ESSAY PROMPT
You have spent all semester exploring the theme of how humans, animals, and the earth are all connected, and you have developed a lot of knowledge about some of the environmental crises at hand—many of which are related to climate change. So, now we must be proactive and ask:
What is one potential solution to climate change?
You will create a focused, specific thesis statement showing your response to this question. You will then write a detailed argument essay (5-7 pages) to prove this thesis, using at least three supporting points and a counterargument with rebuttal.
For your evidence, you will be independently researching using a list of sources I’m giving you on Moodle. You must show me that you can research and study these sources independently. You must use at least three sources total in your paper—two of them must be from this list; texts we’ve read together in class can also be used.
Do not use any random sources you’ve found by yourself.
Your essay must include:
__3-4 quotations and 2-3 short paraphrases (max. four lines each.) from the outside sources mentioned above.
__Logos-based thesis and evidence/analysis.
__Properly used in-text citations and Works Cited page.
__At least three supporting points, plus a counterargument/rebuttal, all logos-based.
Policies
-You must engage in the entire writing process: Brainstorming, feedback sessions, drafting, peer review, revisions, etc. Students who miss peer review day or who show up with an insufficient draft are required to go to the writing center and hand in the signed tutor slip to me. If you hand in a final draft without having done a full first draft, you will get 15 points off your final draft grade.
-On the first and final draft due dates, you must email me a copy of your first and final draft in addition to bringing a hard copy to class. If you don’t do this, I reserve the right to not look at your essay.
-See syllabus for lateness and formatting policies.
THIS ESSAY IS NOT
-A personal narrative. This essay is about a larger social issue and not about your personal life. There should be no personal stories and minimal “I” statements.
-A fully independent research paper. Your only outside sources are texts from Moodle/class. You are doing independent research within those.
-A quotation and paraphrase free-for-all. Do not overload your paper with quotations and paraphrases; use them only as your support. Your original argument and ideas are the star of the show.
-A book report or simple summary of texts. The majority of this essay should be your original analysis and reflection. Use summaries with discretion; they aren’t required. Does your reader need a summary to truly understand your point? If the answer is “yes”, challenge yourself to keep the summary short.
THIS ESSAY IS
-An opportunity to build a thesis statement that is clear, focused, specific, concise, and takes a basic stance on an issue, and to support that thesis with outside sources.
-A chance to practice making a logos-based argument. Thesis and all evidence/points must be grounded in logos, which includes real-world details and examples/case studies, quotations and paraphrases from reliable sources, statistics, logical reasoning, etc. This means that ethos (personal expertise/stories, moralizing at your audience), appeals based on highly subjective theories and worldviews (political ideologies, philosophy, religion/spirituality) and heavy-handed emotional appeals should be absent from your paper. There’s nothing wrong with non-logos…these other modes are really important, too! They’re just not what we’re practicing in this essay.
-An opportunity to show that you can revise, spellcheck, and proofread for grammar errors and typos to the absolute best of your ability.
-A college-level document that shows you can read deeply, conduct below-the-surface critical analysis, make a college-style argument, and use written words to process and explain ideas.
-A chance to show me that you are ready for ENG102.
SAMPLE OUTLINE
Your essay should be 5-7 pages long, including all the below elements. Your individual paper might be organized slightly differently, depending on your focus and approach—for example, some points might be more extended than others, or the counterargument might occur earlier or be woven throughout.
A title that isn’t boring: ____________
Introduction:
-Interesting lead-in
-Background information/context: What does the reader need to know to understand your essay?
-Thesis statement
1-2 paragraphs: Supporting point #1
-Topic sentence: Your point
-Evidence: Quote, paraphrase, or example to show your point
-Elaboration: Your interesting, original analysis of the evidence; explain how it supports your point
1-2 paragraphs: Supporting point #2
-Topic sentence: Your point
-Evidence: Quote, paraphrase, or example to show your point
-Elaboration: Your interesting, original analysis of the evidence; explain how it supports your point
1-2 paragraphs: Supporting point #3
-Topic sentence: Your point
-Evidence: Quote, paraphrase, or example to show your point
-Elaboration: Your interesting, original analysis of the evidence; explain how it supports your point
1-2 paragraphs: Counterargument
-Counterargument #1: what would the “other side” say?
-State rebuttal #1: why is the “other side” wrong?
-State counterargument #2: what else would the “other side” say?
-State rebuttal #2: why is the “other side” wrong?
Conclusion
-Using interesting and non-repetitive language, bring your ideas together and review what you’ve discussed
-Discuss your insight or wisdom into why this issue matters for society or for the future, a big “so what” lesson that people can take away, and/or a plan of action for how to address this problem in society
-Interesting closing sentence
Counterarguments and rebuttals
The counterargument is not meant to insult the other side or to give an exaggerated “straw man” argument that makes them look silly. The counterargument, rather, should address the other side in a straightforward manner and give calm, logos-based explanations for why it isn’t correct. It should state a) what the “other side” believes and b) why it’s “wrong”. Your “other side” should be specific—you should imagine a real individual, social group, or organization that would have a very specific disagreement with you. You might even find the other side in one of the essay sources. These are just a few examples of how to do it:
(Opposing side/person/organization) believes that , but this is untrue because_______.
(Opposing side/person/organization) states that__________. On the contrary, __.
Even though (other side’s point/evidence), it remains true that __.
Although (other side’s point/evidence), this does not take into account that___________.
Transitional Phrases
Transitional phrases are signposts within the essay which help move the reader from one place to the next. Transitional phrases can be used between sentences, between thoughts, and between paragraphs—anywhere that needs logical, linear “flow”.
Illustration
Thus, for example, for instance, namely, to illustrate, in other words, in particular, specifically, such as.
Contrast
On the contrary, contrarily, notwithstanding, but, however, nevertheless, in spite of, in contrast, yet, on one hand, on the other hand, rather, or, nor, conversely, at the same time, while this may be true.
Addition
And, in addition to, furthermore, moreover, besides, than, too, also, both-and, another, equally important, first, second, etc., again, further, last, finally, not only-but also, as well as, in the second place, next, likewise, similarly, in fact, as a result, consequently, in the same way, for example, for instance, however, thus, therefore, otherwise.
Time
After, afterward, before, then, once, next, last, at last, at length, first, second, etc., at first, formerly, rarely, usually, another, finally, soon, meanwhile, at the same time, for a minute, hour, day, etc., during the morning, day, week, etc., most important, later, ordinarily, to begin with, afterwards, generally, in order to, subsequently, previously, in the meantime, immediately, eventually, concurrently, simultaneously.
Space
At the left, at the right, in the center, on the side, along the edge, on top, below, beneath, under, around, above, over, straight ahead, at the top, at the bottom, surrounding, opposite, at the rear, at the front, in front of, beside, behind, next to, nearby, in the distance, beyond, in the forefront, in the foreground, within sight, out of sight, across, under, nearer, adjacent, in the background.
Concession
Although, at any rate, at least, still, thought, even though, granted that, while it may be true, in spite of, of course.
Similarity or Comparison
Similarly, likewise, in like fashion, in like manner, analogous to.
Emphasis
Above all, indeed, truly, of course, certainly, surely, in fact, really, in truth, again, besides, also, furthermore, in addition.
Details
Specifically, especially, in particular, to explain, to list, to enumerate, in detail, namely, including.
Examples
For example, for instance, to illustrate, thus, in other words, as an illustration, in particular.
Consequence or Result
So that, with the result that, thus, consequently, hence, accordingly, for this reason, therefore, so, because, since, due to, as a result, in other words, then.
Summary
Therefore, finally, consequently, thus, in short, in conclusion, in brief, as a result, accordingly.
Suggestion
For this purpose, to this end, with this in mind, with this purpose in mind, therefore.