Shining Star 001

Writing Assignment 1 EA P S 100 00 Y01 Planet Earth Online Course – Prof. L Braile W riting Assignment 1: As discusse d in the Syllabus, there are 3 writing assignments during the cou rse. WA 1 should include t opics covered in Chapters I to 5 of the textbook. See the Due Dates file (in the Course Content area of BB Learn ) for due dates of all assignments . Be sure to read all the instructions below. Please pay particular attention to the plagiarism discussion (section 3, below) ! In addition to avoiding plagiarism, you must understand and use correct citation and referencing in your paper (see more information and links to other citation and referencing resources below). Also, be sure to read the information on grading of the WAs that is included in the syllabus (page 6) . The writing assignments are short papers (short, informative research papers on a geosciences topic) designed to allow you to explore (in greater depth) a topic of i nterest to you that we hav e covered in about 5 chapters in the textbook. 1. Instructions (please read carefully) : Write a 1 ½ to 2 page paper on a geosciences topic of interest to you that is related to the material that we have covered in the textbook during (approximately) the first one -third of the course (chapters I through 5 or 6 ). Some suggested topics are listed below, but you are free to choose other relevant topics for your paper. Your paper must use 12 point, Times Roman font (or equivalent), be single spaced and utilize one inch margins (sides, bottom and top). With these formatting choices, the 1½ to 2 page paper ( main body of paper , text only , not including references ) should have 750 to 1000 words (750 words is the required minimum ). In addition, provide a references section at the bottom of your paper (or on a separate page) listing your book, journal or internet ( complete URL ) references , and use citations in your text to note quotations or specific information that you used from your r eferences . In order for a source to be included in your reference list, it needs to be cited in the text of your paper. Also, be sure to use metric units (used almost universally in science) in your paper. You can also add (optional) copies of a small nu mber of figures, photos or tables to support or illustrate the topics or concepts that you describe in your text. Figures, photos and tables must include a caption and a citation showing the source. 2 It is not necessary to have a large number of referenc es – two or three , or so , good references are all that is necessary. You can us e the textbook as a reference, but it cannot be the only reference that you use. The easiest (and recommended) way to handle references and citations is illustrated by the exam ples below (the author's name(s); if more than 3, put first author's name "and others" ; followed by the date of publication . If publication is a book, also include the page number(s) in the citation , such as “ (Lutgens, Tarbuck and Tasa, 2017 , p. 107)” ): Examples of citation s (needed for referring to specific information, or quotes, that you obtained from your references) in your t ext: Earthquakes which occur in stable continental crust are commonly associated with ancient rift zones (Johnston and Kanter, 1990). (Note: if the above sentence is a direct quote, it needs to be placed in quotation marks.) ..... Johnston and Kanter (1990) show that although intraplate earthquakes occur less frequently than earthquakes at plate margins, their potential size and efficient wave propagation in stable continental crust results in significant seismic risk. (Note: if the above sentence is a direct quote, it needs to be placed in quotation marks.) ..... For an Internet source, the citation s should be similar to the following examples ; and the reference section should be similar to the example reference list shown below. Note that this is the full URL for this specific source – not a reference to an extensive website, such as www .epa.gov . If you are making multiple citations from a site such as www.epa.gov , you must cite multiple URLs unique to each citation. For example, you could have a citation in your text for acid rain such as (What is ac id rain , epa.gov, 2015) with the related reference and full URL sho wn in the reference list below. A summary of recent earthquake activity and possible causes of earthquakes on the Midwest is provided by Braile (2011). ..... Example of reference fo rma t for separate reference section (all sources cited in your text must be listed in the reference list [if it is an Internet source, the complete URL in parentheses can serve as the citation and the reference], and all entries in your reference list need to be cited in your text) : Braile, L., 2011, Midwest Earthquakes , http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~braile/news/midwest.htm . Johnston, A.C., and L.R. Kanter, Earthquakes in stable continental crust, Scientific American , 262 , 68 -75, 1990. What is acid rain, epa.gov, retrieved May 5, 2015, http://www.epa.gov/acidrain/what/index.html . 3 Good references can be found in the Purd ue libraries (the Earth, A tmospheric , and Planetary Sciences librar y is on the second floor of Hampton Hall/ Civil Engineering building), local public libraries and on the Internet. For I nternet sources, try to find reliable sites such as from government agencies (US Geological Survey, NOAA, NASA, EPA, DOE, etc.), and websites (search on a topic, but be selective in which website you use) developed by scientists or professional scientific societies. A wealth of geosciences educational materials can also b e found at the following websites: www.geology.com (some advertising is included on this website), http://serc.carleton.edu/index.html , http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/index.html . A list of useful references (books, journal articles, periodicals) on many geosciences topics can also be found at:

http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~braile/eas100/reflist.htm . 2. Review of geoscience video option: For at most one of the three writing assignments this semester , you can choose to do a review of a video (or two or three videos if they are s hort ); an education video – from Discovery, History, Science, National Geographic channels, etc. (some geosciences video series: How the Earth was Made, Planet Earth, The Universe, Blue Planet , The Planets , etc.) , or a movie that covers a geoscience topic – Dante’s Peak , Volcano , Earthquake , San Andre as, Twister , It Could Happen Tomorrow (series, Weather Channel), Secrets of Earth (series, Weather Channel) , The Core , etc. ), on a geosciences topic. Many videos (and animations and visualizations – see Carle ton sites above) on geosciences topics that can be found on the Internet. You can also search on ‘geology documentary’, ‘geophysics documentary’, ‘ocean documentary’, ‘atmosphere documentary’, or ‘astronomy documentary’ on www.youtube.com and you will find many full -length and shorter geosciences videos. If you choose to do a review of a geosciences video, provide a description of the video, the topic and the source. Be sure to check the scientific accuracy (and u se and cite a reference that you checked) and comment on the accuracy and effectiveness of the video. Also, if the movie or video portrays inaccurate or exaggerated science occurrences, provide some description of the “real geosciences” that the video con tains (this could also require consulting and citing additional sources) . In other words, provide some accurate background information (and add citations and references to those sources to your paper) of the science that is related to the video. All othe r requirements of the writing assignment are the same as described above and below . 3. Information about plagiarism: IMPORTANT! – Do not be tempted to use a paper obtained from the Internet or some other source or to copy sentences or paragraphs (without citations and references) from the Internet or other reference! A simple Internet search can distinguish papers that are copied. When plagiarism is suspected, we also use an online tool that can detect plagiarism in submitted papers. Plagiarism is just wrong (because a writer who plagiarizes is taking credit for someone else’ s work) , and is educationally negative (because there is usually very little learning if material is just copied and pasted into your paper). Plagiarism is copying or direct paraph rasing a sentence (or a significant part of a sentence) or more without citing the original source and placing the copied material in 4 quotes . (“Paraphrasing should not include the replication of vivid phasing, chains of syntax or sequences of ideas. Wher e those things are involved, direct quotation marks should be employed.” Thomas Mallon, author of Stolen Words , 1989, as quoted in USA Today, January 17, 2002.) Please note (in accordance with the previous statement) that copying a sentence or more from the Internet (or other source) and then changing a word or two, or leaving out a phrase, in that sentence is still “direct paraphrasing” and is considered plagiarism! You need to research your topic and then write your report in your own words. Direct q uotation (copying) is permissible but must be placed in quotes in your text and be cited (citations). Specific information that you obtain from a reference must be cited. You may copy a small number of specific sentences (must be in quotes), and Figure s and Tables from an Internet, book or journal source to include in your paper to support your own writing and objective. However, the copied material (quotes, figures, photos, tables) must be cited (in the text, in the Figure caption, or Table information) and the source (Internet URL, book, periodical) must appear in your reference list . Direct quotes should not be a major part of your paper. To avoid plagiarism or filling your paper with direct quotes, a good method is to prepare notes and outlines fr om your reference material, then use only your notes and outlines (along with citation and reference information) to write your paper with your own organization and in your own words. Also, see additional resources below. Sources cited in your paper must be included in your reference list. Also, in order for a source to be included in your reference list, it needs to be cited in the text of your paper. Be sure that you understand the difference between references and citations. 4. Grading: Each writi ng assignment is worth 40 points toward the semester point total. Grading of the paper will be on the following criteria: following directions and format, appropriate references and sources, organization of paper, clear and concise writing, and scientific content (explanations, scientific accuracy). Also, please see the grading section in the course syllabus. 5. Submitting your paper: The writing assignments must be typed and can be submitted electronica lly through the Blackboard Learn pages . To submit your assignment ( WA) on Blackboard, open the Writing Assignment folder, then click on the assignment name (such as WA 1) next to the icon; a new window will open (such as Upload Assignment: WA 1); under item 2. (Assignment Materials, Submissions ), you can attach the file (.doc or .pdf format) of your completed assignment by browsing to your computer. Please be sure your file has a name such as WA1 .YourName.doc . For Hw and WA assignments, you can submit more than once if you make updates – for example, if you submit an incorrect file the first time, or if you have forgotten to add your references sections, you can submit a second (or more) time. For more information, see Directions for Submission on the EA PS 10000 Y01 Course Content page on Blackboard f or instructions for submitting homework and writing assignments. Additional information on the assignments is also included in the Syllabus . 5 6. Additional resources: Hacker, Diana, and Nancy Sommers, Rules for Writers , 7 th edition, Bedford/St. Martin ’s, 672 pages, 2011. Modern Language Association, MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers , 7 th edition , Modern Language Association of America, 292, pages, 2009. Scholastic Books, The Arrow Writer’s Handbook , Scholastic Book Club, 32 pages, 2000. (A very short but useful guide to writing.) Here are some resources for writing a research paper from the Purdue OWL. http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/ – Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) home page http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/658/01/ – Writing a research paper https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/589/0 2/ – Is it Plagiarism Yet? http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/953/01/ – Writing reports, proposals, technical papers http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/03/ – In-text citations http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/05/ – References list basic rules http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/589/1/ – Avoiding Plagiarism http://owl.english.purdue.edu/media/pdf/20090212013008_560.pdf – APA Sample paper (with annotations) 7. Suggested topics for Writing Assignment 1 : The scientific method Earth’s spheres Minerals Rocks Uses of minerals Mineral identification The rock cycle M etamorphism Volcanic rocks Sedimentary rocks Intrusive (plutonic) rocks The water cycle The Mississippi delta Flooding Groundwater resources Groundwater contamination Effects of mining Glaciers Causes of ice ages Future water resources Alfred Wegener Continental drift Evidence for plate tectonics What d rives the plates? 6 Paleomagnetism Suggested topics and Example References (links) for WA 1 The scientific method General overview of the scientific method:

http://tea cher.nsrl.rochester.edu:8080/phy_labs/AppendixE/AppendixE.html A GSA article detailing the scientific method with added emphasis on application to the earth sciences: http://www.geosociety. org/educate/NatureScience.pdf Minerals Mineralogy database with general and detailed info: http://webmineral.com/ General overview of minerals: http://hyperphysics.phy -astr.gsu.edu/hbase/geophys/mineral.html Detailed “notes” for mineralogy course at the University of Colorado:

http://ruby.colorado.edu/~smyth/G30101.html Uses of mi nerals A comprehensive guide to mineral resources and related topics: http://minerals.usgs.gov/ Common minerals and their uses: http://www.mii.org/commonminerals .html 40 common minerals and their uses: http://www.nma.org/publications/common_minerals.asp The rock cycle Geologic Society of London presents the rock cycle and all its components in detail: http://www.geolsoc.org.uk/rockcycle A brief overview of the rock cycle and its components: http://www.geology.wisc.edu/course s/g112/rock_cycle.html Volcanic rocks USGS overview of igneous rocks (NOTE: igneous rocks include volcanic and plutonic rocks): http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/LivingWit h/VolcanicPast/Notes/igneous_rocks.html A brief overview of igneous rocks: http://www.tulane.edu/~sanelson/geol111/igneous.htm Lava flows and pyroclastic materials discussions: http://facweb.bhc.edu/academics/science/harwoodr/GEOL101/Labs/VolcanicMaterials/ 7 Volcanic and extrusive rocks as a part of the rock cycle: http://www.geolsoc.org.uk/page3597.html Intrusive (plutonic) rocks USGS overview of igneous rocks (NOTE: igneous rocks include volcanic and plutonic rocks): http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/LivingWith/VolcanicPast/Notes/igneous_rocks.html A brief overview of igneous rocks: http://www.tulane.edu/~sanelson/geol111/igneous.htm Intro to structures and textures of igneous rocks: http://www.tulane.edu/~sanelson/geol212/intro&textures.htm The Mississippi delta General stats of the river: http://www.nps.gov/miss/riverfacts.htm Evolution of the Mississippi delta:

http://www.ce.berkeley.edu/projects/neworleans/report/Draft/CH_3.pdf Li nks to additional Mississippi River info: http://www.tulane.edu/~mrbc/MRBClinks.htm Groundwater resources US groundwater resource info including studies, availability/sources, and uses: http://water.usgs.gov/ogw/gwrp/ US groundwater basics, data and info, selected topics, publications, etc: http://water.usgs.gov/ogw/ Effects of mining Environmental impacts of m ining with three additional references at page bottom: http://ecorestoration.montana.edu/mineland/guide/problem/impacts/default.htm An essay on the effects of minin g in the Scranton, PA region: http://www.wilkes.edu/pages/2299.asp Causes of ice ages A general discussion of ice age triggers: http:// www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/earth/cause -ice -age.html Lawrence Berkeley National Lab presents a brief intro to ice age theories: http://muller.lbl.gov/pages/iceagebook/IceAgeTheories.html 8 Earth’s spheres Basic info, outside resources, related topics, and images: http://earth.rice.edu/earthupdate/ Interactions in Earth’s Systems: http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/education/dynamic/session4/sess4_interactions.htm Rocks Rocks basics: http://www.nature.nps.gov/Geology/usgsnps/rxmin/roc k.html Additional info on rocks including properties, characteristics, and case studies:

http://www.fi.edu/qa97/spotlight1/spotlight1.html Mineral identification Basics of mineral identif ication: http://esa21.kennesaw.edu/activities/mineralid/mineralid.pdf Additional general information on mineral identification: http://faculty.chemeketa.edu/afrank1/rocks/minerals/minerals.htm Metamorphism Intro to metamorphism and metamorphic rocks: http://www.tulane.edu/~sanelson/ge ol111/metamorphic.htm Metamorphic rock classification: http://geology.csupomona.edu/drjessey/class/gsc101/meta.html Sedimentary rocks Brief intro to sedimentary rocks: http://geomaps.wr.usgs.gov/parks/rxmin/rock2.html Characteristics of sedimentary rocks:

http://www.physicalgeography.net/fundamenta ls/10f.html Classification of sedimentary rocks: http://www - odp.tamu.edu/curation/gcr/geol106lab/classifications.htm The water cycle General info on the water cycle: http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/watercycle.html Global water distribution and brief discussion: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/Wa ter/ 9 Video presentation by NOAA discussing the water cycle: http://www.montereyinstitute.org/noaa/lesson07.html Flooding Diverse resource database on flooding issues and topics: http://www.floodsafety.noaa.gov/ Geology and geography of floods: http://andrewsforest.oregonstate.edu/pubs/pdf/pub2812.pdf Groundwater contam ination Summary of topic with specific examples of sources and types of contamination: http://oceanworld.tamu.edu/resources/environment -book/groundwaterconta mination.html Basics of groundwater: http://techalive.mtu.edu/meec/module04/title.htm Glaciers General info on glaciers including formation, components, effects, etc: http://nsidc.org/cryosphere/glaciers/index.html The Forest Service presents an overview of glaciers: http://www.fs.fed.us/r1 0/tongass/forest_facts/resources/geology/icefields.htm Future water resources Case study of issues surrounding future water resources for Maryland:

http://www.mde.state.md.us/programs/ResearchCenter/ReportsandPublications/Pages/Resear chCenter/publications/general/emde/vol3no7/wolfman_report.aspx A paper discussing the many issues of water reso urces in the US: http://ag.arizona.edu/azwater/files/Water.People.and.the.Future.pdf Case study for Connecticut: http://www.ct.gov/dep/lib/dep/air/climatechange/adaptation/090313_water_resources.pdf Alfred Wegener Brief bio and description of Wegener’s contributions to science: http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/history/wegener.html http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aso/databank/entries/bowege.html http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/dynamic/wegener.html Evidence for plate tectonics 10 Brief history of the development of plate tectonic theory:

http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/dynamic/historical.html More de tailed history of plate tectonic theory: http://www.csa.com/discoveryguides/drift/review.pdf Paleomagnetism Basics of paleomagnetism: http://geology.cr.usgs.gov/capabilities/paleom.html List of links to all things geo - and paleo -magnetism: http://www.agu.org/sections/geomag/background.html Continental drift Development of the theory in brief:

http://www.oregon.gov/dsl/ssnerr/docs/efs/efs25contdrift.pdf?ga=t http://www.pla tetectonics.com/article.asp?a=18 What drives the plates? Driving mechanisms of plate tectonics: http://www.umich.edu/~gs265/tecpaper.htm Brief intro: http://www.geology.um.maine.edu/ges416/Lecture3/Lecture.html References : Mallon, Thomas, Stolen Words – The Classic Book on Plagiarism , Penguin Books, 312 pages, 1991.