic assignments.

Everyone has the potential to be the next J.K. Rowling or James Patterson, the two biggest personalities who have made their fortunes from writing. Anyone can become a good biology writer and reach their goals if they work hard and stay focused.

A good biologist should be able to analyze information critically, make decisions based on evidence, use proper citations, pay attention to details, and organize their writing. Biology and general scientific writing are important aspects of a scientist’s job because they help them learn more about science beyond what they learn in school.

Audience and Things to Write About in Writing Biology Articles

Even in the biological sciences, you can find interesting things to write about. In reality, the reverse is true of good writing. Skilled scientific writers can make their work more interesting because they know how to convey their message to their audience. Whether presenting results from basic or applied research, the author must work hard to capture the audience’s attention and demonstrate why they should care about what they have to say. The quality of the published work is directly proportional to the writing competency levels of the writers. In other words, people will assume that a writer’s expertise is substandard if they generate awful writing.

Researchers in the biological sciences usually write for other scientists in their field or for a more general scientific audience. Scientific writing can be anything from an abstract to a lab report to a long manuscript that explains the results of a study. People are becoming more aware of how important it is to share scientific findings with the general public. Because of this, biologists communicate their findings to people outside of the scientific community more and more. As opposed to “scientific writing,” this is what we call “writing about science.”

How much do you earn for publishing your Biology paper in a journal?

Journal authors usually don’t receive payment for their published works. However, some journal authors pay journal authors depending on their pre-agreement arrangements. Authors may sometimes receive payment for their articles through an honorarium or royalty payment . Journal authors benefit from the increased visibility and recognition of publishing in a reputable journal and the opportunity to share their research with a wider audience.

9 Major Types of Writing in Biology

Biology takes many forms, from scientific and academic writing to professional writing like journals and magazines. To be good at professional biology research writing, you must know the different kinds of writing used in the biological sciences. This section explores the major types of biology writing and offers tips for mastering each. This section encompasses all aspects of scientific writing papers in the biological sciences, including microbiology research, molecular biology writing, biotechnology writing, and cell biology authoring.

1. Biology Research Proposals

Biology research proposals are subject to peer-review and consist of a brief justification for the study, a problem statement, proposed study procedures, research questions or hypotheses, expected outcomes, and potential implications. The National Science Foundation (NSF) acknowledges that certain research proposals may have wider implications than others depending on the researcher’s approach.

Teaching students or assisting in resolving a societal problem based on scientific study findings is one example of a broader impact. Undergraduates in biology can find several minor grant opportunities. Learning to write grants is an excellent way for students to practice justifying their research.

2. Biology Laboratory Notebooks

A laboratory notebook is a record-keeping tool used in scientific research to document experimental procedures, observations, data, and other relevant information. It is a legal document and a scientific record of the research done in the lab. Notable settings that require the use of lab notebooks include providing evidence in patent applications, legal disputes, and academic publications. Writing a laboratory notebook provides technical references and resources for other scientists using the laboratory.

Lab notebooks offer a genuine, reliable record of the research conducted by a single researcher. A scientist’s laboratory notebook is an authentic record of their research efforts. Its contents will naturally vary from one researcher to the next. Yet, when a scientist leaves a laboratory, they leave behind the notebook because it belongs to the laboratory. The writer(s) of the laboratory notebook should include legible, trustworthy, and detailed information.

Laboratory notebooks are typically tamper-proof and include numbered pages, dates, pre-printed grids, and spaces for signatures and witness statements. In addition to research data, laboratory notebooks may also have notes about instrumentation, reagents, fixing problems, and other important details that could affect the validity and replicability of the research.

3. Biology Laboratory Reports

A laboratory report is a formal document that presents the results and analysis of a scientific experiment or investigation conducted in a laboratory setting. Writing a biology lab report includes a title, an abstract, a one-sentence summary of the experiment’s objectives, an introduction, sections on materials and methods, results, discussion, conclusions, references, and, if needed, appendices.

Biology lab reports also include tables, graphs, and other visual aids to make the information clear and understandable. Scientific lab reports communicate the experimental procedures, results, and conclusions to the scientific community in a standardized format, allowing others to verify and build upon the findings. Scientists, researchers, or students in many areas of biology, such as molecular biology, biotechnology, developmental biology, microbiology, and cell biology, can write lab reports.

4. Biology Research Manuscripts

A biology research manuscript is a primary literature describing scientific experimental results. They can be full-length reports or short notes. Full-length reports communicate long experiments more completely, whereas short notes highlight notable results. Besides the standard sections of a biology paper, research manuscripts also have acknowledgments of technical and financial aid and a bibliography.

5. Biology Review Papers

Review papers are a type of secondary literature that provides a detailed and thorough overview of all the published research on a certain topic in biology. They are valuable resources for scientists who are new to a field. The authors of the review collect and analyze the primary literature. They then present their findings in a way that is clear, well-structured, and backed up by proper references.

6. Scientific Primary Literature Critiques

A critique of primary literature involves evaluating the content and quality of a publication. To do a thorough review, the writer must first put the paper in its proper context, figure out its main point, and analyze its methods and results in detail. In general, authors of critiques must assess the manuscript’s readability and adherence to established guidelines per the Short Guide to Writing About Biology, 9th Edition. Critiques of primary literature usually discuss the pros and cons of the experiment’s setup and the scientific style used.

7. Abstract

An abstract summarizes a research paper or poster, highlighting each section’s most important parts. Abstracts usually have a short introduction, the main goals, the method, the most important results, and a short explanation of the data. In many fields, it is also appropriate to include a sentence or two on the implications of the research. In practical circumstances, you must compose an abstract when applying to present your research paper at scientific conferences.

8. Scientific Posters

A poster in scientific writing presents a visual display of research findings. It combines text, graphics, and images to concisely and clearly summarize the data collected. Posters are a popular form of scientific communication at conferences. Posters capture the audience’s attention and effectively convey the key points of the research. Biology posters should scientific and full of useful information that helps the audience understand the biology research as a type of paper in the biological sciences.

9. Writing About Science

Writing about science requires the same set of skills as scientific writing. However, it employs a more accessible language and style to increase reader engagement. You can write about science in blog posts, persuasive essays, tweets, discussion forums, or informative pieces that translate scientific journal articles. Although writing improvement approaches apply to scientific writing and writing about science, certain conventions, such as using SI units, citing primary literature, and using scientific names, appear more often in scientific writing.

4 Forms of Evidence in writing in the biological sciences

When writing in biology, evidence is crucial to support arguments and conclusions. Sources of evidence in biology writing include primary literature, secondary and mainstream sources, and data. Understanding how professional biologists write can help you see how the same practices apply to your writing for biology papers.

The writing style for scientific articles incorporates peer-reviewed literature to support the study’s justification in the introduction, describes the methodology used in the methods section, and places the work within a broader context or comparison in the discussion section.

Even though writers of biology papers may also use mainstream sources, these sources do not replace peer-reviewed literature. Peer-reviewed literature is available in two forms: primary and secondary. The data in the results section provides evidence to support any speculations mentioned in the discussion section. You can think of the evidence used in biology writing as falling into four categories: primary sources, secondary sources, mainstream sources, and data.

1. Evidence from Primary Sources

Primary sources, usually scholarly articles, are the first written record of a study and include the original data and ideas. These papers undergo peer review by the scientific community before publication, although the review quality may vary. A standard primary literature paper has an abstract, an introduction, methods, results, and a discussion. The abstract serves as a stand-alone summary of the entire study. Still, it’s important to read the primary source, not just the abstract, because it might not tell the whole story.

2. Evidence from Secondary Sources

Secondary sources, also called review papers, are pieces of writing that collect and combine information from primary sources. These sources may reorganize or change data, look for links between different publications, or do metadata analyses on data from other sources. These analyses aim to identify patterns in data produced by other researchers. Some secondary sources, especially those in book chapters, may undergo peer review. However, secondary sources have less original information or ideas than primary sources.

3. Evidence from Mainstream Sources

Newspapers, encyclopedias, and textbooks are examples of mainstream sources that don’t go through peer review and give general or background information about science instead of reporting on new discoveries. Writing about science often relies on review summaries, science translation websites, and other sources to support a story. Institutional or government websites can be a good source of information for biologists. Still, before using them as sources, one should check these sources for accuracy, authority, currency, objectivity, and coverage. For instance, Wikipedia cannot be a reliable source. Laboratory reports may refer to textbooks or lab manuals.

Evidence from Research Data

In research papers, scientific writers present information in different ways, such as tables, graphs, photos of gels, or diagrams. Biology writers can change these presentations to make them clearer. Still, they must be careful not to change the truth of the data or misrepresent the interpretation of these results. Regardless of the form, proper labeling and descriptions must provide context. Each presentation of data should be self-sufficient and understandable outside of the paper.

Instead of giving raw data, authors of numerical analysis should give means along with a measure of variation, usually one standard deviation (SD) or standard error (SE). After performing statistical significance tests, scientific research writers should report the P value and the right test statistic (such as F for ANOVA, R for correlation analyses, and R2 for regression). In agarose or polyacrylamide gel images, the bands must be clear and, if necessary, labeled with their molecular weight.

Biology Writing Guidelines for Biology Manuscripts

Are there set standards for writing in the biological sciences? No, biology as a subject comprises many fields that can overlap or develop their own writing standards. As scientific research becomes increasingly multidisciplinary, new forms of biology writing are emerging. In biology, no central body or system regulates writing style like in other fields (such as psychology or history).

Like those in journals, biology papers often use unique formatting for citations and bibliographies. For instance, a biochemistry journal would have a different formatting style from a molecular biology paper. But all biological science papers must use ideas from peer-reviewed or scholarly articles and sources that are up-to-date, clear, and correct. Also, the standard format for peer-reviewed publications is constant all of biology’s main fields.

How can one avoid manuscript rejections? Follow the guidelines under this section.

General Rules when Submitting Manuscript for Publication

There are rules about biological articles’ structure, presentation, and coherence (i.e., figures, citations, notations, tense, voice, etc.). Biologists don’t earn revenue when they publish in the usual venues for disseminating their research findings, such as peer-reviewed journals. In fact, many journals have page charges for articles. Hence, every word counts! A biologist needs to understand how to summarize their findings in as few words as possible while still getting the point across.

When sending a paper to a journal, authors must read the journal’s “ Guide to Authors ” and follow its instructions to increase the chances of the peer-reviewers accepting the papers. The manuscript authors still have a chance to resubmit their papers elsewhere after making all the necessary corrections per the laid-down publication standards. All the papers you’ll write for your biology disciplines will follow the same format as those published in scholarly journals.

Interdisciplinary Nature of Biology Writing

Biology is a complex and varied field that overlaps with many other areas of study, such as chemistry, physics, math, and even the social sciences. Biology is the study of life at many different levels, from the molecular (like DNA and RNA sequences) to the micro (like how cells work) to the macro (like human ecology). The intersection of these diverse fields has resulted in groundbreaking discoveries like translational medicine, molecular neuroscience, and molecular ecology.

So, writing in biology is inherently interdisciplinary , and authors must be able to explain complicated ideas to people with different backgrounds and levels of knowledge. No matter their field, authors of articles for biology magazines and manuscripts must follow the publication’s rules. Whether you’re a scientist, a student, or a science writer, it’s important to understand how writing in the biological sciences relates to other fields.

What are some of the Conventions in Biology Writing?

Even though there are no hard-and-fast rules for writing in biology, scientific papers usually follow a set of conventions that you should use in your papers. The following are some of the conventions of writing in the biological sciences.

1. Who is the Audience for Biology Papers?

Most scientific papers are written in the English language. Still, it’s important to remember that English is only a few scientists’ first languages. So, writers must use proper English without colloquialisms, jargon, slang from a certain region, or cultural references. Most of the time, biologists write about their audience in the third person to keep a formal and professional tone.

2. How does Writing Differ Between Biology Disciplines?

The style and level of creativity in titles of scientific manuscripts and posters differ across sub-disciplines in biology. Ecologists use clever metaphors to explain science, while people who write about cell and molecular biology usually use standard technical language. Ecologists like to write in the active voice, while cell biologists only write in the passive voice. Molecular biologists also use passive voice but use active voice sparingly for emphasis.

These conventions can be explained by ecologists studying organisms that exhibit action. At the same time, inanimate objects are more common in cell and molecular biology (e.g., “the spider moved” vs. “sodium hydroxide was added; the gel bands were illuminated”).

3. Do You Quote or Paraphrase When Writing in Biology?

Biology writers are not free to quote, as they also need to follow the conventions of academic and professional writing. Quoting should be used sparingly, and most of the text (99.9%) should be paraphrased in the writer’s own words. When quoting, it’s important to use the right format and citation, such as quotation marks and a citation that shows the source of the quote. Direct quotes should be used when the wording is noteworthy, or the author’s original phrasing is essential.

4. Five Major Formatting and Citation Style in writing in biology

No one citation style applies to all areas of writing in biology. It is necessary to follow the specific guidelines the publisher, professor, or client provides. Most institutions provide their respective guidelines in the student handbook for writing in biology. On the other hand, every publisher has rules that authors of biology papers must follow when sending their manuscripts. If none are given, commonly used styles include CSE , APA , AMA , Vancouver , or Harvard .

Council of Science Editors (CSE) is biologists’ most preferred formatting and citation style. Still, it is not the only recommended style.

When citing peer-reviewed primary literature, biologists usually include the author, year, title, journal, volume (issue), and page numbers. Parenthetical notation often refers to sources, figures, or statistical support within the text. Sources are typically cited in a “Name and Year” format, sometimes with a comma depending on the journal or style.

Statistical tests, programs, and instrumental parameters can also be included in parentheses. It is recommended to consult examples from the target journal, school, or client. Footnotes are rarely used in scientific papers, but some publications may use a numbered reference superscript to refer to the list of references.

5. How to avoid having your manuscript rejected?

i. Concentrate on clear and relevant objectives

Good papers should make huge contribution to the specific area of study. This can be demonstrated by explaining to your reviewers and audiences the specific objectives you want to achieve.

ii. Select the right journal and adhere to its rules

Not all journals will fit your research paper. Take your time to go through various journals, read their requirements and focus on formatting your paper to meet the its guidelines.

iii. Discuss your results

Most manuscripts get rejected because of focusing only on presenting findings instead of critically explaining these research findings. You must discuss and interpret your findings to convince readers, editors, and review bench.

iv. Craft a clear and compelling abstract

An abstract is the first section your audience will see. Again, you will present your research abstract to the publisher before sending the whole manuscript for consideration. Ideally, and abstract is your selling section of the paper. Therefore, it should be written concisely and precisely to encourage reviewers and readers.

v. Your manuscript should be original and non-plagiarized

This doesn’t mean that every part of your research should be new. Instead, you should present the main aspect of your biology paper with prove of originality. Where applicable, provide references for other peoples’ concepts or your previous work. Ethical writing in biology disregards recycling and rewrapping of other people’s work or your past projects. Submitting a manuscript with new research increases its chances of being accepted.

vi. Most importantly, proofread your work before submission

After writing your biology paper, you should edit and proofread all parts of the paper. Validate arguments and revising where necessary. You can hire a biology editor and proofreader freelancer from platforms such as premierlance.com . This way, you can reduce the chances of your paper being rejected as early as the manuscript submission stage.

6. How Does a Manuscript Become a Publication?

When a reputable scientific journal accepts a manuscript for publication, it is called a “publication.” This process typically involves a rigorous peer-review process in which experts evaluate the manuscript in the field and provide feedback on the quality and validity of the research. Can I submit a rejected paper to another journal? Before a manuscript is accepted for publication, the author may have to make changes and resubmit it more than once.

Once the manuscript has been accepted, it will be proofread and set up for print or online publication. The final published version of the manuscript will typically include a DOI (Digital Object Identifier) and be indexed in databases such as PubMed , Google Scholar , and Embase , allowing other researchers to discover and cite the work.

Some papers can also be published before they are fully reviewed and accepted by the journal publisher. These are referred to as preprints.

Bonus Tip: Common Mistakes to Avoid in Biology Writing

Writing latin names in biology papers.

In biology writing, pay attention to formatting when using Latin. For ecology, you should always put an organism’s genus and species in italics or underlines and capitalize the genus but not the species. In molecular biology, the rules for formatting genes and the things they make are different and must be used consistently throughout the text. You can find specific formatting information for different species on dedicated websites like genenames.org for humans, flybase.org for flies, and the National Center for Biotechnology Information for bacteria .

Using Chemical Formulae when writing in the biological sciences

Use correct spelling and formatting of characters when writing chemical formulae; for example, MgCl 2 should have the subscript.

Tense and Voice for writing in biology

A biology writer should use the active voice and past tense. The active voice shows that the action is done by the subject of the sentence, while the past tense shows that the action happened in the past. It is also important to pay attention to the person (preferably 1st or 3rd, not 2nd) and subject/verb agreement, considering both the number and tense.

Using Units when Writing in Biology

In biology writing, it is required to use metric or SI units of measure. In case of conversion, you can use online tools such as goconvert.com.

Other Common Mistakes to Avoid in Writing in Biology

• In biology writing, “Because” implies you want to give a reason, and “since” means the time. Unlike in other disciplines, where you can use “because” and “since” interchangeably when writing biology papers, you should avoid using “since” to mean “because.”
• Avoid “While” in your biology papers when contrasting items or concepts since “While” means things happening simultaneously. Use phrases like “Whereas” or “Although” instead of “while” when contrasting.
• E.g., vs., i.e.:- e.g., refers to “for example” (Latin exempli gratia and precedes an example. i.e., on the other hand, means “that is” (Latin id est) and precedes a clarification or explanation.
• Species is a word that is both plural and singular.
• Use “Data” in the plural case, e.g., “Data are…”

Last Words on Biology Writing

Although the above guidelines emphasize writing in biology, this article is an all-inclusive guideline for scientific writing. You learn the fundamentals of scientific research writing in life and physical sciences like physics, biology, and chemistry. Writing a biology paper can be hard, but using the tools and ideas in this guide can make an informative and interesting paper.

From learning the basic structure and details of writing different types of biology papers to understanding how to cite and format them, this complete guide has made it easier to understand all the tricks and tips you can use to do well in writing biology papers. Also, you can determine what you expect from your biology writer for every specific type of scientific writing.

Whether you are a freelance writer, a researcher, or a student, these guidelines for scientific writing will help you create content that engages your target audience and correctly adds new, reliable information to the scientific field. So, use these tips and tricks immediately to turn your ideas into good scientific papers.

If you are looking for a professional writer in biology and healthcare or need editing and proofreading of your manuscripts and other articles, don’t hesitate to contact me here .

You can also submit a query for a free biology and scientific writing consultation.

Thank you for reading, and don’t forget to share it with your friends and comment below.

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Essays About Biology: Top 5 Best Examples and 6 Prompts

Writing essays about biology can be difficult because it’s composed of many subtopics. Check out this article for our top essay examples and writing prompts.

Biology came from the Greek words “bios” (life) and “logos” (study). It’s why biology is the study of life or living organisms. Aside from being a natural science, it also has consolidated themes, such as cells making all organisms. Because it’s a broad topic, biology is divided into specialized fields such as botany, genetics, zoology, microbiology, medicine, and ecology. 

Biologists consider living beings’ origin, evolution, growth, function, structure, and distribution. It’s a comprehensive subject, so there are many things you can write about in your essay. However, at the same time, you might find it challenging to focus on just one area. 

Below are examples to give you an idea of how to write your essays about biology:

1. Essay About Biology by Kelli Wilkins

2. my interests in biology by anonymous on essaywriting.expert, 3. essay on the importance of study of biology by akhila mol, 4. what biology means to me by anonymous on studymode.com, 5. how my biology teacher changed my perspective of learning the subject by sankalan bhattacharya, 1. biology in my everyday life, 2. something i realized because of biology, 3. my memorable biology class experience, 4. genetics’ role in people’s diseases, 5. my experience during the pandemic, 6. biology and health.

“Studying Biology is important for a number of reasons, but in particular because it is used in every field. If we did not have a good understanding of Biology then nobody would be able to understand how bodies work, and how life on earth functions.”

Wilkins shares her desire to study anatomy, a branch of biology, and expounds on what makes biology an essential field. Because biology lets people know more about the world, she digs into why she’s interested in anatomy, specifically to find ways to cure illnesses and develop technologies to discover new treatments. She ends her essay by relating biology to the existence of doctors and hospitals. 

“It is known that education plays an important role in the life of any individual. It gives an opportunity to develop personality and gain specific skills, to get profound knowledge and experience in order to apply them practically in the future. As for me, my major goal is to study Biology in order to get appropriate knowledge and skills required for my future profession.”

The author shares why they want to study biology, referring to the human body as the “perfect machine” and curious about how it performs each of its systems’ functions. The writer also mentions how biology is critical to their future profession. They aim to help people with their health problems and relay their desire to research the brain to find more data on it. 

“The study of biology owes great significance in human life, because man for its day-to-day requirements is dependent on plants and animals either directly or indirectly.”

Mol lists seven reasons why humans need biology in their daily lives. Her list includes health, diseases, agriculture, horticulture, food, animal breeding, and entertainment. She expounds on each point and how they affect a man during his time on Earth. She explains each relationship in a simple manner that’s easy to understand for the readers.

“Without biology, we would have no idea about an organism’s makeup, or the most basic unit of life, a cell… Biology influences me in many ways. Biology influences me by teaching me why to take care of the environment, why I am to take care of my body, and by giving me a better overall view of all scientific areas of study.”

In this short essay, the writer lists down reasons why biology is essential. These reasons include taking care of the environment, one’s body, and others. The author also expounds on their reasons by presenting facts supporting biology’s importance to the world and human lives.

“He told that the syllabus may be a good way to prepare for an exam but our knowledge should not be limited to any syllabus and the questions that were asked in the examination were related to the topic only. He told that if we try to know things in detail and understand them properly then the interest in the subject will develop, otherwise, students will not treat the subject as a subject of their choice. 

Bhattacharya shares his experience with a teacher with a unique teaching style. His Biology teacher from Class 7, before the era of the internet, don’t just carry one book to get all his lessons from. Instead, he has a notebook with the collated information from many books to teach his class. 

Bhattacharya’s teacher taught them things that were not in the curriculum, even if following the curriculum would give him higher points in his evaluation. He only wanted his students to learn more and share with them why learning differs from just knowing. 

Do you want to be sure you have an excellent essay? See our round-up of the best essay writing apps to help you check your output.

6 Prompts for Essays About Biology

You don’t have to be a biology student to write an essay about the subject. If you’re looking for easy prompts to write about, here are some to get you started:

If mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cell, who is the powerhouse of your classroom? Your home? Relate a biology topic to a similar structure in your life, then explain why you think they are the same. 

For instance, you can compare your mother to mitochondria which generate the energy needed to power a cell. The cell being you. You can say that she gives you energy every day by being there and supporting you in whatever way she can. This prompt bodes for a creative and intriguing essay.

Relay a lesson you learned from biology and how it perfectly explained something you were once hesitant about. Such as being insecure about your big ears – only to know from a biology trivia that ears never stop growing. You can then share how this help lessen your insecurity because you now know large ears are normal. 

Do you have a memory you won’t forget that happened during biology class? Narrate this story and explain why it’s something that left an impression on you. To give you an idea, you can talk about the first time you dissected an animal, where you first realized how complex organisms are and that they are made of many systems to function, no matter how small.

Gene action and heredity are evolving. If you have a genetic illness or know someone who has it, you can share your experience. Then explain what your genes have to do with the disease. Is it something you got from your parents? Did they inherit it from your grandparents? Finally, you can add what your parents’ and grandparents’ lives were like because of the disease.

Virology, another branch of biology, studies viruses and viral diseases. A recent example is the coronavirus pandemic, where more people realized the importance of knowing a virus’ origin, structure, and how they work. Write an essay where you explain how the pandemic operates, such as why people should wear masks, social distance, etc.

For this essay, you can write about how biology helps you care for your health. For example, you can include how biology helped doctors give you the appropriate diagnosis, how you had the opportunity to have the proper treatment, etc. 

If you want to write on a related topic, here are essay topics about nature you can consider for your next essay. 

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Writing in Biology: A Brief Guide

At once sophisticated and practical, Writing in Biology advises students on composing research articles, literature reviews, oral presentations, and other key biology genres.

For sale via Oxford University Press :

At once sophisticated and practical, Writing in Biology: A Brief Guide advises students on composing research articles, literature reviews, oral presentations, and other key biology genres. The book gives careful attention to both the governing priciples of audience, purpose, and argument, and the ground rules for style, visual design, and sourcing. Writing in Biology: A Brief Guide is a part of a series of brief, discipline-specific writing guides from Oxford University Press designed for today’s writing-intensive college courses. The series is edited by Thomas Deans (University of Connecticut) and Mya Poe (Northeastern University).

Leslie Roldan

Leslie Ann Roldan, Ph.D., is a Lecturer II in MIT's Writing, Rhetoric, and Professional Communication (WRAP) program, and co-author of Writing in Biology: A Brief Guide (Oxford University Press, 2016). She holds a B.A. in English from Stanford University, and a Ph.D. in Biology from MIT, where she trained with Tania Baker. ​Since 2005, she has been teaching communication-intensive courses in the MIT Departments of Biology, Chemistry, and Brain & Cognitive Sciences. Her current scholarly research focuses on developing pedagogical tools to help students write literature reviews and understand the logic of their disciplines. Her nonacademic interests include cooking, learning jazz, and enjoying the outdoors.

Mary-Lou Pardue

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