Advocacy Paper Rubric

Health 201

Topic: Should minors receive rhinoplasties with parental consent?

 

Section	Criteria	Points
Topic Proposal	Topic submission is the first stage of the assignment. This should be a paragraph submitted with the topic a short paragraph explaining what the issue is and why it is important to the student.   Grader will evaluate: – Was the topic proposal submitted on time. – Did the topic proposal show evidence of thinking about the issue and demonstrate background reading on the topic? – If a revision was necessary, was feedback incorporated.	5
Primary Argument Summary	Primary argument summary is a brief paragraph explaining what perspective the student will be advocating in the paper.   Grader will evaluate: – Has the student demonstrated understanding of his/her primary argument. – Has the student submitted at least one source for his/her primary argument.	5
Counter Argument Summary	Counter argument summary is a brief paragraph explaining what perspective the student will be advocating against in the paper.   Grader will evaluate: – Has the student demonstrated understanding of his/her counter argument. – Has the student submitted at least one source for his/her counter argument.	5
Introduction	The introduction should contain topic background and presentation of relevant facts. These facts will be used to support arguments and counter arguments as appropriate in future sections. The introduction should answer the question: What is the controversy inherent in the topic you have chosen?   Grader will evaluate: – Does the introduction of your topic provide adequate definitions and background information? – Are all statements of “fact” cited and referenced? This includes everything from statistics and definitions to general statements.	15
Primary Argument	The primary argument presents the practical problem or dilemma inherent in the chosen topic. The dilemma must be well defined and the critical issues both explained and justified. The argument must employ relevant facts that are properly referenced.   Grader will evaluate: – Has the author defined a primary argument that is well-supported, objective and non-biased? – Has the author justified his/her arguments with facts and are these facts properly cited/referenced?	20
Counter Argument	The counter argument presents a different perspective on the practical problem that was presented in the primary argument. This argument must be well defined and the critical issues should be both explained and justified. The argument must employ relevant facts that are properly referenced.   Grader will evaluate: – Has the author defined a counter argument that is well-supported, objective and non-biased? – Has the author justified his/her counter argument with facts and are these facts properly cited/referenced?	20
Resolution (conclusion)	The resolution should circle back to the primary argument and explain why the primary argument is still the correct conclusion despite the stated counterargument.   Grade will evaluate: – Has the author presented the primary argument in a new light that allows the primary argument to overcome the counter argument?	20
Format	Adherence to formal academic writing should be adhered to in the advocacy paper.   Grader will evaluate: – Was this paper written in the third person? – Does the paper have a cover page? – Does the paper contain a minimum of three citations (APA style recommended)? – Was this paper proofread for grammar, spelling, typos, etc.? – Does this paper contain sections headers and have a clear flow?	10

Purpose:

You will be introduced to elements of earth science, geology, astronomy, environmental science and ecology. Each of these disciplines plays a key role in the creation and evolution of our natural world.

Prepare:

• Start by visiting the National Park Service website to learn about landforms and browse the landforms in our National Parks.

Review:

• Unit 4 Learning Path in Intellipath will provide information on the movement of the Earth’s crust through plate tectonics and continental drift, and characteristics of the Earth’s crust, which may be useful in this discussion.
• Want to learn more? Check out links listed below under Readings and Learning Materials.

Reflect:

Do you live by a major landform? Have you ever taken a trip to one? What dream trip can you plan?

A landform is a natural feature of the Earth’s surface. Think about the Rocky Mountains, Niagara Falls, the Mojave Desert & Death Valley, the Everglades, and the Grand Canyon, just to name a few.

How were these landforms created? Tectonic plates under our landmasses and oceans are in constant motion. These plates are moving toward each other, away from one another, or sliding past each other. When plates collide, push apart, or grind past one another, landforms can be created or altered.

Write:

Choose 1 of the following scenarios. Within the Discussion Board area, answer the questions associated with your chosen scenario. Be substantive, clear, and use examples to reinforce your ideas. Initial posts should be 300-500 words. Remember, you only need to pick one scenario to respond to!

Scenario 1: I live by or have traveled to a natural landform.

• What’s the landform?
• What has your experience visiting the landform been like? How did you feel being there?
• Describe the landform.
• How was the landform created?  Provide background/history if possible. Use information from the course materials here.
• How/why is the landform changing?

Scenario 2: I would love to travel to a natural landform.

• What is the landform you would love to travel to? Why?
• Based on your research, what do you think your experience visiting the landform will be like? How do you think you will feel being there?
• Describe the landform.
• How was the landform created?  Provide background/history if possible. Use information from the course materials here.
• How/why is the landform changing?