Nature Definition Major Paper
Format:
Typed
Double-spaced
Size 12 Font
Cover page with Original Title
Advanced Placement Language and Composition
Due Dates:
First Draft due Monday, November 9
Revised Draft due Thursday, November 12
Final Draft due Tuesday, November 17
Option 1: In a four to six-page paper, define your relationship with nature through one, specific compelling incident.
Examples of this include Annie Dillard’s “Leaving Like Weasels”, Virginia Woolf’s “The Death of the Moth”, Annie Dillard’s
“Death of a Moth”, Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “Visit to Niagara”, and Anne Fadiman’s “Under Water”.
The content requirements of this essay include
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THEME: Author precisely defines his or her relationship with nature as revealed in the narrative. The author uses
his or her own unique language to state this, not “My relationship with nature is _____________”. For example,
consider Annie Dillard’s articulation of her relationship with the weasel.
NARRATION: One specific incident is narrated in a logical, well-paced, engaging manner. A setting is established,
a conflict is introduced, action rises suspensefully, a climax is achieved, action transitions towards a conclusion, a
denouement is satisfying.
DESCRIPTION: People, places, objects, plants, animals etc. are named specifically and described with selective
sensory detail: colors, shapes, patterns, quality of light, dimensions, etc. The sensory images must be precise
and serve the purpose of the narrative and the theme. Observational writing must be highly perceptive.
LITERARY DEVICES: Effective employment of one or more literary devices, such as metaphor, simile, symbolism,
hyperbole, allusion and imagery.
REFLECTION: The theme of the essay is revealed through the narrative, the descriptive detail, and through
thoughtful, mature reflection. The author is able to comment on the significance of the narrative and the
descriptions in an insightful, honest, authoritative way. It is clear that the author knows his or her subject, has
studied it, and can expand on its significance with reasons, explanations, comparisons, connections, etc.
RESEARCH: Expertise on the geography, flora, and fauna represented in the narrative has been complemented
by research.
Option 2: In a four to six-page paper, analyze an environmental problem that exists in California and explain how it
reveals attitudes about our responsibility towards the environment. Examples of this type of writing include Rachel
Carson’s “Silent Spring”, Jared Diamond’s “The Ends of the World as We Know Them”, Aldo Leopold’s “The Land Ethic”,
and Joy Williams’ “Save the Whales, Screw the Shrimp”.
The content requirements of this essay include
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DEFINITION: Defining the problem completely through precise language and illustrative examples. Where does
it exist? What does it affect? Who does it affect? What are its causes? How large is the effect?
HISTORY: Sharing the history of the problem. When did it start? What have been the key events and stages in
its evolution?
CAUSES: Who is it at fault? Who is causing the problem? What are their interests?
SOLUTIONS: What is/are the potential solutions? How would they work? What would it take for them to be
accomplished?
OPPOSITION: Who stands in the way of the solutions? Who opposes the solutions? Why
FORECAST: If we continue along this course, what will happen in the future.
THEME: How does this problem reveal common attitudes towards the environment? How does this problem
reveal your own attitude towards the environment?
WORKS CITED PAGE: Parenthetical references are made in most paragraphs of the essay. All sources are cited
using MLA form and a Works Cited page is included.