I have a 5 page paper do in my college english class. The topic is arguing a postion. We can choose our own topics. I choose: Are hybrids really good for our environment? Do you guys think this is a good topic for a 5 page paper?

If you guys dont think it is, then what do u think is a good topic?

Thanks for the help.

 

I think it is a great topic. Like anything else, they may have a negative impact on the environment. They have a higher cost to make but their "environmental impact" is still up in the air.

Most hybrids use a nickel metal hydride system, which requires nickel mining, which is often done in open cast mines and with all the pollution that goes along with excavating large holes in the ground.

Nickel metal hydride batteries are non toxic and they can be recycled, but at a cost.

Sounds like a great paper to write.

 

Ive been tryin to find sources. 2 sources per a point. Alls i have been finding is how good hybrids are. I havent found anything like berkad has stated.

 

sounds like a good topic to me. is this a persuasion topic? informative?

i am not sure how far in depth research wise you want to get for an english paper, but, instead of looking for things just about hybrids, compile your own info together to come to conclusions.

things like fuel consumption as compared to an equally sized car. also the manufacturing process, does the nickle batteries actually have that big of an impact? and things like cost benefit analysis and such. what truly would benefit not only the consumer, but society in the short and long run?

 

if you write about something you're passionate about, trhe paper will be better, and be easier.


I wrote a 25 pager on Orv's for my outdoor rec class.

use your school's library to help find sources

 

It's a good topic (you can also figure in the price of the vehicle-is it good for the pocket book?) Another hot topic might be is the use of ethanol really good for the environment, considering the cost and energy required to produce it? Why not post your paper after submitting it, sounds like it would be interesting reading?

 

Id love to write a paper about SUVs or PU. But i tryed the topic : Are SUV's and Pickups safe? Alls i got was pages on google stating the roll over factors.

 

Instead of choosin the topic "Are SUV's safer?" (cause i cant find info), do u think a wise topic would be Why do people drive SUV's? That could be a good arguement. What do u guys think?

 

quit using google for one.

why suvs? they look good, sit up high and can do everything about at anytime. so if i want to look nice and preppy around town, go off-roading, pull a trailer or loaded some stuff into the back of it, an suv will do all of that for the same price or a little more than a car.

mpg? mine gets 20mpg highway, 15-16 around town, what does a medium or full size car get? how about a compact? is the difference that much? depends on what in your opinion is a lot.

 

Im talkin bout the fullsize suv's, not mid sized ones. Do u think that is a good topic?

 

Here are some things to search on your report.

1. Look for the battery life of hybrids. What is the cost of replacement as well as how easy can they be recycled?

2. How much power is required to deliver that electricity to the person? IE... If the person get their power from a coal fired plant they are polluting even though they have a "low emission' vehicle. When they break down the power like this, people soon find out they pollute more than conventional vehicles.

Search Disadvantages of Hybrid Cars

 

I think the Hybrid topic is a good one. You just need to get a little more inventive with your internet search technique(s). Think about what is in or on the car...mentally break down the car...tires, engine, glue, paint, whatever...

1) Battery or batteries? What type? For instance, if you knew that the batteries contained Lithium, they should be recycled properly. If Lithium comes into contact with water, it will ignite a fire. Put them in a landfill where it is outdoors and lots of methane gas (caused naturally by landfills), there is a potential risk for a decent explosion.

2) What types of fluids are on in the car? Motor oils, gear oil, grease, gas whatever.

3) What are the emission rates? How do they compare with a non Hybrid car but a car that is in the same class, ie a compact car, like a Mazda Protege', or whatever.

Use mathematical percentages, facts and numbers. The thing about Hybrids is that they still spit out toxins, it's just that they have a smaller carbon footprint, or whatever. Get more inventive and think deeper into your subject, you will find that it really isn't all that hard. It gets harder when you get into the 400 and 500 level classes, believe me, I know.

 

"College + English class" has ~90% probability that the person who will be marking this paper is a whining liberal. So consider your audience. Arguing that "green" initiatives are bunk or that SUV's (or worse, pick-up trucks) are perfectly justifiable, might not sit well with your marker.

 

Here's a good read for you to start with:

http://cnwmr.com/nss-folder/automoti...%20VERSION.pdf

 

most of all, what ever paper you do, drop any bias you have against any side of the debate and look at the numbers and facts and let them present themselves.

i did a huge paper on ethanol and was sort of suspicious of ethanol, but came out dead against ethanol use after doing my reasearch on it. my paper presented no opinions from me either, just numbers taken right from many sites, including some pro-ethanol use sites, they just happened to ommit facts to make the ones they presented relevant.

but for ethanol i looked further, i looked up all sorts of things on crop productions, fertilizer use, fertilizer production, transportation, how many trucks on the road, mpg of trucks, trains, etc etc....

and like fred_79f250 said, if it is a lib, chances are he or she will mark you off just to do it. happened to me in history, happened to my wife in english.