D2-eBecome familiar with writing conventions in the biological sciences.
Biologists agree on several conventions when they write.
Scientific writing often uses the passive voice to describe how a researcher has performed an experiment (Blue marlin larvae were collected). The passive voice can be useful for drawing attention to the action itself, not to who has performed the action. (See W3-a.) But biologists use the active voice whenever possible to convey information clearly and efficiently (Researchers collected blue marlin larvae). With the use of the active voice, the first-person pronouns I and we are acceptable, even preferred, if the passive voice creates awkward-sounding sentences and adds unnecessary words.
Direct quotation of sources is rare; instead, biologists paraphrase to demonstrate their understanding of the source material and to convey information economically.
Biologists use the past tense to describe the materials and methods and the results of their own experiments. (See G2-f.)
Biologists use the present tense to describe the published findings of other studies. (See G2-f.)
Biologists often include specific scientific names for species (Canis latrans for the coyote, for instance).