Science
Choose a specific science-related topic that has recently been in the news (in the last few years,
at least). You will research it and then write a paper about the scientific and societal aspects
critical to your topic. Discuss the physics, chemistry, biology, and geology relevant to the topic
and connect that science to how it affects and/or is affected by people.
In order to keep people from picking the same topic, COVID-
19/Coronavirus is not permitted as a topic for this paper. If you turn
in a paper on COVID-19, you will receive an F.
This paper is due Wednesday, June 22nd by 11:59 pm. Late papers
will not be accepted.
The paper will contain the following:
1. Title page:
a. Title (a creative one, not just “Paper on topic X”
b. Name
c. Date
d. Course number
2. Format
a. 4-5 double spaced pages of text (images do not count)
b. Times New Roman font
c. 12pt size
d. 1-inch margins
e. Page numbers on every page
3. Works cited for every reference you use. It doesn’t matter if you use APA or MLA
format, but each reference should be correct and consistent (all MLA, etc.)
4. Two relevant images, either made by you or used with citation.
a. Society related image (impact, etc.)
b. Science related image
Content that your text should include
1. Basic information about the topic
a. History
i. Discovery (when/how did it first come onto our radar?)
ii. Changes in its impact over the years (have we taken steps to combat it, or
has it gotten worse?)
iii. Geographic changes
iv. Major scientific breakthroughs over the years
b. Current impacts
c. Future plans
i. What research is being done?
ii. What needs to happen to solve or mitigate the issue?
2. Highlights from three of the four major science sections (physics, chemistry, biology, and
geology). There should be a minimum of two points related to each.
3. Controversy related to your topic. What do the groups opposed to tackling the issue say?
Are there controversies about the root cause? How important is it?
Economic/environmental tension?
4. Your position on the issue. How important is it to you? How does it impact your
community?
Grading criteria
You will be graded on four major criteria, as indicated by the rubric below. While this is not
an English/composition class, and I will not be grading hard on stylistic choices and
grammar, I do expect you to make an effort to use proper grammar and spelling. A few small
mistakes are fine, but you should still produce a document that flows and is readable without
too much strain.
Criterion A B C D/F
Content Content
indicates
synthesis of
ideas. Scientific
concepts are
explained
correctly and
are relevant to
the topic.
Content
indicates
original
thinking and
develops ideas
with sufficient
and firm
evidence. Minor
scientific
concept errors,
but not enough
to undermine
the point.
Content
indicates
thinking and
reasoning
applied with
original thought
on some, but
not all ideas.
Minor scientific
concept errors.
Shows some
thinking and
reasoning, but
most ideas are
underdeveloped
and unoriginal.
Major errors in
scientific
explanations.
Organization Writing shows
high degree of
attention to
logic and
reasoning of
points. Unity
clearly leads the
reader to the
conclusion and
stirs thought
regarding the
topic. Tells a
complete story.
Writing is
coherent and
logically
organized with
transitions used
between ideas
and paragraphs
to create
coherence.
Overall unity of
ideas is present.
Writing is
coherent and
logically
organized.
Some points
remain
misplaced and
stray from the
topic.
Transitions
evident but not
used throughout
essay.
Writing lacks
logical
organization. It
shows some
coherence but
ideas lack unity.
Serious errors.
Style and
Format
Shows
outstanding
style going
beyond usual
college level;
rhetorical
devices and
tone used
effectively;
creative use of
sentence
structure and
coordination.
Meets all
formal and
assignment
requirements
and evidences
attention to
detail; all
margins,
spacing and
indentations are
correct; essay is
neat and
correctly
assembled with
professional
look.
Attains college
level style; tone
is appropriate
and rhetorical
devices used to
enhance
content;
sentence variety
used
effectively.
Meets format
and assignment
requirements;
margins,
spacing, and
indentations are
correct; essay is
neat and
correctly
assembled.
Approaches
college level
usage of some
variety in
sentence
patterns,
diction, and
rhetorical
devices. Meets
format and
assignment
requirements;
generally
correct margins,
spacing, and
indentations;
essay is neat but
may have some
assembly errors.
Mostly in
elementary form
with little or no
variety in
sentence
structure,
diction,
rhetorical
devices or
emphasis. Fails
to follow format
and assignment
requirements;
incorrect
margins,
spacing and
indentation;
neatness of
essay needs
attention.
Grammar and
Mechanics
Essay is free of
distracting
spelling,
punctuation,
and
grammatical
errors; absent of
fragments,
comma splices,
and run-ons.
Essay has few
spelling,
punctuation,
and
grammatical
errors allowing
reader to follow
ideas clearly.
Very few
fragments or
run-ons.
Most spelling,
punctuation,
and grammar
correct allowing
reader to
progress though
essay. Some
errors remain.
Spelling,
punctuation, and
grammatical
errors create
distraction,
making reading
difficult;
fragments,
comma splices,
run-ons evident.
Errors are
frequent.