Example Essay Topics And Grading Criteria Are Listed Below

Opinion Essay

Please help me write a 1000 word opinion essay. Example essay topics and grading criteria are listed below. Essays needs to address a controversial topic related to astronomy and public policy, and may include political, economic, cultural, and environmental issues. Essays should be 1000 words. Must state an opinion clearly at the beginning of the paper, including reasons and arguments as succinctly and clearly as possible.

Be sure to state explicitly where you got your information by citing your sources in the paper and listing your references at the end of the essay (you should have at least three). There is no right or wrong answer, but you will be graded on how well you defend your position.

Example Topic #1: Astronomers are trying to build a 30-m telescope (the Thirty-Meter Telescope, or TMT) in Hawaii. Some people are concerned about building such a large telescope in an environmentally, culturally, and politically sensitive location. Recently activists have attempted to stop construction, and the Governor suspended construction for a time. State your opinion about whether or not astronomers should be allowed to continue building TMT on Mauna Kea in Hawaii.

Example Topic #2 NASA spends money on both manned space flight (like the Space Shuttle) and unmanned robotic probes. Now that the Shuttle fleet has been retired, should NASA develop new rockets to send people back to the moon? Should we send people to Mars? Should NASA focus on unmanned missions instead? Is money spent on space exploration beneficial to society? State your opinion about the proposals currently being considered to send astronauts to the moon or to Mars.

• Please pay attention to grammar and spelling. Be sure to proof read your paper.

• Do not cut and paste directly from web sites or other sources unless you are making a direct and cited quotation. Be sure to properly document your sources.