Science Writing Self-Evaluation: Abridged for Students

Whole Piece

Summarize the content of your piece in one sentence.

Sentence Outline: In the space below, write one sentence that summarizes the key idea of each paragraph.

Re-read the sentence-summaries. Is there a logical flow of thought from one sentence to the next? Rearrange, add, or delete sentences as you see fit. Next, go back to your piece and rearrange the paragraphs to reflect your changes here.

Underline the first sentence of each paragraph.

Does this sentence accurately reflect the content covered by the paragraph? If not, adjust the first sentence (or the paragraph) to accurately fit the key ideas you wrote about in the sentence outline, above. (You can de-underline it when you’re done with this)

Sentences

Identify any sentences in your piece that are longer than 20 words. Challenge yourself to make some of those sentences shorter.

Your piece should have in-text citations. In-text citations should be present each time you make a statement based on something that you’ve researched.

If you’re unfamiliar with in-text citations, consult this guide https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/in_text_citations_the_basics.html. Any format of in-text citation is fine, as long as you’re consistent throughout the piece. These citations should be referenced in a bibliography at the end of the piece.

Identify the places in your piece where you make a statement that isn’t based on your research.

Is this your opinion? If so, be clear that it’s your opinion.

Is this something that you’ve experienced? Again, be clear that you’re drawing from personal experience

(E.g. “Most people love dogs” is an opinion. “Dogs are friendly toward their owners” could be an observation from personal experience.”)

Words

Ctrl+f for this, that, these, and those. Would a reader be able to easily identify what each of these pronouns is referencing? Make sure each pronoun is followed by the noun that it is referencing.

Ctrl+f for is, are, was, and were. Can you replace these to be verbs with a more descriptive verb?

Count all the terms and acronyms in your piece that someone outside your field is not likely to define correctly. Write the number of acronyms and terms you use here.

Are these terms all defined? Are you sure that all of those terms are necessary? Replace unnecessary terms and acronyms.