magazine article on some aspect of the Arctic or Arctic Change

Ocean 235A – 2 credit: Arctic Change 2015 – Homework 5 Due 11:30am Monday 11th May 2015A topical magazine article on some aspect of the Arctic or Arctic ChangeGoals: – To research some aspect of the Arctic (mentioned in class) that interests you.- To learn to extract key points from a larger amount of material, and to cite your sources.- To develop the ability to communicate your knowledge to those unfamiliar with the Arctic.You may discuss your ideas with others, but write up the article on your own.The HW should be submitted electronically to the class canvas site: https://canvas.uw.edu/courses/967656 asa .DOC OR .DOCX file with filename Lastname_Firstname_HW5_ArcticChange15.doc or .docxInstructions: This homework asks you to write a 1-page article suitable for a magazine on some aspect of theArctic. Pick a topic that interests you. Using class notes, links on the class website, and sources which you findon your own, research your topic. Focus on aspects which you think will be accessible and of interest to thoseunfamiliar with the Arctic. Write up the topic in the manner of a popular science magazine article (e.g.,Scientific American), being sure to be accurate in your facts. You may use up to 2 illustrations in your article(included in the 1page limit), but if they are not your own original work, you must cite where they are from. Themagazine article should be 1 page (12 pt font). On a second page, list the sources you used to research the article.You should list at least 2 sources (not including lecture notes). For each source, state in broad terms whatinformation it provided to you (e.g., overview of changes in sea ice extent, details of getting ice thickness fromsatellite data) and (importantly) how accurate a source you think it is and your reasons for thinking that.Grading (/35pts):Title – 2pt. This should be eye-catching or informative – preferably both.Sources – 10pts. For each of two sources – 1pt for source, 2pt for information provided, 2pt for correctlyunderstanding the likely reliability. If less than 10pts, up to 2 alternative points for extra sources (1 per source).Factual Content – 12pts. The article should contain at least 4 checkable facts, accurately and accessiblyexplained (3pts per fact), e.g., “Arctic sea ice extent in 2007 was less than climatological predictions” would get1pt – it is true, but doesn’t really tell us much accurately, and neither is it easy for someone to visualize. Better(2pts) is “In 2007, the area of the Arctic Ocean covered by sea-ice in September was much less than typical forthat month of the year” – ice extent has been explained, but the magnitude of the change is still a mystery to thereader. Still better (3pts) “In 2007, the area of the Arctic Ocean covered by sea-ice in September (usually themonth with least sea-ice) was much less than typical for that month of the year. It was only ¾ of the 2006 value,and less than the value for 1980 by an area about 1/3rd of the area of the United States. (Source: NSIDC)”.Message – 3pts. Does the article convey an interesting message? Does it cover the basic relevant facts?First paragraph – 2pts. Does the first paragraph grab the reader’s interest and set the scene for the article?Last paragraph – 2pts. Does the last paragraph leave the reader with a clear message?Accessibility to those not familiar with the Arctic – 2pts. How well could a non-expert follow the article?Points will be given here for jargon that is well explained, or for avoiding jargon all together.Style/layout – 2pts. Is the article easy and interesting to read? Does it flow (i.e., is it well constructed)?The ability to write concisely, clearly and accurately is a skill that is very valuable in many walks of life. Veryoften it is helpful to plan out the document before writing whole sentences. For example, for this homework, youcould jot down the ideas you wish to get over. Do some research (starting with the class notes, and moving ontosources as you find them) to flesh out these ideas. Then arrange them in a logical order. Mark any special termsyou’ll need to explain. Consider the opening paragraph – this should try to grab your reader’s attention. Thinkabout the final paragraph, which is much of what your reader will remember – what is the main point you wishto leave them thinking about? Consider if images are necessary/useful to make your point. Only start writingsentences when your outline has all the points you want to make. Make sure your wording and phrasing is yourown. If you have just read the source, it’s often hard to think of a different way of phrasing some of the facts. (Ifyou use their words, you MUST make that clear, with “” and citation.) Often it’s good to make notes from yoursources and only use the notes, not the original source, as you are writing. Finally, review your article from thestandpoint of someone who doesn’t know the Arctic. (Perhaps get someone else to read it.) Did you explain alljargon? Does the excitement you feel for the topic come over? If not, re-edit. Don’t be discouraged at the firstdraft – good writing can take time.Version: 30th April 2015Ocean 235B – 3 credit: Arctic Change 2015 – Homework 5 Due 11:30am Monday 11th May 2015A topical magazine article on some aspect of the Arctic or Arctic ChangeGoals: – To research some aspect of the Arctic (mentioned in class) that interests you.- To learn to extract key points from a larger amount of material, and to cite your sources.- To develop the ability to communicate your knowledge to those unfamiliar with the Arctic.You may discuss your ideas with others, but write up the article on your own.The HW should be submitted electronically to the class canvas site: https://canvas.uw.edu/courses/967656 asa .DOC OR .DOCX file with filename Lastname_Firstname_HW5_ArcticChange15.doc or .docxInstructions: This homework asks you to write a 1-page article suitable for a magazine on some aspect of theArctic. Pick a topic that interests you. Using class notes, links on the class website, and sources which you findon your own, research your topic. Focus on aspects which you think will be accessible and of interest to thoseunfamiliar with the Arctic. Write up the topic in the manner of a popular science magazine article (e.g.,Scientific American), being sure to be accurate in your facts. You may use up to 2 illustrations in your article(included in the 1page limit), but if they are not your own original work, you must cite where they are from. Themagazine article should be 1 page (12 pt font). On a second page, list the sources you used to research the article.You should list at least 3 sources (not including lecture notes). For each source, state in broad terms whatinformation it provided to you (e.g., overview of changes in sea ice extent, details of getting ice thickness fromsatellite data) and (importantly) how accurate a source you think it is and your reasons for thinking that.Grading (/50pts):Title – 3pt. This should be eye-catching or informative – preferably both.Sources – 15pts. For each of three sources – 1pt for source, 2pt for information provided, 2pt for correctlyunderstanding the likely reliability. If less than 10pts, up to 2 alternative points for extra sources (1 per source).Factual Content – 15pts. The article should contain at least 5 checkable facts, accurately and accessiblyexplained (3pts per fact), e.g., “Arctic sea ice extent in 2007 was less than climatological predictions” would get1pt – it is true, but doesn’t really tell us much accurately, and neither is it easy for someone to visualize. Better(2pts) is “In 2007, the area of the Arctic Ocean covered by sea-ice in September was much less than typical forthat month of the year” – ice extent has been explained, but the magnitude of the change is still a mystery to thereader. Still better (3pts) “In 2007, the area of the Arctic Ocean covered by sea-ice in September (usually themonth with least sea-ice) was much less than typical for that month of the year. It was only ¾ of the 2006 value,and less than the value for 1980 by an
area about 1/3rd of the area of the United States. (Source: NSIDC)”.Message – 4pts. Does the article convey an interesting message? Does it cover all the main relevant facts?First paragraph – 3pts. Does the first paragraph grab the reader’s interest and set the scene for the article?Last paragraph – 3pts. Does the last paragraph leave the reader with a clear message?Accessibility to those not familiar with the Arctic – 4pts. How well could a non-expert follow the article?Points will be given here for jargon that is well explained, or for avoiding jargon all together.Style/layout – 3pts. Is the article easy and interesting to read? Does it flow (i.e., is it well constructed)?The ability to write concisely, clearly and accurately is a skill that is very valuable in many walks of life. Veryoften it is helpful to plan out the document before writing whole sentences. For example, for this homework, youcould jot down the ideas you wish to get over. Do some research (starting with the class notes, and moving ontosources as you find them) to flesh out these ideas. Then arrange them in a logical order. Mark any special termsyou’ll need to explain. Consider the opening paragraph – this should try to grab your reader’s attention. Thinkabout the final paragraph, which is much of what your reader will remember – what is the main point you wishto leave them thinking about? Consider if images are necessary/useful to make your point. Only start writingsentences when your outline has all the points you want to make. Make sure your wording and phrasing is yourown. If you have just read the source, it’s often hard to think of a different way of phrasing some of the facts. (Ifyou use their words, you MUST make that clear, with “” and citation.) Often it’s good to make notes from yoursources and only use the notes, not the original source, as you are writing. Finally, review your article from thestandpoint of someone who doesn’t know the Arctic. (Perhaps get someone else to read it.) Did you explain alljargon? Does the excitement you feel for the topic come over? If not, re-edit. Don’t be discouraged at the firstdraft – good writing can take time.Version: 30th April 2015