essay

Essay #4 – Sustainable Solution Proposal

In this essay, you will explore a specific sustainability issue of your choosing, either social or environmental (or related to both). This assignment is rooted in the maxim, “Think globally, act locally,” meaning, although many sustainability issues (declining biodiversity, global warming, ocean pollution, poverty, crime, etc.) are global, we can learn—and enact meaningful change—by exploring them within the context of a local system. Thus, you will be exploring issues in the general Los Angeles area, within an approximate 100-mile radius. You may also decide to focus on Woodbury University. Although this is a research paper with multiple sources you will cite in APA style, your voice, your perspective, and your persona must be evident in the essays. You may include your personal experiences in this essay if appropriate. This essay must be coming from you and your own passions and interests; sources are used to establish your authority and support your ideas. The challenge of this paper—as well as its most exciting component—is to narrow down your topic to be 1) local and researchable, 2) neither too broad or too narrow, and of course, 3) intriguing to your audience, which includes me and your classmates. Therefore, you will not be writing a general paper about global warming, ocean pollution, or other broad issues, although you may certainly refer to the global problems to establish context and provide some background for your readers. These issues are too broad and impossible to cover in-depth in a college-level research paper. Another challenge is that you will have to learn about the issue you choose. Ideally you will be reading more material than you will use to give yourself adequate background knowledge. For example, suppose you love the ocean and recently visited Santa Monica pier, and noticed that the waters appeared murky. Then you did some initial research, and discovered this article about how the pier is one of the most polluted beaches in Southern California. (See http://abc7.com/news/5-socal-beaches-placed-on-worst-beaches-list/2105002/) This would be your starting point. What is causing this pollution? What effects is it having on the environment, society, and the economy? What are the far-reaching effects of this problem? You would then need to explore specific solutions that can be implemented by local and state governments, businesses, community groups, and/or indiv iduals. Note that the best solutions are multi-faceted and involve more than individual actions, ie. “everyone should pick up their trash.” Make sure that you write about how your proposed solution will be implemented. Consider also how existing solutions can be improved and promoted. I will not accept any essays claiming that a specific sustainability issue is a hoax or exaggerated. If you feel this way, instead please choose an issue that you believe in and care about. There are plenty to choose from.

In order to earn a C or above, you must abide by the following criteria:

Sources

 You must incorporate properly cited quotes and/or paraphrases from a minimum of 5 sources. Sources may be from our class

readings/TED talks, the sustainability list, or RELIABLE sources you find through your own research. We will discuss reliable

sources in class.

(cont’d.)

Pico Kenter stormdrain in Santa Monica, CA Photo by Haan-Fawn Chau

DiGangi / WRIT 112 / Summer 2015 2

Interview or Field Notes

 One additional source must be an interview with an expert in the field; for example, the news article link above mentions Heal the Bay, an organization devoted to cleaning up coastal regions in Southern California (https://healthebay.org/). If this were your topic, you could interview someone involved in the organization. If you decide to become a volunteer yourself and document a direct experience at the pier, with photographs and extensive field notes, you could do this in lieu of an interview. Do not “dump” the interview in one section of the paper, and do not present it as one long quote. Make sure the relevant parts of your interview or field notes are synthesized smoothly throughout your essay.

Sections

 You may wish to create sections for this essay with boldface subtitles per APA style. For example, you might consider having one section devoted to the problem, and another to your solution(s). Please, no more than three sections. Also, whether your essay has sections or not, it must read as an organized whole, with a consistent voice and style throughout. Essays that appear to be written by multiple parties, or by someone other than the student, will not be accepted.

Length

 2,800 to 3,400 word minimum, which is 10-12 double-spaced pages, with one of those pages a 1/2-page abstract (see below).

Please note, papers below 2,800 words will be downgraded!

APA

 an APA format cover page AND an APA reference page (not included in the page count above)

 proper APA in-text citations for all paraphrases and direct quotations

 a 1/2 – page abstract (approximately 150 words), which is included in your word/page count above.

The important elements all your essays in this class must contain:

 an introduction that has a hook and introduces your audience to the topic. Remember, your audience has not read Quinn; thus, you will need to introduce him and the gist of his idea.

 a thesis that makes a specific, debatable claim; your thesis for this essay must be the last sentence in your one-paragraph introduction.

 effectively organized paragraphs with strong topic sentences and transitions

 smoothly synthesized evidence that supports your thesis and is convincing and clear to the reader

 a conclusion that does not merely restate your thesis but that leaves the reader with further ‘food for thought’ A few more rules and tips

 You may use block quotes, but no more than three, and each one can be no longer than 5 lines long.

 You may wish to include a counterargument and rebuttal, but these are not a requirement.

 Please see the tips and rules mentioned in your first two assignments.

DiGangi / WRIT 112 / Summer 2015 3

WRIT 112 Grading Sheet Essay #4, Sustainability Solution Proposal Prof. Laurel DiGangi

Disclaimer: This grading sheet is a guide that I use for two purposes: 1) to help me grade your essay fairly, and 2) to help you learn

how to improve your essay. Please understand that this is not an exact system; your grade is based on my overall, final judgment

Superior best

possible

A

Good, minor flaws

B

Passes but needs major

improve- ments

C

No pass

D

Fails F

Abstract and

Thesis

10%

Essay includes an abstract that provides readers with an abstract that expresses the main idea and key points.

Essay also includes a strong, debatable thesis at the end of the introduction paragraph.

Support/

Content

20%

The paper’s body supports the thesis with clear, well-developed details. It does not repeat ideas and is clear and well-

focused. Student must incorporate quotes and paraphrases from a minimum of SIX sources that are defined on the

first page of this assignment sheet. No idea should not contradict the thesis (unless it is clearly a counterargument

which is rebutted). You must represent all your sources accurately.

Interview or

Field Notes

10%

Interview or field notes must be detailed, directly taken from source (not online!), relevant to the thesis, and

synthesized smoothly throughout the paper.

Essays without an interview or field notes will not be accepted.

Research

10%

All sources must be considered “reliable,” either from a respected newspaper, online magazine, scholarly journal, or

professional organization that has expertise in your topic. SIX SOURCES minimum have been used.

Structure

10%

The paper is organized and seems to follow an outline. Paragraphs are presented in a logical order so the reader can

easily understand the writer’s meaning. Each paragraph is unified and sticks to one topic. Transitions create a clear

flow between sentences and paragraphs.

Overall

clarity/style

20%

The reader can understand all sentences clearly. No sentences are awkward or confusing. The writing is concise and

not too wordy or repetitious. The style is neither overly formal nor too casual. All quotes must be integrated properly.

NO DROP QUOTES!

Grammar &

punctuation

10%

Essay contains no run-ons, comma splices, fragments, pronoun problems, capitalization, and other grammatical errors.

There are no misspelled words. Essay has been properly proofread.

APA Format

10%

Essay uses template on Moodle. Citations are correct and use proper APA style for both in-text citations and

References list at the end. Please note that this category is about citing properly. Failure to properly cite most sources

will result in a zero! Essays without citations will not be accepted.

If box is checked, your paper has been downgraded because it does not meet the minimum page requirements on this assignment sheet.

If box is checked, I am requiring you to take a revised copy of this paper to the Writing Center for an in-person appointment. 1. Revise your paper according to my comments.2. Take this new, revised paper to the Writing Center, along with your revision. The tutor can help you make further revisions and polish your paper further. 3. Revise your paper again based on your meeting with the tutor, and turn in this polished paper to me.

If box is checked, I am not accepting your essay because you have not cited your sources, or it is plagiarized. Essays that appear to be written by multiple parties, or by someone other than the student, will not be accepted.

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