General requirements for
the course:
- Option 1: Two short reports, written (5 pages of
text) or oral (10 minutes). First report: Abstract due Jan 31, Report
due Feb 14. Second report: Abstract due Feb 28, Report due Mar 19.
- Option 2: One long report (10-15 pages of text with
one revision). Topics must be arranged with the instructor by Feb
11. First draft due Feb 28. Final revision due Mar 19.
- Those taking the course for Writing credit must choose
Option 2.
- Reports will be based on assigned readings/topics except
by special arrangement with the instructor.
- Oral reports will be given at arranged times, outside of
regular class. All students will be welcome and encouraged to attend.
- Oral reports will be given on or before the due dates for
the written reports.
- Under either option, report(s) count for 25% of the course
grade.
Option 1: written
report guidelines
Abstract: Submit a single sheet with (1) chosen title,
(2) list of chosen source material, (3) a brief paragraph stating the essence
of what you want to convey, and (4) whether you intend to give a written
or oral report. Note that even if you are giving an oral report, you
must submit this abstract in writing.
Suggestions: I strongly recomment that you purchase a copy
of Strunk and White, The Elements of Style if you do not already
have it. This little book costs only a few dollars and is filled with valuable
advice on how to write clearly. It is a bargain and a jewel!
The report: Write a 5 page typed, double-spaced paper
(approximately 1500 words). The paper must be separated into at least
four sections, with separate headings for each section:
- Introduction: State the theme of the paper and how
it is related to the overall topic of climate and climate change. State
what questions will be examined. State what methods and sources you
will use. Do not state the conclusions (though you may allude to them.)
- Body [could be one or more sections]: Summarize
in your own words the main points of the article(s). Address the questions
that you raised in the Introduction. Provide reasoned analysis that
grows out of the evidence and the reading material. Key points should
be referenced to the article(s) and/or tied to the figure(s) or table(s)
that you provide at the end. (For example, "As we see in Figure 1,...")
Be sure to critically evaluate the information in the readings, not
just rephrase it. (For example, how confident are you that the author's
conclusions are correct? In cases where two authors give opposing
points of view, which do you favor and why? Can you provide an alternate
point of view? Is the article inaccurate or misleading in any way?)
- Conclusions: Summarize. What answers
did you find and what questions remain?
- References: List the source material cited in the
report.
- Figure(s) and Table(s) [optional]: These are optional
but desirable in most cases because they help to focus your discussion.
Hand-drawn figures are fine. Each figure or table should illustrate
a key point or set of points and must be cited in the Body of the paper.
Place them at the end in a separate section. Note that Figures
and Tables do not count toward the required 5 pages.
Grading: Both oral and written reports will be evauated
in terms of:
- Overall quality and originality of effort.
- Organization of your thinking.
- Whether your report accurately and fairly summarizes the
article(s).
- Writing or speaking style -- is the report clear, concise,
and persuasive? Remember to address your report to a target audience
of intelligent, interested non-scientists.
- Incorporation of concepts and vocabulary from the course.
- Grammar and usage. For written reports, be sure to
write in complete sentences, check your spelling, and avoid colloquial expressions
and technical jargon as far as possible.
Option 1:
oral report guidelines
Abstract: Submit a single sheet with (1) chosen title,
(2) list of chosen source material, (3) a brief paragraph stating the essence
of what you want to convey, and (4) whether you intend to give a written
or oral report. Note that even if you are giving an oral report, you
must submit this abstract in writing.
Times: Oral reporting times will be scheduled by the instructor.
Suggestions: I highly recommend that you rehearse your
talk at least once in front of a friend. Time the rehearsal to be sure
you can say everything you want in 10 minutes. (It can go very fast
if your wnader off on tangents or waste time fishing for words.) It
is a challenge to express a concise, logical train of ideas in an engaging
manner before an audience; however, this is a valuable skill to develop.
A few good visual aids (e.g. overheads with graphs or a list of key
points) can be a big help in communicating; to many visuals is distracting.
Contact me if you would like extra coaching on how to give a talk.
The talk: Deliver a 5-10 talk and be prepared for questions
afterwards. Your talk should be organized into the following sections
(very similar to the written report):
- Introduction: State the theme of the talk and how
it is related to the overall topic of climate and climate change. State
what questions will be examined. State what methods and sources you
will use. Do not state the conclusions (though you may allude to
them.)
- Body: Summarize in your own words the main
points of the article(s). Address the questions that you raised in
the Introduction. Provide reasoned analysis that grows out of the
evidence and the reading material. Key points should be referenced
to the article(s) and/or tied to the figure(s) or table(s). If you
use Figures or Tables directly from the article(s), be sure you are able
to explain them clearly. Be sure to critically evaluate the information
in the readings, not just rephrase it. (For example, how confident
are you that the author's conclusions are correct? In cases where
two authors give opposing points of view, which do you favor and why? Can
you provide an alternate point of view? Is the article inaccurate
or misleading in any way?)
- Conclusions: Summarize. What answers
did you find and what questions remain?
Grading: Both oral and written reports will be evauated
in terms of:
- Overall quality and originality of effort.
- Organization of your thinking.
- Whether your report accurately and fairly summarizes the
article(s).
- Writing or speaking style -- is the report clear, concise,
and persuasive? Remember to address your report to a target audience
of intelligent, interested non-scientists.
- Incorporation of concepts and vocabulary from the course.
- Grammar and usage. For written reports, be sure to
write in complete sentences, check your spelling, and avoid colloquial expressions
and technical jargon as far as possible.
Option 2: Long
report guidelines
Suggestions: I strongly recommend that you purchase a copy of Strunk
and White, The Elements of Style if you do not already have it. This
little book costs only a few dollars and is filled with valuable advice
on how to write clearly. It is a bargain and a jewel!
The report: Write a 10-15 page research paper following
the structure given below. Topic and source material to be arranged
in advance with the instructor. Several topics will be suggested (only
one student will be allowed to write on a given topic) or you can propose
your own research topic. In the latter case, this must be discussed
with the instructor.
Written report requirements:
- Length: 10-15 pages of text. This length requirement does
not count Title Page, Bibiography, Figures, or Tables.
- Text pages to have an average of at least 300 words (double
spaced 12 point Times with 1 inch margins gives about 350 words per page).
- First draft is 20% and final draft is 80% of the grade.
- Papers are to be modeled on a scientific journal article
and to include these sections:
- Title page
- Text
- Abstract.
- Introduction
- Body (divided into sections of your choosing)
- Conclusions
- Bibliography
- Figures and Tables (at least two; either or both types
okay)
Grading form for written reports:
Quality of effort on First Draft = 20%
Content = 40%
- Persuasively develops a central thesis
- Thesis is appropriate to the course
- Thesis is supported by evidence and literature references
- Relevance and clarity of Figures and/or Tables
Organization/Format = 20%
- Follows assigned format
- Paragraphs are coherent and related to the central thesis
- Logical transitions between paragraphs so reader can follow
the development of the thesis
Style = 10%
- Sentence structure, word usage, punctuation, spelling
- Sentences varied and not awkward
- Language is uninflated and appropriate for a formal paper
(no slang, contractions, etc)
Originality and Effort = 10%
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