Guidelines to writing a newspaper article on a topical conservation issue
Newspapers and news magazines frequently contain articles on conservation problems
and issues. Your article may deal with a local (e.g., Lower Mainland), Regional (e.g.,
Pacific Northwest), National, or Global issue. The aim of this assignment is to write a
short article based on the research undertaken for your presentation that could be
submitted for publication in The Peak. It is important that the piece be written in a lively
and attention-getting style (otherwise, no one would read it).
GETTING STARTED
Your own personal experiences may be a good source of ideas. Other sources include the
scientific literature, newspapers, news magazines, the internet; recent books; review
articles (e.g., in American Scientist, BioScience, Trends in Ecology and Evolution.
The article should aim to:
Introduce a topical/controversial issue in conservation biology
Outline how recent scientific research addresses the issue. This may resolve the issue,
or suggest an alternative explanation or create further questions.
While the source of inspiration for the article can come form anywhere you should use
scientific paper(s) or information directly from scientists or conservation biologists to
provide the content.
FORMAT AND STYLE
Word limit 1,000; the text must be typewritten.
Edit your article rigorously to achieve maximum impact. Obtain criticism of a draft
article from other students in the class or a friend. Then rewrite the article before you
submit it.
• Provide a clear introduction to the issue and specific conclusions.
• You should write the article so that your key sources of information are clear. Look at
recent articles in the Vancouver Sun or New York Times to see how this is done.
• Illustrations may be included, particularly maps and diagrams, but they should be
informative as well as decorative.
POINTERS
Your newspaper article should include critical analysis, as well as imaginative and
descriptive writing to engage the reader. Different articles will have a varied mix of these
positive qualities. Critical analysis requires an understanding of the context of an issue
and clear thinking. Question the opinions of others, and take a stance, weighing
competing points-of-view in light of the evidence supporting them. Many issues in
conservation biology are straightforward (e.g., habitat loss reduces populations of most
organisms). Others are complex, and require a broad understanding of social and
economic issues. Read articles about conservation issues in the media and evaluate what
makes a good or weak article. Imaginative writing requires practice, study of the
writings of others, and usually a lot of drafts.
LIST OF SOURCES:
At the end of your article list your sources, including web sites and other electronic
sources. For example if you interviewed people or obtained information from written
documents these could be primary sources. Quotes from other articles would be
secondary sources. We would like to know how you obtained your information.
DUE DATE: Feb 27 2009 5 pm
Marks will be deducted for late submissions. (5% per day)
Assessment Criteria:
(1) Clear and strong take home message about an aspect of conservation (broadly
defined): 40%
(2) The presentation and interpretation of the scientific data/research contained in the
article 40%
(3) Imaginative and colourful writing or other embellishments: 10%
(4) Originality: 5%
(5) Suitability for publication
Additional credit may be given for:
Unusual and clever choice of topic
. Surprising
and/or convincing connections between issues.
Unusual depth of investigation.
Articles published or accepted for publication in a newspaper receive 100%