Biological Communications
With Pete Wyckoff
Revised: 27 Aug 08
Reference Text:
Pechenik, J. A. 2001. A short
guide to writing about biology.
You should plan on meeting with me at least once every two weeks to discuss your progress.
Finding a topic: I am willing to supervise any paper related to ecology, conservation biology, public health or epidemiology. Topics falling outside those categories may be better suited for another professor (though we should talk—I am probably willing to let you help me expand my horizons with a topic outside my areas of expertise).
To find a topic, I recommend that you determine what areas are “hot” by perusing recent issues of Science, Nature, Ecology, Ecological Applications, Bioscience, Trends in Ecology and Evolution, or Annual Reviews in Ecology and Systematics
1. Outline: Before writing your first draft, I require a detailed outline (one point on the outline for each paragraph). The outline should include references with in-text citations.
Your primary goal in writing this and every paper is to tell a story. At the top of the outline list your thesis (the point of the story). I should be able to understand the story and see its flow from your outline. In addition, at the top of your outline, write me a 1 paragraph synopsis of the story you are planning to tell.
DUE: Mon, Oct 13 (end of 7 weeks)
This is 10% of your grade.
2. Draft: I require that you turn in a first draft of your paper by week 11. I will be harsh in my critique!—the goal is to help you produce the best final copy of your paper possible. I do not want a “rough” draft! Strive to turn in a polished paper.
Helpful hints—I want to see your thesis in your first paragraph. I also want a map of where the paper is going in either the first or second paragraph. Use transitions that tell me what you are going to talk about next and why. Each paragraph needs a topic sentence (you should be able to steal topic sentence off of your outline).
Editing: I am your professor, not your editor. I will comment on grammar and prose for only the first 3-5 pages of your draft. For the remainder of the draft, comments will be confined to content. Grammar and prose (for the entire paper) will account for approximately half your final grade!
I beg and implore you to use an editor—find a good reliable peer or use the writing room. I am willing to set down and help you with edits, but only if you first use another editor.
DUE: Week 11—Friday, Nov. 7
This is 30% of your grade.
3. Optional Draft 2:
If you would like a second round of input before you turn in the final
copy, you may submit a second draft. If
you choose this option, the first draft becomes 10% of your grade, and the
second draft is worth 20%. The
marked-up, graded copy of the first draft must be attached to the back of this
second draft.
DUE: Week 13—Monday, Nov. 24
4. Final Copy: The marked-up, graded copies of your previous drafts must be attached to the back your final copy.
DUE: Last day of classes
This is 60% of your grade.
Number of sources: At least 8 primary sources. Secondary sources can be used as well, but don’t count towards the 8 source minimum.
Length: Whatever it takes, but not more than 20 pages and not less than 12 pages. Use Times New Roman 12 point font (or something similar). Standard margins. Double space.