PST 4176 Environmental Ethics
Summer 2005
Argumentative Essay Assignment
The Assignment
Write a substantial (6-8 page), original argumentative essay about a concrete case of
environmental decision making. The essay will account for 30% of your final grade in the
course.
You may choose any case that is of interest to you, so long as it clearly involves a decision
regarding environmental change. It is your responsibility to research the case and the debate to
which it has given rise: it is important to understand the situation fully before you make a
proposal. It is also your responsibility to decide how best to incorporate that research into your
essay, providing full documentation (endnotes or works cited list) as appropriate.
The important thing to keep in mind, however, is that this is to be an essay, not a report. The
goal is to advance a proposal, and to provide a set of reasons for your audience to accept your
proposal. The research you incorporate into the essay must be entirely subordinate to this goal;
outside sources may provide background to your proposal, and they may provide some fodder
for your argument, including solid objections to your proposal. Aside from this, the essay should
consist of your own ideas, expressed in your own words, and organized as you think best.
The essay will be graded according to the rubric provided with the syllabus, using the evaluation
form that appears on the back of this sheet.
Important Dates
6/10
Regular weekly writing assignment (for credit): Propose two or three possible topics for
your Essay; these should be concrete cases of environmental decision making, past or
present. Each topic should be stated as a simple question, accompanied by a brief
paragraph of description and explanation: What draws you to this topic? How do you
think you might proceed with research and writing? What difficulties are you likely to
encounter?
(There is also a reading assignment for this date.)
6/17
Regular weekly writing assignment (for credit): Revised topic and writing plan for your
essay, including a comprehensive list of questions yet to be answered.
In Class: Writing Workshop I
6/24
Regular weekly writing assignment (for credit): Thesis and outline for Essay;
bibliography.
In Class: Writing Workshop II
6/29
Write: Full draft of Essay
In Class: Writing Workshop III – Peer Assessment
7/1
The Deadline: Final Essay Due