Model Assignment:
Scenario / Puzzle
Biology B2XX
Entomology
Study Guide Microtheme #2
Instructions
One crisp, autumn day, you were walking home from campus. Having just finished a fascinating course on entomology, you were deep in thought about the wonders of insect anatomy. As you rounded a corner, you encountered two young boys sitting near the sidewalk. Upon nearing them, you heard snatches of an argument the boys were having. It appeared that (as little boys will), they had captured a large grasshopper and were attempting to “drown” the insect by holding its head under water in a bucket. But the grasshopper was continuing to struggle, very much alive. One boy said that the grasshopper would eventually die, if they continued to hold its head under water. The other one wanted to put the whole insect under, to see if that would do the trick. They asked your opinion on the matter. Write it out, keeping the knowledgeability and attention span of your audience in mind.
Length
One page.
Criteria for evaluation: (0 to 6 points possible)
5 or 6 points: the writing gave evidence of "quality" thinking, i.e., at least 15 minutes of concentrated thinking and writing. Then the piece was distilled and revised for readability. The writer expressed his/her opinion and, in doing so, developed a correct or (alternatively) imaginative answer to the question posed.
3 or 4 points: an otherwise “quality” essay which did not thoroughly consider all questions posed. Could include “interesting mistakes.”
1 or 2 points: a non-“quality” essay, with poor consideration of the questions asked.
0 points: no writing.
