Prompt I chose
The Overpollution of platic and trash in the ocean, the significance of the issue, the consequences, and what some countries/states/areas/communities are doing to get rid of the issue.
prompt from teacher
A lot has happened since the book was published ten years ago. For example, China no longer takes our recycling as of 2019, I think. States and even countries are implementing single-use plastic bans or bans on water bottles. California has plans and initiatives in place to tackle plastic pollution. Alternative products are slowly entering the market; is it possible to mass produce any of these alternatives; or: are they already in mass production? Many of you were moved by the ocean chapters. Has plastic pollution in the ocean increased? Have there been any new technologies introduced to clean it up? Check out Boyan Slat’s organization. There’s a ton to be researched here.
Chp 11 provided a range of technologies for waste management. This could be another area to research.
You may want to dive into our consumerist mentality that was covered throughout the book but traced to its roots in Chp 3.
There are a range of issues to explore more deeply. Your job is to research a specific issue from the book — don’t try to cover everything, and then you’ll also need to analyze the larger significance. For example, you can easily write an informative essay tracing the recycling industry and the export of recycling to China; however, without the deeper analysis, readers are only left with information. Your task will be to connect the information to some larger significance. Think about how Edward Humes focuses on specific examples throughout each chapter, and how those examples highlight larger issues: Puente Hills landfill could be any landfill—and if landfills are a temporary solution to the “garbage crisis,” what are the deeper issues at stake?
Find your focus, provide the necessary information, then unpack the significance, and unpack it again.
Final Draft:
• 5-7 pages, Word Count: 1600-2200 words
• MLA format complete with Annotated Bibliography and Works Cited page presented in this order: essay, AB, WC
• Four source minimum; Five sources maximum — three must be credible sources
• Edit closely as you write and especially your final draft. Pay attention to MLA and grammar and punctuation.
• Review your composition skills and edit closely to ensure that you’re mastering those moves.
