Answer all the questions below and develop a clear and coherent research paper as per instructions and the attached rubric. All questions should be answered in the same chronological order as they appear. Please do not include any sub-titles and questions in the body of your final research paper.
We discussed Leopold’s Land Ethic (https://www.aldoleopold.org/about/the-land-ethic) in class and watched the video The Hidden Wonders of Soil?
(https://www.ted.com/talks/jane_zelikova_the_hidden_wonders_of_soil?subtitle=en) both of which talked about the importance of land and soil and how rapidly we are losing them because of us humans not understanding the “ethics” of land and the soil suffering because of many factors including climate change and technological innovations such as the “plough.” This raises the integral question of how can we save our land and soil ( the outer skin of land as per the video) and if it is still possible to do so?
Leopold’s Land Ethic (https://www.aldoleopold.org/about/the-land-ethic) and the video The Hidden Wonders of Soil? (https://www.ted.com/talks/jane_zelikova_the_hidden_wonders_of_soil?subtitle=en) cannot be used as sources for writing this research paper).
You will be conducting research on:
-Provide a clear background on the current state of land and soil that has been deteriorating due to several factors including climate change and agricultural technology.
-Can land and soil still be saved ( the outer skin of land as per the video) from all the damage that has already been caused? Explain how and why.
-Clearly specify a minimum of three (3) strategies that can be used to reverse this damage so that land & soil can be healthy again for all living beings, including humans, animals, birds, and plants.
Explain your answers clearly by building a firm foundation and a clear thesis. Yes and No answers without any explanation/foundation will not earn any grade.
Instructions for successful completion of this assignment:
- This research paper should be your own ORIGINAL work.
- Include a minimum of four (4) scholarly sources. Out of these minimum 4 (scholarly sources), two sources must be current (2014 – 2024).
- You can only use scholarly sources in your paper. You cannot use newspapers and magazines.
- Your submission should not exceed FOUR (4) double-spaced typed pages excluding bibliography- (works cited per MLA).
- Your submission should not be less than THREE (3) complete double-spaced typed pages excluding bibliography – (works cited per MLA).
- Your paper should be double-spaced using MLA format on standard 8/12 X 11 inch white paper only – 12-point font – Times New Roman.
- Only Word document will be accepted. Any other forms of submission will NOT be graded.
- Include a well – developed introduction, conclusion, clear, coherent, logically and neatly divided body paragraphs.
- Include only standard English language. Do not use any slang or jargon in your writing.
- Writing should be free from any and all grammatical, punctuation and spelling errors.
- Use third person voice only.
- Do not include any images (pictures, graphs, tables, or images of any kind) in the 4-5 pages allocated for research.
- Include your scholarly sources in the body of your research paper using MLA format.
- The bibliography (“works cited” as per MLA format) must consist of ONLY those sources which have been included in the body of your research paper.
- Please consult the attached writing rubric.
- Late work will not be accepted.
- FAILURE TO FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS WILL LEAD TO A LOWER OR FAILING GRADE.
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- *Please remember to be respectful. Any mention of political parties, political leaders (past or present) , religion, race, age, gender and class will lead to an AUTOMATIC failing grade.
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Formal Paper Grading Rubric
Competent/Credible/Complete
If you meet these first three standards, you are writing competently and you will earn a grade of
“C.” (70-79)
- Presentation and Design
_____Uses appropriate Standard English grammar, punctuation, and usage.
_____Necessary documentation is present and correct.
_____Meets the assignment’s requirements for length and/or format.
_____Follows the directions for the topic of the assignment.
- Unity
_____Contains a center of gravity, a unifying and controlling purpose, a thesis or claim, which is maintained
throughout the paper.
_____Organizes writing around a thesis or according to the organizational requirements of the particular
assignment.
- Evidence/Development
_____Develops appropriate, logical and relevant supporting details and/or evidence.
_____Includes more specific, concrete evidence (or details) than just opinion or abstract, general
commentary.
Skillful
If you meet all of the competency standards above, and in addition, achieve coherence and exhibit audience awareness, you are writing skillfully and you will earn a grade of “B.” (80-89)
- Coherence
_____Uses words and sentences, rhythm and phrasing, variations and transitions, concreteness and
specificity to reveal and emphasize the relationship between evidence and thesis.
_____Explains how, why, or in what way evidence/details supports the point/claim/thesis/topic/ideas.
- Audience Awareness
_____Demonstrates a sense that the writer knows what s/he’s doing and is addressing real people.
_____Reflects a respect for the values that influence ethos (e.g., common ground, trustworthiness, careful
research)
Distinctive
If you meet all of the competency standards, achieve coherence and exhibit audience awareness, and, in addition, demonstrate a mastery of one or more features of superior writing, you are writing distinctively and you will earn a grade of “A.” (90-100)
- Distinction
_____Your writing stands out because of one or more of the following characteristics: complexity,
originality, seamless coherence, extraordinary control, sophistication in thought, recognizable voice,
compelling purpose, imagination, insight, thoroughness, and/or depth.
Ineffective
If your paper does not meet competency standards, either because you have minor problems in all three competence areas (1-3 above) or major problems in one or two competence areas, you will earn a grade of “D” (60-69) or “F” (<60), and you should schedule a conference with me.