DEPARTMENT OF ENTOMOLOGY
Entomology Classes ENT 5041

Comments on 1st Midterm Essays

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1. Organization is critical in structuring a coherent discussion. 
   1. outlines can greatly improve the clarity of your discussion
   2. you should have (1) an introductory paragraph, (2) a concluding paragraph that not only summarizes your main points but also ties them together to answer the question(s) posed in your first paragraph, and (3) descriptive paragraphs in the middle that each make one main point, which is presented in the first sentence (the topic sentence)
   3. use relatively simple sentences!
      
2. If you want some help with improving your writing skills, ask me or visit the U of MN Student Writing Center (http://swc.umn.edu) – they can help you whether English is your first or second language.  
   
3. Make sure your essay addresses your question logically (a common mistake is ask why insects were more abundant or dominant than any other taxa, then neglect to discuss how they differed from other taxa but instead just described the key features of insects).
   
4. Be careful when using ‘always’ or ‘never’ – especially when discussing insect biology!
   
5. Differentiate commonly supported theories or facts from your opinions.
   
6. Citing literature:
   1. be consistent in citations – see attached sheet for guidelines
   2. cite a sources whenever you describe information that is not common knowledge
      
7. Advanced writing tips:
   1. that – introduces a restrictive clause
   2. which – introduces a nonrestrictive clause and is separated from the rest of the sentence by a comma.
   3. use active verbs whenever possible (i.e. avoid passive verbs: be, am, is, are, was, were, been, being)
      
8. Evolutionary discussions:
   1. anthropomorphism – attributing human feelings to non-human organisms or processes.  Do not use anthropomorphisms.
   2. we often use goal-directed (teleological) language in discussions of evolution and adaptation because it may seem less awkward to say, but be careful not to write that way (e.g. insects evolved wings to escape unsuitable habitats and more easily disperse to new ones).  Evolution is not goal-directed.
   3. In most cases involving arthropods, natural and sexual selection exert selective pressure on individuals, not on populations or species.  Remember the slogan, genes mutate, individuals are selected and populations evolve.