Research paper
Compose a persuasive paper 7 to 8 page long (not counting title page and references page) that defends a claim about how your chosen environmental issue should be addressed from an ethical perspective. This will be a claim about what should or should not be done – about some action, policy, law, initiative, practice, or character trait you recommend as an appropriate ethical way of addressing the topic or some approach you argue is unethical and should be changed or avoided.
This assignment relates to the United Nations SDGs, one of which will be analyzed in the SDG application section of the paper.
Paper sections
Title page – Use the APA student paper template (Links to an external site.) (without abstract) to format the assignment.
Introduction (1/2 page) – Draw in the reader in an engaging way, introduce your topic, and contextualize its significance. Make the last sentence a thesis that states the persuasive claim you will defend about how your chosen environmental issue should be addressed.
Scientific background (2 pages) – Share main ideas from 2 recent (last 10 years) peer-reviewed scientific studies on your topic. For each study, share the research methods used (observation, experiment, prediction model) and the main findings. This can come mainly from your science presentation, choosing the 2 best studies you found and revising as needed based on comments you received. You can also bring in up to 2 reputable but non-peer-reviewed background sources, such as newspaper reports and websites. Do this if it helps build the case for your persuasive arguments later in the paper.
Reading application (2 pages) – Choose two readings from the course. For each, summarize a main concept or argument from it and explain in detail how that viewpoint applies to your research topic. It is OK to use two readings from the same book as long as they were readings for different course lessons. Cite from your chosen readings as part of the discussion. You can choose main ideas from the readings that support or oppose your thesis. For example, you can describe an argument from a reading that feeds into your persuasive arguments later in the paper or explain how a reading author would approach your topic one way, and then argue for a different way in your own persuasive work.
SDG application (1/2 page) – Choose one of the 13 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that relates to your topic. Describe the goal and at least two of its targets and indicators, with reference to how they connect to your topic and proposed solution. (To see the targets and indicators, find a goal from the United Nations SDG websiteLinks to an external site., select the goal, and scroll down to where “targets and indicators” is an option next to “overview.”)
Persuasive arguments (2 pages) – Use logically compelling arguments and detailed evidence to defend your thesis about how an environmental issue should be addressed. Do not just survey different sides of the debate. Instead, defend a specific thesis with your own creative arguments. Part of the persuasive arguments section should use ethical concepts from the course, from outside research, or from your own thought to defend your thesis. Another part can give details of what your proposed resolution of the environmental issue would entail. For example, if you are proposing a new law or arguing that a certain practice should be discontinued, give concrete details about what that change would look like. Bring in facts from outside research as needed to support your main claims, noting potential sources of bias. After giving your own arguments, address one possible counterarguments to your view and show why they are not compelling.
Conclusion (1/2 page) – Signal the end of the paper, review your thesis and main ideas, and discuss the wider significance of your research. End with a memorable closing.
References page
