scientists awarded Nobel prize in chemistry for work to visualize biomolecules

Essay Assignment

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Essay Assignment (100 pts.)

Topics due: February, 2018 (Canvas) Essay due: April 12, 2018 (via Canvas)

Writing is important in every discipline, not just English literature. For example when newscasters recently reported about the American doctors who contracted the Ebola virus in West Africa, I could understand the situation without a degree in microbiology because of the careful attention to writing. A good writer should be able to describe a particular subject to a targeted audience whether it is the general public or experts in the field.

The purpose of this writing assignment is two-fold. First, it is to give you an informal introduction to scientific writing. Secondly, I believe in giving you a variety of assignments, such as homework problems, test, and essays. Some students perform very well on tests and quizzes without doing the homework, while others need the practice. Also, because some of you are taking the class as a general education requirement, you may find writing assignments easier.

Details: 1. Pick a current news event that is of interest to you. The news event should

come from the TV news (News Channel 8, ABC Action News, CNN, etc.), a local newspaper (St. Petersburg Times, etc.) or an internet news site (CNN.com, etc.). Please tell me the source of the news story.

2. The total length of the assignment should be approximately 1,000 words. Part of being a good writer is concise and effective communication. Try to only give me pertinent information.

3. Follow the following format: a. Provide a brief 1-3 paragraph explanation of the topic that a general

audience (your fellow classmates) can understand. Please cite any additional references you may use outside of the news source listed above. (20 pts.)

b. Discuss briefly why the topic is of interest to you. For example, you are planning to become a high school teacher and the news story is about the high school science curriculum and the next generation of sunshine state standards. (20 pts.)

c. Explain how the topic relates to the class. For example most high school students are now required to pass a chemistry class to earn their diploma. You can then go on to discuss how the topics covered in high school chemistry are similar to what you are learning in Chemistry 1025, and how such a class could be beneficial to students going to college. (20 pts.)

d. Provide a 1 paragraph summary and bibliography if necessary. Do not list references not cited in the essay in order to make it look more important. (20 pts.)

Essay Assignment

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e. Pay attention to spelling and grammar. In the real world, a paper will end up in file 13 if it is full of grammatical mistakes. (20 pts.)

4. Because this class is a science course, please use this link for more information on scientific writing https://www.aacc.org/publications/clinical- chemistry/clinical-chemistry guide-to-scientific-writing.

5. Proofreading-- It is perfectly acceptable (and advised) to have another student in the class proofread your essay before submission. Please acknowledge the student. There are three stages of writing: (1) determining a topic and creating a brief outline; (2) writing about the topic; and (3) revising the writing so that it is clear and concise. Step three is actually the hardest and requires the most time. I suggest that when you have finished the essay that you put it aside for a few days in order to clear your mind. Then, reread it carefully to make sure it makes sense.

6. Help from the professor-- I will be glad to provide brief feedback on essays submitted up to one week before the due date.

7. Pledge … Please write the following on your essay, sign, and date. On my honor, I have neither given nor received any unacknowledged aid on this essay assignment.

8. Plagiarism-- Copying English sentences from a reference source, even with a citation is considered plagiarism. The English sentences should be your own words. In some circumstances a brief direct quote is acceptable and should be contained within “example quote” followed by a citation.

Essay Assignment

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Grading Rubric: I will use this grading rubric when evaluating your essays, and it should serve as a guide when completing the assignment.

Levels of attainment Mastery Practicing Introductory Novice

Relationship to Introductory Chemistry (25 pts.)

The subject matter discussed in the article directly relates to the material presented in CHM1025 or the author does an excellent job relating the article to the chemistry class. At least 25% of the essay describes relevance to chemistry. (25-20 pts.)

If the topic of the article is outside the subject of chemistry, not enough of the essay is devoted to discussing the relation to chemistry. Also, the author may attempt to make a connection, but it is not clear to the reader. (19-14pts.)

A connection to chemistry is discussed to some extent, but the reader has to work too hard to connect the dots. (13-8pts.)

The article is not explicitly related to chemistry and the author spends minimal effort to try to establish a connection. (7-0 pts.)

Summary of the article (25 pts.)

Article was summarized in a manner that is easy for a general audience to understand. Additional references were used as necessary to facilitate understanding of the article. (25- 20 pts.)

Article was summarized, but people unfamiliar with the topic may have a difficulty time comprehending the summary. Additional resource should have been consulted. (19-14pts.)

Summary was included, but it is evident that the author did not comprehend the article. Even people competent in the subject may have a difficult time understanding the summary. (13-8pts.)

While the author does refer to the article in the essay, the author made little if any attempt to summarize the article. (7-0 pts.)

Why the author chose the article. (25 pts.)

The author discuses a personal connection to the article and/or subject matter. Approximately 25% of the essay is devoted to this area. (25-20 pts.)

While the author does discuss a personal connection, it is insufficient for 25% of the grade. (19-14pts.)

A personal connection is evident, but the author fails to discuss why he/she chose the topic. (13-8pts.)

No personal connection the article or topic is evident; nor does the author discuss it. (7-0 pts.)

Summary (12 pts.)

Author included a one-paragraph summary. Summary does not include any new thoughts or ideas and touches upon the three components of the essay (article summary, relation opt chemistry, and personal choice of the article). (12-10 pts.)

Authors includes a summary, but it does not summarize all aspect of the essay. (9-7pts.)

There may be a one-sentence conclusion, but the essay lacks a one-paragraph summary. (6-4 pts.)

No summary present. Essay appears to just end. (3-0 pts.)

Spelling and grammar (13 pts.)

Essay is well organized with few spelling and grammatical mistakes. Essay contains an introduction with a strong thesis and a summary paragraph. Essay contains proper use of in- text citations and a reference list. (13-10 pts.)

Essay has one of the following problems: it was proofread, but there are a few too many errors; it lacks a thesis and/or introduction. (9-7pts.)

Essay has two of the following problems: it was proofread, but there are few too many errors; it lacks a thesis and/or introduction; summary is missing. (6-4 pts.)

Essay was not proof read. Organization is poor due to a lack of a strong thesis. (3-0 pts.)