Please use this rubric to determine your grade when writing your paper. I have copied a simple research paper that has been documented using the style that I am used to seeing and grading. Please use this paper (below the rubric) to see how to format your paper and references. I did not choose this paper for its writing excellence or correctness of length, I only chose it for its format. Email me if you have questions at ken@kenpitts.net.
Area of Grade |
% Grade |
Description |
organization |
30 |
-read smoothly (don't trip the Pitts)
-topics sources are smoothly integrated not clumped |
content |
40 |
-"introduction" should adequately introduce the main points that are going to be made
-information used relates to your topic
-all ideas used in the "findings" have parenthetical references
-topic is covered adequately
-quotations are used sparingly (less than 1/5 of paper)
|
format |
15 |
-correct parenthetical reference format (author's last name, date)
-double spaced
-sections headings include Introduction, Findings, Conclusions, & Literature Cited (centered) |
mechanics |
15 |
-spelling
-grammar
-punctuation |
sources |
Veto Power over whole paper (9/10 sources = 10% off) |
-parenthetical references used
-literature cited has 10 sources with authors minimum
-all quotations are cited and quotation marks used |
Sample paper documented in the CBE Style Name-Year (N-Y)
Listing of Sources
(THE WAY PITTS IS USED TO GRADING PAPERS)
A Brief Overview of Antibiotic Resistance in Bacteria
by
Bill Krueger
Introduction:
A nasty cold takes you by surprise. There is a big exam tomorrow; you reach for the leftover penicillin in
the medicine cabinet. That ought to get rid of this virus. Directions say, "take one" – you take two because you are
feeling terrible. Maybe tomorrow you will be better. What is wrong with this scenario? First and foremost,
antibiotics have NO EFFECT on viruses. Secondly, a prescription should only be taken as directed. This scenario
could set up a potentially deadly situation. When antibiotics are taken indiscriminately, the stage is set for the
selection of resistant bacteria. First documented in 1960, resistant bacteria are not harmed by one or more
antibiotics (Levy, 1998). With resistant bacteria infections, traditional treatments often fail and the patient
becomes sicker, and may even die. How do bacteria become resistant? What increases the chances of bacterial
resistance? And how much of a threat are resistant bacteria?
Findings:
Made naturally, antibiotics are designed to interfere with or kill other microorganisms (Ambile-Cuevas et
al., 1995; Levy, 1998). Microbes that make the antibiotics have devised ways to protect themselves from their self-
manufactured toxins (Ambile-Cuevas et al., 1995). This resistance can also be passed on to other bacteria, even
those of different species. When a population of bacteria is exposed to an antibiotic (which occurs, for example,
when we take antibiotics), those bacteria NOT resistant to the drug die first. The resistant ones are left behind to
produce more resistant bacteria (Ambile-Cuevas et al., 1995; Levy, 1998). Some activities contributing to the
observed increase in resistant bacteria include the following (in no particular order):
bacterium, resistant to one, two, or even three antibiotics, have been isolated. Some bacteria seem to acquire the
DNA of other bacteria, and therefore antibiotic resistance genes, more readily than others (Grady, 1996). This has
produced particularly pathogenic strains of some food borne bacteria, such as E. coli and Salmonella, which no
longer respond to antibiotic treatment (Holmberg et al., 1987). Outbreaks of these infections have made headlines
recently.
Conclusions:
In summary, the use of antibiotics selects for resistant bacteria. These bacteria have the potential to evade
treatment and possibly harm or even kill patients they infect. Strategies for reducing the current increase in antibiotic
resistance include taking antibiotics as prescribed, and only when necessary, and avoiding the use of antibacterial
products in the home.
Literature Cited:
Ambile-Cuevas CF, Cardemas-Garcia M, Ludgar M. 1995. "Antibiotic resistance." American Scientist; 83 (4) 320-329.
Anonymous. 2006. "Apples and Oranges of Antibiotic Resistance." http://cut_to_the_truth.com.
Grady D. 1996. "Quick-change pathogens gain on evolutionary edge." Science; 274: 1081.
Holmberg S, Osterholm M, Sanger K, Cohen M. 1987. "Drug-resistant salmonella from animals fed antimicrobials."
New England Journal of Medicine; 31: 617-622.
Levy SB. 1998. "The challenge of antibiotic resistance." Scientific American; 278 (3):46-53.
Note: If you would like to see how to do other types of sources with this style, go to http://www.lib.ohio-state.edu/sites/guides/cbegd.html.
Note: "et al" is a latin abbreviation for "and others." It is used for referencing three or more authors in parenthetical references.