Endangered Species Project: The Research Paper
Due Date:______________
You will select an endangered animal to research. You will report your
findings in the form of a paper. Your paper should follow the outline below
and answer all of the questions.
Outline
I.
Thesis / Introduction
This is the beginning of the paper where you prepare the reader for what you will discuss in
the paper. You must include a thesis statement that clearly presents your main idea. Your
thesis statement should answer this question:
Do you think that extinction of your species is something that people
ought to be concerned about?
Introduce your animal and the different sections that will be included. You might include an
interesting fact about the animal in order to gain the interest of the reader.
II.
Animal Description
(A) Give the animal’s scientific name (Genus, species). Describe what the animal looks like.
Give the animal’s size, weight, shape, coloring, body covering, etc.
What is your animal’s taxonomy? (Example: The taxonomy of humans is Kingdom - Animalia, Phylum - Chordate,
Class - Mammalia, Order - Primates, Family - Hominidae, Genus - Homo, Species - sapiens.)
III.
Habitat
(B) Describe the animal’s physical environment. Include information about the location of
the habitat, the climate, the terrain, and kinds of plants and animals in your animal’s
ecosystem. How do you think your animal has adapted to its environment?
(C) What is your animal’s niche in its ecosystem? Does it have any predators?
IV.
Behaviors / Habits
(D) Describe what the animal eats and how it obtains food. Does your animal migrate? If so,
why?
(E) Where does your animal sleep? What does it do to find shelter?
(F) Describe how your animal mates and reproduces. How do the adult animals of your
species protect their young?
V.
Endangerment
(G) Why is your animal endangered? What could be done to preserve the species? How
would the extinction of your animal affect its ecosystem and/or the biosphere?
VI.
Summary / Conclusion
This is where you summarize the main points from the paragraphs above. Explain any
conclusions you have reached about your animal. Close by restating your thesis in different
words.
While doing research you should record information on cards and place them in the pocket that
corresponds with the question you are answering. For example, info on the animal’s size would go
in the pocket labeled “B”.
Endangered Species Project: The Research Paper, continued.
Listed below is the guide I will use in grading your research paper. Be sure to look this over as
you write your paper. Make sure that your proofreaders use this form when they are giving you
feedback.
Grading Guidelines
(165 test points)
I.
Preparation (40 points)
A. The author used the research folder and info cards to compile the information for
this paper. (15 points)
B. The author has written a rough draft that was proofread by two peers or adults.
Their feedback is recorded on the rough draft and they have signed they rough
draft. (15 points)
C. The author has typed a final draft. (10 points)
*No final draft can be turned in without the research folder, cards and the proofread
rough draft. No points can be awarded if only a rough draft is turned in.
II.
Format (40 points)
A. The length of the essay was at least 500 words. This is about two pages if you have
1” margins, 12-point font and double-space. (10 points)
B. The essay follows the outline provided. (10 points)
C. The author used at least three sources. (10 points)
D. The author correctly lists his/her sources in a bibliography and uses at least 3
footnotes. (10 points)
III.
Content (85 points)
A. The author has a thesis statement that answers the main question. (20 points)
B. The author answers all questions posed in the outline. (20 points)
C. The paper is free of grammatical and spelling errors. (10 points)
D. The author is thoughtful when answering open-ended questions. (20 points)
E. The author is clear in his/her explanations and perspectives. (15 points)
Content
All
questions
Grammar
& Spelling
/10
/10
/10
/10
/20
/20
/10
/20
/15
/15
/30
/40
/50
/60
/70
/80
/100
/120
/130
/150
/165
Clear
3
Sources
/10
Thoughtful
Follows
Outline
/15
Thesis
Final
Draft
/15
Length
Rough
Draft
Bibliography
& Footnotes
Format
Folder &
Cards
Preparation
* Please be cautious not to plagiarize. If you turn in someone else’s work as your own, you will
get a zero on this paper.