Writing Results, Conclusion, and Abstract Paragraphs

Purpose: All scientists (and 7 th grade students) write a results paragraph to discuss the results of an experiment. They write conclusion paragraphs to sum up their experiment and to make recommendations for the future. 7 th grade scientists are a bit confused on how to write them!

Today you will… Write a results paragraph Write an abstract paragraph Edit your conclusion paragraph

Some Tips: These should be PARAGRAPHS. A paragraph consists of sentences. It should flow and contain NO fragments. Personal pronouns are NOT used in either paragraph. Some personal pronouns are: MyWeOurYouI

More Tips: Speak Scientifically – be very formal. Words like “okay”, “pretty good”, “winner”, are not scientific enough. Change them to things like: Okay = a moderate/medium amount Okay = a moderate/medium amount Pretty good = soaked up 75% of the oil Pretty good = soaked up 75% of the oil Winner = soaked up the majority of oil or the most out of the resources tested. Winner = soaked up the majority of oil or the most out of the resources tested.

Summarize… The tips & grammar you should be utilizing during scientific writing to a neighbor!

Results This paragraph is used to describe in words what is shown in the data table/graph

Results Format Sentence 1: Describe what was being observed, what is shown in the data table/graph. Sentence 1: Describe what was being observed, what is shown in the data table/graph. Ex. The data table shows how much oil each natural resource was able to absorb. Sentences 2 – ?: What trends do you notice in the graph/data? Does it rise and fall or stay steady in a rising/falling/flat manner? Sentences 2 – ?: What trends do you notice in the graph/data? Does it rise and fall or stay steady in a rising/falling/flat manner? Ex. The data shows that the oil absorbed through each trial stays steady for the natural resource being used. However, the feather consistently absorbed more oil that the wood and cotton.

Results Format Next Sentence(s): What are some interesting features about the data? Are there low or high points? What about the averages? It is interesting that every trial remained consistent. Furthermore, it is interesting that the feather was the greatest absorbent of the oil but is the object most likely to be in the water when an oil spill occurs therefore killing animals. It is interesting that every trial remained consistent. Furthermore, it is interesting that the feather was the greatest absorbent of the oil but is the object most likely to be in the water when an oil spill occurs therefore killing animals. Final Sentences(s): What does the data tell you? What was the end result/major finding? Ex. An interesting feature about the data is that the cottonballs in trial one…… while in trial two….. Ex. An interesting feature about the data is that the cottonballs in trial one…… while in trial two…..

Edit & Self-Assess the Results Paragraph Look back over the “Tips” you received earlier: Are you satisfied with your results paragraph? If YES, move on to editing your conclusion! If YES, move on to editing your conclusion! If NO, ask a peer or teacher to edit for you! If NO, ask a peer or teacher to edit for you!

Abstract This paragraph provides the reader with a summary of the ENTIRE project! It should be detailed but concise ( words…don’t worry about this now, you can do a “word count” in the computer lab!) It should be detailed but concise ( words…don’t worry about this now, you can do a “word count” in the computer lab!)

Abstract Format State the purpose of the project (1 sent.) The purpose of this project was to determine the effect of __________ on ____________. The purpose of this project was to determine the effect of __________ on ____________. State they hypothesis of the project (1 sent.) The hypothesis stated that “If______, then_____.” The hypothesis stated that “If______, then_____.” Summarize your procedures (3-4 sent) Provide an overview of the experiment Provide an overview of the experiment Do not give details about the materials or steps! Do not give details about the materials or steps!

Abstract Format (cont.) Summarize the results (1-2 sent.) Provide KEY RESULTS that lead to the conclusions Provide KEY RESULTS that lead to the conclusions Do NOT give details about trials Do NOT give details about trials Discuss the conclusions (2-3 sent.) Describe the major finding BRIEFLY Describe the major finding BRIEFLY State whether the hypothesis was supported or denied State whether the hypothesis was supported or denied State ideas for future research…what could you do to study this topic further? State ideas for future research…what could you do to study this topic further?

Edit & Self-Assess the Abstract Look back over the “Tips” you received earlier: Are you satisfied with the abstract? Does it summarize your ENTIRE experiment in a concise manner? Does it summarize your ENTIRE experiment in a concise manner? If YES, move on to editing your conclusion! If NO, ask a peer or teacher to edit for you!

Conclusion Format: Sentence 1: State the purpose of the experiment (the problem) EX: The purpose of this experiment was to determine _____. EX: The purpose of this experiment was to determine _____. Sentence 2: State the major findings. Ex. The major findings of the experiment were that the cottonballs were the most efficient… Ex. The major findings of the experiment were that the cottonballs were the most efficient… Sentence 3: Tell whether or not the hypothesis was supported (NOT right or wrong) Ex. It was hypothesized that sawdust would absorb the most oil, however the feathers absorbed more. Therefore, the hypothesis was not supported. Ex. It was hypothesized that sawdust would absorb the most oil, however the feathers absorbed more. Therefore, the hypothesis was not supported.

Conclusion Format Sentence 4: Compare your results to your research. Ex. Research shows that birds who are covered in oil are unable to fly. The feathers soak up much of the oil. However, in this experiment, it was shown that the feathers did not soak up much of the oil. Ex. Research shows that birds who are covered in oil are unable to fly. The feathers soak up much of the oil. However, in this experiment, it was shown that the feathers did not soak up much of the oil.

Conclusion Format Sentence 5: Explain any errors (YES, you all have errors. Only a super controlled lab environment would have no errors!) Hint: An error is NOT how you goofed around or some people didn’t work hard. It is something like, the timing was off or too much oil was added…. Hint: An error is NOT how you goofed around or some people didn’t work hard. It is something like, the timing was off or too much oil was added….

Conclusion Format Sentence 6: Explain impact on scientific community Hint: This is the part where you connect it to something out in the community. In this case, you could possibly connect it to how this information could be used to help clean up minor oil spills on ponds, etc. Hint: This is the part where you connect it to something out in the community. In this case, you could possibly connect it to how this information could be used to help clean up minor oil spills on ponds, etc. Sentence 7: Recommendations for future study. Hint: This is where you think about what other experiments could be done. Not what you’ll do better next time. Hint: This is where you think about what other experiments could be done. Not what you’ll do better next time.

Edit & Self-Assess the Conclusion Paragraph Look back over the “Tips” you received earlier: Are you satisfied with your conclusion paragraph? Does it contain the required content and meet all grammar expectations? Does it contain the required content and meet all grammar expectations? If YES, pack up your folder & proceed to your “Cool Down” If YES, pack up your folder & proceed to your “Cool Down” If NO, ask a peer or teacher to edit for you! If NO, ask a peer or teacher to edit for you!