Write a textbook entry (one or two paragraphs), and create a new graphic in the style of
the textbook for placement in a specific section in the current text. Your paragraph(s)
would either complement or replace one of the examples already there. Most students just
complement, but you can swap it in (harder).
You may re-create a figure from the paper, or you may (more likely) choose to use data
from the paper to create a new graphic or table; make sure to include a clear, paraphrased
caption for your figure/table that is compatible with your text. Then write your textbook
entry that introduces the paper and the results, and that places the study in the appropriate
context. Remember, your paper should be presented as evidence to aid in the explanation of
a evolutionary phenomenon discussed in the textbook. Therefore, you are assuming that the
reader is a student and doesn’t know anything about the paper to begin with. That means
it is a good idea to define/explain any new terms or concepts, just as a textbook would.
Take a look at how the textbook smoothly incorporates examples of data into each section
to help the reader learn. Finally, tell us why you are putting the example where you choose
to put it.
So, your submission should be composed of three things: (i) a figure, probably redone from
one (or a combination of several, or part of one, or one created from data) from your paper;
(ii) a section (one or two paragraphs) for the text. Include references for your paper and any
other studies you chose to incorporate; and (iii) a short paragraph or two explaining where
in the text you’ve put your study, and, importantly, why.
Have a look at page 358, fourth paragraph (figure 9.28), and page 497, second paragraph
(figure 13.6). These are good models for what you need to write. Note that some papers
will be experimental (as these examples are), some observational, and some comparative, so
the style will be di↵erent.
Rubric (Total 15 marks):
[ /2] – Study put in an appropriate place;
[ /5] – Figure (selection, reference within/compatible with text, caption);
[ /4] – Context, overall explanation of paper and flow of text;
[ /4] – Overall presentation (grammar, style, references).
Credit might include a list of references and in-text citations. If you don’t know how to cite
properly, let us know, and we’ll direct you to relevant information. As you know, plagiarism
is a serious o↵ence – people lose their job over it; plagiarism includes copying from other
students.
2