UGFN1000L

In Dialogue with Nature

Term Paper
Dr. Li Ming, Kenneth
Lecturer
General Education Foundation Programme
Office of University General Education
 Plagiarism and Academic
Dishonesty
Citation is a MUST!
Do NOT submit your other homework (partly or entirely) as
TP
E.g. copying part of your RJ and posts in discussion
forum to TP, or extend the RJ to become TP Academic
dishonesty!
Academic dishonesty could be zero mark!
CUHK CLEAR: http://
www.cuhk.edu.hk/clear/tnl/acad_honesty.html

[10 min 15 sec]

http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/clear/tnl/Plagiarism_Cantonese.html
VeriGuide vs. Worry Guy
 Subdivision of mark
Higher level thinking Ideas, arguments, reasoning, logic,
(max 6 points) elaboration, coherence, integration,
innovation, creativity
Understanding of the Explanation and interpretation of concepts in
text texts, cross-text referencing
(max 4 points)
Language Precise wording, accurate terms, typo and
(max 2 points) grammar, sentence structure
Format Overall essay structure, citation and
(max 2 points) footnote format,
excessively exceeded suggested word count
Total e.g.
(max 14 points)
TP: 35% of total 13 xin0.9
mark (late submission penalty for
UGFN
For more detail: one day) = 11.7
UGFN1000L Grading Guideline.pdf on
Blackboard

TP accounts for 35% of the total mark,

take it seriously!!!
 Writing Tips Grading
Guideline
Higher level thinking (6 points)
Coherence (logically related points), Not only a list of
points!
Your reflections based on the texts!
Summarizing the texts or other references do not indicate
a higher level of thinking!
Understanding of the texts (4 points)
Not just a summary or direct quoting!
Texts as the support of your arguments
Language (2 points)
This is very important but commonly ignored. Try to polish
the language of your essay and keep the sentence precise.
This will make your arguments more understandable.
Format (2 points)
Word count: 1200-1600 in English or 1800-2400 in Chinese
Structure and citation (Please read see next slide)
5
 Writing Tips - Structure
Introduction
The importance of the topic and the scope of your essay should be explain clearly.
Working definition of terms can be explained here or in the footnote.
Essay Body
Paragraphing your arguments. Usually (but not a must), one argument is
presented in one paragraph. Subtitles may be used (optional).
Including a thesis statement and a conclusive sentence for each argument is good
Your arguments should be supported by the texts in UGFN and other information.
Please elaborate your ideas logically and clearly, step by step! Representative
examples should be used. Otherwise, your arguments will be vague.
The arguments should be inter-related and presented in a smooth flow.
Be creative, on both argument points and wiring format.
Conclusion
Conclusion is crucial! It is a paragraph, not one sentence.
Please note the difference between a summary and a conclusion.
The conclusion should echo with the scope stated in Introduction.
Citation
Both of in-text citation and a reference list at the end are important!!!!!
Please use the correct citation format!
6
 Other Writing Concerns
Follow the templates for term paper uploaded on Blackboard
Please indicate at the end of your TP if you want to have my short
comment
TP file format:
.docx or .doc or .pdf
iOS user should pay extra attention to the file format
Filename:
Full Name + SID + TP (e.g. Li Ming Kenneth 123456789 TP)
Filename should contain NO Chinese characters
Best Essay Award
For each academic year, students are welcome to join the best
essay award competition. If you plan to submit your TP for the
competition, you should pay attention to write a paper in a high
and publishable standard.
Please check the information of the Best Essay Award on GEF
Programme website:
http://www5.cuhk.edu.hk/oge/index.php/tc/gefchi
 Submission
Date: postponed from 13th Dec 2015 (Sun) to 16th Dec 2015 (Wed)
Time: by 23:59
Place: VeriGuide ONLY (tutorial group page, assignment 2).
No Blackboard, email nor hardcopy
Please make sure the uploaded file is the correct version, and is
readable!
Try to download your uploaded file and see if it can be opened
properly
Penalty for Late Submission :
Late for one day: deduct 10% of total mark
Late for two days: deduct 10% + 20% (= 30%) of total mark
Late for three days: deduct 10% + 20% + 30% (= 60%) of total mark
Late for more than three days: deduct 10% + 20% + 30% + 40% (=
100%) of total mark
 Submission Checklist
Are you using the correct format as shown in the templates?
Are your info and the topic no. clearly indicated in your essay?
Have you included a word count at the end of your essay?
Have you included a reference list at the end of your essay?
Is the reference list in the correct format?
Is the filename of your document in the correct format?
Are you uploading the most updated version of your essay?
Is the submission to VeriGuide successful?

* 9
 Topic 1

On Science and Virtue

Can science be applied to the pursuit of truth, goodness
and beauty? Please support your arguments by referring to
at least THREE texts from at least TWO parts of this
course.

10
 Topic 2

(James D. Watson)

On Life
James D. Watson said, Life was just a matter of physics and
chemistry, albeit exquisitely organized physics and chemistry.
Do you agree with the implication of this claim that, in
principle, all life phenomena can be explained by physics and
chemistry? Please support your arguments by referring to at
least THREE texts from at least TWO parts of this course.

11
 Topic 3

[1]

On Transcendence of Human
There was an old saying Human is transcendent to all things
and is the most precious of all. [1] Do you agree with this
claim? Please support your arguments by referring to at least
THREE texts from at least TWO parts of this course.

[1]

12
 Topic 4

Free Topic
You are welcome to design your own topic based on what you
have learnt in this course. Please support your arguments by
referring to at least THREE texts from at least TWO parts of
this course.