ABSTRACT[CF1] : Alien abductions currently escape the media spotlight and receive less attention than they merit. Society needs to be aware of A) the ever-increasing number of alien abductions per year and B) the potential side-effects by people who have been abducted by aliens and then returned to planet earth.

A glowing light fills the cornfield at three o’clock in the morning in Smithtown, Iowa. The cows dismiss it and do not move. The farmer notices the light from his bedroom but turns over and goes back to sleep. A trucker drives past and wonders what he sees in the cornfield but continues on his path without alerting the authorities of something strange[CF2] . None of these people stopped to pay attention to a glowing light, evidence of extra-terrestrial life, and often, our society ignores the evidence too. This could lead to a detrimental future. People need to be award of the increasing presence of extra-terrestrial life which manifests itself in the growing number of alien abductions in our country and the side-effects felt by the people returned to earth after their alien abductions.[CF3]

In the 1980’s many films were made about aliens, but what the media failed to reveal to our society is that actually the number of alien abductions exploded during the 1980’s [CF4] and has been growing ever since. According to specialist Jim Alienwatcher in his article “Alien Appetite” the number of Americans abducted by aliens “doubled from 1980 to 1981 and nearly tripled by 1982” (1985, pg. 10).[CF5] This trend continued in the 1990’s and in fact “1996 brought a shocking 82 reported abductions by aliens” in Alaska (“Among us,” 1999, para. 4). [CF6] Clearly, alien abductions occur more often that the media reports and people in our society should be aware of the growing trend.

Likewise[CF7] , people should be aware of the dangerous side effects to alien abductions. In the article “Where Are They Today” by Lisa Alienophobe, Erica Sampson reports feeling “nauseous all the time, being sensitive to bright lights, and feeling afraid of the gurgling sensation in her stomach” (2002, pg. 4). The article continues to explain that Erica had good reason to be concerned as she later had a putrid, glistening slimy creature burst out of her abdominal area. Other reports have mentioned that abductees may return to the planet Earth but may lack their abilities to function as they did pre-abduction. One article even explains that abductees “may be listless, withdrawn, and forget how to do things they used to do” (Warywatcher, 2005, pg. 10). Another article states that some abductees may “have an eerie light glowing from all of their pores” and may even seem to “hum or emit strange noises and clicks” while they go about their daily lives (“Observations,” 2009, para. 2). Clearly alien abductions are more relevant and concerning to our society than previously thought.

To conclude, the media needs to begin to address alien abductions for the real problem that they are. Alien abductions do happen, happen more frequently than previously thought, and have lasting and negative consequences for the abductees. By [CF8] recognizing this concern, our society can move towards a safer future, one where the only glowing lights are those coming from the televisions, cell phones, and computer monitors that dot our landscape.

REFERENCES[CF9]

Alienophobe, Lisa. (2002). Where are they today? Alien Times, pgs. 2-12.

Aliens among us. (1999). Alien Monitor. Retrieved from

http://www.alienmonitor/amongus[CF10] .html

Alienwatcher, Jim. (1985). Alien appetite. Pseudo-Science Digest, pgs. 9-15.

Observations of alien abductions. (2009). The Inquirer. Retrieved from

http://inquirer/alien/observations.html

Warywatcher, Al. (2005). Why it matters: rehabilitating alien abductees. Concerned Civilians of

Earth, p. 10-12.

Note: Citation examples and reference list came from APA 6^th Edition(2010) and may not reflect changes made in newer editions of APA style guides.

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[CF1]This is an example of an APA essay with an abstract. The abstract is a 150-250 word summary of your paper.

[CF2]This is the attention getter, or hook , for the essay. It paints a picture for the readers to get their attention.

[CF3]This is the thesis of the paper. The writer explains her position and then includes the three subtopics she will cover in the essay.

[CF4]This is the topic sentence of the first body paragraph—alien abduction.

[CF5]Direct quote. Author not listed in parenthetical citations because it was already stated earlier in the sentence.

[CF6]Another direct quote. No author for this article so part of the article goes in parentheses instead.

[CF7]Transition word to help move into a new topic.

[CF8]Author restates thesis in the conclusion.

[CF9]Notice the title is centered but everything else is left-justified. Reference page is double-spaced and alphabetized.

[CF10]Second and third lines of each reference entry are indented