105C Biology Writing Assignment
50 points
Important Dates Draft Paper Due Date: Oct 23rd Peer Review Due Date: Oct 30th Final Due Date: Nov 6th The Assignment I want you to write an opinion paper on a topic related to human heredity that interests you. I have included a list below of potential topics. If there is another topic that is of interest to you, you must get approval from the instructor BEFORE writing your paper. This assignment is designed in a way that will allow you to formulate (if you haven't already) and support an opinion on what ever topic you choose. I also want you to examine the opposing view of your opinion and critically review it (i.e. Does the opposing view make sense based upon what you know? Do opposing arguments make sense and why or why not?). The important point here is that you SUPPORT your opinion based upon scientific evidence for your argument; the opinion is not necessarily the most important point. What you need in your paper The paper should contain: 1. a clear statement of your position with supporting evidence and; 2. a critical evaluation of the opposing view. The paper must be typewritten in 12 point font, double spaced and at least three pages in length (not including references). You will be graded on writing style, expression of ideas and evidence presented in support of your opinion. You will NOT be graded on your opinion! You must include references that support BOTH your opinion and provide critical evaluation of the opposing view. These may include internet references as long as they are from authoritative scientific sources (Wikipedia doesn't count here but may be a good place to start for references). Any references that are used must be properly cited in the text and must appear in the reference list in alphabetical order at the end of the paper. All references must be in the proper format. A minimum of three references must be from scientific journals. An example of a properly cited reference within the text of the paper is as follows: There is extensive genetic variation in mitochondrial DNA in human populations (Brown, 1980).
The proper citation for this on the literature cited page is as follows:
Brown, W.M. 1980. Polymorphism in mitochondrial DNA of humans as revealed by restriction endonuclease analysis. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 77:360-3609. A first draft of the paper will be due October 23rd. You will be turning in two copies of your paper. One will have your name on it and the other will have a number that I will assign to you. You will then receive someone else's paper to review. You are expected to provide feedback on writing style, readability, structure and how well your fellow student completed the assignment. The peer review will be part of your grade. I also encourage you to go to the writing center prior to turn in of the paper on October 23rd. Peer reviews are due on October 30th. If you do not return a peer review, you will lose 10% of your total grade for this assignment. The final paper will be due on November 6th along with your peer reviewed paper. Potential Topics (you may pick your own with instructor approval): cloning endangered species cloning xenotransplantation genetically modified foods genetically engineered human tissues genetic discrimination embryonic stem cell research ownership of genes screening for birth defects after birth genetic enhancement screening for birth defects prior to birth
Peer Review Peer review will be worth 5 points of this assignment. You will be reading over another student's paper to help them (and you!) to become better writers. It is your job as a peer reviewer to make sure that the paper is readable. Does it make sense? Is it structured logically? Does the evidence support the opinion? Did the writer address the opposing opinion? Remember: it does not matter if you agree with the author or not; you are helping them to be a better writer. When you read the paper, is it easy to read? Do you understand the points being made? Is the opinion presented adequately defended? I have also included some guidelines for you to use to help with your peer review. Be critical of the paper when you read it; be a skeptic. Paper Grades I will be grading your papers using specific the grading criteria (in the form of a grading rubric) attached to this sheet. This assignment is worth 50 points. Forty five of which will consist of the paper and 5 for peer review.
You will return the paper that you peer reviewed with this sheet attached. Reviewer Name: ____________________________________
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Signature: ________________________________________ Paper #: ____________ Peer Review Guidelines Check List Quality of writing: a. ________ The writing is organized logically. b. ________ Proper spelling is used. c. ________ Proper grammar is used. d. ________ The vocabulary used is appropriate for scientific writing. Expression of ideas a. ________ The opinion is stated clearly. b. ________ The opinion is defended adequately. c. ________ The opposing view is adequately refuted. d. ________ The critical aspects of the topic are presented. Quality of Evidence: a. ________ Sufficient background is presented for the general reader. b. ________ Supporting information is pertinent to the opinion. c. ________ Enough information is provided to evaluate the opposing view. d. ________ Evidence is presented clearly. Quality of Sources: a. ________ At least five (5) sources are cited. b. ________ References are from scientific journals or scientifically appropriate web sites. c. ________ References are properly cited in the text. d. ________ References are in the proper format on the literature cited page. e. ________ References are used throughout the paper. Comments:
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Grading Rubric Turn In Checklist (all MUST BE CHECKED or paper will not be accepted): ________ Peer reviewed paper is attached. ________ Paper has been checked for grammar and spelling. ________ Paper is in 12 point font, double spaced. ________ Paper is at least 3 pages long. ________ Literature cited page is attached at the end of the paper. ________ Grading rubric is attached to the paper. I reviewed Paper Number: _______________ (I need this information for you to receive points for review) Expression of Ideas (15 points): Opinion is clearly stated 5 = Opinion is clearly and strongly stated at the beginning of the paper. 3 = Opinion is unclear. 1 = Opinion is unclear and not at the beginning of the paper. Opinion is adequately defended 5 = A clear and concise defense of opinion is presented. 3 = Opinion is defended but some points unclear. 1 = Opinion is defended insufficiently. Opposing view adequately refuted 5 = Opposing view refuted in clear logical manner. 3 = Opposing view is refuted but unclear. 1 = Opposing view is insufficiently refuted. TOTAL: Quality of Evidence (15 points): Sufficient background presented 5 = Background information about the opinion is presented clearly and concisely. 3 = Background information is presented but is unclear. 1 = Insufficient background information is presented. Evidence supports opinion 5 = Evidence from literature clearly supports opinion. 3 = Evidence from literature supports opinion marginally. 1 = Evidence from literature provides little support to opinion. Evidence presented to support opposing view 5 = Evidence from literature clearly supports opposing view 3 = Evidence from literature supports opposing view marginally 1 = Evidence from literature provides little support to opposing view. TOTAL: Points Received
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Quality of Writing (10 points): Proper grammar is used 2 = No grammar errors. 1 = Up to two grammatical errors. Proper spelling is used 2 = No spelling errors. 1 = Up to two spelling errors. Information is presented logically/easy to follow 6 = Information is presented logically and is easy to follow 3 = Information is presented but not easy to follow 1 = Information is presented but difficult to follow TOTAL: Quality of Sources (5 points): At least five sources are used 2 = At least 5 sources are used 1 = Only four sources are used At least three sources are from scientifically valid journals/web sites: 3 = 3 sources from scientifically valid journals/web sites. 2 = 2 sources from scientifically valid journals/web sites. 1 = 1 sources from scientifically valid journals/web sites. TOTAL: Peer Review (5 points): Peer review is completed with comments to writer Points based upon writer's grade = TOTAL: Total Points for the Paper:
Comments:
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