how humans have altered the physical and biological features of the environment in Makiki through time

Biology/Geography 410 Spring 2020
Guidelines for the preparation of term papers
Introduction
You will be writing an original paper this semester (20 pages of text minimum not including illustrations and references). A brief proposal outlining your paper that includes at least 4 references and one map, is required to help you get started, and it is due on or before Jan 28th. Submit your proposal to me as a hard copy in class. The writing process will not only enable you to learn more about the course subject material, but also give you a chance to do some library research and to write in scientific style. The following guidelines are provided to help you select topics and organize, write and appropriately reference your papers.
Topic
Choose an area/region that interests you, especially if it might augment some ongoing interest or project (e.g., thesis) that you have. In most cases, you will reconstruct an area of personal heritage or strong interest, focusing on how humans have altered the physical and biological features of the environment through time. Remember this is a cross-listed geographical and biological science course; and the topic should reflect the interdisciplinary nature of this class.
Organization
Your paper will most likely involve discussion of published materials rather than presentation of original data, and its organization may be quite flexible. Be sure to include the following sections: Introduction, Methodology, Discussion of Human Impact (in your chosen area), Summary and/or Conclusions, and References Cited. Between the Methodology and Summary there may be one or more sections containing the body of the text, which for most of you will include the: Pre-Human period, Pre-Contact period, Post-Contact period, Modern period, and (optionally) Future period. Use subheadings liberally (as I have in this handout) in the different sections because it will help the reader follow your line of thought and provide visual and intellectual breaks in the text that help maintain its interest and flow.
I recommend the following broad approach (methodology) for your research paper:
Review the published literature and, if possible, opinions of experts, family members, and others that you may interview who have information about past conditions of your study (if their work has not been published in some form). Your work will be a descriptive synthesis (i.e., your concise and comprehensive summary of a variety of sources) on the subject. The Term Paper should be in a typewritten, double-spaced, large format (10 or 12 characters per inch, or 10 or 12 point text/font)— a minimum of 15-20 pages of text not including illustrations or long tables and your “References” section. Please number the pages. A general outline/format for your paper is presented on the next page.
OUTLINE for Term Paper
1. Introduction (1 page maximum) a. Why you chose the subject area? b. Importance of your paper/research c. Paper overview
2. Methods (1 page maximum) a. Library Research b. Personal Communications c. Internet d. Interviews e. Personal Experience f. Other Sources

3. Discussion of Human Impact (10-15 pages)
a. Physical Environment/Pre-Human Environment: Geology and Geomorphology; Climate & Ecosystems; Biota: Flora and Fauna
b. Pre-Contact Human Adaptation and Impact (before written records are available for your area)
c. Post-Contact Human Adaptation and Impact (after written records are available for your area)
d. Present Environmental Conditions
e. Future Developments (your opportunity to forecast)

4. Conclusions (1-2 pages)

5. References: Citation of Source Materials (for References Section)
This section is an integral and important part of your paper, and its preparation should allow you to polish your library skills and learn how to cite sources in scientific style. Scientific writing requires that all statements of fact, generalizations, etc. be attributed to a source. In other words, where did the information you are presenting come from? In a paper where you give your own evaluation of something, it might be helpful to see if you can find references that agree with your point of view, though this is not required. You must have at least 10 scientific references in the final paper. Your scientific sources should be the original source of the information you are presenting; therefore, when possible, find the original papers and