ENV105: Research Paper Assignment
Note: Please use the APA style throughout your paper.
STEP 1. CHOOSE A TOPIC
• Choose a topic that interests and challenges you. Your attitude towards the topic may well determine the
amount of effort and enthusiasm you put into your research!
• You may choose any environmental topic, excluding carbon dioxide as related to climate change,
deforestation, wolves, tuna, bottled water, or French fries (because we will cover these topics in class).
• A good idea might be to do a search of environmental issues on-line and choose from that. Check with me
to make sure your topic is appropriate before beginning your work!
• Try to focus on a limited topic, for example—the authors of your text chose to focus in on carbon dioxide
rather than all of climate change. Or wolves, instead of all animals…, etc.
• Select a subject you can manage. Avoid subjects that are too technical, learned, or specialized. Avoid
topics that have only a very narrow range of source materials.
• Note: Reports created for other courses will not meet the requirements of this paper.
STEP 2. FIND INFORMATION
• Try to read as many Internet sites, magazines, books, etc. as you can regarding your topic. Be sure to keep track of
these resources so you can include them in your bibliography.
• Pay attention to domain name extensions, e.g., .edu (educational institution), .gov (government), or .org (non profit organization). These sites represent institutions and tend to be more reliable, but be watchful of possible
political bias in some government sites. Be selective of .com (commercial) sites. Many .com sites are excellent,
but a large number of them contain promotions for products or ideologies, are biased, and might not be reliable.
• Look for primary and peer-reviewed research articles in scientific journals and publications. An excellent research
paper will use more than three of both these types of sources. Our Bailey Library is an excellent source of these.
• Jot down or copy important ideas that you would like to include in your paper as you work. Organization is the
key! Make sure you give yourself adequate details about the reference site, such as the URL, so you can go back
to it if needed.
• Please note how the author of your textbook sets up chapters 9-14—that is how you are setting up your paper!
• The research you do should help to fill in the outline below.
STEP 3. MAKE A TENTATIVE OUTLINE
• Introduction
o One-three paragraphs that prepares your readers for the topic covered in your paper; an overview.
o What to include here:
§ Begin your paper with a “hook”, such as a fact or quote to help engage the reader
§ Follow your hook by specifically explaining what your topic is and which three concepts you will
cover as it relates to your environmental issue (more on that in the “Body” section below).
§ Any background information necessary for your reader to understand the Body of the paper
• Body
o At least three paragraphs to address different concepts related to your environmental issue.
o Dedicate at least one paragraph (preferably more) to each of the three concepts and how it integrates
with some aspect of your topic.
o Every issue is a little different, so based on your research choose any three of the concepts below to
address your environmental issue. Each should be addressed in its own paragraph, with examples and
other supporting material. Tie the concepts logically into your research topic:
§ population or scarcity
§ markets and commodities
§ institutions
§ ethics
§ risks and hazards
§ political economy
§ social construction
o Make sure you incorporate the terms, theories, and language of each of these chapter concepts in your
body paragraphs, along with any other ideas and concepts taught in the book that support the concepts!
Go back and review the chapters and notes, if necessary.
o You should include understanding of each concept and a discussion of how each concept is related to the
overall topic, including examples when helpful.
o Include footnotes (bottom of page) or inline references to your bibliography page at the end of your
paper, e.g., (Einstein et al., 1916), when you add quotes and examples from another source.
o Each of the body paragraphs should transition smoothly, allowing for the reader to follow a logical
progression of ideas without disruption.
o Helpful note: You are doing the same thing as the author did for the specialized topics in the last half of
the textbook, the tuna chapter for example, just on a smaller scale.
o Feel free to include pictures, tables, or graphs if they help the reader (which they usually do).
• Conclusion
o One paragraph to provide a summary of what you covered in your paper.
o You should briefly restate your three concepts as they relate to your topic. Make sure you specifically
refer to and summarize each of the three concepts again in the topical context.
o Also, add some factual statement, related thought, proposed solution or prediction as a statement (or
quote) to end your paper. This is your final statement to encourage your reader to look for more and keep
learning!
STEP 4. TYPE IT!
• Rough Draft: Once you have an idea how to proceed, type it! This is your first draft… Don’t worry about everything
being perfect. Just get it down right now. The next step will be to fine-tune and edit your paper.
• Edit, Edit, Edit: Trim and add as needed. When you think it looks pretty good, submit it to the Writing Center at
WCC, or a have a friend or family member proofread it (preferably someone good at that!). Ask them for honest
feedback—does it make sense? Does your paper flow well, is it easy to read? Are the concepts integrated into the
topic? Ask them to look for errors….
• Make sure you review the grading rubric to see how I will arrive at your grade—before you turn it in!
• If you want me to look it over before your final submission, I am happy to do so. I will ask for “rough draft”
submissions. Instructor reviews can be very helpful towards your final grade on the paper.
• Final Copy (at least seven pages) is due on the date listed in the schedule:
o Title page, that includes: Title of paper, your name, ENV105, Semester and Year of Class, Professor Name
o Body of the paper: Typed, one-inch margins, five- page minimum, 12-point, Arial, Helvetica, Geneva, or
Calibri font (or other comparable sans serif font) double-spaced.
o Bibliography page (use the same format as you see in the back of your textbook): at least four sources
including one scholarly article for the highest score!
o Note: everything above = 7 pages.
o You must submit an electronic copy by the due date so that it can be sent through the plagiarism
detector software and graded.
o Late submissions will not be accepted without a valid, supportable reason for the delay.
*Some of the suggestions and ideas adapted from: http://www.aresearchguide.com/1steps.html
Revised 4/27/2020 – RMP
Name: _______________________________________ Score: _______
ENV105 Research Paper Grading Rubric
Exceeds Expectations
(4 pts)
Meets
Expectations
(3 pts)
Approaches
Expectations
(2 pts)
Does Not Meet
Expectations
(1 pts)
Missing
(0 pts)
Title Page
(10%)
(____ pts. x 2.5 = _____)
Separate title page with full
heading that includes all
required information.
Heading is missing one
piece of required
information and/or
not out on separate
page.
Heading is missing
two pieces of
required
information and/or
not out on separate
page.
Heading is missing
three pieces of
required
information and/or
not out on separate
page.
No heading or
title page is
given.
Introductory Paragraph
(10%)
(____ pts. x 2.5 = _____)
Topic is clearly stated. The
three concepts that will be
covered in the paper are
clearly stated. A good
“hook” or fact is also
included to help engage the
reader.
Topic and concepts
covered are given, but
not adequately
explained or set up or
the “hook” or fact is
not clear as to how it
relates to the paper.
The topic is
identifiable, but
there is either no
“hook” or one or
more of the three
concepts are
missing.
The topic is
identifiable, but the
three concepts
covered are not
stated.
Introductory
paragraph is
missing.
Content/Body
(40%)
(____ pts. x 10 = _____)
At least three of the
concepts are thoroughly
covered and correctly used
to help support the chosen
topic and language and
concepts used in the text
are incorporated
throughout the paper.
Three concepts are
covered—but there
may be some minor
weaknesses or
omissions in one or
more of the three
concepts to help
support the chosen
topic. There is
adequate language
and concepts
incorporated into the
paper from the text.
At least two of the
concepts are
covered fully–the
other topic may
have serious errors
or omissions but is
present. Or, there is
only basic
incorporation of
language and
concepts from the
text present.
At least one of the
concepts is covered
fully–the other two
concepts are either
missing or contain
serious errors. Or,
very little
language/concepts
were incorporated
into the paper from
the text.
No concepts are
covered and no
language/concep
ts from the text
were
incorporated.
Conclusion
(10%)
(____ pts. x 2.5 = _____)
The three concepts are
wrapped up by summarizing
them briefly. A final
statement or quote has
been added.
Three concepts are
fully restated, but a
final statement is
unclear.
Three concepts are
mostly restated
and/or the final
statement is
missing or unclear.
Three concepts are
not fully restated or
very unclear and/or
the final statement
is missing or
unclear.
Three concepts
are not restated
and no final
statement is
given.
Organization
(10%)
(____ pts. x 2.5 = _____)
The organization is
complete and logical with a
progression of ideas leading
to a conclusion. Transitions
allow the reader to follow
the content without
disruption.
There is a logical
progression with
occasional breaks in
flow and content. Lack
of transitions disrupts
the flow for the
reader.
Logical progression
is minimal with
disconnected ideas.
The reader has
difficulty following
the development if
the topic.
There is no logical
progression in the
development of the
topic. Ideas are
disconnected and
disruptions in the
flow confuse the
reader.
Organization
completely
missing.
Language/Grammar
(10%)
(____ pts. x 2.5 = _____)
Vocabulary is precise, and
appropriately used. The
writing expresses clarity and
accuracy in information.
Grammar is error free,
maybe with a few minor
errors.
Vocabulary is
appropriate; some
phases need work
and/or three grammar
errors.
Vocabulary is weak
rather than precise
and/or four
grammar errors.
Vocabulary is
inadequate to the
topic and incorrect
and more than five
grammar errors.
Missing or
multiple
grammatical
errors that make
the paper
unreadable.
Resources/Bibliography
(10%)
(____ pts. x 2.5 = _____)
Resources are sufficient
(four of more sources
including one scholarly
article). Resources are
clearly cited on a
bibliography page in correct
format.
Resources are
adequate—at least
three resources are
given and/or a
separate resource
page is not provided.
Resources are
minimal, not
primary—at least
two are given
and/or a separate
resource page is
not provided.
Resources are less
than minimal—only
one given and/or a
separate resource
page is not
provided.
No resources
given, nor is a
separate
resource page
provided.

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