Evolution or Creation: Questions

Introduction | Definitions | Evolution | Creationism | Internet | Questions

Here are a few questions you might want to think about as you explore the resources on this page:

1. Concept Safari: Search the web for the following concepts. Use the search technique described in the University of Illinois Grammar Safari page to find uses. Find example pages, print them out, and be prepared to share with the class. Be sure to save the exact URL of each example you collect.
   Darwinism
   Creationism
   natural selection
   Genesis
2. Vocabulary Safari:
   evidence
   selection
   evolution
   origin
   • Locate 6 examples of the word by using the search techniques described on the Grammar Safari page. Try to locate 3 examples from web pages related to the issue of abortion and 3 from pages related to other topics. Copy the examples to a word processing file to save for later.
   • Paraphrase the example sentences.
   • Write 2 sentences using each word.
   • List and practice: write these words on a small index card. Keep it with you and use each word at least twice a day for the next 5 days.
3. Both Sides: write or prepare for oral presentation a brief summary of the arguments in the evolution vs. creationism debate. Support your explanation with references to online resources. You might want to use one or more of the following questions as a basis for you presentation:
   
   • What are the main points of the argument against evolution?
   • What are the main points of the argument against creationism?
   • What are the main points of the argument for creationism?
   • What are the main points of the argument for evolution?
   • How do "creationists" reconcile the fossil record? How do "evolutionists" reconcile the belief in God?
4. Common ground? Write a short paper explaining the efforts that have been made to find areas of agreement and cooperation between these groups? Are these efforts likely to be more successful or unsuccessful?
5. Whom do you trust? As you explore the links on this page you will find that some make contradictory claims. Which of them can you feel most confident in trusting, and why? How can you judge whether or not information you find on the Internet is worthy of consideration?
6. Essay: choose one of the questions below and write a one- to two-page typed essay which answers it. Use at least two or three references to internet resources, and be sure to cite them correctly (check our guide to citations if you need help):
   • Definition essay: Write an essay providing a short, nontechnical explanation of either 'creationism' or 'evolution.'
   • Narration essay: Write an essay tracing the evolution of humans from early primates to modern homo sapiens, according to commonly accepted evolutionary theory.
   • Contrast essay: Write an essay explaining how people with different ideas about natural history would explain the fossil record.
   • Process essay: Write an essay explaining how natural selection is understood to function by evolutionists.
7. Website analysis: Choose a website from among the links on this page, or find another on the topic. Write a short paper or prepare an oral presentation answering the following questions:
   • What is the site's purpose?
   • What is the intended audience of the site?
   • Is the site's information up-to-date; how can you tell?
   • Is the site's information reliable; how can you tell?
   • For what kind of writing would this website be an appropriate source?
8. Poster project: Create a poster illustrating one or another of the views about natural history discussed in this unit. Explain the poster to the class.