Points that will be removed from the papers

Criteria For Grading Science Papers

-5 points

(-3 for each additional "I")

DO NOT USE THE WORDS "I, me, myself," etc. Do not refer to yourself . This is the biggest mistake made by students.

-5 points

(-3 for each additional "you")

DO NOT USE THE WORD "you." The reader is probably not involved or affected by the subject. This is the second biggest mistake made by students. Rewrite the sentence and the word "you" will no longer be needed.

Use the third person when ever possible. (i.e. they, them, the individual, the patient, etc), better yet rewrite the sentence to eliminate the need for the word "you"

Do not keep saying "the article says" or "the author says." Just write about the material. The reader knows where it comes from because either the paper is included or there is a reference page.

-5 points

Also do not say " I choose this paper or subject because…." It is obvious that you choose this subject and an introduction like this just sounds silly.

Use paragraphs. If a paragraph runs more than a page it needs to be broken up.  Indent when each paragraphs so it is obvious that a new paragraph is starting.

-1 for each mistake

Watch for "their and there" or "are and our". Use the right word

-10 points

Always run spell and grammar check but do not trust it. They both skip things.

REREAD your paper. Make sure that each sentence makes sense. Then have someone else reread the paper. It is obvious if you do not reread your papers.

-10 points

Do not over dramatize. Genetic engineering, cloning, or anthrax are not the end of the world. Do not write as though they are. This also tends to sound silly more than dramatic.

-10 points

Do not write there are upsides and downsides, pros and cons, etc to this issue. You can easily say that there are advantages, there are positives, etc. Try to include these types of comments through out the body of the paper. Do not list them all in one paragraph

-5 for each mistake

The word scientists is plural. There is not one scientist researching anything. Scientists come from a variety of backgrounds and as a result they do not agree on anything. In addition they are not evil people who are leading us down a path of moral decay. Do not treat scientific research as though it is evil.

If you cannot figure out how your subject relates to the subject just look in the index in the back of the book to find more information.

If you do not understand your subject please come talk to me during office hours and I will help you out.

Up to –50%

Follow all assignment instructions.