This document provides 6 options for an analytical writing assignment on environmentalism. The options include assessing and comparing essays by Edward Abbey, David Orr, and Michael Berliner; interpreting a story by Ursula Le Guin; connecting two assigned texts; analyzing nature imagery in advertisements; evaluating Rowan University's sustainability website RUGreen; or creating your own option with instructor approval. Guidance is provided for purpose, audience, and inclusion of examples and summaries to support each analysis.

2. Option 1 Write an analytical argument in which you assess, compare, and contrast the essays by Edward Abbey, David Orr, and/or Michael Berliner (at least two of these three writers) and offer your point of view on environmentalism in the twenty-first century. Purpose- To convey an informed opinion about environmentalism and to assess methods of persuasion. Audience- Me and your classmates. Abbey, Orr, and/or Berliner. Notes- Include a brief summary of the texts you selected and specific examples to support your definition.

3. Option 2 Write an analytical argument in which you interpret Ursula Le Guin’sy and offer your interpretation of this story. Purpose- To convey an informed opinion about LeGuin’s text. Audience- your classmates and Me. LeGuin. Notes- Include a brief summary of LeGuin’s text and specific examples from her text to support your analysis. Aim for a strong or against the grain reading that uses textual evidence.

4. Option 3 Write an analytical essay in which you connect the text you selected with one of your classmate’s choices and/or LeGuin’s story. Purpose- To explore discursive ecology. Audience- Me, your classmates. Notes- offer brief summaries of the texts you select.

5. Option 4 Write an analytical argument about the use of nature imagery in one or more of the advertisements we reviewed in class and propose your own definition of nature. Purpose- To convey an informed argument about nature imagery in the media. Audience- Me, your classmates, the readers of the magazine/website where we found the advertisement. Notes- you might include images of the advertisements (This does not count towards the page minimum)

6. Option 5 Write an analytical argument about Rowan University’s RUGreen website. Analyze the purpose of this website, evaluate how successful it is, and note areas where it might be improved. Purpose- To convey an informed opinion about the RUGreen website. To improve the website. Audience- Me, your classmates, the RuGreen Webmaster. Notes- you might include screen shots of the website. This does not count towards the page minimum.

7. Option 6 Other: You create your own option. Determine your purpose Determine your audience. Determine your rhetorical tools and evaluation criteria.  Make sure you discuss this with me first.