PAPER ON OUR VISIT TO THE ZOO

Bob Corbett, instructor
GNST 12
Spring (I) 2001

THE ASSIGNMENT FOR THE ZOO PAPER; PREPARATION HINTS; GRADING CRITERIA

• ASSIGNMENT: Write two separate one page papers on our visit to the zoo. The first paper would name the animal, or animals in the same exhibit, which you think had the best situation of any animals you saw in the zoo. Describe in detail why you would claim that this (these) animal(s) had the best situation you saw in the zoo.
  The second paper would name the animal, or animals in the same exhibit, which you think had the worst situation of any animals you saw in the zoo. Describe in detail why you would claim that this (these) animal(s) had the worst situation you saw in the zoo.
• PRE-PREPARATION TASKS:
  1. Visit the zoo with the group.
  2. Make every attempt to see as many animals as you can.
  3. I would recommend you first see all the animals you can, keeping notes, and when you finish then decide on the best and worst.
  4. Go back to those two exhibits and make careful notes of observations and thoughts.
• THE PAPER ITSELF:
  1. First name the animal in question for each paper.
  2. Make the strongest case you can to defend your thesis.
  3. Be sure to include very concrete details for why you make the judgment you do. Be specific.
  4. Each paper must be carefully edited. Each must be one page, exactly so, no more no less.
  5. The paper must be single spaced and with no more than 12 point type and with small margins on all four sides, no more than an inch at the top and bottom and less on the two sides.
• THINGS I WILL ESPECIALLY NOTE AND LOOK FOR IN GRADING THE PAPER:
  1. Is the arguement clear and defended by concrete details and intelligent reasons?
  2. Is the argument presented in clear and articulate language in the student's own words?
  3. Is the each paper exactly one page?
  4. Is the paper carefully proof-read, in standard English and with a minimum of errors of grammar, spelling or missed typos?
• THE GRADES THEMSELVES:
  • A grade of A will mean:
    The analysis is very persuasive and suggests a careful attention to the whole zoo, careful choosing of one's best and worst case situations and a detailed, concrete and persuasive case for each thesis.
  • A grade of B will mean:
    The papers meet ALL the basic requirements of size and form. However, the paper is not quite as exceptional as an A paper would be expected to be; or conversely, the content is quite brilliant, but there are excessive lapses in the form.
  • A grade of C will mean:
    A genuinely good paper that is primarily persuasive and the form and style are strong. However, the paper lacks any glimpses of something beyond the expected, the reasonable expectation of college work. It is just that. Normal, good, solid work with neither noticeable weaknesses nor special moments of brilliance.
  • A grade of D will mean:
    Some more serious deviations from the criteria expressed above. These might be lack of concrete detail, lack of evidence of care in choosing the animals, noticeable lapses in form or special weaknesses in the use of the English language.
  • A grade of F may mean anyone of three things:
    
    1. The paper was not turned in on time.
    2. Significant failures to meet the assignment at the level of reasonable university level expectations of thought, attention to detail, attention to the time guidelines or presentation expectations. (Specifics will be pointed out).
    3. Some of the particular aspects of the assignment were ignored (length, form, separate of sections, etc.) or presented in quite unacceptable forms.

    Please note that any evidence of plagiarism, that is work that is not the student's own, will result not only is a grade of F for the paper, but for the entire course.

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