Scientific Literacy Essay
Task 2: The Essay
Scientific writing can be quite different from other writing formats that you may have experienced in other non-science or social science classes. In this assignment, you are going to utilize the research on an environmental issue in scientific literature from Task 1 and synthesize that research into a mini-review essay (1200-1500 words).
Learning objectives:
Effectively research the existing scientific literature
Convey detailed information about an environmental topic to a non-expert
Synthesize the current primary academic research and identify key information gaps
Integrate at least 3 topics from this course (ex. Topic/ Environmental issue:
Elephant extinction. Topics: evolution, climate change, biodiversity, ecosystems of the world)
Scientific Literacy Essay
Your essay should include but is not limited to:
1. Name of the environmental issue
2. Source/ cause of the issue
3. What is the cause of environmental change
4. How to minimize the issue/change
5. Future developments
6. A clear statement of which topics from this course you have integrated
Scientific Literacy Essay
Task 3: Response to Reviewer
Scientific literature is created through a process of peer-review, where colleagues and peers review work to suggest and make changes. One of the most important aspects of effective feedback is that it “feeds forward” on to further assignments. In this case, you will be using the feedback from your peers to update your essay.
In scientific literature, reviewers write a summary about their thoughts on the essay (“The reviewer’s comments”) and based on those comments you are asked to revise a rough draft of your essay before you submit it for grading.
You will have an opportunity to use the peer feedback given and update your essay before submitting it for grading. During this time you can expand the text of your essay to accommodate your updates and changes (for a maximum of 1500 words total). Importantly, this gives you an opportunity to reflect upon and respond to feedback
you’ve been given on your assignment and improve the final copy before you submit. Your Response to the Reviewer task will be graded on how well you give feedback using the feedback form, respond to the feedback, and update your rough draft. A feedback form will be provided as part of your reviewer task. Use APA referencing style.