| Index to resources
for the writing assignments
Writing
assignments philosophy
and overview:
There are 4 writing
assignments for this course. Each of the assignments uses the "Calibrated
Peer Review" system. You will write your paper and submit it online.
After the due date (24 hrs after), you will review and grade 3 papers
that the instructor has prepared and graded, according to a carefully
prepared scoresheet. You will then review and score 3 of your peers'
papers, according to the same scoresheet. After this, you will review
and score your own paper. Your grade for the assignment will be a weighted
combination of how close you came to the preset calibration paper scores,
the scores your peers assigned your papers, and how close the score
you assigned your own paper came to that of your peers. Some of the
papers will also be checked by the Prof and TA's, and if the score
you assigned a peer paper deviates significantly from that assigned
by the teachers, your assignment grade will be affected. Note: this system has been used successfully in hundreds
of courses. It has been shown to increase student learning significantly.
Practicing scientists review each others' papers and research proposals
and learn a great deal from the process. The "CPR" system is tailored
to show you how to review a paper, then give you exposure to others'
ideas. Disagree with your score? Contact your TA and/or the professor. At your
request, your paper will be reviewed and the score may be adjusted higher,
or lower.
Writing
Assignments (Instructions
to the student):
The requirements
for your papers are discussed in "Anatomy of a Science Paper,"
It is vital that you read it carefully. It focuses on the plate tectonics
paper and use of data from the class CDROM, but the principles will generally
apply to all of the assignments.
| Preparing
for the writing assignments |
| Writing
with Integrity |
Please
review this <link> |
| Anatomy of a Science Paper |
This provides detailed instructions on how to write each section
of your science paper(s). It is very worth you while to read it
carefully. This document is contained in your
lab book. <download
link> |
| Evaluating the information contained on a web site |
How can you trust information contained on a web site. Any doofus
can put up a web page. Many web sites are produced by organizations
with a political agenda. This link gives you some help in evaluating
these sites. <link> |
| Capturing
images in various situations |
Foolproof methods
for getting images from your computer to your image library.<link> |
| Making a Scientific Argument |
An activity that can be used for discussion. It helps students
understand the 6 stage rhetorical argument levels for two writing
samples. <link> |
| Miscellaneous
questions answered |
<link>
for "Frequently Asked Questions" |
| Instructions
for writing assignments |
| Tips for the writing assignments |
<link to tips> |
| EarthEd Writer idiosyncrasies |
<link to idiosyncrasies> Read
this to help you work around any unexpected behavior the writer
may exhibit. |
| Plate
Tectonics Writing Assignment Instructions: |
Purpose
of assignment: To learn how to use data to distinguish between
divergent and convergent plate boundaries. <detailed
desctiption > |
| The Indian Monsoon |
Purpose
of assignment: To use climate data to explain the properties
and cause of the Indian Monsoon. <detailed
description> |
| Climate and the Oceans |
Purpose
of assignment: To understand scientific issues regarding climate
change, and understand the range of possible consequences of
climate change. <detailed
description> |
| World Fisheries Sustainability |
The purpose of this writing assignment
is to help you understand critical issues regarding sustainability
of life in the world ocean, and economies that depend on healthy
fisheries. <detailed
description> |
|
