Hank Stevens

Short Writing Assignment for Students

2003 Workshop on Improving Student Writing

Center for Writing Excellence

Center for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching

BOT 171
Understanding of Ecological Systems I (10 points)
Ecology of North America

Connection to Course Goals

1.     Understand the science of ecology, especially with regard to the vegetation (biomes) of landscapes.

2.     Understand interrelationships among environment, vegetation (biomes), and humans in the landscapes of North America.

3.     Understand logical, systematic thinking in science.

Learning Objective

Use good writing to discover for yourself at least one way in which ecological systems are complex.

Process

• You will accomplish the above objective by defending the thesis, “Ecological systems are complex.”
• Start with this as your thesis and construct a concise, logical argument in one paragraph in its support. Use readings from the course to support your case.
• Use an organized paragraph structure, including the topic or thesis sentence, support evidence, and a concluding sentence that parallels your thesis.
• Do not exceed one double spaced page in Times New Roman 12 point font.

Criteria

1.     Convince me that ecological systems are complex.

2.     Your paragraph contains evidence in support of your thesis.

3.     Your evidence is conveyed in an organized fashion. I recommend the paragraph structure described above.