How to Write the Weekly Short Essays
The weekly short essay is the chance to synthesize the material for that week. To do so, look at the question for the week before you read the selection, and watch the film. Then take notes while you do these things with the question in mind.
Next, organize the notes. There should be one quote, or summarized piece of information, per source. You do not need to formally cite the material, but should reference the source.
Make sure you have one to two sentences that clearly answers the question. This is your thesis statement.
Write the essay. Put your thesis statement at the beginning of the short essay. What follows should be the evidence you found in the week’s material that supports your thesis.
How did microbiology transform the way we think about the history of the planet and of humans?
Be sure to use the material for the week.
Resources:
Catastrophe: Episode 4, Asteroid Impact
Using DNA to Identify Individuals
https://www.yourgenome.org/stories/the-eureka-moment-that-revolutionised-crime-solving
Obituary for Luigi Cavalli-Stforza
https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2018/09/luigi-luca-cavalli-sforza-a-giant-in-population-geneticsdies-at-96.html