1. Prepare your Environmental Issue Brief (EIB) paper in a standard 12-point font with 1-inch
margins. The purpose of this paper is to discuss and review a critical environmental issue in
Africa and provide a set of recommendations to address the issue. (Contingent upon the
permission of instructor, you can choose an environmental challenge from a country in other
regions.) The main text should be single-spaced, with double-spacing before each section.
Given this format, the final version of this paper should be about 2,000 words long.
2. Your paper should be organized in the following three units, Introduction, Body, and
Conclusion.
a. In an introduction, state briefly your chosen issue. You can select any
environmental issue that may be a key challenge in an African country (look at the possible topics below). Your introduction may include 1-2 paragraph(s)
(approximately 150-250 words total).
b. The body should include several paragraphs in which you discuss the background
of issue, current problem conundrum with regard to your chosen issue, and policy options proposed or implemented. When you discuss policy options proposed or implemented, you may include visualized illustrations (tables, boxes, or figures).
The word count will exclude these illustrations.
c. The conclusion should include several paragraphs which include your suggestions or recommendations to address the environmental issue. It is also important to acknowledge the weaknesses or limitations of your recommendations in a couple of short sentences.
d. Use section headings to improve your paper’s readability. Label the headings with the titles reflecting the main ideas of sections.
3. When constructing paragraphs, begin each new idea or sub-topic with a topic sentence. Support your general sentences with substantial information or concrete examples/evidence. For instance, if you discuss water quality issue due to a lack of sanitation infrastructure, you
make your argument cogent by providing reliable figures or numbers that resonate with the limited sanitation facilities, limited financial resources, or increasing burden of slums and squatters.
4. Please note the paper should be informative and insightful based on research. While the paper helps you be familiar with a specific environmental issue, it should provide up-to-date, clear information on the issue and policy options to potential readers. (e.g., national or international policymakers, NGOs, etc)
5. Using APA style, provide in-text citations and a reference list. At least ten references should
be included in the list of your final EIB paper. The list of references are not counted towards the word minimum.
Grading Criteria for Writing Assessment
1. Purpose (20%)
Issue Paper focuses on specific policy (topic is not too broad, and, while the problem
must be described, the policy is the focus)
Title clearly indicates both the country and the environmental problem being analyzed
Problem is clearly identified in the introduction
Introduction focuses reader on the analytical purpose of the case study
Follows given format for an issue paper, with all sections clearly marked by
subheadings
2. Line of Reasoning (20%)
Analysis clearly indicates the policy/policies the writer used to frame their discussion
Discussion synthesizes the analysis and the background information accurately and
critically
Conclusion gives a recap of the results of the analysis (whether the policy analyzed is
a success, failure or mixed)
Analysis, discussion, and concluding sections demonstrate critical thinking about the
problem and policy/policies addressing the problem.
3. Support of Argument (20%)
Includes evidence in support of claims
Demonstrates knowledge of material
Uses credible, verified, reliable sources for background and analysis (no
Wikipedia/TED, BBC, personal blogs, etc., except as starting points for finding other
sources; these should not be used or cited as references)
Adequate number of sources used to develop each section
Sources used appropriately to support points
Analysis of problem and success/failure of policy based on measurable/quantifiable
data
Sources integrated into arguments
Includes empirical/reality-based evidence (quantitative or qualitative) as appropriate
4. Structure and style (20%)
Accurate use of section headings as appropriate to the issue paper assignment
Clear, discernible organization of points/facts within each section with transitions
showing the connection between and among paragraphs
Paragraphs contain topic sentences with all information in the paragraph clearly
related to that topic, including factual background information.
Tone is formal and appropriate to an academic audience; clichés, idioms, and text
messaging conventions are not appropriate
Tone is neutral with no subjective, opinion-based language
Quotes are used sparingly and judiciously, typically to convey the voice and tone of
someone’s opinion.
Factual material should be paraphrased, not quoted; both quotes and paraphrases must
be cited.
5. Writing Mechanics (20%)
Documentation and citation:
o adequate number of citations for sources as advised by instructor/assignment
(minimum:10; no maximum);
o all sources listed on References page are explicitly referenced in the paper itself;
o consistent and correct use of citation style required by the instructor (APA);
o adequate number of sources referenced.
o (Note: citations should be placed directly after the first use of the source material;
it is not necessary to cite the
o material again until another source is used.)
Paper is written in third person (“I”/you are not appropriate)
Employs correct word choice, syntax, grammar, spelling, and punctuation
Sentences are complete and syntactically correct
Sentences are interesting to read, not short and choppy
Shows evidence of careful proofreading
