2 PAGE ESSAY

Name 1

Ethan Fisher

Professor Penny Jacobs

English 112

May 9, 2015

Writing about the BP Oil Spill: Conventions Across the Disciplines

The BP oil spill can elicit many reactions. Some audiences seek the facts. They may want

to know how many millions of gallons of oil made its way into the Gulf of Mexico. Other

audiences may show interest in the effects of the oil spill on the surrounding area and people.

Some will question the individual impact, attempting to put a figurative face on a horrible event.

Though each audience is interested in the BP oil spill, they are not all interested in the same

angle, or field of study. The fields of study for the mentioned audiences include the humanities,

the social sciences, and the natural sciences. To better understand the varying conventions for

each, look at the following articles: [….]

The first of these pieces, written by Randy Fertel, is largely a reflection on the oil spill

from the perspective of a New Orleans native. His lifelong love and knowledge of the culinary

culture of the region flavors his writing [….]

In the second article, written for a scientific journal, the author carries a much narrower

and focused topic, with a goal of presenting the findings of a research effort [….]

The third essay is less directly interested in the particulars of the event itself and more

concerned with overall public sentiment as it relates to environmental issues. Written as a study

of people’s attitudes and responses, it is formatted according to the APA style.