What's Where?
Descriptive spatial section
Include a relevant figure (as
per the assigned theme)
Include a properly labelled
map (modified APA format)
All features of the Earth's
surface have a spatial
distribution.
For the feature/concept,
describe the:
• Absolute and/or relative
location;
Site (specific details
about the
feature/concept) and
situation (relationship to
other
features/concepts);
• accessibility:
connectivity.
Why There?
Analytical section
Analyze the processes
acting on the
feature/concept.
Analyze the
interrelationships that
affect the
feature/concept.
Why Care?
Implicational section
Discuss the
importance of the
feature/concept.
Discuss the relevance
of the feature/concept
at a particular scale (or
more than one scale).
What is the
action/reaction?
• Are there
implications for
people?
• Are there
implications for
the environment?/nMap
As this is a geography class, a map is required to identify the location of the landform
being discussed. The map should come from a credible source and show the location
that the hazard occurred. The map is called a figure and should be labelled as a "Figure"
(ie. Figure 2) and include a descriptive caption that includes what the map is depicting
and the map credit.
Definitions
It is important to demonstrate your understanding of the terms (landform,
geomorphology, etc.) as this is what you are writing about using a geographic lens. If
you misinterpret what a landform is and discuss geomorphology in general terms etc.,
then your grade will be negatively impacted. This is why understanding and defining
critical terms are important for written assignment.s Other items that might be
defined would include the landform you are discussing. For example, if a picture of a
volcano was used for "Figure 1," the definition of a volcano should be discussed. The
definitions need to come from a scholarly source (NOT a genera dictionary or
encyclopaedia), be incorporated into the discussion in a meaningful, coherent manner,
and and must be written in your own words (paraphrased). Simply adding a list of
definitions without incorporating them in a meaningful way into the discussion would
negatively impact your grade.
Why there?
Explain why the landform occurs in that particular location. Discuss the characteristics of
the landform and primary (endogenic) and secondary (endogenic/geomorphic) processes. Is
this landform unusual/unique? Are there any patterns? See Table 1 below for suggestions.
Why Care?
Discuss why it matters. What's the relevance? What are the implications (local, regional or
global), why is it important? What's changing? This is where you would include something on
the significance of the landform. See Table 1 below for suggestions./nWhen you have an understanding of the landform concept, choose a credible online picture
or a picture you have taken yourself of a specific landform (landform examples include but
are not limited to: pingo, arrete, delta, alluvial fan, beach ridge, glacial erratic, cirque, esker
and the list goes on etc.). The picture of the landform will form the basis of your assignment
The overall topic is a landform and each student is required to find a picture (credible online
or personal picture) of a specific landform and discuss it through a geographic lens using the
What is where? Why there? Why care? framework.
What is Where?
Describe what type of landform is depicted in the figure (i.e. type of landform, name of
landform, date, location (site, situation)) and give context (see Table 1 below for details). Lin
your figure and discussion back to the definition of a landform.
This section may be 1-2 paragraphs in length and should include a "call out" to a credible
picture (Figure 1) (landform you have chosen to discuss), a call out to a map (Figure 2), a
description of the location and type of landform (spatial scale and temporal scales), as well
define significant terms.
Figure
In this section, you are identifying the landform by referring to a picture obtained from
a credible webpage or a picture you have taken yourself. Credible pictures (figures) wi
have an author and date of when it was taken and will come from a credible website.
Your discussion in this section must focus on What is where? by indicating what the
landform is and referring to it in the text by using a callout (ie. As seen in Figure 1). The
picture is labelled as a "Figure" (ie. Figure 1) and must be labelled as such and include a
descriptive caption (indicate what is the picture showing, date, location, image credit).
CONSULT: Sample Assignment Submission. Choose a figure (picture) that is clear,
relevant, credible and adds value to your assignment.
