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Microbiology Bio 16
Dr. Janet Fulks
August 2010
Papers in Microbiology: Proper MLA Format, Spelling and Grammar
When you hand in a paper, using the correct format it is like dressing properly for an interview. It will not cover up the fact if you are unprepared or did not spend adequate time researching and writing the paper, but, it adds to a thoroughly done the job making it a cut above the average. The majority of employers report that students graduating from college are deficient in writing, this is an effort to help you implement things learned in English 1A and to meet the expectations of the work world.
MLA format is taught in English 1A, if you transfer to a BSRN or Masters level program, you are expected to use a conventional format (MLA or APA) and to use correct grammar and spelling. The following components are required for Microbiology papers (Case Studies, Research Projects, etc).
1) Set the margins– One inch all around (On the upper task bar go to File-> Page Setup-> Margins. Set the top, right, bottom, and left at 1.0).
2) Set both the Header and Footer at 0.5.
3) Set the page numbering and format it to state your name and the page number (as above)
4) Set the heading on the first page, justified left, on the top line of the paper (see above)
Your name and lab partners’ names for team projects
Course
Professor’s name
Date (note the format day month year no commas) 26 January 2006
5) Title the paper. The title should be centered and every word is capitalized, except for words that are three letters or less. The title should clearly indicate the contents of the paper; don’t title it Case Five, but rather Decubitis Infection - Case Study Five.
6) Review the first draft. Check spelling and grammar. Use spell check, although it will not always be right, and will miss incorrect words spelled correctly. In addition, spell check is not very scientific!
7) Some common grammatical errors involve scientific nomenclature, check the correct spelling, underline all scientific names, capitalize or italicize the genus and use lower case on the species. Human beings are Homo sapiens or Homo sapiens.
8) Read your paper aloud to catch other grammatical, verb tense and syntax errors.
9) In text citations - if you paraphrase or use someone else’s idea or information, you must acknowledge that by placing their name and the date of the publication in parentheses after the text (Fulks, 2010). In text quotations – if you quote a source use quotations, then the author’s name, page number, and publication date in parentheses e.g. “quote” (Fulks, p. 9, 2010). Include a final page titles “Works Cited” and include the author, publication, date and page number or the author, date and webpage. More information about this is available on the BC website http://www.bc.cc.ca.us/library/cite.asp
10) DO NOT use more than 15% of your paper in quotes, DO digest the information write it in your own words and credit the author.
Bakersfield College | Kern
Community College District | Dr. Janet Fulks
1801 Panorama Dr. - Bakersfield, CA 93305 - (661)395-4381
Date last updated
05/04/2010
©Janet Fulks