You are working for a political campaign and preparing a candidate with information about renewable fuels for an upcoming town hall meeting. While everyone is talking about the benefits of renewable energy from hydroelectric, solar and wind power plants and the move to electric cars, research information about biofuels from genetically modified bacteria, algae or the anaerobic methane produced in landfills and compost facilities, that are potentially able to replace fossil fuels and present pros and cons of this type of emerging technology regarding (choose one):
Technical feasibility (e.g. can it replace 20% or more of current raw oil/coal consumption
Does it require new infrastructure
Is there a genetically modified organism already in testing
)
Environmental impact (e.g. carbon foot print, land requirements, is it a ‘green’ technology
Is it a renewable energy
Are there concerns regarding the release of genetically modified organisms into the environment
)
Economics (e.g. costs per energy unit like price per gallon; what about infrastructure
Does it create new jobs or eliminate existing jobs
)
Political impact (e.g. will people likely adopt it if price is higher
Is technology imported
Would it reduce dependence on oil imports
Does it create new jobs or eliminate existing jobs
)
Writing is for communication. Think about what your role is (gathering facts), what you are writing about (renewable fuels from genetically modified microorganisms), and to whom you are communicating (a politician needing talking points). Your role Researching information for a political position paper.
Your audience:
A politician you are working for who is facing a public discussion of the topic with his/her constituency during a town hall meeting
Essay format 2 to 3 paragraphs on a single page (can be single spaced) Your task Present facts, discuss relevance of facts, compare facts, to support an argument at a town hall meeting