Writing Quiz 1 Grading Rubric - Biology 101, Sections 14-15

Writing Quiz 1 Grading Rubric 30 Pointsbiology 101 S14 S15 Fall 20

Identify the core assignment task, which is a persuasive paragraph helping to design a public awareness campaign on plastics in the ocean, covering a problem summary, arguments for change, and a simple action step. Remove any grading rubrics, scoring criteria, submission instructions, and meta-instructions.

Here is the cleaned assignment instruction:

Write a concise, persuasive paragraph that summarizes the problem of plastics in the ocean, including at least two major sources of plastic waste. Present 2-3 compelling arguments for why people should change their behavior regarding this issue. Lastly, suggest at least one simple action that college students can take to help address the problem. Remember, this paragraph aims to persuade potential donors to support a public awareness campaign about ocean plastics. You may cite provided resources within this paragraph, but avoid quotations—use your own words. If you include additional credible sources, cite them on your note card. Focus on clarity, conciseness, and compelling reasoning to make a strong case for action.

Paper For Above instruction

The proliferation of plastic in our oceans has become one of the most pressing environmental crises of the 21st century. It is estimated that by 2050, there will be more plastic than fish in the oceans, highlighting the severity of the problem (Kaplan, 2016). Two primary sources of plastics contributing to this issue are single-use plastic bags and microplastics originating from consumer products and synthetic fibers. Single-use plastic bags, prevalent in retail and grocery stores, often escape waste management systems and are carried by wind and water currents into marine environments, where they pose lethal threats to marine wildlife who ingest or become entangled in them (The Economist, 2017). Microplastics, derived from the breakdown of larger plastics and shedding from products like synthetic clothing, are pervasive and are ingested by a wide array of marine species, entering the food chain and ultimately threatening human health (National Geographic, 2016). Addressing this problem requires urgent action; hence, compelling reasons to change behavior include the potential to save marine life from extinction, protect our own health by reducing ingestible plastics, and preserve the ocean’s ecological balance which sustains global climate regulation (Schlossberg, 2017). Implementing simple actions such as reducing the use of disposable plastics, participating in local clean-up efforts, or advocating for policies that ban or limit single-use plastics can have a significant positive impact—especially when embraced collectively by students and communities (United Nations, 2017). Such measures not only mitigate plastic pollution but also foster environmentally responsible habits that can be sustained for generations. Engaging in these actions and supporting fundraising campaigns for awareness initiatives are critical steps in safeguarding our oceans for future generations.

References

• The Economist. “Ridding the ocean of plastic.” YouTube, 8 June 2017.
• Kaplan, S. “By 2050, there will be more plastic than fish in the world’s oceans, study says.” The Washington Post, 20 Jan. 2016.
• National Geographic. “How we can keep plastics out of our ocean.” YouTube, 16 Sept. 2016.
• Schlossberg, T. “The immense, eternal footprint humanity leaves on Earth: Plastics.” The New York Times, 19 July 2017.
• United Nations. “Plastic ocean.” YouTube, 24 May 2017.