Essay Instructions: I need a paper about wine production in California. But specifically it needs to talk about what geological aspects of the state itself impact the wine production in California. Why does it make it a good place to produce wine, and things such as that.I have posted my teachers term paper guide below.
Geology 168
Research Paper Guide
1. The minimum length is 2000 words (upper limit is 3000 words!). Please report your word total on the last page of the paper (using the “Word Count” utility in your word processor software). The final copy should be 1.5 spaced, with a small but legible font (10-11 Times New Roman or similar), with 1-inch margins. Place a title page with the necessary information such as name, class, semester, etc at the front.
The paper will be due somewhere in the first week of December (date to be set). Please submit it online, through the Digital Dropbox facility in Blackboard (look in Tools, or Course Tools; make sure you upload and send the file as uploading alone won’t send it). Late papers will receive heavy penalties.
2. Please prepare your paper using word-processing software on a computer (e.g. Microshaft Word). Hand-written papers will not be accepted.
3. The minimum standard for source material is 10 references, of which no more than 5 can be references directly sourced from the Internet. However, journals and books accessed on the web (rather than procuring the printed version) are not included in this 5 web source limit. It is important to understand the strengths and weaknesses of electronically accessible material from the Internet. Books/journals are primary references, and usually the material has been reviewed for accuracy by experts in the field. In contrast, anyone can post anything on the Internet, and there is not necessarily a review process. Beware–“..it was on the Internet..!” is a lame excuse for inaccurate material.
4. The overall grade will be based on an assessment of Research Quality and Presentation, weighted roughly equally. Presentation includes careful organization (including tight structuring and balance among the parts of the paper), correct formatting, and effective writing (clear and concise expression, correct spelling, grammar (word choice) and syntax (organization of words)).
5. Tight and transparent organization is the key to achieving full credit for Presentation. Use an outline to organise your writing, especially in deciding how and when to cover each piece of information, idea, concept, etc. Use headings and subheadings to show your organization.
Begin by clearly stating your purpose, objectives, and plan of attack in a brief Introduction. You can also introduce peripheral background material that may not fit later in the paper.
Next, present the Information you located in your references. The information section is the most important part of the paper and is usually the longest. Use graphics (e.g. maps, pictures, numerical tables, graphs, explanatory diagrams, etc) presented as a series of numbered figures to supplement your written presentation of the information. Experience shows that it is easier to organise a paper and tell the story using illustrations, instead of just an outline. Including figures will contribute to the Research and Presentation grades, and ensure you refer to them properly in the text, and accompany them with captions. Moreover, make sure you cite the original source of the figure (i.e. where you got it from). Note that captions, tables, etc will not contribute to the overall word count.
Generally, the next section is where you discuss and analyse the information, compare it with other examples or histories, discuss its meaning and significance, draw inferences, make generalisations, or derive models. In this section, the “facts” (information, data, results) are explained. Without it, the supporting data in the Information section would be meaningless. However, for a paper like this, where you are not necessarily presenting data or results, you can incorporate this discussion into the main text.
Finally, in a brief section called Conclusions, present/summarise the principal findings or outcomes of your research and analysis.
7. Attach a list of references cited, with complete bibliographic entries in an approved format. You are free to use whatever styles you like, so long as the important information is presented (e.g. title, author, year, journal/book, publisher, etc). Do not plagiarise chunks of text from references; believe me, I will know (hmm, suddenly your writing sounds much more polished…? and I will look at your primary refs). Take their information, and put it in your own words; this is a talent you will need for your career.
8. Research quality is the second major evaluation category. To maximise credit for this component, you should choose a narrowly defined topic, and find specific, primary reference materials for it.
9. Make sure you proof read your paper before submission; preferably, by getting someone else to read it. This will cut down on repetition, tighten organization, correct typographical and spelling errors, and generally fix other rough spots. Make sure you use the spelling/grammar checker provided with your word processor! I will bust you like a cheap plate if your spelling and grammar are bad.
10. The ability to write effectively is one of the most important skills that you will learn at school. Although I plan to do my best to help you learn more, teaching you how to write is beyond the scope of this class. Writing competence comes with practice, supported by a serious commitment of time and energy, and the development of self-assessment and critical thinking abilities. There is no other way! Therefore, I will only make corrections to your paper if you specifically request it (and I will withhold your grade until you collect your paper). I do not have time to make numerous corrections if you are uninterested in seeing them.
Things I will look for in your paper:
RESEARCH QUALITY
Is the paper topic appropriately focussed? Is the focus narrow enough?
Is the scientific content supporting the topic included? Is the level appropriate, and does the writer choose a level appropriate for the reader? (assume I know nothing about your topic).
Is command of background content demonstrated?
Are specific study areas, case histories, examples, etc developed?
Is background integrated with material about the specific content or study areas?
Are critical thinking skills used in the analysis?
Are the references adequate in number?
Are critical professional-level references included? Don’t include references that are only peripherally related to your topic.
Are the citations accurate and adequate for the reader to locate references?
PRESENTATION
Attention to specifics of assignment, appropriate format, organization, development of topic, and writing.
Introduction (a clear presentation of “problems”, “questions” or “issues” you are addressing, your objective, statement of focus and scope, plan of attack, etc).
Is the choice of topic explained? Are the writer’s intentions for developing the topic clearly stated?
Is the context of the specific topic defined and related to more general context or background?
Does the introduction give a clear “road map” for the rest of the paper, and is this plan followed?
Information/Content (data, observations or results, presented separately from Discussion, including captioned tables, maps, graphs, illustrations, and other types of figures, annotated with reference citations identifying the original source)
Was care taken in separating data and interpretations?
Discussion (discussion of what the results or data mean; analysis of results and their significance, context, interpretation, etc; presentation of your own insights). Integrate into the main text
Are concepts integrated, synthesized and clearly explained?
Conclusions (a summary of the principal findings and conclusions, identification of limitations, and suggestions for further work)
