Thermal Circulations and the 3-cell Model of the Earth's
Global Scale Circulation - 1S1P Report Writing Guidelines
You can earn up to 8 points for report content, up to 4 pts for
writing quality, and up to 3 additional pts for a carefully drawn
and clearly labelled picture of the surface features in the 3-cell
model of the earth's global scale pressure and wind patterns.
Content
You should devote perhaps a
quarter or third of your report to thermal circulations.
What causes them, what direction does the wind blow in a thermal
circulation? The major portion of your report should be
about the earth's global scale pressure and winds. What
ultimately causes the global pattern? In what way(s) does
the global scale pattern resemble a thermal circulation?
What are the main surface features found in the 3-cell model
(i.e. sea level pressure and surface wind belts). You may
limit yourself to the region between about 45 S to 45 N latitude
if you wish. Where might precipitation be abundant and
scarce? Some of the features are given unusual names such
as the "doldrums", the "horse latitudes", and the "trade
winds." You might mention how certain features in the
global wind pattern cause the ocean currents found off the east
and west coasts of the US. Movement of what 3-cell
model feature is responsible for our summer monsoon?
Sketch/Drawing
This should be something you have drawn, not
something you have found online and pasted into your report (if
you find a particularly clear figure online you will have to try
to reproduce it as best you can on your own). Your drawing
will be judged on neatness and clarity. The written
portion of your report must be double spaced and must fit onto 1
side of 1 page. You may use an additional page (either the
back of your report or a separate page) for the drawing. I
would encourage you to use as much of that page as you can for
your figure.
Writing Quality
Explain the material in your
own words - your report should be your understanding and
explanation of the material. I will be looking
for a clear, accurate, well organized report. This is
easier to do if you have a good understanding of the material
before you begin to write your report.