FTS100 : Renewable Energy


Term Paper


Gustavus Adolphus College


Fall Semester 2007


Dr. Charles Niederriter


Term Paper:

The preliminary term paper and its expanded version (the final paper) will require the student to research and develop a topic, form early draft through final submission. The emphasis in this assignment is on organization and presentation of ideas and facts distilled from several references. The student will be expected to incorporate writing suggestions read about and/or discussed throughout the semester in class and on video. The topic discussed in your argumentative essay may not be used as a topic for your final research paper.

The scope of the research papers is broader than that of the other papers and may include historical or biographical material as long as it is related to the topic. Resources include articles, monographs, films, autobiographies, biographies, internet sources (used with care), etc.

Due Dates:
Abstract: November 15
Preliminary Draft: November 30
Final Draft: December 14

Abstract and Outline:
To assist in the preparation of the research paper, the student must submit a brief written abstract of the paper. The abstract (less than about 100 words) should define the topic and scope of the paper as clearly as possible. 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 the abstract or outline. Thus the student will include in this assignment:
Preliminary Draft of Term Paper:
The preliminary paper must be about 1250 words (about 5 pages) in length and must cite at least three references other than the course text and encyclopedias. The following should be included:
Final Draft of Term Paper:
The final paper is a revised and expanded version of the preliminary paper and must represent a thorough consideration of the issues raised in the instructor's evaluation. The final paper should be at least about 2000 words (about 8 pages) in length. The following should be included: