IDSB02 – Development and Environment
Essay assignment instructions
Introduction
The ability to effectively communicate ideas at the complex interface between
environmental and development processes across landscapes is critical to sustainable
development, and the general welfare of society. Yet adequate investigation of these
interactions is often neglected during management decisions. Therefore, the objective of
your research essay is to develop arguments for questions provided by the instructor on
complex development–environment issues introduced in class.
The essay makes up 30% of your total mark for this course.
Requirements
Length: All essays must be 5-6 pages in length. Essays that are too short or too long will
have marks deducted. More importantly, these questions are designed such that on one
hand, they cannot be answered thoroughly in less than 5 pages.
Format: Essays must be typed, double-spaced, 12 pt font and default margins.
Research details: Essays must use at least eight different primary sources from
appropriate academic sources. Peer-reviewed journal articles are the preferred source of
primary information, while government and non-governmental documents, monographs
and textbooks are appropriate secondary academic resources. Novels, encyclopedia,
dictionaries, opinion websites, your lecture notes, and wikis are not. If you are not sure
whether your resources are appropriate, ask the TA or the course instructor. Remember
that four primary sources is the minimum research effort required beyond the
sources (four) listed on the essay topic document.
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Citing Literature
Use in-text name and date systems when citing your sources (APA system). An example
is as follows:
“Expert opinion and studies are unanimous that essay writing is extremely important in
university education (Isaac, 2022).”
You will then need a reference page with works fully cited, a sample entry of which is:
Isaac, M. (2022). Essays are great. Journal of Canadian Essays, 33, 123-132.
Research tools
You will need to engage scholarly literature to write successful essays. I suggest
checking:
https://login.library.utoronto.ca/index.php?url=https://apps.webofknowledge.com
which will link you to the University of Toronto log in page for Web of Science database.
We will also have a Librarian led session on research tools.
Late policy
Students requiring extensions on papers must arrange these extensions in advance of the
deadline. Assignments will be subject to a late penalty of 5% per day (including
weekends) of the total marks for the assignment. Assignments will not be accepted seven
days after the due date and will be assigned a grade of zero.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is a serious academic offence. Please read the faculty’s guidelines on
plagiarism. Do not hesitate to consult with your instructor or TA about strategies that you
can use to avoid being accused of plagiarism. See the academic calendar for a full
description of plagiarism.
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Marking criteria
This essay is graded according to the standards in the academic calendar. Clear
communication of ideas is extremely important. Therefore, poor grammar, weak
argumentation, and illegibility will be considered when a mark is assigned.
You will be assessed on:
• A concise and coherent topic/ thesis statement.
• Grammar, spelling, style, including but not limited to correct spelling and concise report
writing style plus complete and correct reference list.
• Structure, organization, references, including but not limited to effective introduction,
concise conclusions, suitable length, logical and smooth transition between paragraphs
and sections, appropriate use of citations in report body, relevance and quality of
references used.
• Presentation and content.
• Insight and analysis including but not limited to critical thought and synthesis of
material, use of literature and/or studies to support discussion, depth of discussion,
critical analysis.