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Sample Writing Assignment on a Current Topic: Fossil Discovery of Homo Floresiensis

Module by: The Cain Project in Engineering and Professional Communication

Summary: This assignment was given in Rice University’s ESCI 102: Evolution of the Earth. The assignment requires freshmen (non-major) students to gather information, analyze the theory offered to support the classification of Homo Floresiensis, and compare this theory with the assumptions implicit in the traditional account of evolution.

Due (date)

Last fall a major fossil discovery was announced: a new descendent of Homo erectus, from whom Homo sapiens also evolved. This new species, named Homo floresiensis, appears to have been a contemporary of Homo sapiens. The idea of our co-existing with our own cousin is fundamentally different than the way we have typically viewed our own species.

For this essay, your reading will be completed online. Read the sources listed below. Use other sources if you would like. Be sure to include a bibliography that lists the sites that are your major sources.

  • http://www.nature.com/news/specials/flores/index.html
  • http://www.corante.com/loom/archives/026745.html
  • http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/10/1027_041027_homo_floresiensis.html

Please break down your essay as follows:

Hypothesis (2 pts) What is the traditional hypothesis about how Homo sapiens evolved?

Evidence (2 pts): What evidence has recently been found on the island of Flores? Be specific! Include details!

Interpretation: (3 pts): What is the interpretation of this fossil discovery? How does this new information affect the hypothesis of human evolution? How is new data incorporated into the theory of evolution? Is the theory of evolution changed by this new discovery?

Organization, clarity and style (2 pts): make sure that the paper has logical organization.

Paper Format (1 pt): paper must be typed with 1-inch margins; name, date, ESCI 102, and assignment name must be at top of paper. Include a bibliography. Include the honor pledge text (On my honor, I have neither given nor received any unauthorized aid on this assignment), signed on the bottom of your paper.

Because this assignment is due on the last day of class, there will be no extensions. See us for help in advance!

Note:

Plagiarism is the undocumented inclusion of someone else’s work within your work. In the context of this assignment, plagiarism means using someone else’s ideas without citation or reproducing someone else’s sentence structure and word choices without using quotes and citation. Accepting proofreading help from your Cain mentor or anyone else does NOT count as plagiarism or an honor code violation – in fact, we encourage you to have your work proofread by your colleagues! This only becomes a violation if someone else writes sections of your paper for you. You can assume that your Cain mentor’s advice does not violate the honor code. Proofreading by your colleagues will not violate the honor code as long as they do not add text to your work.

Evaluation Form for Paper 4
Criteria Excellent: full points Average: mid-points Poor: low points
Format________ All criteria met (1):Typed, 1 inch margin, name, date, ESCI 102, assignment name at top of paper. Honor pledge. Paper length is between 0.5 and 1.5 single-spaced pages or 1 and 3 double-spaced pagesSources cited and bibliography included One error in format (0.5) Two or more errors in format (0)
Hypothesis ________ Theory of human evolution is thoroughly and clearly communicated (2) Lack of depth or clarity in communicating theory (1) No description of theory (0)
Evidence _________ Description of evidence is detailed and specific (2) Description is superficial or not detailed enough (1) No substantive description (0)
Analysis________ Student includes two concepts in paper:Until recently, we humans co-existed with “cousins.” The general theory of evolution can tolerate the addition of new information. (3) One concept is missing or poorly described (2) No analysis of impact of “cousin” on theory of evolution (0)
Organization, clarity, and style________ Organizes discussion logically. Paragraphs have topic sentences. Easy for reader to access. Correct use of grammar. (2) Some errors in organization, clarity, and style (1) Extensive errors in organization, clarity, and style (0)

Strengths of paper:

Areas for improvement:

Student name __________Total points _________ Mentor initials ________

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