Human Impacts on the Environment
This essay will require you to research human impacts on the environment and present your findings in a 1000-2000 word essay that is properly documented. Your topic should have a local component; i.e., it should have some direct bearing on the environment in Central Georgia. Topics could include, but are not limited to:
- Automobiles (electric, hybrid, hydrogen, bio-diesel, etc.)
- Emerging global/local challenges
- Sustainable infrastructure
- Alternative energy sources
- Continued reliance on fossil fuels
Remember, your central concern here should be the environmental impacts of whatever subject you choose. Secondary issues — such economics, technology, public perception, etc. — should also be addressed when applicable.
Requirements:
- A minimum of 1000 words
- A minimum of 3 approved resources
- A paper formatted according to MLA (see Hacker)
The structure of your essay should follow this guideline:
- Title: be sure it’s catchy and descriptive
- Introductory paragraph(s): Introduce the issue you intend to cover. The last sentence should contain a thesis statement that has a subject and assertion
- First body paragraph(s): Address those who might hold a contrary position; explain why that position(s) may not be as tenable as yours
- Subsequent body paragraphs: Develop and support your thesis using specific evidence from your research. This means you will need to cite sources correctly using MLA citation style.
- Conclusion: Suggest ways that this issue might effect America in the long run — how it might effect humanity
- Works cited page
Be careful to watch your tone: you are writing an essay, not a rant, a lecture, or book review. Be sure that your essay contains all of the required parts of an essay that we have discussed in class, like the title, formatting, diction, etc.




