Research and Writing Tips

Perhaps the most important first step you will want to take is to narrow your topic sufficiently so that it can be covered in 700-1,000 words. Once you get writing, you will discover that is fewer words than it might seem to be. And if you choose too broad a topic, your treatment of it will probably come across as superficial and general. The essay readers will think you just skimmed the surface of your subject, and you will lose points for that.

One way to narrow your topic is to phrase it in your mind as scientists often phrase problems they confront—as a question. Say you are interested in air pollution. You might start with a question like, “How can we reduce air pollution in the United States?” There’s no way that you will be able to answer that question intelligently in 1,000 words. So narrow it down to “How can we come up with energy sources that will reduce air pollution?” Then narrow it again, to something like “What kinds of energy create the least pollution?” Then, you might narrow it to “What role can the use of solar energy play in reducing air pollution in the United States?”

Now, that may STILL be too broad—but it is getting closer. And the process of narrowing-down will also help you zero in on what you really want to write about and what the focus of your research should be.

Speaking of research, writers today have more material close at hand than ever before. Using search words to cruise the Internet for relevant information has revolutionized nonfiction writing. But it also has created new dangers, because it is still true that you can’t believe everything you read. When gathering information, stick with reputable sources. Sites that have the suffixes gov. (government) or edu. (educational) are most often most trustworthy. The national organization of the branch of science that is relevant to your topic should be dependable. Online encyclopedias are sometimes dependable. Posts or blogs by individuals, particularly if they are not experts who can demonstrate their credentials, are very often undependable, and good to stay away from. Don’t use information from any site that is trying to sell anything. In general, make sure that any fact you use in your argument is verifiable by at least two or three sources—just as scientists make sure the results of experiments can be independently duplicated before considering them to be valid.

Now, a word about style—writing style. This is to be a “formal” essay, not a personal one, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t let your personality shine through. You have enthusiasm for your topic; let the reader see it. It’s all right to use a little humor, too. It’s a good idea to give your essay immediacy by using brief quotations from experts. And it’s OK—in fact, it’s a plus—to use figures of speech such as similes, metaphors, personification, and alliteration. You may associate those kinds of things more with papers for English class than with science essays, but in fact they enliven any kind of writing. Look at this paragraph from an essay by the late science writer Lewis Thomas:

Ants are so much like human beings as to be an embarrassment. They farm fungi, raise aphids as livestock, launch armies into war, use chemical sprays to alarm and confuse enemies, capture slaves, engage in child labor, exchange information ceaselessly. They do everything but watch television.

That is an extended example of personification, comparing ants to people—and isn’t it fun to read? And doesn’t it also provide useful information about ants? And doesn’t it make you want to read more? You may not have the experience as a writer that Lewis Thomas had, but you can give your writing flair, too.