TEP – Trimester 2 Article Summaries
Objectives
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To enrich the student’s discovery of relevant science issues in today’s world.
To enhance writing literacy skills focusing on appropriate curricular content.
To expand the depth of understanding on topics covered in class.
To offer choice and opportunity for the student to select topics that interest him or
her regarding science topics in today’s world.
Requirements
1. Find and write summary essays on 6 articles based on relevant topics and timelines
listed below. Students are asked to use the relevant excerpts from the Irish “Write It
Right” guide to writing when drafting and proofreading their essays.
2. The articles must be from periodicals such as newspapers or magazines.
NO INTERNET ARTICLES will be accepted. NO EXCEPTIONS! If there is no
source at home, and there is no opportunity to find articles at another source such as a
public or school library, newspapers will be made available after or before school in
the biology lab 308/310.
3. The articles MUST be physically included with the essay (or a photocopy of the
actual article is acceptable). Reference by bibliography to the periodical will NOT be
accepted. If it is an awkward newspaper clipping it is suggested you mount it to a
regular size sheet of paper. Otherwise, staple the article to the essay in the order as
listed below (#7).
4. The article must be directly related to the topics that will be covered in the 2nd
trimester. If there is a relevant topic you would like to choose, but it does not appear
on this list, it is suggested that you approve the topic with your teacher to avoid losing
credit for selecting an inappropriate topic. Trimester 2 topics include, but are not
limited to:
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Genetics
DNA
Stem Cells
Human Genome
Genetic Engineering
Mitosis & Meiosis
Genetic Disorders
Gene Therapy
Heredity
Protein Synthesis
5. Type a minimum one-page paper that summarizes each article that you turn in. The
paper should be double spaced, typed in 12-point font, and have no greater than one
inch margins. If the article is not long enough for you to write one full page, you may
want to choose a different article. The first draft you type needs to be assessed by an
adult (outside of RHS) and should be of final draft quality (typed). The final draft
should be an improvement on the first. Use the appropriate sections on drafting and
proofreading from the Irish “Write It Right” guide to writing when composing your
essay.
6. Include a completed Writing Assessment Rubric checklist for each article. The
checklist must be filled out and signed by a parent/guardian (or adult outside of the
RHS building). The checks or recommendations contained within the completed
rubric, or marks for improvement made on the first draft of the essay, will have no
negative impact on the final grade earned. Simply having the checklist completed by
the adult (and any other additional assistance if desired) is necessary. To the
contrary, more feedback and recommendations is the goal of completing the rubric.
7. Staple each article assignment in the following order from top to bottom:
1. Final Draft of Essay (improved draft based on rubric and proofreading)
2. Actual Magazine/Newspaper Article (may be mounted on paper)
3. Writing Assessment Rubric (completed by adult on first draft)
4. First Draft of Essay (written with intent of being final draft quality)
Grading
Each article, with all accompanying parts, will be worth 10 points. There are a total of 6
articles for a total of 60 points. Article summaries will be graded on how well your essay
summarizes the topic of the article, how well it is written, and the relevancy of the topic
you chose with regard to class curriculum.
Turn in Dates
Friday, Jan 13th – First set of 2 (articles must be from 2 different sources)
Friday, Feb 3rd – Second set of 2 (articles must be from 2 different sources)
Friday, Feb 24 - Third set of 2 (articles must be from 2 different sources)
Articles will not be accepted early. They will be collected on each of the above dates.
Late assignment coupons cannot be used for these articles. Late essay’s will be
accepted up to one week from the due date for 50% credit. This TEP is a requirement of
the course, therefore it must be completed regardless of points earned, to receive a grade
for the class.
Plagiarism
You should not copy directly from the article. Read the material and put it into your own
words. If you do use a portion of the article verbatim, please indicate that you’re doing
so by using quotation marks.
If you turn in something that is not your own work for any of the 6 articles that you turn
in, you will receive a 0/60. This means that anyone involved in the sharing of summaries
in any way, will receive an automatic zero. This applies to anyone who copies or allows
others to copy their own work in part or in whole. Please exercise and encourage the
highest level of integrity that is a standard for Rosemount High School.
Parent Proofreading
It is required that an adult such as your parent/guardian complete the “Writing
Assessment Rubric” after reading each essay so that improvements can be made. At
minimum, they simply need to read the article and check the appropriate boxes based on
what they think (not needing to get too technical, but using best judgment). It is certainly
acceptable, and highly encouraged, that they assist in proofreading and making marks for
improvement right on the first draft so that even more improvements can be made. This
assignment, however, is not for the adult to be the one doing the work, but to provide
appropriate feedback on how well you, as the student, are writing at this time.
Give thought to timing and be respectful with this process. Please make the adult aware,
well in advance, of all relevant timelines. Do not put them in an uncomfortable and poor
position because you waited until the last minute (night before the deadline!) to ask them
to proofread your essays. Respect their schedule and work out when you will give them
the articles to proof, then follow up with them to make sure it happens in a timely manner
so you have adequate time to make your improvements for the final draft. In the end, it is
your responsibility to ensure that this occurs. If something goes wrong, or because you
did not think ahead and could not complete the assignment because of some problem
related to waiting too long, you will unfortunately suffer the loss of credit. Please avoid
this situation by being a fast starter, proactive and responsible in handling this
assignment.