A Critical Reflection on Longevity in Dan Buettner’s Works.
Assignment: A 3-4 page essay reflecting on two of Dan Buettner’s works: 1) The Secrets of Long Life (2005) in National Geographic, and 2) The Truth about Living Longer (2008), in The Blue Zones. The first piece claims to have discovered the “secrets” of long life, while the other, written later, reports on the “truth” about living longer. I am basically asking you to compare and contrast these two pieces, but also to grapple with how you think these two perspectives fit together (confirm or contradict each other) on what really contributes to longevity?
Your Essay should include:
1. An introduction
- This should be a brief summary for both of these readings.
- What do you think is the purpose or key message from each piece about longevity and aging? (I advise you to imagine that I have not read these articles. How would you describe them to me? This requires you to be clear, concise, specific, and accurate in your observations)
2. The Secrets: Details and Themes:
- Do these “secrets” (or take-home points) really seem to be the most important lessons?
- What do you think? What else do you think is important in each region?
- What do you think all three regions can teach us about living a long life? In other words, what are two or three similarities that you think all regions share?
- You need to use details, specific examples, and direct quotes from each place. (For example, saying that they all “eat healthy” is not enough. You need to show what they do in each place.)
3. Comparing to the Truths:
- Think and reflect on how well the “secrets” fit with the “truth.”
- Do we see evidence for the “truth” in Buettner’s earlier work, or has does the later piece tell us something completely different? Do the secrets support or contradict the truths?
- Focus on 3-4 sections in the second piece: 1) What Exactly Is Aging?, 2) What’s a Smart Diet for Longevity?, 3) What Can Add on More Good Years?, and 4) How Can We Maximize the Good Years?
I am looking for: 1) well-developed answers to the questions above, 2) use of good supporting details and examples from the text, 3) complete sentence structure, proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation, and APA-style for in-text citations and references. Please proofread your work.
Possible Deductions:
2 points Leaving out a major section (1, 2, or 3)
2 points Not using examples and details to support your examples or conclusions
2 points Not having at least three pages
2 points Having more than six random errors in spelling, grammar, or punctuation
1 point For errors in APA style
Additional Advice: Q & A
1. The “self-check” link to SafeAssign on Blackboard is for your use, if needed. I do not look at those.
That is for you to see how SafeAssign analyses your work and see how you can use your content (e.g quotes and details) properly.
2. I am asking you to use APA-style for in-text citations.
What I showed on the board yesterday is the format for in-text citations. I like to see you use these for direct quotes (using the author’s words) and when paraphrasing (in your own words). With in-text citations, you always need to include the page number (s) in the parentheses.
3. Paraphrasing and References:
I like to see page numbers used in the citations when paraphrasing, too, to indicate where these ideas appear in the articles. For proper reference format, please see the APA-Style guide posted (in Assignments). Hint: You can also see my syllabus.
4. Additional Feedback:
If you want me to see and comment on a draft before you upload the final version, you need to let me know vie my work e-mail, not Safe Assign.
I will do my best to read quickly and give some feedback on content and clarity (not for proofreading your work). I typically highlight text in yellow that I feel needs revision or better explanation. I also add notes at the end to give more constructive advice.
FYI: read and respond based on the order in which I receive the essays, and I need time to do this. Don’t wait until the last minute.
