Read the To Herp, or Not to Herp? Herping enthusiasts enjoy spending their days in nature, searching for amphibians and reptiles. While looking for snakes and frogs seems like an enjoyable pastime, many people who spend their time herping are actually completing important research. Much of this research has to do with declining amphibian and reptile populations. They also investigate the causes of these declining populations. One activist from Arizona, Leonardo Dolmage, has used his experiences to complete important research about the effects of human impacts on the environment.

Outdoor activities like herping are popular in Arizona. Herping is only one activity that adventurers enjoy. While outdoor activities like hunting, fishing, and camping result in positive experiences for travelers, they can also have negative effects. Due to increasing human activity in the state of Arizona, many species have lost their habitats. When tourist companies set up locations, some species are forced to find new places to live. When species move, they can disrupt their new environments. Even herping can have negative consequences. Some herpers go to great lengths to find amphibians and reptiles. Sometimes, their searches lead to trampling on or polluting natural environments.

Many people who enjoy outdoor activities are responsible. However, others are not aware of how their activities impact the environment. Sometimes those enjoying outdoor activities leave garbage behind. Other times, they travel long distances to visit attractions, putting more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Recently, herpers have noticed low populations of some amphibians and reptiles in popular tourist areas. When one species becomes extinct, it can disrupt the entire ecosystem. It is important for humans to put nature first. Otherwise, their activities can destroy natural ecosystems. While herping and other activities are fun, if they disrupt a snake or frog's home, they are not worth it.

Select a detail from the text that demonstrates the overall text structure.

greet them:

buenas noches.

that is considered night time which is when "good night" is used.

recent brain research has shown some surprising benefits as a result of formal musical training. learning to play a musical instrument appears to develop parts of the brain that can even influence academic results. the studies indicate that the earlier a child begins training, the more benefits there are. one such study showed that children who began musical studies before the age of seven had a more developed brain in the region where language production and auditory processing take place. scientists believe there is mounting evidence to show that early musical training can improve brain function.

explanation:

what: when quoting a source, use the author’s words verbatim, or word-for-word. this means you shouldn’t change any grammar, punctuation, spelling, etc. put quotations around the words to tell your reader where the quote begins and where it ends.

you also need to acknowledge the author. for example, if using mla format for your research paper, you should have in-text citations with the author’s name and page number listed at the end of each quote.

when: use quotations to provide concrete examples to support your claims. using direct quotations is a great way to build your credibility on the subject. it’s also a good idea to quote your source when the author states things in a powerful way. if you think he or she said it best, then use the exact words to share the ideas.

example: in the short story “a jury of her peers”, mrs. hale compares mrs. wright to her caged bird, saying “she—come to think of it, she was kind of like a bird herself. real sweet and pretty, but kind of timid and—fluttery. how—she—did—change” (glaspell).

paraphrasing

what: paraphrasing differs from quoting because you restate the passage in your own words. since you don’t use the author’s words, you don’t need to use quotation marks. however, you still need to acknowledge the author for his or her ideas.

when paraphrasing a text, you should communicate the full meaning of the text; don’t change the meaning. it can be a condensed version of the text, or it could end up being longer than the source it’s paraphrasing.

when: you use paraphrasing when you take notes, or explain a chart or diagram to someone. paraphrasing highlight the important parts of a larger text. it also allows you to simplify the ideas for your readers.

example:

original: “it was no ordinary thing that called her away–it was probably further from ordinary than anything that had ever happened in dickson county. but what her eye took in was that her kitchen was in no shape for leaving: her bread all ready for mixing, half the flour sifted and half unsifted” (glaspell).

paraphrase: as mrs. hales walks around mrs. wright’s home, she notices that the kitchen is in disarray as if she was in the middle of baking bread (glaspell).