General tips: -You are responsible for researching and writing on a subject (of

General tips:
-You are responsible for researching and writing on a subject (of your choice, anything that has to do with an environmental issue will work) using source material in combination with your own words.
-This is a thesis-driven essay, not a dump of outside information. Do not just list quote after quote after quote. Summarize and paraphrase (and cite!) your sources as best you can. Be very selective with direct quotes.
-Third person voice is required for this formal, academic essay. No first or second person allowed.
-You should use quotes (sparingly), paraphrases, and summaries from your sources. Remember, you must choose your source information wisely and be able to follow up with your own thoughts (what does the quote mean) in your writing.
-Be careful to properly credit and cite all IDEAS, WORDS, and FACTS that come from outside sources. Accidental plagiarism is a frequent problem that students have with this assignment. If you ask yourself, “do I need a citation here?” then yes, put an in-text citation in. You will not be penalized for over-citation.
-The more narrow your topic choice, the better! Don’t bite off more than you can chew!
The Essay:
-The finished submitted draft should be 4 full pages, minimum.
-No essay should exceed 7 pages.
-Correct APA format is required.
-No cover page is required.
-In-text citations and a Works Cited page are both required for your paper to earn a passing grade.
Source Requirements for the Essay:
-Four ACADEMIC sources required, minimum.
-Your sources must include at least 1 article from an academic journal. The other 3 sources are your choice – as long as they’re academically sound. This could include newspapers, magazines, reputable online news sources, reputable documentaries, etc.
-You may have more than 4 sources if you so choose.
-You can use your textbook as a source but it DOES NOT count toward the 4 required acadmic sources.
-Works Cited page is in addition to the 5 page requirement.