Choose one of the following topics and write an essay of at least 3 pages in MLA format. As I grade this essay, I will look for organization, paragraph focus, thesis, development of ideas, specific quotations and paraphrases as well as explanations of how these specifics support your points (PIE), and understanding of the texts cited. I will also look for imaginative insight into the environmental themes we have been discussing all semester. No Works Cited is necessary.

Readings:

"The Story of Stuff" (97-112)

The excerpts from Thomas Friedman's Hot, Flat, and Crowded on 140-154 and 167-179.

"The Elusive Green Economy" (45-56)

"Green Manhattan" (81-89)

"Beyond Eco-Apartheid" (63-69)

Topics:

1. Choose one of the above texts. Think about what you found compelling about it and what you disagreed with or what didn't convince you. Think about all the ethos and pathos and logical support strategies the writer used. Then choose one strategy that was essential to either convincing you or alienating you from the text. Write an essay in which you summarize the text briefly, discuss how the writer intended the strategy to work, and then assess the strategy's effectiveness. Did it help the author accomplish her goal, did it fail, or did it fall somewhere in between?

2. Pick two of the above texts that seem in some way opposed or in tension (You could also pick "The Nurture of Nature"). Write an essay in which you contrast the two texts, and, in your conclusion, explain why you sympathize or agree with one more than another. For example, you might choose "Green Manhattan" vs. "The Nurture of Nature" or "The Story of Stuff" vs. the Friedman excerpts.

3. Come up with your own essay topic which draws on at least one of the readings we've done, not including Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. Submit your proposed topic to me at least one week before the final exam for approval.

-------
As you know, this will be an in-class essay, but you are encouraged to prepare and bring your prewriting materials. However, you may not bring anything with more than two sentences in a row that end up in your essay. You will turn in any materials you use on the test. Also, you will not have internet access or any form of access to electronic data during the exam. Internet will be turned off.  At the end, though, you can email yourself a copy of the exam. 

Bring the following to the exam:

• Your course reader
• Printed copies of any additional sources you plan to use (not required).
• Your outline (topic sentences, thesis, and quotations or other supporting details)
• Your notes (no 3 sentences in a row that end up in the essay)
• A print card with change on it in order to print the exam at the end.  We may not have extra in stock in Cyberia, so pick one up at the Rosenberg library or arrange to use a friend’s.
• A dictionary (optional)
• Rules for Writers (optional)

I encourage you to prepare for this exam as thoroughly as possible by revising your outline, by visiting the Writing Lab, and, if you are nervous about in-class writing, by practicing writing out the essay under time pressure at home. (You just can't bring that practice essay with you to the real exam.) 

Grammar, word choice, and formatting do count for in-class essays (though not quite as much as for out of class essays). Do your best in the time you have. Good luck! See me with questions.