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Writing Assignment #2
Overview:
California has been experiencing a multi-year drought, and Chico is not an exception. Given that
Chico receives much of its precipitation during the winter months, any additional precipitation
above normal during the winter months is clearly helpful to remediate the drought. Over the
water year of 2015-16 (October 2015 through September 2016), we experienced a strong El Niño
event. El Niño alters weather events worldwide, and generally leads to a greater frequency and
intensity of rain events in California.
In this assignment, you describe the climate for Chico (and California) and compare what
was likely to have happened with what actually happened for the last winter (the winter of
2015-16) with the data provided (figures 1 through 3). You will refer to these figures to support
your arguments (instructions 2 through 4 below). If you use any information from external
sources, you must cite that information.
Turn in:
Submit the paper via a Turnitin link on Blackboard. Make sure that your paper adheres to the
following paper-formatting requirements:
two-page maximum (only the first two pages of text will be considered for points)
12-point font size
double-spaced line spacing
Times New Roman font
one-inch margins
subheader for each section (much like these instructions)
Again, do not exceed the two-page limit. If your paper is longer than two pages, you need to edit
out filler and repeated statements. Be concise.
Instructions:
Review the attached rubric to understand what must be included and what we are looking for.
Your paper must have five distinct sections as specified below:
1. Introduction – what is this paper about? How will you accomplish your task? You
should clearly state a thesis statement in this paragraph, followed by brief/concise
descriptions of how your paper is organized.
2. Describe the precipitation pattern and distribution for Chico (see Figure 1). Make sure to
briefly summarize the Mediterranean climate in this paragraph with a focus on its unique
precipitation pattern. Associate this climate to Chico’s precipitation pattern.
3. El Niño is known to affect California’s winter precipitation. Describe what is likely to
happen to California’s precipitation during the winter if there is a strong El Niño event
(see Figure 2).
4. One of the strongest El Niño events on record has ended. In general, how is California’s
precipitation (difference from average in Figure 3) correlated to strong El Niño events?
Did we have an amount of precipitation that is unique to a strong El Niño winter?
Compare and contrast this past winter’s (2015-16) precipitation amount to other winters
when strong El Niño events took place. Note: the years of 1982-83 and 1997-98 are
strong El Niño years (see Figure 3).
5. Conclusion. Briefly summarize the main points of your paper. Do not introduce new
items and repeat your findings in length here.
Tips:
Be concise. Get to the point. This is technical writing, not story time.
Be confident about the data. Report what the data is showing in specific terms.
All claims/conclusive statements must be supported with data that is specifically stated in
the text. Unsupported statements are useless.
Writing Assignment 2 Readinesss Quiz (5 points)
You are going to take a Writing Assignment 2 Readiness Quiz. This readiness quiz tests your
understanding of the datasets provided in this Writing Assignment. By taking this readiness quiz
first before start writing, you will already have an understanding of the datasets you are writing
about.
Temperature (°C)
25
12.4
14
11.6
11.8
10.9
20
8.3
12
10
8
15
10
6
4.5
3.6
2.7
5
1.3
1.1
0.1
4
2
0.2
0
0
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Month
Precip
Temp
Figure 1: Climograph for Chico, CA
Source: https://weather.com/weather/monthly/l/USCA0211:1:U
Precipitation (cm)
30
Figure 2: El Niño impact on winter rain days
Source: https://www.climate.gov/news-features/blogs/enso/october-2015-el-niño-update-pumpkin-spice
Figure 3: California Precipitation and ENSO Status, Dec-Mar
Source: https://www.climate.gov/news-features/blogs/enso/long-arm-california-drought
Poor
Fair
Good
Great
Format
10% of grade
Did not follow required
format, doesn’t have a title or
subheadings
Minimal effort to follow required
format, has a title but doesn’t
describe topic, no subheadings
Reasonable effort to follow required
format, has a title which gives
information about the main topic,
some subheadings
Followed required format, clear
title which gives specific
information about main topic, all
subheadings
Introduction
10% of grade
There is no clear introduction
or objective/hypothesis and
the structure of the paper is
missing.
The introduction states the
objective/hypothesis but does not
adequately preview the structure
of the paper.
The introduction states the
objective/hypothesis and previews
the structure of the paper.
The introduction is engaging,
states the objective/hypothesis and
previews the structure of the
paper.
Chico Precipitation
10% of grade
Incorrect results provided,
Mediterranean climate not
defined, precipitation
pattern/distribution not
described, lack of specific
data
Mostly correct results provided,
Mediterranean climate somewhat
defined, precipitation
pattern/distribution described
poorly, lack of specific data, poor
organization of material
All results recorded and organized in
an acceptable manner,
Mediterranean climate defined,
precipitation pattern/distribution
described, specific data present,
organization is logical
All results recorded and organized
in an clear manner, Mediterranean
climate defined, precipitation
pattern/distribution described well,
specific data present, organization
is logical and clear
El Niño Potential Impact
20% of grade
Incorrect results provided,
analysis of data is incorrect,
observations not included,
poor organization of data,
lack of specific data
Mostly correct results provided,
analysis of data is present but
lacking substance, observations
not included or lacking, minimal
organization and reporting of
specific data
All results are recorded and
organized in an acceptable manner,
analysis of data is provided with a
few errors, observations included,
specific data included
All results are recorded and
organized in a clear manner,
Analysis of data is provided with no
errors, observations clearly
included, data is specific and
logically organized
2015-16 El Niño Comparison
20% of grade
Incorrect comparison
provided, analysis of data is
incorrect, observations not
included, poor organization
of data, lack of conclusive
data comparison
Mostly correct comparison
provided, analysis of data is
present but lacks substance,
observations lacking, minimal
organization and reporting of
data comparison
Data comparisons are recorded and
organized in an acceptable manner,
analysis is provided with a few
errors, observations included, logical
conclusive statements
Comparison of data is recorded
and organized in a clear manner,
analysis is provided with no errors,
observations clearly included,
logical conclusive statements
Name:
Points
/5
/5
/5
/10
/10
/5
Conclusion/Summary
10% of grade
Does not summarize paper,
repeats previous statements.
Not clearly a conclusion.
Presents new material.
Minimal attempt to summarize
paper, has repetition of previous
statements and/or presents new
material.
Clear summary of paper, repeats
some previous statements. Student
clearly understands research but did
not perfectly articulate a summary.
Clear summary of paper, does not
repeat previous statements.
Student clearly understands
research and effectively articulates
a summary.
Professionalism
10% of grade
Numerous and distracting
errors in punctuation,
capitalization, spelling,
and/or grammar
Many errors in punctuation,
capitalization, spelling, and/or
grammar.
Almost no errors in
punctuation, capitalization,
spelling, and/or grammar
No errors in punctuation,
capitalization, spelling, and/or
grammar
Rough Draft
10% of grade
Did not bring a rough draft at
all.
N/A
Rough draft was present though
lacked substance.
Extensive rough draft was
presented.
Total Points
Comments:
/5
/5
/50