Anna Mills, Instructor, English 1A

Research Paper Assignment

Here are some key elements of the research paper project:

• A topic of your choice that relates to global warming.  It should require you to do research beyond what we’ve already learned in class.
• A thesis for the paper as a whole. 
• Your paper can be either informative or persuasive.  You can educate the reader about a particular topic or you can try to convince the reader of a particular course of action.
• Topic sentences for each paragraph
• An introduction and conclusion
• 4-6 pages total
• A Works Cited page with at least five sources.  You must have at least two non-electronic sources (such as books or periodicals from a database). You will complete an online library workshop and we will visit the library as a class on November 7th to learn more about research strategies.
• MLA format
• You may choose to work with a partner on your research, but you will still need to write separate papers with no four words in a row that are the same.
• You will do a five minute presentation to the class on the same topic as your research paper.

Resources:

Global warming links page

Assigned readings on the course schedule from Rules for Writers and From Inquiry to Academic Writing

CompClass resources on the "Course Materials" tab

A few possible topics: Politics

*One of the presidential candidates’ proposed policy on climate change  

*Media coverage of global warming in the presidential race

*The next step after the Kyoto Protocol expires in 2012

*Legislation on global warming in California

*Your city’s efforts to combat global warming

*One nonprofit organization’s efforts with regard to global warming

*Climate change, war, and peace: How climate change may affect national and international security

Possible topics: Economics

*Specific business opportunities created by global warming or by the development of clean energy

*The advantages and disadvantages of Cap and Trade plans

*Climate change, poverty, and development

Possible topics: Personal

*Choose a country or city outside the U.S. to which your family has ties.  How will global warming affect this place?

*The local food movement, farmer's markets, and climate change

*Vegetarianism and climate change or beef and climate change

*Choose one course of action you are interested in pursuing in relation to global warming, research it, and explain why you have chosen it.

*How carbon calculators like MyFootprint.org estimate each person's impact.

*The advantages and disadvantages of buying individual carbon offsets

Possible topics: Science

*Global warming’s effects on a particular ecosystem, such as a landscape you know

*The effects of global warming on a particular species, i.e. the polar bear.

*The science of climate prediction

Possible topics: Technology

*Solar power

*Geothermal energy

*Carbon sequestration technology

*Clean coal technology

*The debate over nuclear energy

*Fuel efficiency or hybrid vehicles

*Gasoline alternatives such as biodiesel

*Energy efficiency in the home

*Energy efficiency in architecture