NRE 220
CONSERVING BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY

One-Page Discussion Papers

Weekly discussions provide a different learning opportunity than lectures. They are more interactive. They make use of a variety of materials, media, and activities. You should arrive having already read the material in the coursepack and thought about the topic. In discussion you might see a video, or role-play an environmental conflict, or participate in a computer-based exercise, or work in small groups. The one-page discussion paper is an integral part of the discussion. It requires you to think critically and write analytically about the topic. You aren't finished with the topic when the discussion ends - - you have to think about it, process the information, and write a thoughtful analysis.

A one-page analysis is required for each of the 13 weekly discussion topics. These are worth 10 points each. Students may elect to turn in only 10 assignments, or more than 10 and their lowest grades will be dropped. If you miss a discussion because of an illness or other legitimate reason, you can talk to your instructor about making up the absence. However, because of the participatory nature of discussions, it might be most sensible to count that as one of your three allowable missed exercises.

The discussion instructor will explain in some detail what is expected. You will learn by doing. Initially the papers will be harder to write and more time-consuming to grade. As the semester proceeds, you will improve tremendously.

After completing each paper, use the following checklist.

SOME THINGS TO ASK YOURSELF....
(while writing your discussion paper)

  • Did I fill the page completely with single-spaced type? If not, there is room to say more.
  • Do I have a thesis in the introductory paragraph? Could I phrase my thesis in the form of a question (in my head, not in the paper)? If not, you may have more of a summary than an analysis/thought paper.
  • Can I capture the main focus of my essay in a descriptive title? If not, try again. Always put a title on your paper (not simply "Assignment #2" or "The Extinction Spasm").
  • Did I support my statements with evidence, examples, arguments? Do I make extensive use of readings as well as films and discussions? Your essay should not give the sense that you have made only minor use of the material assigned.
  • Did I refer to my thoughts, impressions, feelings, opinions? Better be justified in taking a personal view, or expect to see a lot of red ink.
  • Give your essay to a friend to read. If s/he cannot follow it because s/he wasn't there, rewrite your essay so it is understandable to a non-participant.
  • Ask another friend to read just the first sentence of each paragraph. If s/he doesn't know what your essay's main ideas are, fix those lead sentences.
  • Did I carefully proof-read AND spell-check the essay immediately before printing? Lots of typos show up in last-minute revisions.

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This page was last updated 17 January 2000