User:Sbartl

Dr. Simona Bartl is the instructor for an upper division Bioethics class. This is her assignment for that class.

Writing Assignment 3: Bioethics Wikipedia Entry 30 points

Due Wednesday November 6, 2013, 10 AM. I can see when you have completed the assignment from the Page History. You do not need to turn anything in to me. I can grade your work online.

The goal of this assignment is to identify a scholarly review paper (secondary source) and write an article describing it on Wikipedia. You will need to cite papers in this article that are related to the background or empirical data as well. This is a factual article and should not contain any of your own novel ideas.

1. Identify your Paper (5 points) Graded Task: On the course iLearn questionnaire post the citation for your paper and a link to it or the abstract. The paper you describe should be recent.

Use one of the search engines on our library course page or other scholarly search engine.

Be sure you find it somewhat interesting, since you are going to be spending a few hours with it. Try adding a word you are interested in and "bioethics" or "ethics" or a particular issue within bioethics. Because you are required to use peer-reviewed secondary sources it is also appropriate to include the term "review" in your search. Sometimes you can find good literature reviews cited in the introduction or the discussion of a primary source).

2. Create a Wikipedia Account if you do not already have one and share your user name in the iLearn questionnaire (3 points)

You need to have an account and be logged in when you are working on this assignment, otherwise you will not get credit for your work. Furthermore, an account hides your IP address from the world.

3. Start writing your Encyclopedia Entry in a sandbox area in their own user space. Once you have logged in you will see a link to your very own sandbox up in the upper right of the screen. You can add text and other content to the text editing box. Then write a short edit summary, and save the page. Once you have added in the blurred words, then you can show a preview.

You should use this sandbox to learn Wikipedia syntax and fine tune your contribution. In addition, using a sandbox insulates your edits from other Wikipedia editors.

Before transferring the contribution to the main article about Bioethics or to the appropriate topic page if necessary, it would be helpful for me and/or other Wikipedia editors to review the proposed addition to make sure that they conform to generally accepted Wikipedia standards.

You should pay attention to syntax and format. One crucial criteria is the use of properly sourced materials. You can find help creating your citations here: Help:Citation tools

Another instructor has tasked his Neurobiology students with generating wiki content. It includes links to a number of tutorials that you will find useful (see the Table under Introduction for Students). His assignment may be found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:NeuroJoe/BI481_Fall_2011

Play with all of these things in your sandbox.

4. Post your article on the appropriate Wiki Page (30 pts) and post the link on the iLearn questionnaire (2 pts)

Grading rubric Wikipedia Writing Assignment (Written article = 30 of 40 points; 10 points are for logistics only)

Logistics (10 points):

Provide the citation for the paper you will use with a link (5 pts) and your Wikipedia username (3 pts)
Provide link to your article (2 pts)

Format (12 points):

Article is at least 300 words in length of actual writing
Article follows the standard Wikipedia structure
Mechanics are solid (grammar, spelling, paragraph structure)
Article is not a "Wikipedia:orphan", but is linked to at least 3 other pages (Note: It may be most appropriate to have a short note on the page about Bioethics, but provide the main content on the page with the topic you are actually writing about.)

Content (18 pts):

The overview or introductory section summarizes the subject according to Wikipedia standards.
In-paper citations are present and used correctly according to Wikipedia format (see Wikipedia:Citing sources).
Bibliography includes at least 3 sources, and is formatted correctly according to Wikipedia format
Body of the article encompasses the most significant information on the subject.
Your article conforms to Wikipedia writing standards including an unbiased approach (Wikipedia:Neutral point of view) and sufficient detail of the subject.
Everything you state is verifiable (Wikipedia:Verifiable). This means you cannot use original research (Wikipedia:Original Research).

Your task is to read the sources and summarize the information into an easy-to-read, understandable article that synthesizes the information. You should not make "shopping lists" of complicated facts. If you are missing major bits of information, or have included incorrect information without citations to back up your findings, you will lose points. You should pay attention to comments and suggestions given to you by your peers and the Wikipedia community during "Wikipedia:Peer Review". If you decide that comments are not valid, then there should be substantial reasoning as to why you hold this claim.

Point Deductions:

Minus 10% per each 6 hour block it is late
Creating your topic page in the wrong space
Any plagiarism
More than 1 direct quote in the article (minus 5 points per extra quote)

Bonus Points

If your article attains "Wikipedia:Featured Article" status before the end of the semester, then you automatically receive all 40 points, plus 10 points of extra credit. Note that according to one Wikipedia editor, this is not a very realistic goal. You and I must consult with an editor prior to submitting anything for nomination, because it generates much work for the peer-reviewers.

Images (optional)

You can add an image that was made by you or is in the public domain by using Wikimedia Commons. Personal images must be placed in the Commons and then linked to your article. You do NOT need to add a graphic, but you may if it helps clarify your point. Here is a tutorial: Wikipedia:Picture_tutorial.