Freethought & Rationalism Archive

kenni · 09-12-2005, 05:12 PM

For English class this year, we have to write a 4-6 page research paper, and as my topic, I chose Evolution v. ID. This is very broad, obviously, and I was wondering in which direction I should aim my paper? If it should be mainly about exposing the 'ID movement', or if it should be mainly reaffirming and representing the science supporting evolution, or if it should be a persuasive paper outlining why ID shouldn't be taught, why evolution should, etc.

Also, what main points do you think I should make sure to include? Any information (especially with links to credible sources) would help tremendously.

*sigh* And I have to have it all finished by the 30th... off to Talk.Origins now, I suppose.

Worldtraveller · 09-12-2005, 05:21 PM

Heh. 4-6 pages?? Some people here have posts that are longer than that, on average.....several times a day!

Talkorigins is a great place to start. Might help you narrow it down too. Is there a particular aspect of the debate, or even one of the two sides that is particularly interesting to you?

Cheers,
Lane

maurile · 09-12-2005, 05:23 PM

If your topic is Evolution vs. ID, you would do well to contrast them in a number of areas.

- How each idea is advanced by its proponents. (Research papers on various aspects of evolutionary theory are published every week in peer-reviewed science journals; stuff about ID is published mostly on websites, but sometimes in popular books or magazines.)

- Whether either idea is scientific. (What does it mean for an idea to make testable predictions? Is evolution testable? [See 29 Evidences for Macroevolution at talkorigins.] Is ID testable?)

- Support for each idea among scientists. (Compare Project Steve with the Discovery Institute's list.)

And so on.

kenni · 09-12-2005, 09:24 PM

Yeah, yeah... I know 4-6 pages isn't a whole lot, but since I'm lazy and procrastinate, it's a formidable obstacle just to actually start the damn thing

Anyway, the move I've been thinking about this, the more I think that the best way to do this is to compare/contrast the views, the means by which each view is advocated, etc, with the thesis (main point) of showing why ID should not be taught in schools (it's religiously/politically motivated, not scientific, etc) and why evolution shouldn't be 'watered down' or pushed aside in favor of it.

:thumbs: Maurile, those are things I will most definitely include

Anything else I should I make sure to add? Maybe things like 'common misconceptions'? :huh:

NottyImp · 09-13-2005, 12:46 AM

Quote:

...but since I'm lazy and procrastinate, it's a formidable obstacle just to actually start the damn thing...

You've just described me! And I'm starting a teaching degree this term.

*sigh*

09-12-2005, 05:12 PM	#1
kenni Regular Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: at the computer Posts: 193	Writing a Paper - Assistance Requested For English class this year, we have to write a 4-6 page research paper, and as my topic, I chose Evolution v. ID. This is very broad, obviously, and I was wondering in which direction I should aim my paper? If it should be mainly about exposing the 'ID movement', or if it should be mainly reaffirming and representing the science supporting evolution, or if it should be a persuasive paper outlining why ID shouldn't be taught, why evolution should, etc. Also, what main points do you think I should make sure to include? Any information (especially with links to credible sources) would help tremendously. sigh And I have to have it all finished by the 30th... off to Talk.Origins now, I suppose.

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09-12-2005, 05:21 PM	#2
Worldtraveller Banned Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 7,834	Heh. 4-6 pages?? Some people here have posts that are longer than that, on average.....several times a day! Talkorigins is a great place to start. Might help you narrow it down too. Is there a particular aspect of the debate, or even one of the two sides that is particularly interesting to you? Cheers, Lane

09-12-2005, 05:23 PM	#3
maurile Regular Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: San Diego Posts: 360	If your topic is Evolution vs. ID, you would do well to contrast them in a number of areas. - How each idea is advanced by its proponents. (Research papers on various aspects of evolutionary theory are published every week in peer-reviewed science journals; stuff about ID is published mostly on websites, but sometimes in popular books or magazines.) - Whether either idea is scientific. (What does it mean for an idea to make testable predictions? Is evolution testable? [See 29 Evidences for Macroevolution at talkorigins.] Is ID testable?) - Support for each idea among scientists. (Compare Project Steve with the Discovery Institute's list.) And so on.

09-12-2005, 09:24 PM	#4
kenni Regular Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: at the computer Posts: 193	Yeah, yeah... I know 4-6 pages isn't a whole lot, but since I'm lazy and procrastinate, it's a formidable obstacle just to actually start the damn thing Anyway, the move I've been thinking about this, the more I think that the best way to do this is to compare/contrast the views, the means by which each view is advocated, etc, with the thesis (main point) of showing why ID should not be taught in schools (it's religiously/politically motivated, not scientific, etc) and why evolution shouldn't be 'watered down' or pushed aside in favor of it. :thumbs: Maurile, those are things I will most definitely include Anything else I should I make sure to add? Maybe things like 'common misconceptions'? :huh:

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