Revise An Argumentative Research Essay Assignment: Review ✓ Solved
Revise an Argumentative Research Essay ASSIGNMENT: Review the
Review the in-text comments and summary feedback you received on your Touchstone 3.2 draft to enhance your writing. You will then submit a revision of your Touchstone 3.2 draft that reflects the evaluator's feedback. Make sure to include a copy of your Touchstone 3.2 draft below the reflection questions for this unit.
As this assignment builds on Touchstone 3.2: Draft an Argumentative Research Essay, that Touchstone must be graded before you can submit your final research essay.
Final Draft Guidelines
DIRECTIONS: Refer to the list below throughout the writing process. Do not submit your Touchstone until it meets these guidelines.
- Editing and Revising – Have you significantly revised the essay by adjusting areas like organization, focus, and clarity? Have you made comprehensive edits to word choice, sentence variety, and style? Have your edits and revisions addressed the feedback provided by your evaluator?
- Cohesion and Source Integration – Is the information presented in a logical order that is easy for the reader to follow? Have you included smooth transitions between sentences and paragraphs? Have you introduced your sources clearly and in a way that demonstrates their validity to the reader?
- Conventions and Proofreading – Have you double-checked for correct formatting, grammar, punctuation, spelling, and capitalization? Have you ensured that any quoted material is represented accurately?
- Reflection – Have you displayed a clear understanding of the revision process? Have you answered all reflection questions thoughtfully and included insights, observations, and/or examples in all responses? Are your answers included on a separate page below the composition?
Reflection Questions
DIRECTIONS: Below your assignment, include answers to all of the following reflection questions.
- How much time did you spend revising your draft? What revision strategies did you use and which worked best for you? (2-3 sentences)
- List three concrete revisions that you made and explain how you made them. What problem did you fix with each of these revisions? Issues may be unity, cohesion, rhetorical appeals, content, or any other areas on which you received constructive feedback. (4-5 sentences)
- What did you learn about your writing process or yourself as a writer? How has your understanding of the research process changed as a result of taking this course? (2-3 sentences)
Requirements
The following requirements must be met for your submission to be graded: Composition must be 6-8 pages (approximately 1500-2000 words). Double-space the composition and use one-inch margins. Use a readable 12-point font. All writing must be appropriate for an academic context. Composition must be original and written for this assignment. Plagiarism of any kind is strictly prohibited. Submission must include your name, the name of the course, the date, and the title of your composition. Submission must include your graded Touchstone 3 assignment. Include all of the assignment components in a single file. Acceptable file formats include .doc and .docx.
Paper For Above Instructions
In the evolving landscape of energy production, the debate over renewable energy sources has gained monumental significance. As conventional fossil fuels become increasingly unsustainable, the shift towards renewable resources such as solar and wind energy is not merely favorable but imperative. This argumentative research essay seeks to elucidate why transitioning to renewable energy sources is essential for achieving environmental sustainability, enhancing economic stability, and ensuring energy security for future generations.
The first critical aspect of renewable energy is its impact on environmental sustainability. Traditional energy sources, particularly coal and oil, are primarily responsible for the proliferation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, leading to climate change and severe weather conditions. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the burning of fossil fuels accounted for approximately 70% of global greenhouse gas emissions in 2019 (IPCC, 2021). In contrast, renewable energy sources produce minimal emissions, making them a cleaner alternative. For instance, transitioning to wind energy can reduce carbon emissions by up to 90% compared to coal (U.S. Department of Energy, 2020). Such statistics underscore the necessity of adopting renewable energy to combat climate change actively.
In addition to environmental benefits, renewable energy sources provide substantial economic advantages. Investments in clean energy technologies are associated with job creation, particularly in manufacturing, installation, and maintenance sectors. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in the renewable energy sector is projected to grow considerably, outpacing fossil fuel-related jobs (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022). Furthermore, as technology advances and production scales increase, the costs associated with renewable energy are declining. The Lazard Levelized Cost of Energy Analysis illustrates that the cost of utility-scale solar has decreased by 89% since 2009, making it one of the most cost-effective energy sources available (Lazard, 2020). This economic advantage makes the transition to renewable energy not only feasible but economically sound.
Energy security is another compelling reason for the transition to renewable energy. Fossil fuel reserves are concentrated in specific geographic regions, leading to dependence on imports for many countries, which can jeopardize national security. By investing in renewable energy resources, countries can produce power locally and diminish reliance on foreign energy supplies. For instance, Germany's Energiewende policy promotes the use of renewable energy to increase energy independence and security (Klein et al., 2021). The diversification of energy sources also contributes to stability in energy prices and reduces vulnerability to global energy market fluctuations.
Despite the numerous advantages of renewable energy, challenges remain in its widespread adoption. One of the primary concerns is the intermittency of renewable sources like solar and wind. Energy generated from these sources can be variable, which necessitates the development of reliable energy storage solutions. Innovations in battery technology, such as lithium-ion batteries, are paving the way for more efficient storage methods, enabling excess energy produced during peak generation times to be stored and utilized during lower production periods (International Energy Agency, 2021). Moreover, enhancing grid infrastructure is crucial for integrating renewable energy into existing energy systems. Governments must prioritize investments in smart grids that can efficiently manage diverse energy inputs and outputs.
Addressing the hurdles associated with renewable energy adoption requires collaborative efforts from governments, businesses, and individuals alike. Policymaking plays a critical role in incentivizing renewable energy projects through subsidies, tax credits, and investment grants. For example, the federal solar tax credit enables homeowners to deduct a significant percentage of the cost of solar panel installation from their federal taxes, promoting the residential solar market (U.S. Department of Energy, 2021). Educational campaigns are also vital to raise awareness about the benefits of renewable energy and motivate individuals to adopt cleaner energy practices in their homes and communities.
In conclusion, the transition to renewable energy sources is an urgent and necessary step towards achieving environmental sustainability, economic stability, and energy security. By harnessing the power of renewable resources, countries can mitigate the detrimental effects of climate change, stimulate job creation, and enhance energy independence. While challenges exist, proactive measures focusing on technology advancements and policy support will facilitate this transition, paving the way for a sustainable energy future. The time to act is now, and a commitment to renewable energy is essential for generations to come.
References
- International Energy Agency. (2021). Global Energy Review 2021. Retrieved from https://www.iea.org/reports/global-energy-review-2021
- Klein, P., et al. (2021). The Role of Renewable Energy in Energy Security. Renewable Energy Focus, 35(2), 20-25.
- Lazard. (2020). Levelized Cost of Energy Analysis - Version 14.0. Retrieved from https://www.lazard.com/media/451775/lazards-levelized-cost-of-energy-version-140.pdf
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2022). Employment Projections. Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/emp/estimated-fastest-growing-occupations.htm
- U.S. Department of Energy. (2020). Wind Energy Technologies Market Report. Retrieved from https://www.energy.gov/eere/wind/downloads/wind-energy-technologies-market-report-2020
- U.S. Department of Energy. (2021). Federal Solar Tax Credit. Retrieved from https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/articles/federal-solar-tax-credit
- Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. (2021). Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis. Retrieved from https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg1/
- International Renewable Energy Agency. (2020). Renewable Power Generation Costs in 2020. Retrieved from https://www.irena.org/publications/2021/Jun/Renewable-Power-Generation-Costs-in-2020
- Renewable Energy World. (2021). The Future of Energy Storage: Trends and Innovations. Retrieved from https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/storage/the-future-of-energy-storage-trends-and-innovations/
- U.S. Energy Information Administration. (2021). Today in Energy: Renewable Energy and the U.S. Energy Economy. Retrieved from https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=48476