Instructions for Paper – 100 points

GEO 3113 – A S S I G N M E N T – C O N T E M P O R A R Y G E O G R A P H I C IS S U E S ESSAY
During the semester, you will research a contemporary geographic issue in one world region and

complete a three-page essay in which you will develop your own educated opinion about the issue.

This guide will help you complete this assignment.

Instructions for Paper – 100 points

1. Identify a Contemporary Geographic Issue in your selected world region. Conduct
independent research to complete the essay, finding sources that allow you complete the

steps below:

2. Your three page essay must include the following elements:
• A brief summary contemporary issue including a thesis statement that captures the

central tension in the geographic issue and its potential resolution(s).
• A discussion of the historical background to the issue that connects decisions, trends, and

major actors in the past to present problems.

• A comparison and evaluation of the different perspectives or vantage points on the
event/issue/problem.

• A conclusion where you express your educated opinion and suggestions for constructive
ways to address the issue.

3. Your essay should be formatted as follows:
• Name, date, and title of essay should be on the first page, single spaced, on the left hand

side.

• Lines are double spaced
• Margins set to 1” – top, bottom, right, and left
• Font type set to only Arial, Calibri, Helvetica, or Times New Roman. Font size set to 12 pt.
• Cite sources parenthetically using the Chicago (Turabian) style. Provide works cited on a

separate page.

Selected World Region: Europe

Exemplary Competent Developing

Paper
Score

Pos
Score

R
e

q
u

ir
e

m
e

n
ts

The essay was turned in on
time as indicated on this
handout.

The essay uses standard
formatting in regards to font
type, font size, line spacing,
and/or margins.

The essay includes
identifying marks, but not as
indicated.

The essay was turned in late.

The essay uses non-standard
formatting in regards to font
type, font size, line spacing,
and/or margins.

The essay does not have
proper identifying marks.

10

W
ri

ti
n

g
Q

u
al

it
y

The introduction established
the tone of the paper and
contained a clear and
focused thesis statement.

Grammar and style are used
to effectively communicate
the student’s thoughts.

The paper had a clear
structure that effectively
developed the main ideas
through paragraphs that
were logically sequenced
with thoughtful transitions

There is a recognizable
introduction, but the thesis
is unclear and ambiguous.

Sentences are generally
clear, with minimal spelling
and grammatical errors.

Paragraphs are generally
clear and/or focused, but
not sequenced to build the
analysis and/or transitioned
to make connections
between ideas and evidence.

There is no introduction that
leads up to what follows
and/or there is no clear
thesis statement.

The essay contains
numerous spelling and/or
grammatical errors.

Some sentences were
unclear, too long, or too
short.

Paragraphs lack topic
sentences, indentation,
focus, and/or coherence.

30

C
o

n
te

n
t

The essay clearly identifies
contemporary issue in the
region including the central
tensions, primary actors, key
ideas, and possible
resolutions.

The essay provides a
comprehensive overview of
the historical context of the
contemporary issues,
connecting past decisions
and trends to present
problems.

The essay identifies and
critically evaluates different
vantage points of actors
involved in the
contemporary issue and
possible resolutions.

The essay identifies the
contemporary issues and the
key components involved.

The essay provides an
overview of the historical
context of the contemporary
issues without explicitly
connecting the past to the
present.

The essay identifies the
different vantage points of
actors involved in the
contemporary issue.

The student states an
educated opinion about the
contemporary issue in the
essay that flows for their
analysis.

The essay identifies the
contemporary issue without
necessary detail.

The essay lists some relevant
historical facts related to the
contemporary issue.

The essay does not fully
address all of the required
steps in the summary,
list/define, and/or analysis.

The student does/does not
state an opinion about the
contemporary issue.

60

The student formulated
his/her own perspective on
the issues in this essay.

TOTAL GRADE ON THIS ASSIGNEMENT
100