Writing Program

• weigh and make health-related decisions based on an understanding of the value and limits of scientific knowledge and the scientific method

Choose and research a topic related to human biology. Imagine that you are creating a small booklet that will become available at a local health clinic. The booklet should be educational and understandable by the general public. You may select one topic that relates to either homeostatic mechanisms or to a disease that may interest you because of your own health or family history. You will find a list of suggested topics below, or you may come up with your own. If you select a topic that is not listed below, discuss your topic with your instructor before beginning work.

Suggested topics

• Homeostasis: Hydration and exercise, adaptation of the human body to pregnancy, adaptation to cold or hot weather, adaptation to starvation and its consequences, sleep and health, or nutrition and health in children.
• Diseases: diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, sickle cell anemia, Huntington’s disease, colon cancer, schizophrenia, macular degeneration, hemophilia, Parkinson’s disease, osteoporosis, muscular dystrophy, or hepatitis.

Assignment criteria

1. Select one of the suggested topics above (you may also choose a topic not listed above).
2. Find articles related to the topic.
3. Remember that this is a booklet. Write 750-1500 words (double-spaced), excluding references. You may include pictures, tables and oyher material but please include all references. You should cite information in the text from at least five sources (including books, journals, and the Internet). You may not use online encyclopedias as a source more than once. Use APA style for citing references . All source material should be paraphrased or summarized in your own words. You should have no more than one direct short quote (less than 40 words) and no long quotes (more than 40 words) in your booklet.
4. The sections of your booklet should include a title; an introduction that defines/describes your topic and what current/ongoing research has discovered about this topic; background information on what healthy organ system(s) is/are affected by the topic; the mechanism of action (e.g., how does the topic disrupt homeostasis? how does a disease spread and infect a person?); its symptoms and how it is diagnosed; current treatment options; prognosis, current and future research, conclusion, and your references. You may include additional sections as necessary to cover your particular topic.
5. Please keep in mind that the audience for your informational booklet is the general public. Your explanations and uses of evidence, illustrations, or other definitive details should be appropriate for the reader; your language should aid the reader’s understanding of the subject (including definitions where appropriate); you should use information logically, and provide conflicting evidence and research where appropriate.

You may find very useful the Effective Writing Center (EWC) for feedback in writing your paper. You may send your paper to the EWC using a Request for Writing Help form to receive feedback from an EWC advisor. For more information please see the Student Resource Page with links to information on writing assignments, organizing ideas, evaluating resources, avoiding grammar mistakes, and other writing issues. You will need at least 48 hours for a response from the EWC and that paper submissions are capped for each day; plan to submit your paper as early as possible.