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\centerline{MONT 100N -- Modeling the Environment}
\centerline{Second Essay}
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The second of the larger paper assignments this semester will deal with 
various aspects of the Purgatory Chasm state park that we will visit
on October 21.  

For the purposes of this assignment, you should think of yourself as something 
like an author of a {\it guidebook entry} for Purgatory Chasm, writing for educated
readers who know nothing about the history of the chasm or the possible scientific 
explanations of how its geological features came to be, but who might be interested
in visiting and want to know what's interesting about this location. For the assignment, 
you will need to conduct some research and write an essay incorporating answers 
to the questions posed below.  If you need help, our Science Librarian, Ms. 
Barbara Merolli will be more than happy to assist you in locating sources
in print and online forms.

As a responsible guide book author, you should try to indicate why the chasm is 
an interesting and enjoyable place to visit, but you shouldn't go overboard 
with outlandish claims such as, ``this is the most amazing place on the face of 
the earth.''  Keep the tone quietly enthusiastic, but not overblown.   Most 
importantly, your paper must include answers to the specific questions below, 
{\it but it should be structured as an actual essay, not just a list of answers.}  
Document your sources with footnotes and a ``Works Consulted'' list at the end
of your paper.  

Note:  The assignment will be perfectly doable even if you are not able to 
participate in the field trip.  However, the personal experience gained
from actually seeing the place will probably be helpful. If you go on the trip, 
you will probably want to take pictures to refresh your memory as 
you write later.  {\it It is OK to share photos with members of the 
class who cannot participate in the field trip.}  But of course, the 
essay itself must be your own work.

Your finished essay is due no later than 5:00pm on Friday, November 3, 
by email to {\tt jlittle@holycross.edu}.

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{\it Questions}
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\item{1.}  Who previously owned the land purchased by the state of Massachusetts
to form the current state park?
\item{2.}  When was the Purgatory Chasm State Reservation created and how was
it created?
\item{3.}  How big is the state park?  
\item{4.}  What are the names of the six trails and five of the marked
rock formations?  (You might include descriptions and/or personal impressions of which are 
the most picturesque here.)
\item{5.}  Who was Thomas Clemens Wohlbr\"uck and what was his connection with 
Purgatory Chasm?
\item{6.}  What theory of the formation of the Chasm was proposed by Edward
Hitchcock in 1841?  What is the problem with Hitchcock's theory?
\item{7.}  What theory for the formation of the Chasm was proposed by 
Prof. W.O. Crosby and his son, Irving B. Crosby.  What is the problem 
with Prof. Crosby's theory?
\item{8.}  What theory for the formation of the Chasm was proposed by 
Prof. R.J. Lougee?  What is the problem with Prof. Lougee's theory?
\item{9.}  What theory for the formation of the Chasm was proposed
by Prof. Mauri Pelto?


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{\it Guidelines for this assignment}
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Follow these specifications:
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\item{1.}  {\it You will need to consult sources -- books, articles, web sites, etc. for this 
assignment.  If you make use of direct quotations or ideas presented in those sources, 
then provide enough information for an interested reader
to find and check the source you are using.  For books, give the author, title, publisher, year of
publication, and page where your information is coming from.  For web sites, give the full URL,
an author if you can identify one, and the date you consulted the site.} 
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\item{2.}  The article (paper) as a whole should be well-organized and ``flow'' 
from one point to the next.  For instance, you might start out with a few sentences about the
general history of Purgatory Chasm, then describe the rock formations and trails that
are the attractions for visitors.  Then your final section might deal with the different
scientific theories of how the Chasm was formed.   Do not get ahead of yourself.
Say one thing at a time.  If you decide you want to add something, 
do not just tack it on somewhere.  Instead, figure out where it fits in the overall
scheme of your description and put it where it belongs.
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\item{3.}  Your sentences should be clear, readable, and
not overly wordy.  You should aim for a lively style and the 
writing should be in your own voice.  But please
think twice before using very colloquial ways of saying things.
If they contribute to the point you are trying to make, that is fine.  
But do it for a reason.   
Also, {\it please do not use a thesaurus to find impressive-sounding words} 
when simpler alternatives are available. 
An important lesson to learn for writing in college is that thesauri 
do not capture the {\it nuances in meanings} that underlie good writing.  
If you must use a thesaurus, also look up any words you select in a 
dictionary to make sure they mean exactly what you think they do!
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\item{4.} Errors in mechanics (spelling, punctuation, grammar) and usage should 
not annoy the reader (your editor).  (A word of warning: 
Your reader (i.e. Prof. Little) tends to get {\it easily annoyed by this 
sort of thing!}) Try as much as possible to avoid those mistakes.
\bye
