Assignment -
Write 7-8 page paper exploring a hypothesis about a topic in earth science. You will use at least 3 scholarly articles with a common theme to generate and support a hypothesis about some phenomenon related to earth science.
1. Find a topic: The best way to get started is it to do some casual reading about a couple of topics that interest you.
- Find one scholarly article about something that interests you, and let it lead you to the rest. For example, find something interesting within the article, and the trace it back through the citations.
- Look for a subtopic within the area, so you can narrow your focus. I'm not looking for you to tell me everything there is to know about earthquakes (for example), or to recreate the textbook account. It's a lot easier, and a lot more interesting to limit your focus to one theme.
- Before going through with the paper, pull your articles together and show them to the professor for approval.
2. Write the paper
- Introduction: Keeping in mind that you are pulling together some sort of common theme. Write an introductory sentence. Give us some background. Then lead us to a hypothesis, or a common theme thata will pull it all together. (1-2 pages)
- Body of paper. Consult at least 3 scholarly articles for the body of the paper. Try to link the articles together around a common theme or hypothesis. (3-4 pages)
- Conclusion (1/2 - 1 page)
3. Present it to the class - the paper is due on the last day of class. However, you will also be required to create an informal presentation to show the class what you have discovered.
- 10 min in length
- Format of presentation; you can just give a casual talk, with or without audio visuals. If you want you can make a short Powerpoint presentation, using 3-5 slides (no videos). Limit the time to 5-6 minutes to allow time for question/answer session.
- Make up some questions in advance to get a discussion started.
- Depending on the number of presentations that day, you may be allowed more time to develop your discussion.
Research / Thesis Essay AND In-class Presentation -
Description: A Research/Thesis Essay is a writing assignment where you may either:
1. Research a specific topic to gain better insight and then express your interpretations and evaluations, or,
2. Make a persuasive argument or take a stand on an issue and then provide evidence to prove the validity of your points.
It is important to make references to the facts presented in the materials even when expressing opinions. You may use the course text in addition to other sources. The intent of the paper is for you to do research and then convey it in a clear and meaningful way with interpretations and insights.
Your Introductory Paragraph
Introduce your topic and clearly make a strong thesis statement, which is what you plan to prove or explain in your essay.
Organizing Your Ideas
- Thesis statement forms the basis of the essay
- Decide on a few key ideas that express your thesis statement
- Each of these key ideas can become their own paragraphs
- Develop your ideas in each paragraph by using examples, giving details, and using quotes
- The use of the first person "I" is not appropriate for a research essay.
Body of your Essay: Present your ideas in a logical way with references to texts.
Concluding Paragraph: Reiteration of your thesis statement and summary of your arguments or points.
Attachment:- Assignment Files.rar