The Omnivore’s Dilemma Research Essay

For your last out-of-class essay of the semester, you will pick a topic and create a

research question you are interested in investigating from The Omnivore’s Dilemma

and research that topic in

relation to the book/s and our driving question (How should we eat?), and write a

research essay that argues a point from the book/s and/or your research. Your essay

should use researched sources to provide further insight into the topic and give you an

answer to your research question. Remember to present your argument through a clear

focused Thesis Statement, and use key terms to guide your topic sentences and body

paragraphs.

The research essay must follow and meet the following criteria:

Organization

ï‚· The Introduction paragraph should introduce the author and title of the book or

documentary, give a brief (2-3 sentence) summary of the book that highlights the

main points you will analyze, and state your main ideas/topics about the values

you will discuss. Conclude with a thesis statement.

ï‚· You will need a specific Thesis Statement answering your research question

based on the answers you have found through your research and critical thinking.

ï‚· You should have at least four body paragraphs, and each body paragraph should

have a topic sentence that supports your thesis statement and gives a focus for the

paragraph.

ï‚· You should use about 2 quotations for each body paragraph, with signal phrases

and citations: 10 quotations total

ï‚· You should have a conclusion paragraph that reminds us of your main point and

why it is important.

Additionally, your essay should meet or exceed the requirements for the following

criteria:

 MLA format

 Creatively titled

 Six outside researched sources, in addition to Foer and/or Pollan; you may count one documentary or episode we’ve watched as an outside source if it is applicable to your topic

 At least 10 quotations

 Works Cited page

 At least 6 full pages, not counting Works Cited page