ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE RESEARCH GRADING RUBRIC

A

1.You have 3 current (within 5 years) sources listed that you used dealing with your topic.

2.You chose a topic dealing with an environmental issue and shared your viewpoint on it.

3.Paper is very well structured:

a.introductory paragraph that grabs the readersattention and states a definite viewpoint you have on an environmental issue.

b.supporting paragraphs build on your viewpoint and give several clear examples and facts to “back up” or prove your viewpoint.

c.concluding paragraph clearly and concisely sums up your paper and states why your viewpoint is correct.

B

  1. You have 3 current sources listed that you used dealing with your topic.
  2. You chose a topic dealing with an environmental issue and shared your viewpoint on it.
  3. Paper is fairly well structured:
  4. introductory paragraph that states a viewpoint you have on an environmental issue
  5. supporting paragraphs give examples and facts to help prove your viewpoint.
  6. Concluding paragraph sums up your paper and states why your viewpoint is correct.

C

  1. You have 2 current sources listed that you used dealing with you topic
  2. You chose a topic dealing with an environmental issue but did not clearly share a viewpoint on it.
  3. Paper is structured:
  4. introductory paragraph states what your environmental issue is about.
  5. Supporting paragraphs add information about your topic
  6. Concluding paragraph sums up your paper

D

  1. You have 1 current source listed.
  2. You chose a topic somewhat dealing with the environment.
  3. Paper is not well structured into an introductory, supporting and concluding paragraphs.

F

  1. No sources listed
  2. Topic does not deal with an environmental issue
  3. Paper is not structured into introductory, supporting, and concluding paragraphs.

Paper is due Monday, May 14th. Please turn your paper in to Mrs. Andrusko or Ms. Eleuteri (whoever is your English teacher). It will be worth 100 points for Science. Ten points a day will be deducted for lateness. This paper will count both for Science and English, with Science focusing more on content & sources, and English on structure and grammar.

We will go to the library in Science on :

You are strongly encouraged to use the library and/or your owncomputer to gather more information on your own time as well!

Name:______Date:______Class:______

The topic of my research paper is:

My “gut feeling” or initial opinion about this environmental issue is:

If this topic does not work out, my next choice is:

My “gut feeling” /opinion about this topic is:

POSSIBLE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES (among others):

Climate issues (global warming)

Fresh water shortages and/or water pollution

Ocean and coastal threats (overfishing, oil spills, etc.)

Shrinking wetlands

Forest destruction/deforestation

Industrial Agriculture and Farm Animals (effects on environment)

Air Pollution

Toxic Chemicals effect on environment

Nuclear Power

Endangered Species & Biodiversity loss

World population issues

Invasive Species

Don’t just say “I think deforestation is bad”, be specific. For example, “I think deforestation is a major environmental issue that is having horrible effects on our local wildlife, our own quality of life, and on our local economy.”