AP Biology Essay Writing Strategies Today I will

AP Biology Essay Writing Strategies Today I will… 1. Review strategies that can be used to write AP biology essays. 2. Outline an experiment to test variables affecting plant growth. 3. Devise a list of task words to identify when writing essays.

Practice Essay Numerous environmental variables influence plant growth. Three students planted a seedling of the same genetic variety in the same type of container with equal amounts of soil from the same source.

• Their goal was to maximize their seedling’s growth by manipulating the environmental conditions. • Their data is shown here: Seedling Mass (g) Day 1 Day 30 Student A 4 24 Student B 5 35 Student C 4 64

Your Task: Over the next 5 minutes, create an outline for answering the following questions: • QUESTION 1: – Identify three different environmental variables that could account for differences in the mass of the seedlings at day 30. – Then, choose one variable and design an experiment to test the hypothesis that your variable affects in regard to growth of these seedlings.

Question 2 • Discuss the results you would expect if your hypothesis is correct. • Provide a physiological explanation for the affect of your variable on plant growth.

Assignment • Using resources, write out the best answer you can to the essay question. No more than 2 pages doubled spaced.

Essay Exam Tips • Writing to the AP Biology essay questions is a skill. • Like any skill, it must be taught and practiced.

Question Mechanics • 10 pts can be earned in a question, but there are more than 10 ways to get the points. • Questions usually have subparts (often 3) with internal maximum values. • Points must be earned on all sections for a score of 10.

More Mechanics • Questions often have a statement or stem. • Subparts are built off of the stem. • Elaboration points may be possible in one or more sections.

Example Stem: The movement of water through vascular plants is important to their survival. A) Explain the mechanism of water movement in Ts. B) Explain how gas exchange affects Ts. C) Describe two adaptations in desert plants.

Essay Exam Scoring • Gain points for correct statements. • No point deduction for wrong answers. • Answers must be in sentences, not in outline form.

Essay Exam Scoring • Drawings permitted, but must be explained. • Drawings will only count for part of the question’s credit.

Writing Tips • Read the question carefully!

Writing Tips • Outline possible answers, then begin to write. • Don’t use the 5 paragraph style. • Use the Task Words

Writing Tips • Give details and specific examples. • If question is in parts, write the answer in parts. • Spend equal amounts of time on each question.

Writing Tips • Don’t assume the reader will “know” what you mean. Give definitions to all terms. • Use the whole page (and more).