Global Warming research paper (what are the causes, solutions, and effects?)

Essay prompt: This assignment asks you to pick one of the three following topics... Global Warming, Poverty, or Debt. I have chosen Global Warming. Use a three item thesis, along with research from six sources, to argue: _____, _____, and ____ are solutions to Global Warming.

_____, _____, and ____ are causes of Global Warming. _____, _____, and ____ are the effects from Global Warming. Within this five paragraph argument you must quote from at least six sources of research, integrating quotes into your own sentences. There must be introductory and explanitory phrases on both sides of the quote. there must be parenthetical citations and a corresponding works cited.

How should I start this essay? I was thinking of starting off with this "What is Global Warming?" then explain what it is and at the end of the paragraph introduce my three item thesis of what my next three paragrahs will be about solutions, causes, and effects. Also my teacher mentioned if you don't have previous knowledge about the given topic you must paraphrase it in you own words and give credit to the author. I dont have much of any knowledge about this topic and I would like not to have many paraphrased sentences how can I go about this?

Start by getting some idea of the topic:
1) search for articles from noteworthy publications (ask you teacher to recommend three at least. these will lead you to another three or six)
2) read them and form your own opinion on "what is global warming"
3) then write out what you identified as the best solutions

I would order it differently from what you listed (not clear whether you mean causes and effects of global warming or of the solutions.) After you have defined what it is (including its causes and effects,) then discuss solutions and finally, conclude or wrap up what it is and the way forward.

I agree! Start by reading.

Read ONE article, and if it is good you can write ONE sentence about it. Start from there. Follow that sentence with an example, maybe a quotation, and some more sentences of explanation. Now you have a body paragraph that begins with a great PARAGRAPH TOPIC SENTENCE.

Do not even think about the conclusion or introduction until you have written a few body paragraphs. :-)