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, specifics, and understanding of any texts cited.

1. Compare and contrast Friedman's vision of a sustainable future for America with the approach to sustainability in Ecotopia. Are the different visions compatible or opposed? Explain your own sympathies; which vision do you find most compelling, realistic, or inspiring? Draw on specific quotations and paraphrases from the texts. This paper would be similar in type to the synthesis paper.

2. Ralph Nader claimed that "None of the happy conditions in Ecotopia are beyond the technical or resource reach of our society," but this is sometimes hard to believe. Choose one (and only one) technical aspect of Ecotopia's approach to sustainability, research it, and make an argument that we either can or cannot put the vision into practice in reality. Do some research on the library databases and on search engines to see if there is similar existing technology or any similar modern-day proposals.

3. Choose one (and only one) social or cultural aspect of Ecotopia and decide whether it is desirable and/or realistic given how you see human nature. This is a more philosophical paper, but you will still need to support your assertions with explanation and specific examples, some of which might come from your own experience, values, or imagination. You may want to draw on the points made in our class debate.

4. Develop your own vision of a sustainable American society 100 years in the future. Using Ecotopia as a model for your writing style (but not necessarily your ideas), describe some key aspect of the way this society works in your essay, giving details to support your assertions. You will not have space to describe the whole society, so decide early on what to focus on.

In-Class Essays: As you know, this will be an in-class essay. You are encouraged to bring a printed or handwritten outline with topic sentences, thesis, and supporting details already written out in full sentences. You can bring other notes as well. However, you may not bring with you any drafts of the essay. Here is a more specific rule: 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 other form of access to electronic data during the exam. All preparation materials must be printed or handwritten.

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 giving yourself a practice test. I recommend 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. Do your best in the time you have. The more prepared you are, the more time you will have to proofread during the exam.

Good luck! See me or email me with questions.