Yes, we have REQUIRED field trips (2 of them!).

And, yes, this course is WRITING INTENSIVE! 

Here are the details . . .

Effective written communication is essential to success in both academic and non-academic geologic applications.  Once on the job (or in graduate school), you will be expected to prepare a variety of geologic reports for a variety of audiences.  In this course, our field trips will provide the data for two formal geologic reports.  In these reports you will present your field methods, field and laboratory observations and data (your and, in some cases, those of your classmates), and your interpretations of those observations and data in well-illustrated and clearly written professional formats.

We will discuss the details of report style and the process of preparing professional reports on many occasions during the semester.  In addition to the writing handouts you will receive in class, there are many on-line writing resources available to help you improve your writing skills.  I urge you to use them!

The following tables summarize the process you will go through to complete each report.  Refer to them often during the semester.  Note that you will prepare three drafts (and turn in two) before each final report is completed and that you are required to meet with the geology writing consultant at each stage of the process.  The consultant will read your drafts (including my comments on the material you have turned in to me) and offer suggestions for improvement.  You will incorporate those suggestions into your draft manuscript before each due date.  Please review the writing consultant’s instructions page carefully (and check it regularily!).
 

Tar River Report

 Assignment

Date

Details

Consultant Focus

Field Work

Sat. 
09/11


See Tar River field trip handout
 

 

First DRAFT DUE

Thurs.,
09/16

(9:30 am)


 


Draft #1 must include ALL organizational/structural 
components (headings, subheadings, etc.), complete 
introduction ("what," and "so what"), complete methods 
section, and ALL field-related diagrams.

Turn in the following:

  • consultant-initialed, marked-up draft
  • all additional written comments from consultant
  • a clean, revised version of the draft
  • overall organization
  • intro and methods
  • important figures for each section

Field DATA
DUE

Wed.
09/29

(midnight)

  

  

Second DRAFT DUE  

 Thurs., 
10/07

(12:30 pm)


Draft #2 should be an almost-complete manuscript.  It must 
include everything in draft #1, plus (at least) a complete analysis 
of all geomorphic features encountered in the field (including all related diagrams).

Turn in the following:

  • consultant-initialed, marked-up draft
  • all additional written comments from consultant
  • clean, revised version of draft
  • list of how you incorporated consultant suggestions into your revised manuscript -- keyed to the marked-up copy and consultant comments
  • all of the above, plus
  • correspondence between field and lab data
  • data/interpretation agreement 
  • your attention to previous comments (including my comments on the previous draft)

Third DRAFT

Completed and ready for discussion with Writing Consultant during tutorial session #3


Draft #3 should be a COMPLETE DRAFT of your paper -- 
including a discussion of TRENDS in the data. It must include ALL of the required components. Don't forget to consult (again) your field trip and writing handouts.

Turn in the following:

  • consultant- initialed, marked -up draft
  • all additional written comments from writing consultant
  • clean, revised version of draft
  • list of how you incorporated consultant suggestions into your revised manuscript -- keyed to the marked-up copy and consultant comments
  • all of the above, plus
  • your analysis of trends shown by the field and lab data
  • abstract and summary
  • your attention to previous comments (including my comments on the previous drafts)

FINAL Report DUE

Tues.,
10/19

(9:30 am)

Turn in a complete, clean final draft AND all previous drafts and commentary.

 

 

  Shackleford Report

 

  Assignment

Date

Details

Consultant Focus

Field Work

Sat. 
10/23


See Shackleford field trip handout
 

 

First DRAFT DUE

Thurs.,
10/28

(9:30 am)


 


Draft #1 must include ALL organizational/structural 
components (headings, subheadings, etc.), complete 
introduction ("what," and "so what"), complete methods 
section, and ALL field related diagrams.

Turn in the following:

  • consultant-initialed, marked-up draft
  • all additional written comments from consultant
  • a clean, revised version of draft
  • overall organization
  • intro and methods
  • important figures for each section

Second DRAFT DUE  

 Thurs., 
11/18

(12:30 pm)


Draft #2 should be an almost-complete manuscript.  It must 
include everything in draft #1, plus (at least) a complete analysis 
of all of the depositional environment in the system and a draft 
of your model diagram(s).

Turn in the following:

  • consultant- initialed, marked -up draft
  • all additional written comments from consultant
  • clean, revised version of draft
  • list of how you incorporated consultant suggestions into your revised manuscript
  • all of the above, plus
  • correspondence between field, environment descriptions, and diagrams
  • data/interpretation agreement 
  • attention to previous comments (including my comments on the previous draft)

Third DRAFT

Completed and ready for discussion with Writing Consultant during tutorial session #3


Draft #3 should be a COMPLETE DRAFT of your paper -- 
including a discussion of the vertical sequence proposed in 
your model, the conditions under which such a sequence 
might be deposited, and its preservation potential.  It must 
include ALL of the required components.  Don't forget to 
consult (again) your field trip and writing handout.

Turn in the following:

  • consultant- initialed, marked -up draft
  • all additional written comments from consultant
  • clean, revised version of draft
  • list of how you incorporated consultant suggestions into your revised manuscript
  • all of the above, plus
  • your facies model and analysis of preservation potential and depositional conditions
  • abstract and summary
  • your attention to previous comments (including my comments on the previous draft)

FINAL Report DUE

Tues.,
12/07

(9:30 am)

Turn in a complete, clean final draft AND all previous drafts and commentary.

 


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Date last revised: 08/02/10
http://core.ecu.edu/geology/rigsbyc/rigsby/Sedimentology/2010/writing.html