Illinois Junior Science
and Humanities Symposium

First impressions of your research are formed by the reviewers when they read your paper. You might have worked hours on your research project and might have done an excellent project, but if you don't allow enough time to have your paper proofread by multiple persons (your science teacher, an English teacher, your parents, your mentor), you are shortchanging your work. The reviewers' first impressions of all your work are formed from reading your paper. They haven't been there to observe all your hard work, so your paper is an opportunity to convey a good impression. If it is wrought with errors in grammar, spelling, sentence structure, punctuation, misuse of a word, bias, and poor writing style, you will not convey the first impression you want to leave with your reviewers.  

If you have a section entitled "Purpose," "Review of Literature," "Materials" (in a list), and "Procedure," you are following the science fair format. Check the guidelines for JSHS to see that our sections include "Introduction" (where you include not only your review of the literature pertinent to your research, but also your stated purpose for the research project) and "Materials and Methods."

If you say "The purpose of this science fair project..." that does not leave a good first impression. This is not science fair, but rather a research symposium. Expectations are higher. Use the JSHS abstract form to submit your abstract rather than the science fair form. Do not include your IJAS safety sheet. If it is necessary to address safety precautions, you can include that in your discussion of Materials and Methods. 

Scientific writing style differs from advertising and marketing strategies. The title of the paper is not written to attract attention but rather to convey information to the reader. Even though you may feel very strongly about the research area you are reporting, your paper should not come across to the reader as biased in tone. Use references that are objective sources. Particularly, if you are doing a behavioral research project, you must make sure that your methods are bias-free. Your paper should present the scientific evidence for your research without trying to "sell" your idea.