Assignment Goals
Source Material
Student Instructions
Writing Prompt
Calibrations, Average Word Count, and Answer Keys

Assignment Goals

In this assignment you will:

Increase your knowledge and understanding of the major advancements in dinosaur science from the late 19^th to the early 21^stcenturies.

Write an essay summarizing the history of scientific discovery in the following aspects of vertebrate paleontology:

1. Mesozoic Paleoenvironments

2. Dinosaur Anatomy and Physiology

3. Dinosaur Behavior

4. Dinosaur Extinction

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Source Material

This assignment explores the history of dinosaur science.

A timeline of major discoveries in several fields of dinosaur science is found at http://search.eb.com/dinosaurs/dinosaurs/index2.html

Information regarding a broad range of dinosaur-related topics is found at http://www.EnchantedLearning.com/subjects/dinosaurs/index.html

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Source Material Resources: HTML Tutor - This page explains how to use simple HTML commands to format your essay. It includes such formatting items as subscripts and line returns. URL: http://www.cwu.edu/~verheys/howto.html

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Student Instructions

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Writing Prompt

Write an essay of the required length on the history of scientific discoveries in the field of dinosaur paleontology. Be sure to use correct writing style, including a topic sentence that introduces the subject of the essay. Avoid spelling and grammatical errors (use spelling/grammar checker in your word processor)! Also be sure to insert paragraph breaks using the proper HTML code.

The essay MUST be written in YOUR OWN WORDS (not direct cut-and-paste from the source material). A brief outline of items to include are (REMEMBER that these items will appear as a checklist for reviewing essays):

1. Topic sentence to introduce essay.

2. A discussion of scientific advancements in understanding the Mesozoic paleoenvironment, dinosaur anatomy and physiology, dinosaur behavior, and dinosaur extinction. For EACH of these four topics you should:

a. Describe the state of scientific knowledge in the late 19^th century regarding the topic

b. Explain at least THREE aspects of our current understanding of the topic

c. State one interesting discovery or unanswered question that you would like to know more about.

3. A summary statement regarding the aspect of dinosaur paleontology that you found to be most interesting.

Note: Formatting from word processors is NOT preserved when you copy and paste your text into CPR's text box. Refer to the HTML Tutor link in the "Source Material Resources" section to learn the basic HTML codes that you will need to format your text (i.e., line returns, paragraph breaks, etc.).

ALWAYS check your formatting by using the "Preview Text" button. This will show you exactly how your text will appear to reviewers.

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