Environmental Class Outline

How the outline should look like

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).

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.

Choose one of the topics from below and it should be about USA or California:

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?

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?

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.”

HESC 415

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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.”