Alternative Fuel Sources – Persuasive Essay
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Please read the paper below, handed in by one of my HACC students and re-produced here with
her permission. I have added comments in green to help you better understand what makes this
an A quality persuasive paper. Anyone can write a really strong persuasive piece; just keep your
audience in mind as you formulate your arguments, and remember to use strong wording. Oh,
and edit carefully!
Dear Dr. Gray,
Did you know that in the very near future infectious diseases could spread across this
country in alarming numbers? Scare tactics make for a great hook here! The Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released a report indicating that climate change led to the
shrinking of glaciers, and could eventually lead to ocean currents being altered. This could
promote the spread of infectious diseases quickly across the nation and world (Facts on File
News Services Database, “Update: Global Warming”). As a nursing assistant at York Hospital
in York, Pennsylvania. I was shocked nice strong word choice to learn that you do not believe
global warming is an issue about which we need to be concerned. . Global warming is a real
problem that needs to be addressed. Due to the many issues of global warming, I have decided
to discuss the use of alternative fuel sources. Good focus Alternative fuel sources will create a
safer environment, improve our health, and are essential to reverse the negative impact that
global warming has had on the earth. Clear and robust thesis. We know exactly what this student
will discuss, and we have a hint as to what the solution will be.
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There are serious health complications related to burning of fossil fuels, and the
environment has changed drastically due to our use of these fuels. Dr. Gray, I have researched
alternative fuel sources thoroughly and believe that American citizens must seriously consider
the impact of burning fossil fuels. Global warming is the gradual increase of the temperature of
the earth’s lower atmosphere. Solid definition This is a result of the increase in greenhouse
gases. The atmosphere’s temperature near the earth’s surface is warmed through a natural
process called the greenhouse effect (http://education.yahoo.com/reference/encyclopedia). The
burning of fossil fuels emits carbon dioxide, which has increased greenhouse gases in the
atmosphere. The increased gases are damaging the ozone layer (Facts on File News Services
Database, “Update: Global Warming”). It would be very hard to give an overview of global
warming throughout history, so this student instead uses the background paragraph to explain
what global warming is and what causes it, which I think works for this paper.
Dr. Gray, Note how the student continually re-addresses the audience, which makes this
letter feel personal. I understand that you believe global warming is not caused by burning fossil
fuels. In your article, “Global Warming is not Caused by Human Activities,” you state that
scientists use flawed computer models to indicate how increased greenhouse gases will affect the
world in the future. While you give many facts as to why you do not believe humans cause
global warming, I am sure you are concerned about the health of yourself and your family
(Gray). Excellent personalized concession.
As a result of burning fossil fuels, we are now experiencing air pollution, which is a
killer. It leads to 60,000 premature deaths a year. Shocking statistic The biggest source of air
pollution is the automobile (http://www.lungusa.org/site). Automobiles release carbon dioxide
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into the air, which becomes trapped and stays in the atmosphere. Air pollution triggers asthma
attacks. As a person with asthma, I am very concerned about the air that I breathe. Personal
appeal
Equally important is a disease that I have seen as a healthcare professional, which is
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Nice way to tie your profession in with your
topic This is a chronic lung condition where the airways in the lungs are obstructed. People with
COPD have a blockage in the tubes and air sacs in the lungs, which makes it difficult to exhale.
Concise explanation COPD is the fourth-leading cause of death in the United States. One cause
of COPD is air pollution (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/copd). Dr. Gray, have you ever
seen a person with COPD die? As a nursing assistant, I have seen people succumb to this
horrible disease. It is extremely difficult for the patient to breathe and eventually they die. The
sad part is they know they are going to die and their family has to watch them. Great emotional
appeal, though sad! Sometimes it can take weeks before the patient actually dies. During the
time the patient first comes into the hospital until the time they pass away, you can really get to
know them and their family. It’s difficult to watch someone not be able to breathe. Some of my
co-workers have had patients tell them they know they are dying and they are afraid. They don’t
want to leave their families. Can you imagine the agony they must be going through because
they can’t breathe? Very powerful.
I like how the author follows this depressing example up with a positive look forward
towards a solution. This is a subtle trick, but it works very well and keeps the reader from just
getting bummed and doing nothing. Dr. Gray, we must develop solutions to protect our health
and the health of our families from air pollution. One solution is to improve transmissions and
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engines in vehicles. Vehicles need to have more aerodynamic designs and use stronger, but
lighter material. This could increase fuel economy to 40 miles per gallon (mpg) over ten years,
which would be similar to taking 44 million vehicles off the road. Drivers could save thousands
of dollars in fuel over the life of the vehicle (The Union of Concerned Scientists). Financial
appeal
Similarly, one new source of alternative fuel includes gas-electric hybrid cars and
advanced design wind turbines. One of the gas-electric cars manufactured by Toyota is the
Prius. It gets 46 mpg compared to 20 mpg for an average new car. Gasoline use in the United
States could be reduced to half of its current use if only hybrid cars were manufactured. Hybrids
can be made to run mostly on electricity. A larger battery can be put in these cars, which would
increase the storage of electricity. Manufacturers are now working on recharging the batteries
with off peak wind generated electricity. The hybrids would then run mostly on electricity. If
this were to happen, it could reduce fuel use up to 80 percent. This could help reduce automobile
carbon dioxide emissions by 90 percent (Brown). Good appeal to alternatives.
Furthermore, President Bush presented a Hydrogen Initiative in his State of the Union
address on January 28, 2003. This initiative is $1.2 billion to help develop cars that operate on
hydrogen fuel cells by 2020. Hydrogen is produced from hydrogen containing materials such as
water, natural gas or methane. The hydrogen fuel cells do not pollute the air, unlike fossil fuels.
Water and heat are byproducts of hydrogen. Hydrogen burns much cleaner than gasoline, which
is safer for the environment (CQ Press database, CQ Researcher Online). Nice source!
Dr. Gray, my desire is for you to understand why I believe using alternative fuels are
necessary to protect our environment. Very clearly stated They will help to create a safer and
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healthier environment by reducing air pollution. Individuals with lung diseases will be able to
live improved and more productive lives if air pollution is reduced. It’s not rainbows and
sunshine, but she’s painting a nice picture of how the world will be if action is taken. Global
warming is real and something must be done to help protect the environment. As a fellow
citizen, I hope you will agree with me that alternative fuels sources are necessary to preserve our
environment for the future. Please use your vast knowledge of global warming a little subtle
flattery never hurt anyone! to encourage congress to enact laws enforcing the use of alternative
fuels. She could have been just a little more detailed when she encourages Dr. Gray to pressure
congress I know that action will be taken on this issue quickly and I look forward to hearing
from you soon. Clear solution.
Thank you for your time and consideration on this matter.
Sincerely,
Student name omitted
Works Cited
“Update: Global Warming.” Issues & Controversies On File (5 Apr. 2007) Facts On File News
Services. Harrisburg Community College, Harrisburg, PA. 10 Oct. 2008
<http://www.2facts.com>.
Alternative Fuels. American Lung Association. 14 Oct. 2008
<http://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK900E&b=36084>.
Brown, Lester R. Plan B 3.0 Mobilizing To Save Civilization. New York: W. W. Norton &
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Company, 2008.
Used section entitled Wind Powered Plug-In Hybrid Cars, pgs. 243-245
Encyclopedia: Global Warming. Columbia University Press. 1 Oct. 2008
<http://education.yahoo.com/reference/encyclopedia>.
Cooper, Mary H. “Alternative Fuels. Is Hydrogen the Fuel of the Future?” CQ Researcher
Online (25 Feb. 2005): 173-196. CQ Press. Harrisburg Area Community College,
Harrisburg, PA. 09 Oct. 2008
<http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/cqresrre2005022500>.
COPD: Definition & Causes. Mayo Clinic. 13 Nov. 2008
<http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/copd>.
Gray, William H. Conserving the Environment. Ed. John Woodward and Jennifer Skancke.
Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2006.
Article entitled Global Warming Is Not Caused by Human Activities, pg. 107-118
Works Cited - Continued
Lynas, Mark. Humanity’s Future. Ed. Louise I. Gerdes. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2006.
Article entitled Global Warming Is a Serious Threat to Humanity’s Future pg. 123-129
Union of Concerned Scientists. Pollution. Ed. Debra A. Miller. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2007.
Article entitled Numerous Solutions Now Exist to Reduce Global Warming, pg. 180
great citations !
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