Scientific Article Summary and Oral Presentation Rubric

Name: Class: Directions: Using the links found under Helpful links that are found on the class website, please search for a scientific article that interests you and relates to the content of our Biology course. Once you have found your article print it and read through it, highlighting and taking notes in the margins as you go. Once you have read through the entire article, use one of the prewriting strategies we discussed in class to organize your thoughts (word-web, list, chart, graphic organizer, etc.). Then you can start your summary (make sure it is typed). The first 2 paragraphs should summarize the articles contents, written in a way that is scientific. The third paragraph is where you explain why you chose the article, including but not limited to things such as its personal significance to you as well as its significance the rest of the class (or world), how it relates to the biology, and your reaction or opinion on the matter. Dont forget to create a Works Cited page to document your source (be sure to use APA format. Follow my example on the website.)

 You will then prepare an oral presentation to give in class on the day you signed up for. The presentation should be between 3-5 minutes and include the main points as well as your personal feedback on the topic. You are allowed to prepare a 3 x 3 inch piece of paper outlining your main points. You presentation should be delivered in a way that has been rehearsed, but not memorized. As an observer, you are required to take notes and ask questions following the presenation. You will be evaluated according to the rubric found on the next 2 pages:

Category

Wow! (4 points)

Good (3 points)

Almost (2 points)

Poor (1 point)

TOTA L

1.) Article selection

The article you have chosen is very relevant to biology and found from one of the links on the website. You have thoroughly highlighted & written plenty of notes in the margins.

The article you have chosen is somewhat relevant to biology and may or may not have been found using one of the links on the website. You have highlighted and taken some notes.

The article you have chosen is not very relevant to biology and was not found using one of the links on the website. Little highlighting and few notes are to be found.

The article you have chosen is not relevant to the field of biology at all. There is no evidence of highlighting or note-taking.

2.) Prewriting

You have thoroughly brainstormed and outlined the main points of your article using one of the methods discussed in class.

The main points of the article are outlined using one of the methods discussed in class, although they appear somewhat incomplete

Some of the points of the article are outlined, but many of the main points are incomplete or missing altogether.

Only a few of the articles main points are listed, but there are a lot of missing points.

3.)

Summary Length Spelling Vocab Grammar Fluency Organiza tion Works Cited

The first portion is a thorough summary of the article, using scientific writing skills (2 complete paragraphs). The third paragraph is a personal response to the article, explaining its significance. (Summary is 3 paragraphs in total) At least 5 linking words/phrases are utilized. Demonstrates a high level of Fluency/Organizat ion. Spelling/Vocab/gr ammar errors are virtually nonexistent. Includes proper format for Works Cited page. Notes are organized on a

The first portion is summary of the article, using scientific writing skills (2 complete paragraphs). The third paragraph is a personal response to the article, explaining its significance (Summary is 3 paragraphs in total) At least 4 linking words/phrases are utilized. Demonstrates a moderate level of Fluency/Organiza tion. Spelling/Vocab/g rammar errors are few. Includes proper format for Works Cited page.

The first portion is a summary of the article, using scientific writing skills. The second paragraph is a personal response to the article, explaining its significance (Summary is close to 3 paragraphs in total) At least 3 linking words/phrases are utilized. Demonstrates basic level of Fluency/Organiza tion. Spelling/Vocab/g rammar errors are often. Includes Works Cited page, but is formatted incorrectly. Notes are organized on a 3

The first portion is an incomplete summary of the article, using scientific writing skills. The second portion is a personal response to the article, explaining its significance (Summary is much shorter than 3 paragraphs) At least 2 linking words/phrases are utilized. Demonstrates low level of Fluency/Organiza tion. Spelling/Vocab/g rammar errors are distracting and frequent. Works Cited page is inaccurate or missing altogether. No notes have been organized.

4.) Oral

Notes are organized on a 3

Presentation Time Fluency Pronuncia tion Eye Contact Notes

3 x 3 inch piece of paper. The duration of the presentation is between 3-5 minutes. Main points are addressed in a logical manner. Frequent eye contact is established with audience and fluency and pronunciation are at a high level.

x 3 piece of paper The duration of the presentation is under 3 minutes. Main points are addressed. Some eye contact is established with audience and fluency and pronunciation are at a moderate level.

x 3 piece of paper. The duration of the presentation is 2 minutes or less. Some main points are not mentioned. Eye contact is rarely established with audience and fluency and pronunciation are at a basic level.

The duration of the presentation is 1 minute or less. It is hard to determine what the main point is. Eye contact with the audience is practically nonexistent and fluency and pronunciation are at a low level.