Analytical reading for your research essay

Select a suitable and relevant article about your essay topic. To help you analyse the article so that you can use it in your essay, complete the following activities as you read.

- identify the main ideas of the article
- state the writer's point of view in one or two sentences
- compare the writer's point of view with your own point of view (or thesis)
- identify supporting arguments, as well as any counter arguments and refutations in the article
- organise the ideas under headings and take brief notes about each point
- summarise the writer's argument
- identify and copy down relevant quotations accurately
- paraphrase relevant quotes acknowledging the source
- write the reference list item according to academic convention

Research Essay Topic

Environment

'Individuals' continued lack of action has resulted in environmental degradation.'

Critically evaluate this statement. In your answer you should refer to deforestation and over Population.

Instructions
- Write a research essay on the above topic using the persuasive analytical model you have been taught.

In order to do well in the essay, you will need to begin the reading and note-taking necessary for an academic research essay as soon as possible. This means you have to plan to spend some time looking for material on your topic. You could start your research by accessing the Western Sydney University library data bases, and reading the articles provided by your teacher.
- This preparation should be done in advance so that you are ready to write at the beginning of week 7.
- The length of the essay should be 1200 words.
- Your essay should cite a minimum of 4 references.