FTS100 : Renewable Energy
First Formal Paper: Argumentative Essay
Gustavus Adolphus College
Fall Semester 2007
The purpose of this paper is to familiarize the student with library research and to sharpen the student's skills at extracting the significant points from a variety of sources. This paper also requires that the student document the sources of their information in a appropriate manner (footnotes or endnotes).
This paper should be written in such a way so that another student taking this course would find them informative, interesting, unambiguous and concise. The paper should be double spaced, and at least 1000 words in length (which is about 4 double spaced pages).
Timeline for the Paper:
● Tuesday, October 9, 2007: Outline Due
● Thursday, October 18, 2007: First Draft of Paper Due
● Friday, November 9, 2007: Final Draft of Paper Due
In order to assist in the preparation of the paper, the student must submit a brief written summary (about one to two paragraphs) and outline of the paper. This should define the topic and scope of the paper as clearly as possible. (For example, the topic may be "The US should increase its reliance on nuclear energy") The outline should document the anticipated approach to the topic, and list subtopics to be covered and major points that will be made. It is obviously not expected that the final paper will exactly follow the form covered in the outline. The following should be included:
● A statement, about one or two paragraphs in length, typed and double spaced which describes the major point which will be discussed in the paper.
● An annotated bibliography. This annotated bibliography should include at least onesource (other than the course texts, web pages, and encyclopedias). For the source, include a one paragraph summary of what is contained in the source.
● For sources which are not too long, a photocopy of the source.
Using feedback from the instructor and others, the student will prepare the first draft of the paper. Along with the first draft, the student will include:
● A copy, including instructors comments, of the outline.
● An annotated bibliography. This annotated bibliography should include at least twosources (other than the course texts and encyclopedias).
● For sources which are not too long, a photocopy of the source.
The suggestions of the instructor, and other revisions will be incorporated into the final version of the argumentative essay paper. Make sure you carefully read the IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT REVISIONS listed in the Overview of Writing Assignments handout. Along with the final version, the student will include:
● A copy, including instructors comments, of all previous development of the paper (outline and first draft).