COURSE GUIDE

ENG 10 (Writing of Scientific Papers)

English Division, Department of Humanities

College of Arts and Sciences, UPLB

Course Description
Principles underlying the preparation and writing of scientific papers

Course Goals
The course is about the preparation and writing of scientific papers. It deals with the application
of general and specific principles of scientific and technical writing. Thus, it prepares you, the
students, for your thesis or practicum-report writing, particularly on how to communicate and
report your research, simulating the whole scientific processes. At the end of the course, you
will gain an understanding of how to effectively write scientific and technical papers.

Course Objectives
At the end of the term, you are expected to
1. Differentiate scientific writing from other types of writing;
2. Identify common errors and problems in usage and mechanics of style in scientific
writing, and correct or improve on them; and
3. Write scientific and technical papers, applying the basic principles of effective writing.

Prerequisites
ENG 10 may be taken by students of junior standing who have passed ENG 2. These
prerequisites are meant to ensure that you are equipped with the necessary
exposure/preparation in your field of specialization, which you need in writing and
communicating scientific papers.

Course Materials
Upon enrollment, you will be given the course guide and some handouts.

Course Outline

I. Introduction to Scientific Writing (4 hours)

A. Science: Dynamic and Static View
B. The Research Process

References:

Brown, W. 1993. “Defining the Process of Science.” The Science Teacher. 26-28. (Call
No. LT-9043803)
Henson, RM. and Soriano, R F. 1999. Communication Research: Course Guide in
Communication Research. Manila: Booklore Publishing Co.
Kerlinger, F. 1973. Foundations of Behavioral Research. Beverly Hills, USA: Sage
Publications.
Librero, F. 1996. How to Write a Thesis Proposal: Some Practical Guidelines. College,
Laguna: College of Agriculture, Publications Program.
 C. Nature and Scope of Scientific Writing

References:

Magpayo, E. R., Taber, M.A., Diano L., Nonato, B., and Realo, M. 1993. “Definitions and
nature of technical writing. The role of the technical writer. The importance of
possessing technical writing skills.” Contemporary Technical English. Quezon
City:MY Publishing House, 1-19.
Mills, G and Walter, J. 1980. “Special Techniques of Technical Writing.” Technical Writing.
New York, USA: Holt, Rinehart and Winston. 1-12.
Stratton, C. F. 1979. “Technical writing: what it is and what it isn’t.” J. Technical Writing
and Communication, 9(11):9-15.
Wilkins, K. 1977. “Technical writing: Effective communication.” J. Technical Writing and
Communication (11):35-43.

D. Plagiarism and Ethics in Scientific Writing

Reference:

Day, R. 1995. How to Write a Scientific Paper. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston.
(Note: Available at the UPLB Main Library and at the IRRI Library.)

II. Basic Principles and Techniques in Scientific Writing (6 hours)

A. Definition
B. Classification
C. Description
1. Of a Mechanism
2. Of a Process
D. Comparison and Contrast
E. Interpretation

References:

Magpayo, E. R., Tabor, M.A., Diano, L., Nonato, B., and Realo, M. 1993. “Basic techniques
of technical writing, the ABC of report writing,” Contemporary Technical English.
Quezon City: MY Publishing House, 40-54.
Mills, G. and Walter, J. 1980. “Special Techniques of Technical Writing.” Technical
Writing. New York, USA: Holt, Rinehart and Winston. 1-12.

III. Correct Usage and Mechanics of Style (5 hours)

Reference:

Mills, G. and Walter, J. 1980. “Special Techniques of Technical Writing.” Technical

Writing. New York, USA: Holt, Rinehart and Winston. 1-12.

IV. Thesis/Research Proposal (12 hours)

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References:

Aquino, G. 1971. Essentials of Research and Thesis Writing. Quezon City:Phoenix

Publishing House.
Alcantara, R.D. and Espina, F.P. 1995. Technical Writing for Filipino Students. Quezon
City: Katha Publishing Co., Inc.
Librero, F. 1996. How to Write a Thesis Proposal. Some Practical Guidelines. College,
Laguna: College of Agriculture, Publications Program.
Nem Singh, R.P. and Calixihan, J.O. 1994. Fundamentals of Technical Writing. Metro
Manila: National Bookstore, Inc.
Samson, D.C. 1993. Editing Technical Writing. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Technical
Proposal Format.
http://www.handord.gov/tanks.hfi/business/c10rfp/format.htm

V. Scientific Paper and Scientific Poster (4 hours)

A. Scientific Paper
1. Definition
2. How to write the scientific paper
a. Introduction
b. Review of Related Literature (Related Studies)
c. Materials and Methods (Methodology)
d. Results and Discussion/Analysis of Data
e. Conclusion
f. Abstract
3. How to publish a scientific paper
a. Ethics in authorship
b. Valid publications
4. Documentation style and mechanics

Reference:

Day, R. 1995. How to Write a Scientific Paper. New York: Holt, Rinehart and
Winston. (Note: Available at the UPLB Main Library and at the IRRI
Library)

B. Scientific Poster
1. Importance
2. Parts of a scientific poster
3. Mechanics and style

References:

Kirkeby, K. A. Preparing professional scientific posters.

http://www.ce.umn.edu/smith/supplements/poster/guide.htm.
Retrieved 19 April 2008.
O’Connor, M. 1992. Writing successfully in science. London: Chapman & Hall.
Purrington, C. B. 2006. Advice on designing scientific posters.
http://www.swarthmore.Edu/NatSci/cpurrin1/posteradvice.htm.
Retrieved April 19, 2008.

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Grading System

Lecture Class - 50% Writing Lab Class - 50%

Midterm exam (20%) Writing exercises (20%)

Pre-Final Exam (20%) Research proposal (20%)
QEA (10%) Poster (10%)

Note: Your final grade should not be lower than 30% for each of the classes (lecture;
laboratory).

Assessment of Research Proposal/Poster

Your research proposal and scientific poster will be evaluated using the following criteria:

Content 50%
Organization 25%
Language Use 15%
Layout 10%

Class Guidelines/Policies

1. Consultation

• Schedule/Venue: To be announced
• Consultations should be done only on specified days and time. Your teacher’s other
official hours are spent in conducting classes, reviewing lessons, preparing
exercises/quizzes/exams, checking papers, attending meetings, etc.
• “Ambush” consultations in the most unlikely places (stairs, COOP, banks, church, Grove
area, shopping places, etc.) will not be entertained.
• You are encouraged to consult with the teacher on subject-related
matters/problems/queries/clarifications, early in the semester.

2. Attendance

In adherence to University policies, your teacher is very particular about tardiness and
absences.

a. Tardiness

• three “late” = 1 absence (University rule)

• Attendance is checked 5 minutes after the time.
• There will be no make-up activity for any quiz/exercise missed during the time you
were late.

b. Absences

• Maximum of 8 unexcused absences (lecture and lab classes combined). Beyond the
allowable number of unexcused absences, a student’s name is automatically cancelled or
dropped from the official class list. A student, however, is encouraged to file the
necessary dropping form.

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 • There is no make-up for any graded activity missed during the time you were absent,
except in case of an ailment that required hospitalization or of an ailment that is highly
communicable, e.g., measles, chicken pox, mumps, sore eyes, typhoid fever,etc. Your
teacher will require presentation of an official excuse slip from your Office of the College
Secretary.

• Your being absent from the previous meeting is no excuse for not participating in the
next class discussion.

• Class is dismissed 10 minutes before the time (University rule).

Submission of Requirements

• Your teacher is very particular about deadlines. Deadlines for submission of

requirements will be announced well ahead of the schedule, to give you ample time to
prepare.

• Assignments/Requirements will be collected only during class hours; late assignments

will not be accepted.

• If you decide to submit the requirement ahead of schedule, you should personally
submit it to your teacher. Do not just put it in the teacher’s pigeon hole or ask a friend to
submit it for you.

Testing/Evaluation

• A quiz will be given before a new topic is discussed.

• “Surprise” quizzes will be given every now and then.

Others

1. Your mobile phones should be put in the silent mode or put off and should be kept in
your bags.

2. Function of Seat Plan

3. Information Card

If, after the first meeting, you decide to stay in the class, for the next meeting bring a
medium-sized index card, with the following information written on it:

• Side A of the card:

Name, nickname, student number, cell/landline number, birth date, home address,
college address, degree course, college, thesis/sp/registration adviser, and expected
grade. Attach a 1 x 1 photo (the most recent) on the upper right-hand corner of the card.

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 • Side B:

Class schedule for the semester, including room assignments

FACULTY MEMBERS TEACHING ENG 10:

LECTURER

PROF. MABINI DG. DIZON

• LITE Program Office, 2nd Flr., CAS Building, UPLB
• Cubicle 20, Dept. of Humanities (DHUM), CAS Annex 1 Building, UPLB

WRITING LAB FACULTY MEMBERS

DR. MA. SHEILA SIMAT

Eng 10 T-1R, Eng 10 B-6R

MS. MARIYEL HIYAS LIWANAG

Eng 10 T-2R

DR. TRICIA YAMBAO

Eng 10 T-3R, Eng 10 B-2R

MS. RIZZLE MAY OSTIA

Eng 10 T-4R, Eng 10 B-3R

MR. LAURENCE MARVIN CASTILLO

Eng 10 T-5R

MS. EILEEN GRUTA

Eng 10 T-6R, Eng 10 B-5R

MR. ERIC PALIGAT

Eng 10 B-1R

MS. KATRINA MAQUILAN

Eng 10 B-4R

* - Cubicle assignment will be announced later.

STUDENT GUIDE/111010

DATE LECTURE CLASS WRITING EXERCISES TO PREPARE

LAB CLASS
NOV. 11- Orientation/Discussion of course Mtg 1 Collection of class cards;
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12 guide checking of attendance and form
5/form 26;inform class that the
course guide will be discussed in
the lecture class
NOV. 18- Unit 1: The nature of Science and Mtg 2 Reiterations; questions and
19 scientific writing queries about the course guide,
etc;
Writing exercise to assess
writing ability of students
NOV. 25- Plagiarism and Ethics in Scientific Mtg 3 Ex. 1:Defining processes of
26 writing science (Illustrate the processes
of science as applied to your
field)
DEC. 2-3 Unit 2: Basic Principles and Mtg 4 Exercise in the module on
techniques in scientific writing Plagiarism and Ethics in
(definition, classification, etc.) Scientific writing
DEC. 9- Unit 3: Correct usage and common Mtg 5 Ex. 2: Extended definition of a
10 errors in grammar process in your field
JAN. 6-7 Principles of effective Mtg 6 Ex. 3: Common errors in
writing grammar (S-V agreement, Verb
tenses, etc.)
JAN. 13- Unit 4: The Research proposal Mtg 7 Revising for correctness,
14 (Technical & information requisites, conciseness, and clarity
problem identification)

JAN. 20- Significance of the Mtg 8 Formulation and approval of

21 Study Research Problem (proposal)
JAN. 27- Midterm Mtg 9 Midterm Exam review
28 Exam
FEB. 3-4 Review of Mtg 10 Exercise on the Significance of
Literature the Study section
FEB. 10- Materials and Mtg 11 Exercise on the Review
11 Methods/Methodology Literature section
FEB. 17- Data Analysis and Interpretation Mtg 12 Exercise on Materials and
18 Methods/ Methodology
FEB. 24- Tabular, textual and graphic Mtg 13 Exercise on Data Interpretation
25 presentation and Analysis
MAR. 3-4 Summary, Conclusion and Mtg 14 Exercise on Tabular, Graphic and
Recommendations, Textual Presentation
Abstracts

MAR. 10- Scientific Mtg 15 Exercise on Summary,

11 poster Conclusions and
Recommendations; Abstracts
MAR. 17- Pre-final Mtg 16 Workshop on Scientific Poster
18 Exam making
MAR. 24- Course Mtg 17 Course Evaluation;
25 Evaluation Grade computation

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 Mtg 18 Grade computation

Student guide/111010

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