GEOS 334 Sedimentology/Stratigraphy Paper Requirements
The research paper is on an ancient or modern sedimentary basin of your choice. The basin can be clastic or
carbonate, from any environment of deposition, Paleozoic, Mesozoic or Cenozoic, it can be in the USA or in another
part of the world. I am giving you broad latitude on this! Examples of basins can be found throughout your text in
Part IV Depositional Basins [chapters Ch. 8 (Terrestrial Environments) to Ch. 11 (carbonate and evaposite
environments). Every chapter has a ‘further readings’ section and in these you have articles and texts that are specific
to a certain environment of deposition where many basins around the world are featured. In addition, on reserve in the
library, is a book by Roger Walker titled Facies Models, in every chapter specific basins are described and others are
listed at the end of the chapters, use it. E-mail me a topic by the end of September, no exceptions.
1st draft of Paper Due: November 1st
Paper due: November 30th
Presentation Due: Week of Dec. 10th
I. PAPER
Paper should be between 6 and 8 pages, double- spaced with reasonable margins. Illustrations, figures, and
tables are not included in the page count (attach these, with labels and figure captions; don’t bother embedding them
into the text). The paper should adhere to the standard Scientific paper (i.e. GSA Bull. Format). Include an abstract,
body (different sections), conclusion, reference list, and a list of tables and figures (with captions). You must
reference all ideas and data using scientific citation (e.g., Smith, 1994). Be specific about what you are referencing!
Do not plagiarize by simple rearranging word order. Figures must be neatly referenced and clearly reproduced. If you
make your own tables then be sure to reference the source for the information. Also, captions are essential. Either
include them on the same page as the figure or put them on the Table and figures list.
Your paper should thoroughly address your topic. A good organizational scheme is as follows:
Introduction to the question (in this case, a 1 – 2 paragraph overview of the basin in which you tell the reader where
the basin is located and what’s interesting about it).
Regional Geology is important to understanding the basin. Include location information, age of the basin, what was
going on at that time in Earth history (i.e., was the craton part of Pangaea or under water?). Subheadings of this
section may include the Tectonic Framework if the tectonics play a major role.
Stratigraphy of the Basin forms the main body of the paper. In this section you should provide a description of the
lithostratigraphy but supplement this with a lithostratigraphic column (it’s OK to use a published one- just reference
it). You should not describe every detail of the strata- the lithologic Column does that for you. Instead, highlight and
describe some major characteristics. Also include as much other stratigraphic information as possible- generally,
biostratigraphic and depositional sequence stratigraphic analyses are available, as well as magnetostratigraphy. You
should make note as to whether the studies all agree or if there is some conflict (disagreement is not unusual)!
Depositional History is distinct from the stratigraphy. In this section describe the environment of deposition. There
will likely be some overlap with the Regional Geology and Stratigraphy sections. The point is to provide a cohesive
picture of the development of the basin. This section should emphasize the interpretations of sedimentary structures
and textural data.
Conclude the paper with a short summary of the major features of the basin (1 or 2 paragraphs).
Grading will focus on content, grammar, spelling, and formatting. The paper is worth 15% OF YOUR GRADE FOR
THE COURSE.
Getting started
Reading papers. Begin your research by collecting a few appropriate papers. Read these and most importantly,
read those associated articles that they reference which are pertinent to your topic. Reading scientific papers is a
learned skill as well as a learning activity and it will help you to learn to write better. Often it helps students to set up
a review sheet for each paper. Print out a few copies of the following in table form: Author; Title; Reference; Topic;
Date you read the paper; Main Ideas; Data new to the paper; Old data and the reference; Logic flow used in paper;
Conclusions reached. When you are reading, fill in the information. Also relate the data to their conclusions and
determine if this is reasonable. Makes notes of any flaws or omissions of logic.
Writing a paper. Organize your ideas using an outline. Define the main sections of your report (abstract,
introductory material, data presentation, closing material). If you are going to make any of your own figures or tables
make preliminary versions or sketches. Then write the introductory material to establish the main point. Make any
figures you need and working from them, present the data or body of information. Do not describe the lithology
without the lithologic column in front of you!
Develop your own style but write clearly, succinctly, and avoid throwing $10 words around to make an
impression. Simple and direct is usually best. Have a clear understanding of the subject matter and the point you are
trying to make before you begin to write. Then, place your outline in front of you. Then organize your figures and
tables in a logical order. At that point, begin to write but use the support material as your foundation. This helps keep
tangents and wasted time to a minimum. The abstract is a summary of all the information you are presenting that is no
more than ~1/2 page and is usually single spaced. Re-evaluate your paper now and rewrite the introduction and change
figures, if necessary. Write the conclusion and make any changes. Rewrite, revise, and proofread. Then rewrite and
revise again. At this point you can hand your first draft in. I WILL REVIEW AND MAKE CHANGES TO YOUR
1ST DRAFT AND RETURN IT TO YOU BY April 24th, you then need to take in the suggestions and hand in your
final paper by April 27th.
Be vigilant about referencing. I find it best to reference each and every sentence, rather than placing a
reference at the end of the paragraph. That way later when I cut and paste and rearrange I don’t lose the citation. It
looks odd to have (Jones, 1994) at the end of each sentence but trust me! It’s easier in the long run. You can edit them
out. Above all, remember this is a learning experience! ASK ME if you are unsure about format, content or
organization. I have writing guides that should also help you. Just ask.
CONTENT
Your paper should show that you are knowledgeable about subject, contain logical explanations of processes
and systems, be professional, AND relate to the subject. It will be obvious to me that you don’t completely
understand the topic.
Content Rubric
5
sophisticated information with evidence of unusually high levels of analysis; flashes of brilliance; unusually
engaging and interesting with very clear presentation.
4
goes beyond average; excellent information and integration of ideas; some additional effort beyond average;
polished and well explained.
3
average job, with adequate information for a good solid project; integrates illustration and information; gives
basic solid presentation; organized and clear; may be just under or over proper length (6- 8 pages).
2
decent level of information but too general or inconsistent; no clear point to the presentation; occasionally
confused information or explanation; is far under or over proper length
1
muddled view of concept; illustrations and figures are not well integrated; poorly organized; unclear
reasoning/ explanations.
FORMAT:
TYPED! Legible and clear; figures are referenced; data are referenced; photocopies are of appropriate size
and legible; all information is documented; captions on figures; clear which captions go with which figures.
Formatting Rubric
5
unusually good, with high quality illustrations; very organized. All information is referenced and clear and the
quality of the text is outstanding.
4
well organized, from start to finish. Information clearly referenced; occasional grammar and spelling errors.
3
some redundancy but the information and figures are clear. Grammar and spelling are acceptable.
2
flawed and disorganized and information is barely disseminated. Obvious proofreading errors.
1
seriously flawed, messy and unclear. Many grammar and spelling errors.
II. PRESENTATION
You are responsible for presenting the stratigraphy of your basin to the class in a 12 minute talk. This is the standard
length of a talk at a professional meeting. It is a lot of time, provided you fill it with well organized material and
practice giving the talk. Do not try to cram every detail of your paper into your talk. Instead, focus on the main
issues.
Spend about 3 minutes total on Introduction and Regional Geology . Devote about 5 minutes to the Stratigraphy and
another 3 to Depositional history. Wrap it up with a short Conclusion. There is no way you can give this talk without
overheads. Do not plan on drawing on the board. That takes up far too much time. You can develop this talk as a
PowerPoint but this takes a tremendous amount of time. I advise that you make overheads using Word documents,
and copies of your figures.
Grading will focus on the actual presentation. The presentation is worth 6% OF THE 15% OF THE
RESEARCH PAPER. You will be not be graded on content per se (the paper grade reflects that). Instead, you will be
graded on the quality of your presentation. Is it well organized? Does the speaker present the information clearly?
Can the audience see/ hear/ understand the overheads? Does the speaker end early or late?
PRESENTATION:
Knowledgeable about subject;
Logical explanations;
Professional;
Finishes on time!
You must practice! People can ask questions after you are finished.
Hint: be sure you understand the topic! Then practice your presentation on a friend and encourage them to ask
questions, and to alert you to confusing definitions or illogical conclusions.