WRITINGASSIGNMENT TOPIC: Natural Sciences discipline: BIOLOGY

Write a 500-word interdisciplinary reflection essay on the germ theory of disease. For centuries humankind did not know how diseases were spread. In the mid-1800’s, it was discovered that germs caused disease. The germ theory of disease is interesting to reflect on because it was a shift in the natural sciences that had far-reaching impacts on many other disciplines as well. This reflection essay is NOT a research paper. You do not need to go online or to the library to find information about this topic. You will not need to cite references at the end of your paper or make in-text citations. A reflection essay deals with information from your personal experience, observations of the world around you, your workplace, and your community. We want to hear your voice and your words on this topic. For the essay to be interdisciplinary, it must include more than one discipline. Those disciplines are specified in the instructions below.

THE FIVE-PARAGRAPH ESSAY (INSTRUCTIONS)

When writing this essay, please use the five-paragraph approach. In this case, each paragraph should be approximately 100 words long. This is by no means the only formula for writing such essays, but for this assignment, it serves our purposes well. This method consists of:

1. Add a title page with all the information that is highlighted in yellow on the title page of the “APA Sample Paper” that is provided.

2. Do NOT include an “abstract” page. An abstract it not necessary for the purposes of this essay.

3. PARAGRAPH 1 (100 words) – An introductory paragraph

Clearly and concisely states the paper’s purpose, which is engaging, and thought provoking.

a. Set the context –provide general information about the main idea, explaining the situation so the reader can make sense of the topic and the claims you make and support

b. State why the main idea is important –tell the reader why he or she should care and keep reading. Your goal is to create a compelling, clear, and convincing essay people will want to read and act upon

c. State your thesis/claim –compose a sentence or two stating the position you will support

4. Three evidentiary body paragraphs (paragraphs 2-4)

a. PARAGRAPH 2 (100 words) – Reflect on the natural science discipline of biology and how the germ theory of disease affected the health sciences and how we approach and research medicine.

b. PARAGRAPH 3 (100 words) – Reflect on the social sciences discipline of psychology and how we think differently about our lives knowing that many diseases that used to kill people can be cured.

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c. PARAGRAPH 4 (100 words) – Reflect on how the germ theory of disease affected natural sciences discipline of botany. (i.e. Many plant extracts are used in modern medicine.)

5. PARAGRAPH 5 (100 words) – A conclusion paragraph

In your conclusion, reflect on what you see as the positives and negatives for both the individual and society since the discovery of the germ theory of disease. Reflect on what you have learned that you did not know before and perhaps what you can use in your personal and professional life based on your reflections.

6. No citations page is needed. Citations pages are required when you are acquiring information from outside resources. In a reflection essay, the information is coming from within. It is information from your personal experience, observations of the world around you, your workplace, and your community.

FORMATTING: Double spaced, Times New Roman font, 12-point text, one-inch page margins. College-level writing is expected. The paper will be graded, in part, for content, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and sentence structure.

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