Writing in Biology
Writing in Biology (ZOO/BOT 4100)
This course aims to refine your technical writing skills, both for scientific (papers, technical reports, reviews, popular science) and business-related products (C.V., resume, cover letter), by combining lectures with group and independent work and lots of practice. The first 8 weeks of the course (lecture) will will be taught by me. You will work closely with your discussion section instructor for the remainder of the course.
Discussion Contract (due Feb. 8, 2012)
Week 1 (11 January)
Introduction to the course and to formal writing, goals and philosophy of the class.
lecture 2: Empty Nouns and Dead Verbs
Empty Nouns and Dead Verbs list
exercise 1: Verbs, nouns, and sentences
Homework: 1) 2 page essay on “My evolving interest in Biology”. (Double-spaced, 12pt Times, 1 in margins). Due next week; 2) Read Hacker sections 1-15 and SW Ch. 1 and 2 for next week 3) Re-read lecture 2 (link above)
Week 2 (18 January)
Writing concisely, word choice, active vs. passive voice
lecture 3: words and sentences
Homework: 1) Revise “My evolving interest” essay based on readings and exercises we’ve already covered in class. Email me two things before class next week: a) Original essay from week 1, marked up with “track changes”, and b) “Clean” edited version; 2) Read Hacker 17-24, SW Ch. 5; 3) Re-read lecture 3 (link above).
Week 3 (25 January)
punctuation and putting it all together.
Homework: 1) Revise your essay taking into account peer comments. Email me the final version (“lastname-final.doc”) AND bring a printed copy to class next week (you will be graded on this).
Week 4 (1 February)
sentences and parallelism
Homework: 1) exercise 6 due in class next week, 2) BEFORE class next week, read the paper I emailed to you, 3) Bring your signed contract next week.
Week 5 (8 February)
Quiz 1 in class and scientific writing. In class group exercise in decostructing a scientific paper.
Week 6 (15 February)
Figure legends and writing cover letters and resumes
lecture 8: Cover letters and resumes
exercise 7: Writing figure legends (in class)
Homework: Write a cover letter and resume applying for your dream job. Make up the job description and address your materials to me — your potential future boss. Bring hard copies of both to class next week.
Resources
University of Wyoming Writing Center
Council of Science Editors (Home page — see Reference link for more resources)
Some sites for job application materials: Sample resumes and templates, more resume templates