BIOLOGY
ESSAYS
Definition of Biology Essay
A biology essay is made
of;
• full sentences
• with facts well connected
and arranged.
TYPES OF BIOLOGY ESSAYS
Block essay. This is a question given just in
one statement
E.g. Describe the role of hormones in the
human menstrual cycle
Spilt essay; This is an essay that consists
of two or more parts
E.g. (a). What is meant by the term
digestion?
(b). Describe how the mammalian intestines
are adapted to perform their functions.
WRITING GOOD BIOLOGY
ESSAYS
• A good essay has a logical
flow of points therefore
choose an essay that
there is a good flow of
points.
First
• Read through the two
given choices of essays
carefully to understand
each question as you
underline the key words
or phrases in each
question.
Then choose carefully by first
• Making an outline to be able to
determine how much material
is recalled and settle on an
essay with the most material.
• The outline is a list of points
presented in the form of
statements, phrases or
sentences
Example of an outline of “Describe
the cell structure & its functions”
1. Presence of cell membrane;
2. Cytoplasm;
3. Lysosomes;
4. Mitochondria;
5. Rough endoplasmic reticulum;
6. Smooth endoplasmic reticulum;
7. Ribosomes; protein synthesis;
8. Centrioles / centrosomes;
9. Chloroplasts;
10. Golgi bodies / apparatus;
11. Nucleus;
Example two; Describe how
xerophytes are adapted to living in
Outline their habitat.
1. Deep roots,
2. fleshy stems,
3. needle-like leaves,
4. reduced number of stomata,
5. sunken stomata,
6. waxy,
7. impermeable cuticle,
8. small sized stomata,
9. short life cycle,
10. shallow and extensive root system,
Organizing & writing paragraphs
• Write the essays in paragraphs
form with full sentences and facts
well connected.
• Avoid illustrations (drawings or
diagrams unless demanded in the
question clearly) e.g. Describe the
nitrogen cycle.
• Avoid writing hanging or incomplete
statements.
Avoid Contradicting statements
• Avoid using contradicting
statements in the essay
by use of biological
terms correctly.
• E.g. cell develops high
osmotic pressure &
osmotic potential
Avoid crossing out
responses
• Never cross out a
response before
completing writing
the alternative.
Avoid using brackets
• Avoid using brackets when
writing Biology essays,
because the word in the
bracket must be the
equivalent and if it is not then
the point is penalised.
• E.g. nucleus (nucleolus)
• Correct use; Plasma
membrane (cell membrane)
Using “and”
• Use the word “and” only
when the two words or
statements being joined
biologically agree and are
biologically true.
• Incorrect use of “and”. “An
incisor tooth is used for
cutting and grinding of food “
Using “or”
• Use the word “or” when the
statement before and after the word
are alternatives,
• Wrong use; Examples of plants are
yeast or garden peas.
• Correct use; Insects life cycles are
classified either as incomplete
metamorphosis or complete
metamorphosis.
Avoid teaching the
examiner
• Avoid teaching the examiner.
For example avoid statements
like. ”Excess amino acids are
broken down in the process,
called deamination to form
compounds called amino group
and organic compound ”.
• In the response remove the
word “called”.
Adjectives in biology
• Use adjectives intensively in
your essays to improve on
your score board,
• e.g. deep, fleshy,
photosynthetic, reduced,
sunken, waxy, small,
numerous, lignified,
Do not leave out some
points
• Make sure to include in the essay
points that made in the outline.
Biological lies
• Avoid using Biological lies in the
essays. Write only biological
truth all the time in the essay.
• E.g. Plant root hairs absorb water
and minerals from the soil,
• Strong heating kills enzymes
Time for essays is 30
minutes
• Manage time well so at
to complete writing the
essay in less than thirty
minutes.
• Attempt only ONE
essay!!!!
THANK YOU
FOR YOUR
TIME
