Environmental essay. for mother of writers only
kzk11207
position_paper2_guidelines_sp14.docxEnvironmental Biology (BIO 4360), Spring 2014
Position Paper #2 (30 points)
Topic Due: On or before March 18th, 2014 at 11:30 AM
Turn in a topic/position* (about 1 sentence) typed.
*Hint: Good topics should not be obvious positions like “Global warming is occurring” but should be more complex positions that state a problem and then discuss two sides of a solution or the impacts that are or are not dangerous of a particular environmental danger.
“In order to reduce the impact of global warming, the United States should reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and increase its use of nuclear power.” Obviously, this is controversial because nuclear power has issues related to storage of waste, accidents and availability of the nuclear material. You would then have to argue (in your case) that these might be true, but that your position is stronger (high energy production, energy that does not release carbon dioxide, etc.)
Paper Due: On or before April 15th, 2014 at 11:30 AM
Purpose:
Research the two sides of an environmental issue to gain a better understanding of the issue and articulate a position based on the evidence.
Learning Objectives Addressed by this Activity:
· Be prepared to apply critical and reflective thinking in environmental science
· Articulate a position on an environmental issue
· Provide evidence that supports a position on an environmental issue
Description:
Prepare a position paper that includes two sides of an environmental issue with evidence that supports each side. There should be evidence (scientific, economic, social, political, etc.) presented for each side and the position you ultimately are defending should be backed by solid evidence. The final paper should be about 3 pages long (not including references). It can be longer, but quality not length of the paper (at or after 3 pages) will determine your grade.
Evaluation Criteria and Guidelines (Grading the Paper):
Paper Should Include
I. Introduction: Statement of the issue to be discussed. Description of more than one side of the issue and a clear concise position statement of the paper by the end of the introduction. A position can be either side of the controversial topic or it may be a compromise position, but it must be stated very clearly.
II. Discussion of each position supported by relevant and multiple sources of information. Consider several paragraphs in support of one side and then several paragraphs in support of the other. Or, consider several subtopics and a paragraph for and against each subtopic. In either case you should be building an argument toward your position which you outlined in the introduction.
III. Concise summary conclusion relating the issue, your position, the essential evidence that supports your position.
IV. Literature cited (good number, type and format). Literature must be scientific papers, review articles or government websites (OSHA, USDA, CDC, etc.). Random websites, online encyclopedias and Wikipedia are not references (although they can point you to references).
V. Good communication (spelling, grammar, neatness, clarity, consistency of focus).
