The Environmental Science/Persuasive Essay Project

You will be working to develop a five-paragraph persuasive essay project on a theme of Science/Environment. In class, we will work on the planning of your writing, gatheringresources to support your ideas, and developing the essay. You will also be completing acompanion poster project (either traditional or with Glogster) on the topic of your essay.First, you must choose a topic for your essay project. Your task as a writer is to developan idea and convince the reader that your position on the topic is important. You need toconvince people of the merits of your ideas. We’re doing a science-based explorationbecause you will have the option of posting your essay and poster project at

Voices onthe Gulf

website for a real global audience. Make sure you do your best work!

A basic overview of the five paragraphs

Introductory Paragraph You introduce your topic and provide somegeneral thoughts as to why you havechosen to write about it. You are trying toget the reader interested in your topic. Youshould include some basic persuasivecomments to set the tone of your piece.First Idea: Body Give some background information aboutyour topic. Here, you are providing someof the things you found in your research.Second Idea: Body Here, you shift into why your topic isimportant and begin to develop your ideaaround what “stance” you will take – areyou for or against whatever your idea is?Be bold, but also, acknowledged here thatthere might be opposing ideas (and it is OKto mention those ideas).Third Idea: Body What changes are you suggesting peopleand the world can make to address theproblem you have identified. Try to comeup with two or three clear, concise thingsthat people can do. Remember: you arepersuading your reader to move into actionto address the problem.Concluding Paragraph You should wrap up your ideas bysummarizing your topic and your opinionsabout the topic. You want the reader tofinish reading your essay with the desire tomake change in the world. Be supportive,but be direct in your statements.

Here are some possible topics:

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Is Global Warming an issue we need to be concerned with?Why or why not?

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Should we be moving to more alternative fuel sources? Whyor why not? What are some options?

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Choose an endangered animal to study. Why should it besaved?

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Should we be doing more around developing nuclear powerfor electricity? Or should we be stopping it?

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Look at some specific kinds of pollution (air, water, etc.) andwrite about how we can minimize it.

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There is a lot of talk around hybrid and all-electric vehicles.What are the benefits and what are the drawbacks?

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Investigate what happens to discarded technology products(computers, cell phones, etc.) and consider the impact theseproducts have on the planet.

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What is Earth Day and is it still important? If you couldchange Earth Day, what would you do?

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Wind power has been controversial, particularly Wind Farmsin the ocean. Look at the issue and determine whether usingthe wind is a good thing or not.

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Is recycling of paper and plastics worth the effort? Why orwhy not?

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Examine the destruction of some of the world’s rain forestsand ecosystems (the Amazon, the Everglades, etc.) and writeabout why this is happening and what can be done to changeit.

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Investigate the Gulf Oil Spill. What happened, and what hasbeen impact on animals and nature, and what can be done toavoid it in the future?

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Others?