Paper 4:

All the writing assignments have components that are very similar, but there are parts that are particular for only this paper. We begin with the details of this paper.

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Overview of Paper 4: A reporter from the Houston Chronicle needs to know about the evidence for stellar black holes. In answering this question, some other questions come to mind. For example, “What are black holes?” and “How are they formed?” To make it simple, you are only being asked about stellar black holes, not supermassive black holes.

The Assignment: You are working at the Houston Chronicle as a summer intern. Because you have taken a course that discusses this question you are tasked with this assignment. Your job is to create a short and sweet paper that answers the question about the evidence for stellar black holes and contains (as part of the explanation) the answers to the questions above in plain language so that the reporter and general public can understand them. Said differently, based on your report, they need to be able to understand and answer each question quickly and intelligently.

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Some additional comments particular to this assignment:

Clearly describe what stellar black holes are and include the most important properties of black holes (mass, size, what makes them black etc.)

Describe quickly how they are created.

Describe how they are observed which provides the evidence for them.

If you are going to use words like event horizon or escape velocity, you explain them clearly.

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The portion that is identical for all assignments:

How you will be graded: Your document needs to include all the important pieces of evidence, follow the above instructions and take into account the requirements below. You will be graded on your ability to do it all. You are expected to get help from the Writing Center or the TA if you need it. Other requirements include:

      Use only language that can be understood by a lay-person who has NOT taken the class (no buzz words!).

      It must be easy to read.

      The paper must be clear and concise, with a proper essay format. It should be between 400-750 words, although you are allowed to make it longer, more is unlikely to be short and sweet. While it needs to touch on the major big picture issues and use plain language, it obviously cant go into too much detail on any one topic.

      Your introduction must mention the evidence/talking points to be discussed as well as outline the argument that will be used in the paper. In particular it needs to have an introductory paragraph that mentions each of the pieces of evidence/talking points.

      It must have proper paragraph structure including topic sentences for each paragraph.

      You may choose the number of pieces of evidence (and number of evidence/talking point paragraphs), but this is NOT an independent research project. You are to use only evidence explained in class and in the textbook. You should not assume you need to have three and only three pieces of evidence nor do you need three and only three evidence paragraphs. While you may choose your number of evidence paragraphs, the typical writer will choose one paragraph per piece of evidence. Additional paragraphs may be used to explain any physics concepts that are required to understand the evidence as long as you stay on-topic.

        It must also have a conclusion paragraph that ties the pieces of evidence/talking points together; it cannot just be a restating of the evidence.

        This is NOT an opportunity for you to show off your creative writing skill. You are being asked to write using a specific format and you will be evaluated on your ability to read instructions and follow directions. For example, did you submit your paper to turnitin.com

      Your information (for example your name and UIN) should not be on the paper itself.

We understand that this is a tough assignment and are happy to discuss the issues and the structure of the document with you at any time before you turn it in. There are lots of people out there who can help you. We encourage you to discuss the issues with them before writing your paper, and have them, the TA for the course and/or the Writing Center if necessary, help you make the text clear and understandable to the lay person before turning it in. We warn you that it will be embarrassing if it appears you have plagiarized (either from others in the class, others who have taken the class or the textbooks themselves) make sure your work is your own.