Lightening never strikes the same place twice

Lightening never strikes the same place twice

BIOL 102: Introductory Biology Science Literacy Assignment

Content: There are many misconceptions about scientific concepts that are widely accepted by the general public. Some topics include cracking your knuckles cause arthritis and it takes seven years to digest gum. Students are required to research a topic of their choosing and write a term paper on it following the guidelines below. For assistance in choosing a topic, please consult the internet or your professor.

Be sure to use credible sources when conducting your literature search. One of the sources MUST be a credible scientific source such as Science Daily, Science News or Scientific American. Websites ending in .gov, .edu or .org are also great resources. Make sure that all sources are properly cited within the text and on a References/Works Cited page.

Due Date and Submission: Students will complete this assignment and submit an electronic copy by 11:59 pm on 4/20/18. No paper or email submissions will be accepted; this assignment MUST be submitted via Blackboard. The assignment may be submitted early, but NO LATE PAPERS WILL BE ACCEPTED. If a student needs clarification, please email the instructor as soon as possible. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL IT IS DUE TO ASK QUESTIONS!

Grading: This assignment will be graded out of 100 points. For a breakdown of points, refer to the second page.

Paper Format: Students are expected to turn in a minimum of 4-pages. Use double-space, 12 pt. Times New Roman font, and 1-inch margins on all sides of the pages. The first page is the title page. Be sure to include a creative title and use center alignment. The body of the paper will be a minimum of 2 pages (excluding graphics). The last page will be the References/Works Cited page.

Failure to comply with format guidelines will result in point deductions.

Drafts: The literacy assignments will be submitted through SafeAssign which is a database that checks for plagiarism. Students are able and encouraged to submit drafts before the final submission to check the percent similarity (plagiarized material). The percent similarity must be below 15%. The instructor will not view the drafts unless requested by the student. Guidelines: Be sure to write a paragraph describing each of the following:

1) Introductory paragraph a. Introduce the misconception and give an overview of the paper

2) Describe the misconceptions and why people believe it.

a. Explain the misconception, why people believe the misconception and why it is so widespread.

3) Explain the correct scientific explanation of the phenomenon. a. What is the real cause of the misconception? b. What is the actual science underlining the misconception?

4) What is your personal reaction to the topic?

a. Describe your thoughts, feelings, and opinions on the issue. b. Did you believe the misconception? c. Do you believe it now?

i. Support your stance with facts.

5) Concluding paragraph a. What is the take-home message of the entire paper?

Grading Breakdown:

Other helpful hints:

 Remember to paraphrase when possible and try to avoid direct quotations. o Be sure to provide in-text citations for information that is not common knowledge or information that

was obtained from a source even when paraphrased.

 Explain each of the above points in DETAIL! Write more not less.

 Feel free to insert diagrams and pictures that help to illustrate your point. However, please remember that they are not included in your page count. So if you insert a graphic, then the body of the paper should be longer than 2 pages.

 Reread your paper paying close attention to spelling and grammar.

 Seek assistance if you require it.

 Do not wait until the day before it is due to begin this assignment.

Max pts Category To earn the maximum points

6 pts Format

1-in margins Double-spaced 12 pt Times New Roman font Minimum of 4 pages: title page, reference page, min 2 page body

12 pts Introduction Briefly introduce the topic and controversy Give an overview of what the reader should expect

20 pts Misconception Explain the misconception, why people believe the misconception and why it is so widespread.

20 pts Correct Scientific Explanation Explain the correct scientific explanation underlining the misconception

15 pts Personal Reaction Your feelings and WHY

12 pts Conclusion Concluding remarks

7.5 pts References In-text citations Correctly formatted references (APA format) At least one credible source

7.5 pts Originality, Creativity, Effort Minimum direct quotes Minimum spelling errors Minimum grammatical errors

Grading Rubric:

Criteria Excellent Above Average Average Below Average

Format Followed all format

guidelines 6 pts

Missing 1 formatting guideline

4-5 pts

Missing 2 formatting guidelines

1-3 pts

Less than 4 pages 0 pts

Introduction

Thoroughly introduced the topic and gave a

complete overview of the paper

10-12 pts

Adequately introduced the topic and gave a

satisfactory overview of the paper

6-9 pts

Inadequately introduced the topic or gave an

incomplete overview of the paper

3-5 pts

Provided a poor overview or no

introductory paragraph

0-2 pts

Misconception

Thoroughly stated and explained the

misconception and why it is believable

16-20 pts

Adequately stated and defined the

misconception and why it is believable

11-15 pts

Inadequately stated and defined and/or

explained the how and why

5-10 pts

Stated and defined the NBP but did not explain the how and

why 0-4 pts

Correct Scientific

Explanation

Thoroughly explains the correct scientific

explanation 16-20 pts

Adequately explains the correct scientific

explanation 11-15 pts

Poorly explains the correct scientific

explanation 5-10 pts

Missing or incorrectly explains the correct

scientific explanation 0-4 pts

Personal Reaction

Thoroughly describes and explains your pre- and

post- opinions using facts 12-15 pts

Adequately describes and explains your pre- and

post- opinion with little facts

8-11 pts

Describes and partially explains your opinion

with little to no factual support 4-7 pts

Missing or poor description and/or explanation of your

opinions 0-3 pts

Conclusions

Thoroughly provides concluding remarks and delivers a strong take-

home message 10-12 pts

Adequately provides concluding remarks and a

take-home message 7-9 pts

Provides concluding remarks without a well-

defined take-home message 4-6 pts

Missing or poorly concludes the topic

0-3 pts

References

Provides proper number and format of in-text

citations, correctly formatted references

page and used at least 1 credible source

6-7.5 pts

Missing a couple in-text citations, correctly

formatted references page and used at least 1

credible source 4-5 pts

Missing most in-text citations and/or

references 2-3 pts

No references page and/or no in-text

citations and/or no credible source used

0-1 pts

Effort

Less than 5% similarity, minimum errors and

minimum to no direct quotes

6-7.5 pts

Less than 15% similarity, some errors and

minimum use of direct quotes 4-5 pts

Less than 15% similarity, excessive use of direct quotes and/or errors

reduce readability 2-3 pts

More than 15% similarity

0-1 pts