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Description: You will be writing a research-based essay on a famous mathematician. The text will be written according to the MS67 Informational Text Short Assignment Rubric, which can be found at http://commonessay.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/informational-text-rubric-short-assignmentv2.pdf
. You may choose from any of the noted mathematicians below.
Pythagoras Eratosthenes Aristarchus Anaxagoras Aristotle Thales Euclid
Lewis Carroll Rene Descartes Albert Einstein Charles Babbage Carl Gauss
Sir Isaac Newton Benjamin Banneker Hypatia Ada Lovelace Elbert Frank Cox
Task: 1. Do a little bit of researching on the mathematician you would like to write about.
2. After you have chosen your mathematician, you must find a minimum of 1 source that you can use to help you write the text. A source can be any print media (books, newspapers, magazines, etc) or electronic media (online publications, websites, etc).
Sites such as Wikipedia and Spark Notes may NOT be used as sources.
3. Once sources are compiled, you are ready to write your paper. The paper must follow standard guidelines that you have learned in your ELA class.
Process: Follow the steps below to ensure that your paper is complete
1. Once you choose your topic and your reliable sources, answer the questions below. These will guide you through the paper: a. WHO is the mathematician you chose? WHY did this person interest you? b. WHEN did this person live? WHERE did this person live? c. HOW did this person become interested in mathematics? d. WHAT contributions did this person make to the fields of math and science? e. WHAT other contributions did this person make? f. WHICH other mathematicians did this person influence? g. WHERE do the findings of this mathematician apply today?
Feel free to include any other details you find important about this person.
* When answering these questions, try to use your sources as much as possible.
Remember, you are allowed to “quote” or paraphrase the sources you use, but you are not allowed to directly copy any source.
2. Write an introduction. A good introduction sets the tone for a good paper. Elements you should try to include in your introduction are a strong opening sentence, a little information about the topic the paper will be on, and a final sentence, called the
Thesis Statement, which sums up what your paper will be on in one sentence. The introduction should have a minimum of 4 sentences.
3. Create your body paragraph(s). The body paragraphs are the “meat” of the paper. In this section, you will educate the reader about the person. This section should contain multiple relevant facts, definitions, and details. You may also choose to use quotations and relevant vocabulary here. If you happen to quote a source, don’t forget how to properly cite this source. To help you create your body paragraph(s), use the answers to the 5 questions answered above. Other important aspects to look out for are transitional phrases and correct grammar and punctuation.
4. Write your conclusion. The conclusion should make the reader feel satisfied from what was read. You should be able to sum up your whole paper in a few sentences, and end with a great concluding sentence.
Format:1. Cover page, with your name, class #, my name, and due date
2. The paper- Double Spaced, size 12 font. Must be at least one page in length
3. Sources- Every source you used in your paper must be mentioned. A good site to help you, whenever in doubt, is http://www.easybib.com/ .
*Sources are the heart of an informational text. Any information obtained must either be paraphrased or quoted. Plagiarism will not be accepted.

Sample: The History of Fractions (note: these facts are made up, so don’t use them)
Outline:
I. Intro
A. Opening Sentence- Fractions are not just seen in mathematical problems; they are seen everywhere!
B. Thesis- Fractions are a natural aspect of everything, and their discovery made an everlasting impact on the world we live in.
II. Body
A. Body 1- What are fractions and how were they discovered?
1. Opening Sentence- Since their discovery by George Washington in 1776, fractions have had many applications in mathematics
2. Questions a-e a. Fractions were chosen because they are essential to the ideas of mathematics, and they make combinations of parts make sense. b. Answered in part a c. Fractions were discovered by George Washington in 1776 after setting up Camp at Valley Forge. d. Alexander Hamilton first applied fractions in the late 1700’s after he invented the First National Bank. Fractions made money easy to count. e. Will be answered in next body
3. Transitional Sentence- Fractions, even with their immense amount of mathematical applications, have many applications to other areas of study.
B. Body 2- Real World Applications and Future Implications
1. Opening Sentence- Fractions are imperative to the lives of everyone.
2. e. Doctors, pharmacists, engineers and math teachers use fractions every day.
3. Transitional Sentence- Fractions truly make the world work
III. Conclusion- Once fractions were discovered, there was no turning back for planet Earth.
People all over the world were impacted by the great discovery of fractions. Since their 1776 discovery, fractions have revolutionized mathematics, and have shaped the way doctors and engineers do their jobs today. Without fractions, the world just would not be the same.
Note: This outline took me about 20 minutes to create. For you, it shouldn’t take much longer. Also, once it is done, the paper is basically almost done! Also, if you really wanted to, you could write an essay based on my outline. All of the information is there!
Great Sites to use: http://kids.yahoo.com/directory/School-Bell/Math/Mathematicians http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/greeks/science/math/ http://www.gradeamathhelp.com/black-mathematicians.html
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/famous-women-mathematicians.html
http://math.about.com/od/mathematicians/Mathematicians.htm
http://fabpedigree.com/james/mathmen.htm