Grading Rubric: Classification of Organisms in Aquatic Science – Taxonomy Research Paper
Final Draft Due Date: Tuesday, March 19th
Prompt: The purpose of this project is to introduce you to the levels of taxonomy, particularly the classification of aquatic
species and prepare you for college by writing a well written, academic research paper. You will write, revise, and finalize
an in-depth research paper on a specific aquatic species, providing information on its taxonomic classification. The levels
of taxonomic classification include domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species. By the end, your
paper will have nine sections (beginning with introduction and ending with species).
This project will count as a test grade based on the criteria below. Read each section carefully and fully comply with all
the specifics. All rough drafts will be emailed to sflores8@houstonisd.org for editing. The finalized paper will be
submitted digitally via www.turnitin.com to monitor for plagiarism. Plagiarized sections will reduce the overall final grade.
Late projects will be reduced by 10 points for each day late. If you have any questions or concerns, please ask! Good
luck!
Pts
Description
Topic Approval Students will choose any aquatic organism to research for the
paper. Please review the due date section for timelines.
Due
02/15
Supplies Students will need one small box, 200+ index cards, and writing
5
instruments. It is suggested (but not required) that students purchase
index card guides for organization. Colored index cards may also be
02/16
helpful. Please review the due date section for timelines.
Introduction This section of the research paper will introduce your
5
organism. The introduction will define taxonomy and include key
Email
background on the organism such as geographic distribution, general
Draft
information on habitat and diet, and interesting characteristics.
Due
The introduction will include a well-written and thoughtful thesis statement
02/24
on the purpose of the paper.
Domain + Kingdom These sections of the research paper will describe
the key characteristics of the Domain Eukarya and the Animal Kingdom.
10
The paper should include information about the cellular structure,
development, key characteristics, etc. Examples of other organisms may
Email
be provided.
Draft
Phylum This section of the research paper will describe the key
Due
characteristics of the phylum for your organism. The paper should include
10
02/29
information about the phylum, including descriptors and definitions relating
to the phylum. The paper should include any sub-phylum information if
appropriate. Examples of other organisms may be provided.
Class This section of the research paper will describe the key
characteristics of the class for your organism. The paper should include
10
information about the class, including descriptors and definitions relating to
the class. The paper should include any sub-class information if
appropriate. Examples of other organisms may be provided.
Email
Draft
Due
03/04
Pts
Comments
Order This section of the research paper will describe the key
characteristics of the order for your organism. The paper should include
10
information about the order, including descriptors and definitions relating to
the order. The paper should include any sub-order information if
appropriate. Examples of other organisms may be provided.
Family This section of the research paper will describe the key
10
characteristics of the family for your organism. The paper should include
information about the family, including descriptors and definitions relating
to the family. Examples of other organisms may be provided.
Genus This section of the research paper will describe the key
10
characteristics of the genus for your organism. The paper should include
information about the genus, including descriptors and definitions relating
to the genus. Examples of other organisms are required.
Species This section of the research paper will finalize the key
characteristics of the organism including the full taxonomic name for the
10
species (always italicized). If possible, include information on the initial
Email
discovery of the organism, historical facts and key notes, as well as any,
Draft
current conservation issues relative to the species if applicable.
Due
Works Cited - Students are REQUIRED to a minimum of eight sources for
03/07
this research paper, identified within a bibliography on a separate sheet of
paper. All information needs to be cited and all sources included in a
5
works cited at the back of the paper. At least four of those sources need
to be from print media (books, encyclopedias, educational journals).
Students may NOT cite information posted on Wikipedia, Wiki-answers,
Google, Ask.com, Yahoo! Answers.
Format The entire paper will be typed in MLA format; double-spaced,
typed in 12-point Times New Roman font. Margins are 1” on all sides of
the page. Page numbers are placed in the upper right hand corner. A
heading (outlined in this rubric) will identify each section of the paper.
More information will follow on specific formatting requirements.
15
Final
The paper will be well written, showing time and effort. The sentences will
be academic and supported by research. The paper will be written in
Due
03/19
complete sentences, free of grammatical errors, and will use high-level
academic, scientific vocabulary.
The paper will be submitted via www.turnitin.com.
100
=
Total
7th
Uriel
Lionfish (pg. 360-31)
Vanesea
King Penguin (pg. 386)
Elizabeth
Painted Ray (pg. 335)
Alma
Australian Giant Cuttlefish
(pg. 291)
Mayra
White Shark (pg. 331)
Nicole
Mantee (pg. 405)
Michael
Goblin Shark (pg. 331)
Angelica
Mauve Stinger (pg. 265)
Franchesca
Bottlenose Dolphin (pg.
418)
Classification of Organisms in Aquatic Science – Taxonomy Research Paper
Rubric adapted from k12.de.us
Student Name: __________________________ Teacher Name: __________________________
Yes Test: You must receive all “yeses” for your paper to be scored. Any “no” will stop the process.
Yes
No
Basic Requirement
1. Paper typed
2. Thesis clearly stated in intro and referenced in the conclusion
3. Correct documentation style used in text
4. Citing evident
5. Minimum 8 sources (and a variety of types)
6. Works Cited/Bibliography or References accurate and correctly formatted
7. Paper written in 3rd person; content not personal essay but non-biased research
8. Paper meets minimum length standard (7-10 pages, excluding title and Works
Cited/Bibliography or References)
9. Evidence of consistent and conscientious editing
4—Clearly a knowledgeable, practiced, skilled pattern
3—Evidence of a developing pattern
2—Superficial, random, limited consistencies
1—Unacceptable skill application
Use of Sources
Skill application demonstrates use which represents 
4
3
2
1
Researched information appropriately documented
Enough outside information to clearly represent a research process
Demonstrates use of paraphrasing, direct, and indirect quotations
Information connects to the thesis
Sources on Works Cited/Bibliography or References accurately match sources
cited within the text
_______/20
Content/Organization
Skill application demonstrates use which represents 
Introduction engaging and clearly defines thesis
Thesis is challenging and focused
Content connecting to thesis is clarifying, exploring, explaining, developing
Text organization flows sensibly and smoothly
Mixture of personal voice interwoven with research (commentary)
Conclusion thoughtful, engaging, and clear
4
3
2
1
_______/24
Mechanics/Usage/Spelling/Format
Skill application demonstrates use which represents 
4
3
2
1
Pagination (top right following last name)
12 point Times New Roman font and appropriate margins
Usage/Grammar
Correct paragraphing
Written in formal style
_______/20
Information Literacy
Skill application demonstrates use which represents 
4
3
2
1
Consistent Format (MLA or APA)
Evidence of thorough research (sources represent variety and types)
Documentation demonstrates conscientious application of citing ethics
Evidence of sorting and selecting appropriate material
Evidence of importance of author’s credibility and validity
Research offers non-biased, fair research perspective from which a conclusion
is drawn
Research information goes beyond surface information
________/28
Total Score: ________/92 Total Percentage: _________%
Species
Name
English Species Name
Latin Name
4th Project
Victoria Ulloa
Bottlenose dolphin
Jeremy Rodriguez
Emperor penguin
Felipe Murguia
Bubble Shell
Belen manzanares
Chinstrap penguin
Andres Alcoser
Peacock Mantis Shrimp
Yanira Romero
Common Seal
Valeria DeLaCruz
False Clown Anemone fish
Amphiprion Ocellaris
Esteban Echandi
Great Barracuda
Sphyraena barracuda
Victor Villegas
Hairy Angler
Caulopyryne j
oradi
Beatriz Alvarado
Harp Seal
Vivian Loza
Hawksbill Turtle
Yonathan umana
Coelacanth
Zoe Kindall
Leafy Sea dragon
Phycodorus Eques
Leslie Torres
Macaroni Penguin
Eudyptes Chrysolophus
Edgar Vasquez
Marine Iguana
Jessica Godinez
Mauve stinger
Erika Gomez
Moon jellyfish
Maria Orozco
Mosaic Sea Star
Plectaster decanus
Everardo Garza
Narwhal
Monodon monoceros
Yaneth Santana
Polar Bear
Ursus miritimus
Karen Perez
Porcupine fish
Diodon histrix
Amber bates
Rabbit fish
Tania vargas
Pygmy seahorse
Claudia echeverria
Yellow-lipped Sea Krait
John Bender
Leatherback turtle
Jazmin Urquieta
Mediterranean monk seal
Laticauda Colubrina
5th Period
Name
English Species Name
Yomali Barrera
Anemone Shrimp
Joshua Walker
Blue-footed Booby
Samantha Duran
Blue-ringed octopus
Almarilis Albavera
Bottlenose Dolphin
Ana Herrera
Box Jellyfish
Kyle King
Chinstrap Penguin
Dominique Castillo
Common Dolphin
Paola Ayala
False clown anemonefish
Victoria sanchez
Giant Squid
Melinda Nieto
Gray seal
Carlos zavala
Great white shark
Victoria Argueta
Harp Seal
Gabby Gonzalez
Killer Whale
ISSELA MANZANO
KING PENGUIN
Enrique Valle
Leafy Sea dragon
Luis Blanco
Lionfish
Julio Martinez
Mauve Stinger
Elizabeth Perez
Moon Jellyfish
Erika Rosas
Mosaic Sea Star
Fernando Guillen
Narwhal
Chris Ray
Pacific Black dragon
Alan sandoval
Polar bear
Samantha V
Spanish dancer
Selena Ramirez
Spotted Eagle Ray
Bianca Munoz
anglerfish
Latin Name
Project Timeline – Introduced on January 27, 2011
◄ January
Sun
Mon
Tue
1
Library Research
Library Research
~ February 2011 ~
Wed
2
3
Library Research
March ►
Thu
Fri
4
Sat
5
Library Research
Library Research
10
11
12
17
18
19
25
26
Supplies due! Box &
Notecards!
6
7
8
Emailed Draft
Introduction Due by 11:59
PM
13
9
Emailed Draft
Kingdom/Phylum Due by
11:59 PM
14
15
16
Emailed Draft
Class/Order/Family Due
by 11:59 PM
20
Emailed Draft
Genus/Species/Works
Cited Due by 11:59 PM
21
22
23
24
Final Draft Due!
Submitted via
www.turnitin.com
27
28
Notes:
Check your email often for revisions! Mrs. Flores will edit your drafts and respond via email to help improve
your paper! Questions? Sflores8@houstonisd.org Resources @ www.scienceintheheights.weebly.com
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