Assignment 2: The Outline Objective:   Organize your thoughts and the main points of your research for your final presentation   Assignment Instructions:  To help you complete Assignment 3: The Presentation,  you will first submit an outline to organize your thoughts and main  points. Your outline should be formatted a specific way and must contain  the following elements as described below.  To prepare for this assignment, I recommend that you do the following:  Read these directions carefully.  Review the sample outline . This  sample is merely to show formatting; please see the criteria for the  outline below to ensure you have included all five required sections. Read the grading criteria .   The grading criteria is a detailed evaluation that I will use to assess  your performance.  It also will help you understand what is expected of  you as you prepare your assignment.  Message me with any questions!  Be sure to add your name and course number to your outline. The outline format :  Your outline must be  formatted as described and exemplified in the example attached.  Please  note that this format will be assessed in your grade:  Use an alphanumeric sequence  Sections should be indented and aligned  Follow the suggested order of the required elements  Use brief but detailed and descriptive phrases.   The required elements : Depending on the  type of organism you have chosen you will address different sets of  questions.  Please see the category that responds to your selection.  Your outline should contain the following elements in this order, and  please note that some of these should be your personal observations.  Also remember that your presentation (Assignment #3) should only be  10-15 slides, so you need to be concise and clear with your information. MICROORGANISMS: I. The Introduction Section A. Organism Introduction 1. The common and scientific name of your organism. Please see this link to help with scientific names if needed: How To Write Scientific Names 2. Where you observed your organism (country, state, park, zoo, etc.) 3. A brief discussion on why you chose your organism 4. If possible, a picture and/or video  of you safely observing your species in the field. If not possible,  search the Internet for an image (and remember to cite your source for  the image) in a typical habitat. II. The Body A. Physical Description 1. You must include a brief physical  description. You can use your personal observations. If you cannot  safely observe your organism, you must research. a. Size, coloring, etc. B.  Life Cycle and Reproduction 1. Life Cycle: describe the life cycle  of your organism.  The life cycle refers to the series of changes that  happens from the beginning of life as your organism develops and grows  into a mature organism.  Please see here for some hints on the Life Cycle . If you have any questions on this please ask! 2. Reproduction: You must discuss the  reproductive strategi.

1. Assignment 2: The Outline
Objective:
Organize your thoughts and the main points of your research
for your final presentation
Assignment Instructions:
To help you complete
Assignment 3: The Presentation,
you will first submit an outline to organize your thoughts and
main points. Your outline should be formatted a specific way
and must contain the following elements as described below.
To prepare for this assignment, I recommend that you do the
following:
Read these directions carefully.
Review the
sample outline
.
This sample is merely to show formatting; please see the
criteria for the outline below to ensure you have included all
five required sections.
Read the
grading criteria
. The grading criteria is a detailed evaluation that I will use to
assess your performance. It also will help you understand what
is expected of you as you prepare your assignment.
Message me with any questions!

2. Be sure to add your
name
and
course number
to your outline.
The outline format
: Your outline must be formatted as described and exemplified
in the example attached. Please note that this format will be
assessed in your grade:
Use an alphanumeric sequence
Sections should be indented and aligned
Follow the suggested order of the required elements
Use brief but detailed and descriptive phrases.
The required elements
:
Depending on the type of organism you have chosen you will
address different sets of questions. Please see the category that
responds to your selection.
Your outline should contain the following elements in this
order, and please note that some of these should be your
personal observations. Also remember that your presentation
(Assignment #3) should only be 10-15 slides, so you need to be
concise and clear with your information.
MICROORGANISMS:
I. The Introduction Section
A. Organism Introduction

3. 1. The common and scientific name of your organism. Please
see this link to help with scientific names if needed:
How To Write Scientific Names
2. Where you observed your organism (country, state, park,
zoo, etc.) 3. A brief discussion on why you chose your organism
4. If possible, a picture and/or video of you safely observing
your species in the field. If not possible, search the Internet for
an image (and remember to cite your source for the image) in a
typical habitat.
II. The Body
A. Physical Description
1. You must include a brief physical description. You can use
your personal observations. If you cannot safely observe your
organism, you must research. a. Size, coloring, etc.
B. Life Cycle and Reproduction
1. Life Cycle: describe the life cycle of your organism. The
life cycle refers to the series of changes that happens from the
beginning of life as your organism develops and grows into a
mature organism. Please see here for some hints on the
Life Cycle
. If you have any questions on this please ask! 2. Reproduction:
You must discuss the reproductive strategies of your organism.
For example, discuss how your microbe undergoes asexual
reproduction.
C. Structure and Function
1. Please select one organ system of your organism that you
find to be particularly interesting and describe
both the anatomy and physiology
of that system. 2. If you have selected a bacterium or a fungus,
the concept can be more complex. Please contact me directly
for more help is needed.
D. Energy Ecology
1. If you can observe these, that is best. If not, research. 2.
What are the food sources? Types? Amounts? Temporal pattern
of feeding?

4. E. Habitat
1. Where your organism lives. This does not refer to a city or
state, but rather the natural environment in which your
organism lives. 2. You should consider abiotic factors, such as
soil, water, etc., as well as biotic factors, such as predators,
hosts, etc.
III. The Conclusion Section
A. This section should contain four to six points that sum up
the main points from the body of the outline. B. Start your
conclusive section with one sentence summarizing some basic
information about your chosen organism (name and
geographical distribution). C. Continue with a brief summary
(1-2 sentences) about the life cycle and any particular body
structures. D. Include a brief summary (1-2 sentences) about the
ecological role of your chosen organism in its ecosystem. E.
Wrap up the conclusive section with a closing note that
provides brief information about a unique fact and/or behavior
of your chosen organism.
IV. The Reference Section:
A.
This is not just the reference page; rather, referencing should
occur throughout the outline as it will in your presentation
. Therefore, your outline should include both a separate
reference page containing a minimum of
five sources
listed in proper APA reference list format
AND
internal citations throughout the outline where
appropriate. Please be sure to see the resources below for
assistance regarding in-text citations and reference list
formatting, and/or ask me if you have any additional questions.
PLANTS/FUNGI:
I. The Introduction Section

5. A. Organism Introduction
1. The common and scientific name of your organism. Please
see this link to help with scientific names if needed:
How To Write Scientific Names
2. Where you observed your organism (country, state, park,
zoo, etc.) 3. A brief discussion on why you chose your organism
4. If possible, a picture and/or video of you safely observing
your species in the field. If not possible, search the Internet for
an image (and remember to cite your source for the image) in a
typical habitat.
II. The Body
A. Physical Description
1. You must include a brief physical description. You can use
your personal observations. If you cannot safely observe your
organism, you must research. a. Size, Coloring, Leaf
arrangement, flower color, etc.
B. Life Cycle and Reproduction
1. Life Cycle: describe the life cycle of your organism. The
life cycle refers to the series of changes that happens from the
beginning of life as your organism develops and grows into a
mature organism. Please see here for some hints on the
Life Cycle
. Plants can be a bit more complicated, so if you have any
questions please feel free to ask! 2. Reproduction: You must
discuss the reproductive strategies of your organism. Are there
any specific structure or cells involved in reproduction? Are
the flowers specialized?
C. Structure and Function
1. Please select one organ system of your organism that you
find to be particularly interesting and describe
both the anatomy and physiology
of that system. 2. If your organism is a plant, here are a list of
the
general plant organ systems
3. If you have selected a fungus the concept can be more

6. complex. Please contact me directly for more help if needed.
D. Energy Ecology
1. If you can observe these, that is best. If not, research. 2.
How does your plant harvest the energy from the sun? How does
it store the energy?
E. Habitat
1. Where your organism lives. This does not refer to a city or
state, but rather the natural environment in which your
organism lives. 2. You should consider abiotic factors, such as
soil, water, etc., as well as biotic factors, such as predators,
hosts, etc.
III. The Conclusion Section
A. This section should contain four to six points that sum up
the main points from the body of the outline. B. Start your
conclusive section with one sentence summarizing some basic
information about your chosen organism (name and
geographical distribution). C. Continue with a brief summary
(1-2 sentences) about the life cycle and any particular body
structures. D. Include a brief summary (1-2 sentences) about the
ecological role of your chosen organism in its ecosystem. E.
Wrap up the conclusive section with a closing note that
provides brief information about a unique fact and/or behavior
of your chosen organism.
IV. The Reference Section:
A.
This is not just the reference page; rather, referencing should
occur throughout the outline as it will in your presentation
. Therefore, your outline should include both a separate
reference page containing a minimum of
five sources
listed in proper APA reference list format
AND
internal citations throughout the outline where
appropriate. Please be sure to see the resources below for
assistance regarding in-text citations and reference list
formatting, and/or ask me if you have any additional questions.

7. ANIMALS:
I. The Introduction Section
A. Organism Introduction
1. The common and scientific name of your organism. Please
see this link to help with scientific names if needed:
How To Write Scientific Names
2. Where you observed your organism (country, state, park,
zoo, etc.) 3. A brief discussion on why you chose your organism
4. If possible, a picture and/or video of you safely observing
your species in the field. If not possible, search the Internet for
an image (and remember to cite your source for the image) in a
typical habitat.
II. The Body
A. Physical Description
1. You must include a brief physical description. You can use
your personal observations. If you cannot safely observe your
organism, you must research. a. Size, Coloring, etc.
B. Life Cycle and Reproduction
1. Life Cycle: describe the life cycle of your organism. The
life cycle refers to the series of changes that happens from the
beginning of life as your organism develops and grows into a
mature organism. Please see here for some hints on the
Life Cycle
. If you have any questions please feel free to ask! 2.
Reproduction: You must discuss the reproductive strategies of
your organism (e.g. release of gametes by a fish or
hermaphroditic reproduction in earthworms), mate choice,
mating displays, mate competition and mating systems.
C. Structure and Function
1. Please select one organ system of your organism that you
find to be particularly interesting and describe
both the anatomy and physiology

8. of that system. 2. If your organism is an animal, here are a list
of the
general animal organ systems
D. Energy Ecology
1. If you can observe these, that is best. If not, research. 2.
What are the food sources? Types? Amounts? Temporal pattern
of feeding? Specific handling or processing of food items by
the organism (e.g. the way a squirrel manipulates an acorn)
E. Habitat
1. Where your organism lives. This does not refer to a city or
state, but rather the natural environment in which your
organism lives. 2. You should consider abiotic factors, such as
soil, water, etc., as well as biotic factors, such as predators,
hosts, etc.
III. The Conclusion Section
A. This section should contain four to six points that sum up
the main points from the body of the outline. B. Start your
conclusive section with one sentence summarizing some basic
information about your chosen organism (name and
geographical distribution). C. Continue with a brief summary
(1-2 sentences) about the life cycle and any particular body
structures. D. Include a brief summary (1-2 sentences) about the
ecological role of your chosen organism in its ecosystem. E.
Wrap up the conclusive section with a closing note that
provides brief information about a unique fact and/or behavior
of your chosen organism.
IV. The Reference Section:
A.
This is not just the reference page; rather, referencing should
occur throughout the outline as it will in your presentation
. Therefore, your outline should include both a separate
reference page containing a minimum of
five sources
listed in proper APA reference list format
AND

9. internal citations throughout the outline where
appropriate. Please be sure to see the resources below for
assistance regarding in-text citations and reference list
formatting, and/or ask me if you have any additional questions.
Please make note of the following tips and tricks:
I understand that this is a rough draft and, as your research and
writing continue over the next few weeks, details may be added
or changed. Although you do not have to resubmit it to me, I
recommend that you update this outline to help you best
complete Assignments 3.
Write your outline so that it has detailed bullets that you can
easily then flesh out into sentences for the narration of your
presentation (Assignment 3).
After your outline is complete, I recommend that you next draft
your introductory and conclusion sections for your outline.
This will ensure that all the main points of the outline are
incorporated in these two framing sections of your final
presentation.
Please note that less than 10% of your outline or presentation
(Assignment 3) should contain direct quotes.
All internal citation references should be listed on the reference
page, and vice versa.
** Work which is improperly cited and referenced or
lacking either proper citations or references may not be
accepted for credit. **

10. Additional Resources:
Sample outline
Use MS Word’s
Outline Function
. Use a MAC? Here is a video link (captioning included on the
link) that you may find useful that reviews formatting in MS
Word. (
Setting up APA headers in Word
).
Also, please see the resources below at The Owl at Purdue site
for more information on how to develop an outline:
Types of Outlines and Samples
Four Main Components for Effective Outlines
Why and How to Create a Useful Outline
For more information on how to format in-text citations and
references lists, the links below:
In-Text Citations: The Basics

11. Evaluation:
Please review the
Outline Grading Criteria
that describes how your outline will be graded.
Submission Instructions:
You must submit your
Outline
as a “
Microsoft Word
” document (rather than a Word Pad, Works, etc. document)
AND title your file name as
FirstnameLastname_SCIN130_Assg2.doc
. Otherwise, you will not receive credit for your assignment.
Upload your assignment for grading by clicking on the "
Add Attachment
" button at the bottom of the page.
The new screen will prompt you to click the "
Browse
" button so you can locate the MS Word document of your
Outline on your computer.
Find the file and double-click on it.
Click "
Continue
".

12. Double check to ensure that your outline was successfully
uploaded as an attachment.
When you have completed this assignment, type "
Completed
" in the rich text editor box below.
Check the "Honor Pledge: I have neither given nor received aid
on this assignment." checkbox.
Click the "
Submit"
button.
Your outline is automatically submitted to Turnitin with your
submission:
Outlines will be automatically added to and checked against the
standard Turnitin repositories. Originality reports will be
returned to the faculty and student in roughly 15 minutes of the
submission. Multiple submissions are allowed before the due
date. If you wish to learn more about and how to access
Turnitin.com, a plagiarism detection website, these are
available from the APUS Online Library.
A
PUS Writing Center
.