1. A Small Problem (bacteria lab)
Guide for writing the paper

2. Overall Formatting Proper grammar Proper spelling Organized
Same font style/size throughout
Each section has the correct heading; in order
Overall neatness

3. Introduction Provide context for the lab Cite 3+ background sources
Background; what do we already know
Cite 3+ background sources
What have others studied and found out?
Proper in-text citation (Darrow, 2016)
Give them credit for using their work
State question/hypothesis for the lab

4. Materials & Methods Describe in detail so it can be repeated
Sentence/paragraph format, not a list/outline
Identify variables
Manipulated
Responding
Controlled
Explain how data was collected/measured

5. Results Using numbers and words, describe your results
Include specific data
One (or more) graph
One (or more) table
Properly labeled and titled figures
Do NOT explain the why of your results, just the what

6. Conclusion/Discussion
Restate your hypothesis (make sure it’s the same one in your introduction)
Did your results support your hypothesis or not?
Do not say “prove” in your paper, just “support”, “negate”, “inconclusive”, etc.
Include key data, but not all of your data if it’s a lot

7. Conclusion, cont. Refer back to your background sources—
Do your results support or conflict with someone else’s work?
Cite that source
Sources of error
Implications/applications of your results
Future questions—what would you test next time?
Make sure your conclusions are logical

8. Bibliography Authoritative sources (Proquest, JSTOR, etc.)
MLA format (
3 sources minimum