Teaching writing skills in online paleontology and evolution courses

Though foundational knowledge and technical skills are frequently rightfully emphasized in biology curricula, transferrable skills, including writing, under-prioritized to the detriment of graduates scientific field. In an effort target this gap, we designed assessments online paleontology evolution courses foster critical analysis, synthesis, written communication among students. This article describes model writing assignments for a variety college at different levels audiences. For example, appropriate analysis comparison major texts like Darwin’s On Origin Species by Means Natural Selection can be approached students general education as well upper-level science within their major. another assignment, write assess effectiveness novel characters phylogenetic systematics. Last, describe assignment that introduces paleoecological interpretation develop expository scientists non-scientists alike.