For this essay you will write an expository essay evaluating and explaining a debate surrounding a specific topic on some issue of Energy and Environmentalism. Your essay should be at least 1,000 words, and it will make use of at least two “viewpoint” sources available through the Opposing Viewpoints database.
Audience: Your expository essay is directed to a college-educated audience in a formal setting. You should assume that this audience has no more knowledge about the topic than the average reader of a popular press source.
Purpose: Describe and analyze two sides of the debate over a topic having to do with Energy and Environmentalism. You will need to access the Gale Opposing Viewpoints database (via the Edens Library website), and in the “Browse Issues” section click on “Energy and Environmentalism.” Then, select a specific topic such as “Green New Deal” or “Food Waste” or one of the other fifty topics listed. Read the entire “Overview” of the topic to understand the issue in some detail. Look through the “Viewpoints” or “Featured Viewpoints” sections and pick two articles that fairly and accurately communicate opposing sides of the debate. Describe the argument in each source. What is their main point? What evidence or support do they provide? What does each side say that they want? What is at stake? What values or assumptions underlie their argument? What is the source of the two sides’ disagreement? Is there any common ground between them? Based on your understanding of the debate, can you imagine a possible solution or compromise?
Tone: Your tone will be determined by two criteria: first, your writing needs to be appropriate for a college context; second, it needs to be appropriate and engaging for your audience. The first criterion means that your writing needs to generally follow standard academic English conventions, be respectful, and not make use of slang. The second criterion means that your writing should be lively, should not be stilted, stuffy, or mechanical, and should communicate something of your personality. Formality is not a synonym for boring.
Length: A minimum of 1,000 words in MLA format (double-spaced, one inch margins, 12-point Times New Roman font)
Documentation: You must cite both articles you obtain from Opposing Viewpoints, both using in-text parenthetical citations (when appropriate) and at the end of your essay in an MLA-formatted Works Cited page.
Assessment: The essay will be evaluated according to the Philosophy of Grading on our course syllabus and with the Essay Rubric for English 101 posted in the Course Information module on Canvas. Late or incomplete submissions will be subject to the grade penalties listed on the course syllabus.
Important Criteria:
Your essay must be no less than 1,000 words.
You will need at least two sources from the Opposing Viewpoints database.
Your essay should be in MLA format, including a Works Cited page.
Your essay should have a title. “Essay 1” or “Assignment 1” or even “Expository Essay” are not titles. They are descriptions of the assignment. Be creative and think about what you want to communicate to your readers.
You must have a precise thesis that accurately identifies the two sides of the debate and how or why they disagree.
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