Topic: It’s possible that the patterns of extinction and decrease in dinosaur diversity were caused by more than one thing, such as an asteroid hitting Earth, volcanic activity, and climate change.

Topic: It’s possible that the patterns of extinction and decrease in dinosaur diversity were caused by more than one thing, such as an asteroid hitting Earth, volcanic activity, and climate change.

 

 

Write a 5-6 (can be a little more) page persuasive essay that addresses a question or problem in

dinosaur paleobiology. Your paper should present a critical and a thorough analysis of the

scientific literature relevant to your question. More specifically, you will explain (1) an

interesting and/or important research question, (2) multiple working hypotheses for a natural

phenomenon, (3) previous work on your topic, and (4) a logical thesis.

 

Your final paper will be

examined for plagiarism with Turnitin on canvas.

Potential research questions

Why were sauropod dinosaurs so large?

Why did feathers evolve?

Why did some ceratopsians have horns?

How did dinosaurs acquire the ability to fly?

What caused the extinction of the non-avian dinosaurs?

Were dinosaurs warm-blooded?

Did dinosaurs care for their young?

Did dinosaurs undergo mass seasonal migrations?

How did ceratopsian horns function?

Did theropod dinosaurs hunt in packs?

How fast could T. rex run/walk?

What is the best method for inferring age of dinosaurs?

Problematic research questions

Did dinosaurs exist?

Are birds dinosaurs?

What did dinosaurs eat?

Was T. rex a predator or scavenger?

Did dinosaurs and plants coevolve?

Did Spinosaurus have a semiaquatic lifestyle?

 

 

Primary components of research paper

Title

The title should clearly describe the content of your research paper. Place your title at the top

center of the first page. Follow the title with your name and date on separate centered spaces.

Introduction

The introduction describes the question(s), problem(s), significance, alternative hypotheses, and

thesis of your research paper. Begin the introduction with a statement of your research question

or problem. Next, explain why your question needs an answer or why it is important to solve

your problem. Briefly describe the various hypotheses scientists have proposed to explain the

question. Conclude your introduction with a clear thesis statement. [1 to 2 pages]

Background

The background describes the main concepts of your research proposal, major findings of

previous work in the field, and current gaps in knowledge. Show your understanding of your

research question with a thorough and critical analysis of the relevant published literature. [1 to 2

pages]

Body

This is where you logically defend your thesis statement with evidence from peer reviewed

papers. Present both evidence that supports your thesis and evidence that refutes alternative

hypotheses. Separate paragraphs may be appropriate for different lines of evidence. You may

also combine the background and body sections into single section. [2 to 4 pages]

Conclusion

Restate your thesis and summarize your arguments [half page].

References

Use in-text citations and include a minimum of six references from peer-reviewed journals. Do

not use information from websites. more would be great!

Rules for formatting your paper

1. Divide your paper into the following sections: (1) title, (2) introduction, (3) background,

(4) body (may contain subsections), (5) conclusions, and (6) references.

2. Summarize or paraphrase all previous work. Quoted passages are not permitted.

3. Cite all previous work parenthetically using the APA style.

4. Double-space and left justify your entire paper (title page excluded).

5. Use a 12 point standard font (e.g., Times, Geneva, Helvetica, etc.)

6. Use one-inch top and side margins on letter-sized (8 1/2″ x 11″) paper.

7. Use consistent headings and subheadings throughout.

8. Do not add additional spaces between headings and subheadings.

9. Include figures and tables where appropriate in your introduction, background, and body.

10. Place single spaced figure captions under all figures.

11. Mention your figures in the body of the paper before the figure.

 

 

Grading rubric (40 points)

Expectations Content and Reasoning (3 points) Writing (1 point)

Exceeds

expectations

(10-12 points)

 States specific, testable research question

related to dinosaur paleobiology

 Develops detailed and logical argument for

significance of research question

 Explains several testable hypotheses

 Fully and accurately explains peer-

reviewed research

 Logically defends thesis

 Follows all formatting guidelines

 Begins all paragraphs with topic sentence

 Uses active voice throughout paper

 Uses clear, concise, and technical language

 Includes two or more well-made and

informative figures and/or tables.

 Organizes all arguments well (e.g.,

presents stronger arguments before weaker

arguments).

 Lacks spelling and grammatical errors.

Meets

expectations

(8-10 points)

 States testable research question related to

dinosaur paleobiology

 Develops supported argument for

significance of question

 Explains several testable hypotheses

 Accurately explains previous research, but

lacks detail

 Logically defends thesis, but makes minor

logical errors

 Follows nearly all formatting guidelines

 Begins nearly all paragraphs with a topic

sentence.

 Mostly uses active voice

 Uses mostly clear, concise, and technical

language

 Includes one well-made and informative

figure or table.

 Organizes most arguments well.

 Includes few spelling or grammatical

errors.

Approaches

expectations

(6-7 points)

 States testable, but vague research question

related to dinosaur paleobiology

 Makes valid point for significance of

proposed research, but lacks support

 Includes one or two untestable hypotheses

 Incorrectly or imprecisely explains

previous work

 Commits logical errors or fallacies in

defense of thesis.

 Follows most formatting guidelines

 Begins most paragraphs with a topic

sentence

 Uses active voice sporadically

 Uses clear, but wordy and informal

language

 Includes poorly designed, uninformative

figures and tables

 Does not organize arguments well

 Includes several spelling and grammatical

errors

Misses

expectations

(0-5 points)

 Lacks research question or states

untestable, vague research question

 Lacks argument for significance or makes

invalid argument

 Thesis statement is untestable or all

alternative hypotheses are untestable

 Lacks previous work or has limited

explanation of previous work

 Thesis not supported by evidence

 Does not follow formatting guidelines

 Fails to begin paragraphs with topic

sentences

 Uses passive voice

 Uses confusing language

 Does not include figures or tables

 Presents unorganized arguments

 Includes numerous spelling and

grammatical errors

 

 

Helpful hints for planning and writing your research paper

 

1. Thoroughly research your topic.

2. Use appropriate internet (e.g., google scholar), library, and course resource

 

 

 

3. Proofread, grammar check and spell check your final draft.

 

4. Seek help if confused.

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