PERIOD 4 AND PERIOD 6 RESEARCH ASSIGNMENT

Mr. Jacobs
English
April 2009
ESSAY

YOUR TASK:
“Which is stronger, Nature or Nurture?”

This is a very complex question. Put simply, the question means “which affects you more- the qualities and abilities you were born with and are part of you (NATURE) or the way you were raised, educated, and/or trained (NURTURE)?

While this is a subject debated by scientists, psychologists, behaviorists, anthropologists, and many other scientists in many branches of science, we will attempt to answer the question using both literature and current events.

You will write a well-developed essay of no less than two and a half full pages, not including the page of sources.
You must take an opinion- which is stronger- nature or nurture?
You will back up your opinion with facts about BOTH the recent Connecticut
chimpanzee attack and our novel, The Island of Dr. Moreau.
You will us standard essay format- introduction, body, and conclusion.
You must use at least SIX different sources.
· You must cite articles from two different newspapers.
· You must cite The Island of Dr. Moreau, including page numbers and quotes from the book.
· You must cite from at least three sources that are not newspapers or the novel.
· You must use at least one source not provided by Mr. Jacobs.
You must include a list of all sources used. In addition to the ones provided, you must cite at least three new sources you found on your own.

REMEMBER- Use quotation marks.
Say where quotes came from.
Do not plagiarize. It is an automatic failure if you do.
Don’t forget- your notebook may have helpful notes about The Island of Dr. Moreau.

IMPORTANT!
This is due THE DAY YOU RETURN FROM THE BREAK! NO EXCEPTIONS!
This MUST be typed. (single spaced, size 12 font, Times New Roman only)

How much is this essay worth?
This is your mid-term exam.


On the next page you will find a list of helpful links to get you started.
Remember- you must also do some research on your own.

The following links are from The New York Daily News about the recent chimpanzee attack:

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/us_world/2009/03/09/2009-03-09_chimp_in_swedish_zoo_named_santino_hoard.html

http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/2009/02/19/2009-02-19_how_wild_is_too_wild_pets_that_are_prohi.html

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2009/02/16/2009-02-16_police_pet_chimpanzee_travis_attacks_wom.html

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2009/02/22/2009-02-22_man_who_lost_face_in_05_mauling_knows_he.html

The following links are from The New York Times about the same attack:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/17/world/americas/17iht-18chimp.20259272.html?_r=1&scp=9&sq=travis%20chimp&st=cse

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/26/garden/26primates.html?scp=10&sq=travis%20chimp&st=cse

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/06/opinion/06iht-edsiebert.1.20644304.html?scp=8&sq=travis%20chimp&st=cse

The following links are from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals:

http://www.opposingviews.com/articles/opinion-travis-the-chimpanzee-not-to-blame-for-attack-on-woman

http://blog.peta.org/archives/chimpanzee/

Here you will find general chimpanzee information from National Geographic:

http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/chimpanzee.html

These links have information about nature vs. nurture. They can be scientific and I encourage you to PLEASE, do your own research to understand the issue.

http://psychology.wikia.com/wiki/Nature_versus_nurture

http://environmentalet.org/psy111/naturenurture.htm


ALL INFORMATION AND LINKS ON THIS PAGE CAN BE FOUND ON MY BLOGWWW.MRJACOBSBLOG.BLOGSPOT.COM