Assignment: Synthesis Essay

Which side of the climate change debate has been most successful?

How might one characterize 2011 America's view climate change? Is it at the forefront of national dialogues? Are believers and disbelievers of climate change given equal consideration and respect? Where does the issue currently fall on the list of Americans' priorities? In a concise essay, synthesize the following diverse texts into a "snapshot" of contemporary America's view of climate change.

Utilize at least four of the following texts in your analysis:

• "In U.S., Concerns About Global Warming Stable at Lower Levels" (Gallup)
• "Warming Oceans and Human Waste Hit Tuvalu's Sustainable Way of Life" (The Guardian)
• "In Their Own Words: The Republican Presidential Field on Climate Change" (The Hill)
• "Al Gore: Climate of Denial” (Rolling Stone)
• "Two Days Before the Day After Tomorrow" from South Park (Comedy Central)
• "The Climate Crisis Hoax" (Forbes)
• "Why on Earth Do We Listen to Those Who Cry Wolf?" (OnEarth)

Though not assigned, the following texts may also be considered in your analysis:

• "The Global Warming Hoax: How Soon We Forget" (American Thinker)  
• "This is What Global Warming Looks Like" PSA (National Resources Defense Council)  
• "Americans Fail the Climate Quiz" (NPR)
• "Classroom" Commercial (ConocoPhillips)

Above located in the eR.

Requirements:

• MLA format, including parenthetical citation
• 3-page minimum 
• Works cited

The best papers will:

• Stay within the parameters of the prompt
• Have a concise thesis
• Find "common threads" amongst a diverse group of texts and combine them to create a "snapshot" of America's current view of climate change
• Properly cite evidence using MLA's parenthetical citation method
• Conclude with a summation of your points
• Be in MLA Style

Due: Th 10.18 (Sec. 6) / 10.21 (Sec. 43)—Bring three copies