In order to carry out this assignment:

You will need to data – the optical density readings (405nm) for your ELISA plate

Title:  You need to head your write-up with an appropriate descriptive title of your actual experiment.
5 marks
As 4 marks are allocated, a simplistic, very generic title (such as: ‘ELISA practical write-up’) is unlikely to gain full marks.

The Introduction should outline what your experiment is about, and the basis on which the method relies.  You will probably need to outline what the variations available for the technique eg. indirect, sandwich, competitive, but you will need to identify the variant you used.

You might also decide that diagrams will help with the descriptive outline of your experiment – if so, make sure they are neatly drawn and labelled.
25 marks
As 25 marks are allocated to the ‘Introduction/Aims’, it is expected that this section of the write-up will be detailed, and reasonably extensive.

Methods:  No detailed description of the methodology is required (this would just repeat the printed experimental protocol).  Just comment on anything that needed to be varied from the printed method.
5 marks

Results:  The results should be presented in tabulated form, as suggested in the experimental protocol (in another attachment), and then expressed graphically.  Remember: graphs should be drawn neatly – preferably using a PC, and a software application such as Excel.

Remember: draw all the curves together on one graph.  Do not produce separate curves on different graphs.  You will also need to think about the correct way (or at least, the most appropriate way) to express the complement dilutions on the graph – because, there is a problem if you just plot the straight dilution values!

In addition, you should then describe your results – describe them, but not interpret them, at this stage – interpretation is to be left for inclusion in the ‘Discussion with Conclusion’ section.
Tabulated data:        8 marks
Graph:            10 marks
Text-based description:    7 marks

Discussion, with Conclusion:  The ‘Discussion/Conclusion’ section should interpret the data obtained.

You will need to discuss your interpretation of your results, in the context of your stated aim for the experiment.  A mere description of the results, with no interpretation of what your results actually mean will not attract a high mark!

You are required to write a very clear conclusion to summarise your findings.
35 marks
35 marks are a substantial proportion of the total mark allocation.  It is, therefore, expected that the ‘Discussion/Conclusion’ section is detailed and substantial, and addresses all the required points.

References:  References should be cited as appropriate, to indicate an understanding of complement activity, and its assessment.  It is unlikely that any published reference will give an explanation of your particular experiment! – so it is suggested that you do not spend large amounts of time searching the internet.  You really need to think about your experiment and your data yourself.