Writing in the correct style

[Stick]

I haven't delved too deep into the Biology course as of yet, but I'm predicting that I'm going to have a fair amount of trouble writing succinct sentences written in the correct sort of style throughout the course of the year. I tend to understand and remember information through 'stories' or analogies and not by their exact definitions. Is there anything I can do to improve the way I answer questions? I think I could achieve very highly in this subject as long as I don't lose too many marks for poor wording.

[Curry_bro]

Its really important that you begin developing a style of writing that is both very specific and succinct, if you plan on breaking 45 in biology. Biology imo is more about accuracy and precision as opposed to raw talent, so its imperative that you hone your writing style before the end of year exam (which you have a lot of time to prepare for).

For instance, here are two alternative definitions for enzymes. The first most likely wont get you too many marks. The other would most definitely be awarded full marks by the most pedantic of examiners.

Enzymes: a biomacromolecule which allows for reactions to progress more quickly

Enzymes: A protein based biological catalyst which increases the rate of specific reactions by decreasing the activation energy required by the said reactions. Enzymes arent consumed in catalysis, and may be reused for later reactions.

I will now do the same with the term homeostasis:

Homeostasis: The maintenance of a constant internal environment despite changes externally

Homeostasis: A biological mechanism based on negative feedback, which ensures the maintenance of a relatively stable internal environment despite fluctuations in the external environment of the organism.

*I hope that you've now spotted a sort of trend, where the better definition encompasses all the facets of each of the terms, and has added detail. That's what you want. And I would also recommend that you learn the assessment reports when you do your VCAA practise exams later in the year. I hope this has helped:) i dont feel as though its very coherent, but i hope that you can get something out of it.

[Scooby]

Practice! If you post some of your answers up here I'd be happy to have a look at them 

[Stick]

Great examples. At this early stage, I'm more likely to be writing the former style, but now I understand what you mean by encompassing all aspects of the definition. How did you develop this skill?

I don't have many specific examples yet - I just know I'm in for some trouble when I can't fit my answers in my Biozone book. I also know my answers don't sound as good as the examples as Curry_bro.

[Curry_bro]

Great examples. At this early stage, I'm more likely to be writing the former style, but now I understand what you mean by encompassing all aspects of the definition. How did you develop this skill

trust me, my style was probably worse than the former style before i actually started term 1. I developed this skill over time and it wasnt fully developed until about a week before my mid year haha I had 3 textbooks for biology. Although i only really used one of them (nature of biology) for the main source of my knowledge, I used the other two (Heinemann and Biozone) to help out with definitions. I would read the 3 alternatives for each ter, and make a 'hybrid definition' if you will, which effectively was far more detailed than any of the other definitions on their own.

And the more you read, the better you become i suppose.
Heres a formula i had for definitions for AOS1 in u3.
term: Structure + function.
This is mainly applicable for things like organelles and organic molecules etc, but it did help me out last year in 2012 (this still sounds weird. defs doesnt feel like 2013 haha)

I don't have many specific examples yet - I just know I'm in for some trouble when I can't fit my answers in my Biozone book. I also know my answers don't sound as good as the examples as Curry_bro.

Dude, dont use that as an indication as to how concise your answers should be. you should know that most companies like biozone just limit the amount of lines they put for each question to save paper i used to go over all the time in biozone, to the extent that i was actually writing vertically along the margins haha. you seem very keen though! i honestly feel an amazing biology ss coming along

[Kanye East]

- Don't ever rewrite the question
- Always include at least 3 key words e.g. Definition of osmosis: The net movement of soluble molecules through a semi-permiable membrane from an area of low solute concentration to an area of high solute concentration until equilibrium is reached
-When you do practice exams, there will be very common/similar/familiar questions that arise, for these, I suggest you make a model answer (be aware that you may need to make it more specific to the question in order to obtain full marks
-Read to understand and not to memorise. Rote learning will not help in this subject (with the exception of Mendel's laws ). In order to do well in this subject, you must understand the concepts to a deeper level.
-Lastly, try and be as specific as possible. This will show the assessor that you know the syllabus really well and thus you will be more successful in achieving marks.

[Russ]

The best way to develop the ability to write those nice succinct yet encompassing answers is practice. Write as many definitions and answer as many questions as you can (you can easily write your own or just think of them) and attempt to work in the key points you know the examiner wants to see in your answer. In class your teacher will probably emphasize certain points about immune cell function or protein structure; those are the ones that you're going to want to mentally store and then be able to slip into your written response. Over time, you'll develop a sense for when an answer is lacking and which specific keywords you're going to need to mention based solely on the question stem.

For instance, here are two alternative definitions for enzymes. The first most likely wont get you too many marks. The other would most definitely be awarded full marks by the most pedantic of examiners.

Enzymes: a biomacromolecule which allows for reactions to progress more quickly

Enzymes: A protein based biological catalyst which increases the rate of specific reactions by decreasing the activation energy required by the said reactions. Enzymes arent consumed in catalysis, and may be reused for later reactions.

The most pedantic of markers would probably make some comment about RNA enzymes

[Scooby]

Great examples. At this early stage, I'm more likely to be writing the former style, but now I understand what you mean by encompassing all aspects of the definition. How did you develop this skill?

I don't have many specific examples yet - I just know I'm in for some trouble when I can't fit my answers in my Biozone book. I also know my answers don't sound as good as the examples as Curry_bro.

I wouldn't worry too much about writing in the space you're given, especially in Biozone. There were arrows everywhere on my Unit 4 exam. As long as it's clearly indicated (I made my arrows a different colour ), the examiners'll read what you've written, even if it's not in the space you're given 

Just keep doing heaps of questions, and definitely learn the answers given in the assessment reports! There's a couple of questions VCAA repeat year after year (rational drug design, allopatric speciation, etc), and if you've learnt the "formula" for the answering those types of questions, you'll get full marks. You'll also learn about certain key terms you should be including in answers for certain questions

For example, if you're discussing denaturation of enzymes, you should mention:

1. There's a change in the three-dimensional tertiary structure of the enzyme
2. This is due to the disruption of hydrogen and ionic bonding caused by...
3. This results in a change in the shape of the active site
4. The enzyme can no longer bind to its substrates and the reaction cannot be catalysed

Yeah, it's mostly just about applying these "formulas" (which you'll learn once you've gone through the assessment reports), to the question. If you were given the name of a specific enzyme or substrate, then you'd slot those in... if the denaturation was caused by high temperature, you'd slot that in...

Yeah, hope that made a bit of sense 

I'm always willing to help out/go through any of your answers if you need it 

[Curry_bro]

The most pedantic of markers would probably make some comment about RNA enzymes

hahahah true although ribozymes are outside the scope of VCE biology, so im sure that you would be exempted if you dont mention them hahaha but its good to read up on them anyways. it doesnt hurt haha

[Stick]

Awesome, thank you everyone.

[Yacoubb]

I know this isn't a very new thread but I have a question. When you come to actually formulate your answer, should the number of lines + mark allocation to that question give you an indication as to how deep your answer should be. Because if you're given 2 lines, I think they want 2 lines and not 4 or 5. Does that somehow make sense??

[ealam2]

I know this isn't a very new thread but I have a question. When you come to actually formulate your answer, should the number of lines + mark allocation to that question give you an indication as to how deep your answer should be. Because if you're given 2 lines, I think they want 2 lines and not 4 or 5. Does that somehow make sense??

Yes, I think the number of lines and mark allocations should give indications as to how much detail the examiners want. If the question is allocated 2 marks, they are generally looking for two key things in your answer. I also think it will be a good idea to fill up the lines that they make available. So if there are three lines, that is how generally how much you should write for that question and not more. This is what I think and heard from my teachers anyways.

[Yacoubb]

Yeah generally speaking its good to fill up the lines without going overboard because that is generally how much they want

[chisel]

Yeah generally speaking its good to fill up the lines without going overboard because that is generally how much they want

and it's good to use dot points, cause it makes you write les which makes the examiners less pissy - that's what my teacher told me!

[Yacoubb]

and it's good to use dot points, cause it makes you write les which makes the examiners less pissy - that's what my teacher told me!

That strategy (i.e. dot points) would be best for:
* Outlining experiments.
* Outlining biochemical processes, protein synthesis, etc.

Can you think of any other questions this would be appropriate to apply in?!