title: Adaptations: Using Darwin's Origin to teach biology and writing.
abstract: Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species is at once familiar and unfamiliar. Everyone knows that the Origin introduced the world to the idea of evolution by natural selection, but few of us have actually read it. We suggest that it is worth taking the time not only to read what Darwin had to say, but also to use the Origin to teach both biology and writing. It provides scientific lessons in areas beyond evolutionary biology, such as ecology and biogeography. In addition, it provides valuable rhetorical lessons-how to construct an argument, write persuasively, make use of evidence, know your audience, and anticipate counterarguments. We have been using the Origin in various classes for several years, introducing new generations to Darwin, in his own words.
authors: Biology Department, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts, 02454. jmorris@brandeis.edu.
authors: James R
authors: JR
authors: Morris
authors: Highlands Biological Station, Highlands, North Carolina, 28741 and Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, North Carolina, 28723.
authors: James T
authors: JT
authors: Costa
authors: Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Biological Laboratories, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02138.
authors: Andrew
authors: A
authors: Berry
mesh_terms: D005075:Biological Evolution; D001695:Biology / Q000193:education*; D004463:Ecology / Q000193:education; D012641:Selection, Genetic; D014956:Writing
keywords: Charles Darwin; On the Origin of Species; evolution education; writing