Geos 220 Writing Assignment Re-introduction of the Mexican Gray Wolf in the Southwest

Writing Assignment

Schedule for Fall 2023:

• September 28: Start researching (reading, lots) and creating outline/storyboard
• October 10: Outline/storyboard due, D2L
• October 18: Graded outlines/storyboards turned back, start writing essay
• October 21: 3:30 PM, Zoom: Short film on Seton's wolf and open discussion on wolf reintroduction (bring popcorn)
• October 25: Final essay/video due, hardcopyD2L
• October 28 (optional): Movie night, we share are videos with ecah other, Zoom

Plan of action:

• First, research (read material) on the background and the pros and cons of the re-introduction of the Mexican wolf to the American Southwest. This wolf web suite is a good start. Take notes on what you read, and even discuss the issues with your classmates and/or instructors. Remember, however, that the outline/storyborad and essay/video you turn in must be your own work and writing.
  • How many references to cite? A lot. Topic sentences often don't require a reference citation, but most all other sentences do.
  • Don't overcite any one source. Expect to cite any given source just one time. Perhaps an exception to this can be the article by Schoenecker and Shaw, which might be cited twice.
• Second, develop a topic sentence outline or storyboard for video production, plus a Reference Cited section (for storyboards, just insert references cited right into the slide frame where they apply, super easy).
  • This outline/storyboard is worth 100 points, graded primarily on scholarship, i.e., amount of research.
• Third, after getting back your graded outline, write an essay or make a video on pros and cons of re-introduction of the Mexican wolf to the American Southwest, using complete sentences and well-developed paragraphs.
  • Staple your graded wolf outline with your essay.
  • Please italicize the topic sentence of each paragraph.
  • Length of text: ~1000 words (~3 pages, typed, double-spaced, 1" margins, 12-pt font) plus a References Cited section, which doesn't count in the word count.
  • Length of video: also ~1000 words of narration voiceover, which comes out to just several minutes of video time. Essays include a References Cited section, which doesn't count in the word count. In videos, references can be scrolled at the end (super easy).
  • This essay/video is worth 100 points, mostly for the writing (proper grammar, good paragraphs).
  • Click here for an example essay on the topic of the US in the UN.

The Problem: Re-introduction of the Wolf

Can common ground be found for the re-introduction of the almost extinct Mexican gray wolf, a large carnivorous predator? Give pros and cons of this issue.

Getting Started

Summarize the status of the Mexican Gray wolf re-introduction in the Southwest. Identify (cite) arguments and types of evidence that support the wolf re-introduction or that challenge the wolf re-introduction. Cover both sides. To conclude, how can common ground be achieved so that the wolf can exist without people being negatively affected?

There is no right or wrong answer here. Indeed, it would be academically useful to be able to argue both ways on this issue. The goal for this essay/video is lots of scholarship (reading) and clear and concise writing that expresses informed argumentation about the wolf re-introduction. Use the readings linked from this web site to develop specific arguments on the wolf re-introduction.

Before beginning writing, spend time reading science articles, web pages, and other reference materials (newsclips) related to the Mexican Gray wolf re-introduction.

Suggested Essay/Video Roadmap

• Title: up to 10 words at most 
  
• Introduction (~0.5 page): a short history and problem statement of the controversy 
  
• Main body of essay (~2 pages): Discuss arguments for and against the re-introduction of the wolf. Use the readings, news clippings, and internet sites that are linked from these web pages to support your statements. 
  
• Conclusion (~0.5 pages): Not a summary of your essay, but a conclusion about the wolf re-introduction program based on earlier arguments. Is common ground possible between the opposing sides? One thing that should NOT appear in the Conclusion is brand new material not yet mentioned in the essay. 
  
• Citing Literature:
  • In the main body of your essay, cite a nice mixture of:
    • scientific readings
    • web sites
    • newspaper articles
    
    
  • Do not quote references (ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY NO QUOTING, WITH OR WITHOUT THE "QUOTES," IN THIS CLASS, EVER). Instead, summarize points in your own words and then include a reference in parentheses
    
  • Cite references this way:
    

    Wild Mexican wolves possibly continue to survive in remote regions of Mexico (Parsons 1998).

  • Don't cite references this way:
    

    Parsons (1998) says that wild Mexican wolves possibly continue to survive in remote regions of Mexico.

    According to Parsons (1998), wild Mexican wolves possibly continue to survive in remote regions of Mexico.

  • Then, make a "References Cited" section (put this section on a separate page, not to be counted in your 1000 words). Article titles from these web sites may be copied-and-pasted into the References Cited section.
    
  • Follow this golden rule of academic attribution: Cite all that is listed, and list all that is cited.

Wolf Re-introduction Home Page

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Comments to Paul Sheppard: sheppard @ ltrr.arizona.edu

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Revised -- October, 2022