Argumentative Essay Earth Science

Argumentative Essay Instructions

Selection of Topic

Choose 1 of the following topics for your essay:

1. Does radioisotope dating prove the Earth is 4.6 billion years old?
2. Did coal originate in swamp forests ~ 300 million years ago?
3. Did the Flood of Noah form the rocks seen in the Grand Canyon a few thousand years ago?
4. Does soft tissue in dinosaur bones prove they are not millions of years old?
5. Is the Nebular Hypothesis the best explanation for the origin of the Solar System?
6. Does the fossil record show that life evolved slowly over hundreds of millions of years?
7. Does the presence of carbon-14 in coal and diamonds prove they are thousands instead of millions of years old?

Content and Headings

Use the following outline when writing your paper. Each point on the outline below must be a separate section (with the section heading, as indicated) within your paper.

1. Cover page
   1. paper title (The topic you chose should be evident in your title)
   2. your name
   3. instructor’s name
   4. course number, section number and course name (i.e., PHSC 210 B09, Elements of Earth Science)
   5. date

2. Introduction
   1. Write a strong opening sentence capturing readers’ attention.
   2. Tell readers about the focus of your essay.
   3. State your position on the topic.
   4. Briefly introduce the arguments you will be making in support of your position

• Arguments
  1. Cite 1-3 evidence(s) that support(s) your position.
  2. Cite 1-3 evidence(s) that refute(s) the opposing position.

1. Counterargument and rebuttal:
   1. Address the opposing view. What would they say?
   2. Rebuttal: Respond to the opposing view.
2. Conclusion
3. Restate and support your position with a convincing summary statement.
4. Do not introduce new material in your conclusion.
5. Reference page

Length

This paper must be 1,000–1,200 words. Do not exceed this word limit. The title page and reference page do not count toward this word total.

Format

You must use current APA formatting. Papers must be double-spaced with 1-inch margins.

There is no need to include an abstract in your paper.

Sources

Your Argumentative Essay must include at least 4 scholarly sources in addition the course textbook and the Bible.

Here are the links to approved young-Earth sources:

• ICR Acts and Facts: https://www.icr.org/articles/search/?f_typeID=7
• Answers in Genesis Research Journal: https://answersingenesis.org/answers/research-journal/
• Creation Research Quarterly: https://www.creationresearch.org/crsq-journal

For old-Earth sources, use sites that end in .gov, .edu and scientific publications like those used in the Discussion Board 1 assignment.

Citation

Be sure to cite sources in your essay using in text and parenthetical APA formatting.