CR # 7: A Plan of Action

For your last CR, please draft a plan of action for your final research paper. Your plan should include:

Your Issue: Identify the issue you will be researching. Describe its relevance to sustainability, and clearly state your position on it. Explain exactly which aspects of the issue you will and won’t address in your paper. Create a list of three to a dozen items that clearly identifies the points you intend to cover. Remember that fewer points, covered thoroughly, are better than more points, covered inadequately.

Your Purpose: Using an active, “key task” verb, relate the effect you intend to have on your target audience. (Examples of key task verbs include persuade, demonstrate, educate, inform, motivate, convince, teach, compare, contrast.) Make sure the verb matches your intended purpose. If you present factual information with little interpretation, “inform” may be appropriate. If you present information plus your interpret or agenda, “convince” or “motivate” will be more appropriate.

The Obstacles: First, identify any potential problems or barriers outside of the research paper itself that might interfere with your stated purpose. Why might your audience not go along with your position or carry out your recommendations on the issue? Obstacles could include an audience bias against your position; a lack of access to information necessary to make your point; inadequate funds, personnel, or time for your audience to carry out your recommendations; and laws or regulations prohibiting the course of action you suggest. Then, identify any potential problems or barriers within the paper itself. Will sources be difficult to find? Will an interview be tricky to negotiate? Etc.

The Source: Your paper will have numerous sources. One on which I hope you will rely on a great deal is the book you've chosen to read this semester. In this section of your plan, write a detailed abstract of that book.

The CR is due at the end of class.