5 pages environmental research paper

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Research Paper Guideline

1. Research Paper It is very important that you read several sources of information before you start writing your paper. Sources should include a combination of books, journal articles, newspaper articles, and web pages. In some case, printed books and journal articles may be available on the web or else you can find them in the library. There should be a minimum of five references listed in your bibliography at the end of your essay, in which at least three sources have to be a scholarly source from an independent technical expert. An independent scholarly source could be a technical book from the library or a scientific journal article. Reports by partisan advocates are not independent or scholarly, even if they use expository writing. After you have done a broad search and have a good perspective of the diverse ideas, then it is time to use critical thinking to focus your understanding of the subject into a manageable size to cover in your research paper. This research paper constitutes 20% of your grade, so the more time you put into them, the better your grade will be.

2. Essay Format a. Your writing should be a minimum of 5 pages (NOT including Title and Reference pages) b. Use a 12-point font c. Use Times New Roman font d. Use normal margins (1 inch top, bottom, and sides) e. Use double-spaced lines f. Include the Title and Reference pages g. DO NOT add extra spaces between paragraphs

3. The argumentative research paper consists of an introduction in which the writer clearly introduces the topic

and informs his audience exactly which stance he intends to take; this stance is often identified as the thesis statement. An important goal of the argumentative research paper is persuasion, which means the topic chosen should be debatable or controversial. Write a 5-7 page paper in which you critically analyze the arguments of both sides of the issue and try to persuade the reader one way as oppose to another. Your argument should be logical (you should consider the big picture, including social/cultural context, economics, feasibility, etc.) You must discuss the application and implication of your view (on your specific topic) on our future security of our public health. Choose one of the topics from below:

a. Should We Drill for Offshore Oil? b. Are Fish from the Pacific Ocean Safe to Eat 16 Months After the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster? c. Is Shale Gas the Solution to Our Energy Woes? d. Do Environmental Hormone Mimics Posse a Potentially Serious Health Threat? e. Should the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Be Opened to Oil Drilling? f. Should DDT Be Banned Worldwide? g. Is Genetic Engineering an Environmentally Sound Way to Increase Food Production? h. Is Sustainable Development Compatible with Human Welfare? i. Is it Time to Revive Nuclear Energy? j. Do We Have Population Problem?

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k. Does Commercial Fishing Have a Future? l. Is Global Warming a Catastrophe That Warrants Immediate Action? m. Can Organic Farming Feed the World? n. Can Pollution Rights Trading Effectively Control Environmental Problems? o. Will Restricting Carbon Emissions Damage the Economy? p. Is Renewable Energy Really Green? q. Are Biofuels a Reasonable Substitute for Fossil Fuels? r. Should the Superfund Tax Be Reinstated? s. Should the Military Be Exempt from Environmental Regulations?

Miscellaneous information: t. Use APA citation style. u. You must include a separate title and reference pages. v. List your sources on a reference page (also in APA style). You should have a minimum of five

references, in which three must be peer-reviewed (APA citation style). You may use legitimate government websites (EPA, NIEHS, etc.) for non-peer-reviewed references.

4. Writing Your Essay Begin your essay with an introduction paragraph that identifies the theme of your paper. This theme, also called a "thesis" or “purpose” statement, is a generalization that you have gleaned from reading the variety of sources that you have researched. The introduction paragraph needs to be fairly short to leave space for the main arguments and evidence to follow.

a. Your introduction should: i. attract and hold the reader’s attention

ii. indicate the subject matter of the paper (a thesis/purpose statement) iii. reveal in some way the writer’s attitude toward the subject

b. Thesis/Purpose Statement.

You can usually write an effective introduction only after you have formulated your thesis statement. So, compose a thesis statement. Here is a quote from The Heath Handbook (1995):

The thesis [statement] must be specific and unambiguous, for it establishes a kind of contract between writer and reader, a promise about the content of the paper that is to follow. Typically, a thesis contains two elements: the precise subject of the essay and a word or phrase that even further limits this subject (p. 63).

Examples:

i. Vague statement – “Many experiences help a person develop a respect for the rights of others.” Precise statement – “Sharing a college dorm suite with five other students helps a person develop a respect for the right s of others.”

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ii. Vague statement – “Climbing Half Dome as a teenager was a very important experience for me.” Precise statement – “Climbing Half Dome as a teenager restored my faith in my ability to set and accomplish goals.”

iii. Vague statement – “The Korean War years had a great impact on this country.” Precise statement – “The Korean War years created division in American society that have lasted into the 1990s.”

c. Main paragraph Your main paragraphs (main arguments) should provide supporting claims and specific fact, and other forms of evidence backing up your thesis/purpose statement. This section should comprise the main portion of your research paper. Make sure your ideas flow well in the paper. Since this is a short paper, try not to use direct quotes. A paper with many direct quotes will be penalized. In your essay, use citations from your sources to back up facts and examples you state based on your sources. Please use APA style citation in both text and references. For more information on APA style, refer to http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01. Research paper lacking adequate citations and citation formatting will be penalized. In your body paragraphs, make sure:

iv. points are developed and “tied-in” with the paper’s thesis statement v. structure of the writer’s paragraphs is organized, clear, and easy to follow

vi. content and purpose of the writing are persuasive

d. Conclusion Conclude your essay with a conclusion paragraph that summarizes what you have explained to substantiate your thesis/purpose statement. Your conclusion should be a summary of your position and rationale. It should also include implications, applications, or ramifications of your thesis on our public health as we go forward from here.

5. What Makes a Superior Essay? An excellent essay is one that addresses the topic clearly, demonstrates a thorough critical understanding of the material, and explores the issue thoughtfully and in depth within the allotted space. It is coherently organized with ideas supported by apt reasons and well-chosen examples, has an effective, fluent style marked by syntactic variety and a clear command of language, and is generally free from errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics.