In this essay, you will apply the ideas on causal argument and fallacies in The Rhetoric of Argument to a subtopic of your choice related to global warming. Choose one of the following three broad options and do some research to narrow your topic.

1. Are we to blame?
   Argue that global warming is or is not due to a particular cause other than human-generated greenhouse gases.  For example, you might evaluate the arguments that blame solar variation or other natural causes.
   
2. Is it global warming?
   Argue that global warming has or has not been a principal cause of a particular recent, verified phenomenon of your choice such as Hurricane Katrina, the current drought in California, or the melting of the snows of Mount Kilimanjaro.
   
3. What does the future hold?
   Make a prediction about one particular effect of global warming we are likely to see in the future if carbon emissions continue to rise.  Use current research to support your prediction.  You can focus on physical changes such as sea level rise, flooding, drought, or hurricanes in a particular region such as the Bay Area or California or your country of origin if you are an immigrant.  If you wish, you can also discuss the likely human impacts of the physical changes you describe. Be specific about the magnitude of the effect you are describing.  For example, don’t just argue that sea level will rise--indicate the approximate number of feet it is likely to rise in a particular time period.

Resources:

• For ideas, visit the global warming causes and predictions links page
• Refer to the Rhetoric chapter on causal argument and in particular, the steps in “Writing a causal argument” on 213-216.

Essay requirements:

• 6-8 pages
• Your essay should include a summary of the phenomenon whose causes you are analyzing.  For example, if you are analyzing global warming’s effect on the current drought in California, you will need to summarize the current water situation.
• Note and expose any popular fallacies about your topic, especially those that pertain to causality.  Take care not to include any fallacies in your own argument.
• Each time you analyze a cause, identify which type of cause it is according to the Rhetoric schemas.  Types of causes include near/proximate, remote, necessary, sufficient, responsibility, absence of a blocking cause, reciprocal causes, and chance.
• Use at least 5 reputable sources (not including Wikipedia). Build up your own ethos in the way you refer to these sources when you introduce quotations and paraphrases.  Library research workshops B and D may be useful if you have not completed them inm 1A (see http://www.ccsf.edu/Library/instruct/workshops.html).
• MLA format and a Works Cited page.