GUIDELINES FOR WRITING A MINI-PAPER
ON A CONTROVERSIAL SCIENTIFIC TOPIC
I. Administrative Format (3 points)
A. Print or type personal data in upper right corner of first page.
B. Data should be in the following order and include:
1. Your full name, followed by student number.
2. Designate Lecture Section 1.
3. Date Submitted
4. Title of paper.
C. Do not put paper in a folder or binder of any kind. Staple sheets together in upper left
corner.
D. Maximum length of the paper approximately 1,500 words. (Does not include bibliography, tables of data, graphs).
II. Statement of Topic (5 points)
A. Define problem or controversy. State problem clearly. Define terms and issues.
B. Include brief history with explanation of origin and development of problem.
III. Position of Author (12 point)
A. Make concise statement of your position and include your proposed solution or hypothesis.
B. Briefly relate alternative, options or other possible positions or solutions to the
Problem.
IV. Justification or Defense of Position (20 points)
A. Display a logical sequence of arguments and a systematic presentation of evidence.
Be careful not to contradict yourself.
B. Justification must be based on biological and other scientific principles.
C. Provide quantitative support. For example, tables of data, graphs, statistics,
Authoritative references, etc.
D. Use parallels, analogies, inferences, and/or comparisons in an appropriate manner.
V. Significance and Applicability of Positions (15) points)
A. Statement of how the idea will be implemented, enforced and/or imposed.
B. Implications of incorporation of your idea.
1. Significance to society.
2. Advantages.
3. Disadvantages.
4. Estimation of general acceptance of idea by society in general.
VI. Bibliography and Footnotes (5 points)
A. Appropriate credit should be given for all data sources, quotations, and information
Resources.
B. Use accepted bibliography and/or footnote notations.
C. Use authoritative references of good quality and acceptability.
1. Must have at least two references from popular press, e.g., newspapers, weekly
Or monthly magazines.
2. Must have at least two references from science based journals or books, e.g., Scientific American, Science, Science 90, Discover, textbooks, etc.
VII. Grammar and Writing Skills (5 points)
A. Avoid grammatical and spelling errors. Use a concise and straightforward writing style.
B. Sources of help for writing:
1. Instruction in General Biology 1012, lecture lab, and supplemental instruction
sessions.
2. Writing Lab, 409 Social Science Building (telephone number 516-5950).
VIII. Due Dates
A. Students may hand in paper to be graded any time before their assigned due date. Rewrites will be permitted after the assigned due date.
B. Two points will be deducted from your score each day the paper is late.
C. By random selection, assigned due dates by first letter of last name are recorded on the
Syllabus. Please consult the syllabus to determine when your paper is due.
IX. Point Scale (Approximate)
A = 60-50 points; B = 49-40 points; C = 39-33 points; D = 32-30 points; F = 29-0 points.
Sample Titles On Controversial Scientific Topics*
I. LIMITING THE ROLE OF SCIENCE OR SCIENTISTS IN SOCIETY
Back To the Dark Ages
Stopping Science by Statute
Animal Welfare – A Priority above Research? Politicians Stay Out of Science
Test Tube Babies – Who’s the Father? Does it matter?
II. DEFINING LIFE OR/DEATH
A Question of Life The Legal Definition of Death
Karen Quinlan – Alive or Dead Euthanasia: Who’s Life is it, Anyhow?
Justification for Pulling the Plug Viruses – Alive or Not?
III. THE ORIGIN OF LIFE AND EVOLUTION
Women Created From Man? Creation: A Valid Alternative?
The Origin of Life – A Materialist’s View Scopes: The Shoe is on the Other Foot
Man from Space – A Form of Cosmozoic Theory From Primordial Soup to a Super You
Extinction of Species – A Way of Life Mitochondria-Little Beasties in My Cells
IV. ECOLOGY POLLUTION OR POPULATION PROBLEMS
Who Gives a Bats Worth? The Overpopulation Enigma
Dioxin – Save at Any Level? The Birth Control Pill Advantage
Population: The Problem and the Solution Nuclear Power: The Unacceptable Risk
Banned and Restricted Pesticides Still Harm Us Returnable Bottles – Cost or Benefit
Birth Control for Minors, Should it Be Confidential? Water – A Clear and Present Danger
Food Additives Keep your Motor Running If You’ve Seen One Red Wood, You’ve
Stronger and Longer Seen Them All
Acid Rain – Rain Drops are Falling…. “You Stole My Hear” – Ode to a Donor
Where Have All the Tropical Forests Gone?
V. EUGENICS AND GENETIC ENGINEERING
Life Span Should Be Limited Robots and Robotics – Will the Real
Human Genetics Research: Should it Continue? Man Stand Up?
Mandatory Sterilization for Individuals with Improving the Human Race by
Genetic Defects Controlled Breeding
Heck with Biotech We Need Help – Not AIDS
Choose Your Genes – Surrogate Mothers
Don’t Meddle with God’s Creatures
VI. ABORTION, DEVELOPMENT AND REPRODUCTION
Abortion Rights With Condoms You Can Come and Go
The Fetus as a Parasite As You Please
Development Stages vs. Human Rights Abortion Based on Prenatal Diagnosis
Abstinence Doesn’t Kill What is the Biological Basis for
The Evolution of Sex Personhood?
VII. DRUGS
Laetrile: Ban, Ban, Ban Alcohol – A Disease of Misbehavior
Drug Abuse: Problem for Society Mind Expansion-A Necessity for Creativity
Marijuana Legalization – The Biological View Controlling Behavior with Drugs
Drug Testing – True or False AZT – A Cure for AIDS?
VIII. BEHAVIOR
Penal Reform Needs Reform Rape – It Can’t Be Helped
Hereditary Homosexuality The Foundation of Intelligence
Behavior Problems in Students Nonsense about Bringing Up Kids
Is Thought Reform Really Effective? Teaching – The Impossible Dream
Should Behavior Modification be Modified? Control of Smoking by Behavior
Controversy in Student-Teacher Interactions Modification
Teachers Shouldn’t Teach Creation Can Behavior Be Compared in Humans
Tough Love and Apes?
*The above titles given are only examples. You are free to choose your topic within the guidelines established.