SYMPOSIUM ASSIGNMENT #1
Science Research Project Background and References
BACKGROUND PAPER
The main purpose of a background research paper is to outline the scientific concepts that relate to your symposium topic.
The paper should include information that will help you understand concepts related to your topic. You should then be able to
conduct an experiment to test your hypothesis. When researching and writing this paper you should give an overview of your
topic by defining and explaining any key words associated with your project. You should describe any current research that is
being done regarding your topic by citing scientific journals, databases and reliable web references such as government
agencies or universities. You need to explain how your project relates to or expands on previous research. You should also
briefly explain how this topic is connected to the real world. The background portion of the paper should be about three
pages. Attach a title page to the front with the project title, lab partners’ names and the due date centered on the page.
CITATIONS
Include citations for any source of information that did not come from your own head. The citation should be located at the
end of a sentence or paragraph and should be in the following form (Author, year). Do not use endnotes or footnotes. Your
paper should be full of citations. In order for the source to be included in the reference section, it must be used as a citation in
the background section of your paper.
REFERENCES
The references are found on a separate page with the word REFERENCES centered, underlined and in all caps at the top of
the page. Use a variety of sources: books, journals, pamphlets, and periodicals. They should be formatted in APA format. Use
the citation machine at: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/07/
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Entries are in alphabetical order and not numbered. The first line is not indented; the second line and additional lines are
indented and are single spaced.
Minimum of 5 valid scientific sources (textbooks, scientific journals, encyclopedia (only one)). Wikipedia is not a valid
source. No general news sources (ie: Foxnews, NPR, BBC, CNN, Washington Post, etc.). No general science
magazines (ie: Science Daily, Science magazine, etc)
References not cited in the background paper should not be in the references.
PAPER FORMAT
1. Typed using 12 font Times New Roman. Do not use bold or any stylized fonts except for scientific names which should
be written in italics. Write scientific names correctly. (Example: Canis lupis or Canis lupis)
2. Use 1-inch margins all around (top, bottom, left, right)
3. Indent paragraphs five spaces.
4. Page numbers go in the upper right corner as a header. The title page is page one.
5. Center and underline all headings. Use all CAPITAL letters in the heading. Example: BACKGROUND PAPER
6. Your paper should be double-spaced. Do not spread out paragraphs to make the paper appear longer.
GRAMMAR
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9.
Define unfamiliar terms in the body of the paper.
Spell out numbers that are under 10 (Unless it is something like 5 mL).
Write in passive voice – 3rd person. Do not use the words “you” or “I” or “me” (no personal pronouns)
Define all abbreviations the first time you use them, i.e. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Do not use contractions: Don’t, Can’t, Wouldn’t etc.
Avoid using questions.
Avoid using value judgment language (Example: “bad for the environment”)
Do not use the word “prove”. You are not “proving” anything. Use support or refute.
PROOFREAD! Read your paper carefully. Does it make sense? Run spell check. Have an adult proofread your paper.
BACKGROUND PAPER RUBRIC
Format of the Background Paper and References (10 points)
10 points
Advanced Proficient:
Paper is typed in the
appropriate font size. It is
double-spaced with
appropriately formatted title
page, headings and page
numbers.
7 points
Proficient: Paper is missing
one of the items listed under
Advanced Proficient.
 Font Size
 Spacing
 Headings
 Title page
 Page numbers
5 points
Intermediate: Paper is
missing two of the items
listed under Advanced
Proficient.
 Font Size
 Spacing
 Headings
 Title page
 Page numbers
2 point
Beginner: Paper is missing
three of the items listed
under Advanced Proficient.
 Font Size
 Spacing
 Headings
 Title page
 Page numbers
Content of the Background paper (60 points) (3-4 Pages)
(does NOT include title page or references)
60 points
Advanced Proficient:
Communication is clear,
logical, easy to understand,
and organized. Information
covers the assigned topic at an
in-depth, honors level of
understanding. Main points
are emphasized and are
relevant to the topic.
Information will help student
understand symposium topic.
45 points
Proficient: Organization
and clarity of
communication is generally
good. Few minor points are
confusing and seem out of
place. Content is generally
good and follows the
requirements given in the
guidelines. Information may
help the student understand
symposium topic.
30 points
Intermediate:
Organization and clarity of
communication needs to
be improved. Partially
covers topic information
given in the guidelines.
Some of the content is not
honors level and is used as
filler.
20 points
Beginner: Paper needs
improvement and is not
acceptable for an honors level
student. Majority of
information is at a lower level
and will not supplement
information needed to conduct
a symposium project.
References and Citations (15 points)
15 points
Advanced Proficient: Paper
has five different sources
formatted correctly. Each
partner has one peer reviewed
article cited in the paper. Each
source has a citation that is
correctly embedded within the
paper.
10 points
Proficient: Paper has three
different sources formatted
correctly. One of the
partner’s peer reviewed
article is missing. Each
source has a citation that is
correctly embedded within
the paper.
8 points
Intermediate: Paper has
two different sources
formatted correctly. Paper
has at least one source
formatted incorrectly. No
peer reviewed articles are
cited or referenced.
4 points
Beginner: Paper has one or no
sources. Source, if present, is
cited incorrectly. No peer
reviewed articles are present.
No citations embedded within
the paper.
Grammar and Mechanics (15 points)
15 points
Advanced Proficient: Paper
includes depth, reflection, and
excellent articulation of the
topic. Sentences are complete,
grammatical, and flow
together easily. Students wrote
in the passive tense.
10 points
Proficient: Communication
generally includes depth
and a clear sense of the
topic. Few sentences have
grammatical errors and do
not flow together smoothly.
Pronouns are used
occasionally.
8 points
Intermediate:
Communication includes
some depth and reflection.
At times the paper does
not flow. Several
sentences are incomplete
with grammatical errors.
Pronouns are used
multiple times throughout
the paper.
4 points
Beginner: Communication is
unclear and the paper does not
flow. There is no clear sense
of the topic. Sentences are
incomplete or run-ons that are
written using pronouns.
TOTAL POINTS _______________/ 100
100-90 = A
89-80 = B
79-70 = C
69-60 = D
>60 = F
10% off total points for each class period it is late up to 50%
5 points off for not including provided rubric
Each partner will receive the same grade.