Writing Results, Writing Results, Conclusion, and Conclusion, and

Abstract ParagraphsAbstract Paragraphs

Purpose:Purpose:

All scientists (and 7All scientists (and 7thth grade students) grade students) write a results paragraph to discuss write a results paragraph to discuss the results of an experiment. They the results of an experiment. They write conclusion paragraphs to sum write conclusion paragraphs to sum up their experiment and to make up their experiment and to make recommendations for the future.recommendations for the future.

77thth grade scientists are a bit confused grade scientists are a bit confused on how to write them!on how to write them!

Today you will…Today you will…

Write a results paragraphWrite a results paragraph

Write an abstract paragraphWrite an abstract paragraph

Edit your conclusion paragraphEdit your conclusion paragraph

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

MyMyWeWeOurOurYouYouII

More Tips:More Tips:

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

or the most out of the resources tested.or the most out of the resources tested.

Summarize…Summarize…

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

ResultsResults

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

Results FormatResults Format Sentence 1: Describe what was being Sentence 1: Describe what was being

observed, what is shown in the data observed, what is shown in the data table/graph.table/graph.

Ex. The data table shows how much oil each Ex. The data table shows how much oil each natural resource was able to absorb.natural resource was able to absorb.

Sentences 2 – ?: What trends do you notice in Sentences 2 – ?: What trends do you notice in the graph/data? Does it rise and fall or stay the graph/data? Does it rise and fall or stay steady in a rising/falling/flat manner?steady in a rising/falling/flat manner?

Ex. The data shows that the oil absorbed Ex. The data shows that the oil absorbed through each trial stays steady for the natural through each trial stays steady for the natural resource being used. However, the feather resource being used. However, the feather consistently absorbed more oil that the wood consistently absorbed more oil that the wood and cotton.and cotton.

Results FormatResults FormatNext Sentence(s): What are some interesting features Next Sentence(s): What are some interesting features about the data? Are there low or high points? What about about the data? Are there low or high points? What about the averages?the averages?

It is interesting that every trial remained consistent. It is interesting that every trial remained consistent. Furthermore, it is interesting that the feather was the Furthermore, it is interesting that the feather was the greatest absorbent of the oil but is the object most likely greatest absorbent of the oil but is the object most likely to be in the water when an oil spill occurs therefore to be in the water when an oil spill occurs therefore killing animals.killing animals.

Final Sentences(s): What does the data tell you? What Final Sentences(s): What does the data tell you? What was the end result/major finding?was the end result/major finding?

Ex. An interesting feature about the data is that the Ex. An interesting feature about the data is that the cottonballs in trial one…… while in trial two….. cottonballs in trial one…… while in trial two…..

Edit & Self-Assess Edit & Self-Assess the Results Paragraphthe Results Paragraph

Look back over the “Tips” you received Look back over the “Tips” you received earlier:earlier:

Are you satisfied with your results Are you satisfied with your results paragraph?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 Abstract

This paragraph provides the reader with a This paragraph provides the reader with a summary of the ENTIRE project!summary of the ENTIRE project!

It should be detailed but concise (150-250 It should be detailed but concise (150-250 words…don’t worry about this now, you can words…don’t worry about this now, you can do a “word count” in the computer lab!)do a “word count” in the computer lab!)

Abstract FormatAbstract Format

State the purpose of the project (1 sent.)State the purpose of the project (1 sent.) The purpose of this project was to determine the The purpose of this project was to determine the

effect of __________ on ____________.effect of __________ on ____________.

State they hypothesis of the project (1 sent.)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)Summarize your procedures (3-4 sent) Provide an overview of the experimentProvide 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.)Abstract Format (cont.)

Summarize the results (1-2 sent.)Summarize the results (1-2 sent.) Provide KEY RESULTS that lead to the Provide KEY RESULTS that lead to the

conclusionsconclusions Do NOT give details about trialsDo NOT give details about trials

Discuss the conclusions (2-3 sent.)Discuss the conclusions (2-3 sent.) Describe the major finding BRIEFLYDescribe the major finding BRIEFLY State whether the hypothesis was supported or State whether the hypothesis was supported or

denieddenied State ideas for future research…what could you State ideas for future research…what could you

do to study this topic further?do to study this topic further?

Edit & Self-Assess the AbstractEdit & Self-Assess the Abstract

Look back over the “Tips” you received Look back over the “Tips” you received earlier:earlier:

Are you satisfied with the abstract?Are you satisfied with the abstract? Does it summarize your ENTIRE experiment Does it summarize your ENTIRE experiment

in a concise manner?in a concise manner?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!

Conclusion Format:Conclusion Format:Sentence 1: State the purpose of the Sentence 1: State the purpose of the experiment (the problem)experiment (the problem) EX: The purpose of this experiment was to EX: The purpose of this experiment was to

determine _____.determine _____.

Sentence 2: State the major findings.Sentence 2: State the major findings. Ex. The major findings of the experiment were that Ex. The major findings of the experiment were that

the cottonballs were the most efficient…the cottonballs were the most efficient…

Sentence 3: Tell whether or not the hypothesis Sentence 3: Tell whether or not the hypothesis was supported (NOT right or wrong)was supported (NOT right or wrong) Ex. It was hypothesized that sawdust would absorb Ex. It was hypothesized that sawdust would absorb

the most oil, however the feathers absorbed more. the most oil, however the feathers absorbed more. Therefore, the hypothesis was not supported.Therefore, the hypothesis was not supported.

Conclusion FormatConclusion Format

Sentence 4: Compare your results to Sentence 4: Compare your results to your research.your research. Ex. Research shows that birds who are Ex. Research shows that birds who are

covered in oil are unable to fly. The covered in oil are unable to fly. The feathers soak up much of the oil. feathers soak up much of the oil. However, in this experiment, it was However, in this experiment, it was shown that the feathers did not soak up shown that the feathers did not soak up much of the oil. much of the oil.

Conclusion FormatConclusion Format

Sentence 5: Explain any errors (YES, Sentence 5: Explain any errors (YES, you all have errors. Only a super you all have errors. Only a super controlled lab environment would controlled lab environment would have no errors!)have no errors!) Hint: An error is NOT how you goofed Hint: An error is NOT how you goofed

around or some people didn’t work hard. around or some people didn’t work hard. It is something like, the timing was off It is something like, the timing was off or too much oil was added….or too much oil was added….

Conclusion FormatConclusion FormatSentence 6: Explain impact on scientific Sentence 6: Explain impact on scientific communitycommunity Hint: This is the part where you connect it to Hint: This is the part where you connect it to

something out in the community. In this case, something out in the community. In this case, you could possibly connect it to how this you could possibly connect it to how this information could be used to help clean up information could be used to help clean up minor oil spills on ponds, etc. minor oil spills on ponds, etc.

Sentence 7: Recommendations for future Sentence 7: Recommendations for future study.study. Hint: This is where you think about what other Hint: This is where you think about what other

experiments could be done. Not what you’ll do experiments could be done. Not what you’ll do better next time. better next time.

Edit & Self-Assess Edit & Self-Assess the Conclusion Paragraphthe Conclusion Paragraph

Look back over the “Tips” you received Look back over the “Tips” you received earlier:earlier:

Are you satisfied with your conclusion Are you satisfied with your conclusion paragraph?paragraph? Does it contain the required content and meet Does it contain the required content and meet

all grammar expectations?all grammar expectations? If YES, pack up your folder & proceed to your If YES, pack up your folder & proceed to your

“Cool Down”“Cool Down” If NO, ask a peer or teacher to edit for you!If NO, ask a peer or teacher to edit for you!