BIOL 1409 Spring 2020 Research Paper
You will choose an issue that relates to biology, conduct research on your topic, and write a research paper on that topic. Your paper is a research paper which means it should be led and filled by research, not thoughts and opinions. You have one section in your paper where you can provide your opinion on the topic You will need at least 3 academic journal articles and 3 reliable sources. Your references need to be in APA format and you will need a reference page and in text (within the context of the paper) citations that match your reference paget Use the headings below in your paper.
This paper should include the following:
Title:
less than 10 words, that sums up your paper
Thesis Statement
one sentence that describes what the point of your paper is
Introduction
Background information on the topic
– think about answering: who, what, where, when, why, how on your topic
Body
what are the arguments in support of your topic
what are the arguments against your topic
Opinion
Conclusion
References
References Format:
APA format information:
Use APA format for the in text (within your paper) citations and end of the paper reference list.
Paper Details:
Your topic must be approved by your instructor and must fit into the for/against argument.
Research the topic and identify resources for each section of the paper.
Need at least 3 academic journal articles and 3 reliable science sources
Journals: Use the MVC library databases found online on the library’s website. If you are unsure how to browse for articles using the databases contact your instructor or visit the library to meet with a librarian who can walk you through the process.
Reliable science soures: any website ending in .edu or .gov or sciencedaily.com, sciencenews.org or sciencedirect.com
Bookmark, print or save resources for easy access during the writing process
USE THE OUTLINE above in your paper! Copy and paste the outline above and put the headings in your paper
Think about writing your paper for someone in the general public that knows Nothing about the topic and wants to read your paper to get all the info they can to understand the topic.
NO FLUFF – “fluff” is extra wording that does not need to be there. This is a research paper and should be research after research after research
Make sure your ‘voice’ is apparent in the paper – DO NOT USE QUOTES (quotes do not show you understand the material, summarize it in your own words and site your source).
You can use the MVC writing center as a resource but remember this is a scientific research paper.
Edit your document for grammar, spelling, formatting, and in text citations
Have others proofread your paper for spelling, grammar, and organizational problems. Have at least one literate, logical friend read through your paper carefully to check for “flow of logic” mistakes, ambiguous statements, etc.
Reread this entire document AND THE GRADING RUBRIC BELOW again before you turn in the paper and fix an errors!
Grading Rubric:
Category Exceeds standards Meets standards Nearly meets standard Does not meet standard No Evidence Section Points Score
Title page
Title of the paper Student name, Instructor name, Course and section, neatly organized Evidence of 4 Evidence of 3 Evidence of 2 or less Absent 5 Thesis statement
Clearly and concisely states the paper’s purpose in a single sentence, which is engaging and thought provoking Clearly state the paper’s purpose in a single sentence States the paper’s purpose in a single sentence Incomplete and unfocused Absent 5 Introduction
The introduction is engaging, states the main topic and previews the structure of the paper Introduction states the main topic and previews the structure of the paper The introduction states the main topic but does not adequately preview the structure of the paper There is no clear introduction; or main topic and the structure of the paper is missing Absent/ no evidence 20 Arguments in support of Eliminating single use plastics Arguments are clearly stated in detail and supported by evidence Arguments are clearly stated and supported by evidence Argument lacks supporting evidence Fails to develop the argument Absent 10 Arguments against the Eliminating single use plastics Arguments are clearly stated in detail and supported by evidence Arguments are clearly stated and supported by evidence Argument lacks supporting evidence Fails to develop the argument Absent 10 Your opinion
Writer demonstrates logical sequencing of ideas through well-developed paragraphs; transition are used to enhance organization Paragraph development present but not perfect Logical organization of ideas not fully developed No evidence of structure or organization Absent 10 Conclusion
Conclusion is engaging and restates the thesis The conclusion restates the thesis Conclusion does not adequately restate the thesis Incomplete and/or unfocused Absent 10 Organization-Structural development of idea
Writer demonstrates logical sequencing of ideas through well-developed paragraphs; transition are used to enhance organization Paragraph development present but not perfect Logical organization of ideas not fully developed No evidence of structure or organization Absent 5 Mechanics and usage
No error in punctuation, capitalization and spelling
No errors in sentence structure Almost no errors in punctuation, capitalization, spelling, and sentence structure Many errors in sentence structure and word usage Numerous and distracting errors in sentence structure and word usage Absent 5 Citations
All cited works, both in text and visual, are done in APA format with no errors Some cited works both in text and visual, are done in APA format, Inconsistencies evident Few cited works, both in text and visual, are done in APA format Absent Absent 5 References
Done in APA format with no errors. Includes more than 5 majors references( science journals/books/< 2 internet links) Done in APA format with few errors. Includes more than 5 majors references( science journals/books/< 2 internet links) Done in APA format with some errors. Includes more than 5 majors references( science journals/books/< 2 internet links) Done in APA format with many errors. Includes 3 majors references( science journals/books/< 2 internet links) Absent/ only used internet links 15
