1. Citation & Bibliography
Command: Cite external sources correctly—plagiarism is penalized harshly.
How to Format References
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Use your school’s preferred citation style (e.g., APA, MLA). Be consistent throughout.
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Common formats:
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APA Style (7th Edition):
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In-text: (Author, Year)
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Bibliography: Author Last Name, First Initial. (Year). Title. Publisher.
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Example: Smith, J. (2020). Enzymes in Biology. Oxford Press.
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MLA Style (8th Edition):
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In-text: (Author Page Number)
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Bibliography: Author Last Name, First Name. Title. Publisher, Year.
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Example: Smith, John. Enzymes in Biology. Oxford Press, 2020.
Tips for Referencing:
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Use tools like Zotero, EasyBib, or EndNote to format citations automatically.
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Cite all background research, protocols, and diagrams sourced externally.
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Avoid citing unreliable sources (e.g., Wikipedia). Instead, use textbooks or peer-reviewed articles.
Command: Treat editing and revision as essential steps. A strong draft is not enough—polished work is what earns top marks. Follow these steps to ensure your IA is ready for submission.
2. Proofreading and Editing Tips
a. Review for Clarity and Precision
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Command: Eliminate redundancy and vague phrasing in your IA.
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Example: Replace “The results seem to show that temperature might affect enzyme activity in some way” with “The results demonstrate that temperature directly influences enzyme activity, peaking at 40°C.”
b. Check for Scientific Accuracy
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Ensure all biological concepts and terminology are used correctly.
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Example: Verify that you correctly describe enzyme denaturation and not simply "stopping activity."
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Example: Assign specific scientific names using binomial nomenclature, such as “Elodea canadensis” consisting of genus and species names. Both words are italicized and the first letter of the genus name is capitalized.
3. Checklist for Submission
Formatting
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Page numbers included.
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Font size (11–12) and line spacing (1.5 or double).
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Citation style (APA, MLA, etc.) used consistently.
Appendices and References
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Raw Data: Included if required for clarification.
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References: All sources are cited correctly in your bibliography.