Trogdon 1

English 101
Trogdon Anthony
Professor M. McCampbell
18 November 2015
Anthony You offer a decent argument about pollution. However, you overlooked several key
requirements of the assignment: no detailed analysis of the image, and you cited only 2 or 3
researched statements and overlooked several others. Your work cited list is not complete. I
thought we went over this.
Earth in the Hands of the Human Species

89/135

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Planet Earth is approximately 4.5 billion years old, and modern humans have inhabited
the Earth for about 400,000 years. Within those estimated 400,000 years, humans have become
smarter as time progressed. As humans became smarter; technology, manufacturing, and the use

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of resources have grown drastically. Most of what humans have accomplished and do in the
modern day is very effective for modern living, but there are many things that humans do that
have negative effects on the earth such as the use of house hold products, burning fossil fuels,
water pollution, power plants, chemical manufacturing, farming chemicals, and extracurricular
activities such as smoking and war bombings. Earth is the only planet that humans can inhabit;
therefor it is the humans responsibility to change habits of living before it is too late, or continue
to tear down the only planet that can inhabit the human race.
The human population is constantly growing, meaning more houses, and more household
pollutant products being used. Many of these products give a release of volatile organic
compounds, gases that can hurt the environment and human health (K. Maier), which is not
good for the earth. Even though it is a known fact that organic chemical pollutants released from
hobby supplies, paints, adhesives, solvents, and household cleaners into the atmosphere causes
issues, and we still use them there are still more that we may not know about. One household
pollutant you may not know about is called formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is already in most
living organisms to keep their metabolism leveled. Little do some people know, formaldehyde is
dismissed by the burning of fuel appliances, wood-pressed furniture outgasses, building
insulation, and cleaning products like disinfectants, and detergent for peoples clothing. When
hearing this problem we should use more green products that will be healthier for the
environment, such as making our own cleaning products our of organic goods, using wood that is
natural, and finding a more environmentally friendly paint that is odorless with no toxins which
has already been invented. If you thought that was a big deal take a look at fossil fuel burning.
Fossil energy sources, including oil, and natural gas, are all non-renewable resources that
were made by plants and animals that are prehistoric, and died while gradually being buried by

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rock layers. Fossil fuels are one of the main energy sources that humans the United States use
currently in this day in time. Whether fossil fuels is for heating our homes, powering our cars,
providing us with electricity, or manufacturing, humans strongly depend on this resource. It has
been said that by 2030 U.S. production of oil will have increased by a third (The National
Academy of Science), and this is not a positive thing to look forward to, because when fossil
fuels are burned it creates CO2 emissions, also known as carbon dioxide emissions, which also
can contribute to global warming. Also fossil fuel burnings can cause formation of acid rain
causing water pollution, as the acid rains increase the acid levels in rivers, lakes, and larger
bodies of water. Another problem with the excessive use of fossil fuels is the chance of having an
oil spill. Oil spill accidents can cause gigantic amounts of pollution. For example the Exxon
Valdez spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The Exxon oil spill not only affected the water but it also
affected the marine life animals who lived in or near the water, such as fish, birds, whales,
sharks, and others. This event that was caused that could have been avoided if humans never
drilled for oil knocked off the balance of the animals who lived in the sea. Later on this event
would have long-term effects on people as well, as it interfered with humans food supply, and
clean water. The alternatives for having to continuously use fossil fuels have already been put in
to play. Now in 2015 going into 2016 we are starting to see cars that are hybrids, cars that are
100% electric, solar panels used for houses, and fuels made from corn that will get the job done
just as well. Even with these alternatives a majority of humans are found still using things that
need the power from fossil fuels, and even though we have alternatives to use most still use fossil
fuel, because it is more convenient, and work efficient.
Power plant, chemical manufacturing, and farming chemicals, also play a part in humans
not taking care of the earth by causing pollution. For an example, factory farms, as they are one

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of the many industrial pollutants. Factory farms have animals which they must feed. Most farms
have so many animals that they use a low quality grains of food. This does not only fatten
animals such as a cow quickly, and cheaply, but it causes indigestion. This results in cows to
contribute higher methane emissions into the atmosphere. Once again as mentioned before
methane is the gas that contributes to global warming, but also causes ozone issues. According to
Princeton University, reducing methane emissions will save lives by improving air quality, and
lessen global warming effects. A way we can stop this is vow to only consume humanely raise
meat. Farmers can only sell what we will eat. Therefor if a mass majority of the population only
accepts mean raised the right way farmers will have no choice but to give what we want, or they
will lose money.
Last but not least, is the extra nonsense that humans do that causes pollution, like war.
War pollution is on-going in the world and causes problems non-stop. There will continuously be
numerous wars occurring around the globe and there will be pollution left behind. As a result of
bombs, missiles, tanks, and nukes being frequently used many of areas are suffering from air
pollution, like Iraq. In 2010 Iraq was recorded for suffering a major increase of babies who were
born with major and severe deformities. So now not only is the pollution affecting the planet, but
it is affecting those humans as well, which is why we need to make a change,
Taking Earth for granted is a huge mistake, and should never be an option. Earth is
indeed our only inhabitable planet that we know of at this time that can house the human race. It
is no secret that if humans continue to pollute the earth it just might fail us one day, and if that
ever happens we will all die! Just like we cause the problems we have alternatives to fix them. It
takes all of the human population to make a difference though, as earth has been torn down by
almost all humans for generations. If humans can reduce fossil fuel consumption, use of house

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hold products that are mess up the atmosphere, stop water pollution, change our farming ways,
and stop the war pollution we can all turn things around one day. The world is in our hands
though, and the choice is up to us, it is just a matter of what we are going to do from this point
forward.

Work Cited
Maier, Karyn. "Household Pollutants." SFGATE n.d.: n. pag. SFGATE. Web. 17 Nov. 2015.
release of volatile organic compounds, gases that can hurt the environment and human health
"The National Academies." Our Energy Sources, Oil . N.p., n.d. Web. 18
Nov. 2015.
The Earth is in Our Hands. Front Page Mag. Web. 18 Nov. 2015.
General Education Rubric: English 101/102: College Composition I/II

General Education
Competency

Related Assignment

Exemplary

Accomplished

Developing

Written and Oral

Requirement
5 points
10 points
Introduction 5

Exceeds Expectations
5 points
9 - 10
Presents a unified

Meets Expectations
3 4 points
6 - 8 points
Presents a unified central idea

Approaches Expectations
2 points
3 5 points
Presents a unified central idea

Do

Communication 54

points 4

central idea that is

that is supported by relevant

that is supported by adequate

cen

supported by

evidence.

evidence.

inc

Ha

Thesis 10 points 7

exceptional evidence

Conclusion 5

and displays unusual

Uses a logical order for

Uses a logical order for

points 5

insight.

paragraphs.

paragraphs.

Co
Structure (including

Uses a logical order

Free of errors in

Contains some major

gra

TS) 10 points 10

for paragraphs and

usage/mechanics, but for minor

grammatical or usage errors or

we

presents them in an

errors which do not impede

many minor errors.

Coherence 10

interesting or original

meaning.

points7

manner.

Sty
Style may include imprecise

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Style reflects appropriate

diction, ineffective transitions,

Free of errors in

vocabulary and varied sentence

and unvaried sentence patterns.

Errors 1 point per

usage/mechanics, but

patterns.

error -8/2 = -4 = 16

for minor errors which

an

do not impede
meaning.

Diction/clarity 10

Style reflects precise

points 7 slang; you

and vivid vocabulary

and varied sentence

Image description

10 points

patterns.
9 10

68

35

0-

and analysis
2

Describe features of

Identifies more than

Identifies three features of

Identifies one or two features

Ge

the image and

three features of the

image and describes them in

and describes them. There may

im

analyze their

image, describes them

detail. The description leads to

be some interpretation which

rep

significance to the

in the context of the

interpretation of their

will lead to identifying a

me

social or cultural

broader researched

significance to a broader social

broader social or cultural issue,

co

impact which leads to

topic and shows a

or cultural issue which you will

but the connection is not made

cu

your research into a

thoughtful connection

present a well-developed thesis,

explicit. There may be a

int

broader topic.

between the images

supported by expert evidence

general reference to a thesis

fea

NOTE: this

features and how they

and insightful reasoning.

which will be supported with

me

description and

reflect the specific

analysis sets the stage

issues related to your

for your informed

thesis and subsequent

opinion (thesis)

research.

researched evidence.

which is supported by
thoughtful research

Critical Analysis and

and reasoning.
20 points
Argue for your

17 20 points
Ideas are thoroughly

13 16 points
Ideas are developed and

8 12 points
Ideas are mostly developed and

0
Ide

Reasoning

position by

developed and

presented in a logical manner

presented in a mostly logical

an

15

generating reasons

presented in a logical

that is easy to follow with clear

manner that is easy to follow.

tha

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and providing

manner that is easy to

evidence for your

follow with clear

views.

reasoning.

Details/RENNS; at
least three are cited

reasoning.

Displays moderate depth in

Displays an attempt at depth in

Di

thought.

rea

reasoning and thought.

Displays insightful, indepth reasoning and

Information Literacy

20 points
5 points
Use a minimum of

depth of thought.
5 points
Exceeds the number of

3 4 points
Incorporates the required

2 points
Incorporates the required

Inc

three academically

required sources;

number of sources; sources

number of sources; some

req

appropriate

sources meet the

meet minimum standards for

sources do not meet minimum

no

secondary sources in

highest standards for

credibility and relevance.

standards for credibility and/or

mi

addition to any

credibility and

relevance.

cre

assigned primary

relevance.
Source information is

Source information is simply

So

introduced with qualifiers and

inserted with qualifiers or other

ins

Source information is

sometimes accompanied by

attempts at source integration;

oth

Demonstrate

introduced with

comments clarifying its

source relevance to thesis

int

academic integrity

appropriate qualifiers

relevance to thesis

development is sometimes

rel

through source

and accompanied by

development.

unclear.

is

integration and

comments clarifying
its relevance to thesis

Source information is

Attempts are made, but sources

So

support.

sometimes paraphrased or

are not correctly documented in

un

summarized, not exclusively

parenthetical citation and on a

pa

quoted.

Works Cited page or

Ci

source/s. 5 1points

documentation.
points 2

Source information is
5 points 1

smoothly and

Bibliography as appropriate to

effectively

Sources are correctly

paraphrased,

documented in parenthetical

summarized, or

citation and on a Works Cited

quoted.

page or Bibliography as

5 points 2

the style format in use.

appropriate to the style format

Sources are correctly

in use.

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documented in
parenthetical citation
and on a Works Cited
page or Bibliography
as appropriate to the
Technological

The inserted

style format in use.

The inserted object is

The inserted object clearly

The inserted object has

Th

Competence

object should be

especially suited/

relates to the essay thesis or

marginal connection to the

no

relevant to the

related to the essay

other content, and the object

essay thesis or other content, or

the

content of the

thesis or other content,

placement is smoothly

the object placement lacks

ob

essay and should

and the object

integrated without any visual

smooth integration in the essay.

to

be placed

placement is smoothly

awkwardness.

thoughtfully

integrated without any

within the

visual awkwardness.

Use appropriate style

Do
Document format follows style

Document format follows style

gu

Document format

guidelines with only one minor

guidelines with only minor

ma

follows style

alteration.

departures.

essay. 5
4points

att

guidelines perfectly.

format for essay,

including font and
margin size, as well
as header and page
number location. 5
Local and Global

5points
In analyzing the

Includes thoughtful

Includes references to

Includes reference(s) to

Inc

Diversity 3

issue, consider the

and insightful analysis

social/historical/political factors

social/historical/political factors

so

social, historical,

that demonstrates an

and shows moderate/acceptable

but shows little depth or

fac

and/or political

aware-ness of

depth or development in

development in analyzing those

de

factors at play.

social/historical/

analyzing those factors.

factors.

5 points

political factors.

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