The document provides the requirements and instructions for an assignment to write a summary of a news article relating to physiology and to integrate that summary into an existing physiology textbook as an introduction or sidebar. Students are asked to find a news article less than a year old on a physiology topic, and write a 3-5 sentence summary of the article to add context or additional perspective to one of the chapters in their textbook. The summary should be formatted with a heading including the student's name, suggested chapter placement, article source and date, and article title. The assignment will be graded based on writing style and structure, placement within the textbook, use and explanation of information from the article, and value added to the textbook chapter. Late assignments will not

1. please read the requirements below
PHYSIOLOGY IN THE NEWS: CONNECTIONS WITH THE TEXTObjectives: To become more
familiar with some new information about physiology (including genetics, biochemistry,
medicine, etc.) current events reported daily in popular media and develop an
understanding of how it connects with our text. To develop an introduction or boxed text
section in a style and with similar content as shown by examples in the lecture text. To
practice using science as it is presented in the media and sharing this information with
peers. Sources:You may use newspapers which are dated within one year of the first day of
this term. On-line versions of these media are also acceptable. You are looking for a
newspaper article addressing an area of physiology which is not covered or has limited
coverage in the text. New discoveries, diseases, and ethics issues are some examples of the
article topics students have successfully used in the past. Remember this is a physiology
course; please use articles with a clear connection to physiology topics. If you have
questions about the appropriateness of an article, please discuss it with your instructor. The
article should report on a physiology topic or research. The article may be focused on a
single research finding or it can be a generalized summary. The article should be less than
one year old and provided to your instructor when the report is submitted. A URL should be
included in the Heading if using a web-based newspaper. Method and Product:Using a
newspaper article with a topic focused on some aspect of physiology, develop an
introduction to one of the chapters or a boxed text section (for example: Running Problems,
Clinical Focus, Emerging Concepts, Biotechnology, or Try It) for your text. Put yourself in the
place of an editor of the next edition of the text. You want to add topics which are current
and/or of interest to the reader. The topic you choose should be one that fits into the text
and part of your assignment involves finding a good location for your section. Make it
interesting! Including quotes from or information about the scientists has been a good tactic
for students. Assessment: You may earn a maximum of 25 points for this writing
assignment. The assignment due date is the last class prior to Thanksgiving (either Tuesday
November 26 or Wednesday November 27 depending on which lecture section you are
enrolled.). Late assignments will not be accepted. The points are assigned as follows:
Grammar and Style: (2 points) You should demonstrate effective and appropriate writing.
Does each paragraph have a topic sentence? Is the style flowing and easily read? Is it
obvious you reviewed your writing before submitting it? Do nouns and verbs agree? Are
spelling errors kept to a minimum? Did you follow the format? (3 points): Your report
should be typed. It should as long or as short as you think is required to adequately explain

2. the topic. Make sure you include where in the text you would insert your writing. Some
topics may fit in several places. Choose the text sections which best fit the angle you took
with your topic. It is often helpful to reference other areas of the text (page XX) if another
area of the text supports your writing. How well did you use the information in the article?
(5 points): You should find and focus on the major concepts or topics in the newspaper
article. Do not summarize, but rather use the information in the article to introduce your
writing, provide background information for the reader and/or make connections with the
text. You may bring in information from other articles or sources.How well did you place the
article? (5 points). A major part of the writing assignment is identifying the chapter of the
text where your writing fits within the text. Make sure to include where you recommend
placing your writing in the heading. It should be placed so that it supports or expands on the
material before and after it. How much value did you add to the text? (10 points) You should
be looking for topics or research that you find interesting. Your job is to find and use
information that students will want to read and will help them gain an insight into an area
of biology. Ask yourself: Is this topic interesting? Does the article bring a new slant on
material covered in the text? If available in the article, did I include quotes from the
scientists? Did I address any competing ideas or theories? Did I help the student make a
connection with text material and the “real world”? The two major areas I will focus on
when evaluating your format: are Heading (see below) and Style. Use the heading guideline
below and write in a style which fits into your text (not too informal). Deviation from this
format will result in a loss of points. Heading: Line 1: Your name. Line 2: Chapter where
you would place your article. Line 3: Source (name of newspaper or URL ) Line 4: Date of
publication, section, page number, or date you visited the of web site. Line 5: Title of article
Grading: The assignment has maximum number of 25 points to be earned. Points will be
deducted for omitting any of the items above and points may be deducted if the summary is
not written in clearly, with correct spelling, punctuation (no contractions, except direct
quotes) and well-constructed, complete sentences. Late assignments will not be accepted.