Your final assignment, an argumentative research paper, will incorporate the skills you have developed throughout this course, and will develop new skills in research. For this assignment, you will:
Generate your own topic, based on a controversial topic. Use either the ΒPoints of ViewΒ database or the Opposing Viewpoints collection to choose a topic that interests you. Do not choose a topic that you donΒt feel you can be open-minded about. Be willing to learn as you do your research, and form a viewpont based on the facts you discover.
Make an argument about your topic. Take a stand. This argument must be clearly stated in a working thesis statement. All body paragraphs must be focused and organized, clearly relating back to your thesis.
Research sources appropriate to your topic, and effectively use those sources as evidence to support and prove your thesis. Although you may use articles in your reader, you must research and use at least three outside sources*. We will discuss research methods and ways to incorporate sources into your writing in class.
Cite all sources using MLA Format. Your paper must include proper parenthetical citations and a Works Cited page. We will go over MLA citation in class, and you have The Bedford Guide as a reference.
Your research paper must be 1500 words, typed, double-spaced, in 12 point Times font, and in MLA format.
*A Few Notes about Required Sources: Your sources must be reputable and reliable. Good sources include the following:
newspapers (San Francisco Chronicle, New York Times, etc.)
magazines (Time, Newsweek, etc.)
books
scholarly journals
some websites (We will be discussing internet sources during the research workshop.)
Remember that a well researched paper will include a variety of sources. Also remember that for academic papers, books and scholarly journals tend to provide the best information.
Due Dates and Other Information Important for this Paper
Sunday, 5/9. Position Paper Due
Friday,
5/14. Annotated bibliography due. At least 12 sources, with a summary of the contents of the source and an evaluation of its relevance to your paper.
Sunday, 5/23. Complete Draft for my review and peer editing.
Wednesday, 6/9. Final draft due. Turn in both drafts of your essay, along with the revision response forms your peers completed for you, and your slip from meeting with WRC professor. Late second drafts will receive no credit, but I will give you as much feedback as I can in the time allotted. Failure to turn in a final draft will result in automatic failure of this course.
Please Note: If you must miss the workshop, please tell me in advance so that we can work out a way for you to get feedback on your essay. If you must miss class the day the final draft is due, drop your paper off in my box, or have someone else drop it off for you. Be sure you contact me immediately at [email protected] if you must miss class on any of the due dates.
THIS ASSIGNMENT IS IMPORTANT!!! No matter what discipline you are in, you will have to write well-researched papers. Sometimes, you will have to generate your own topics. Other times you may be given a broad topic that you have to narrow and focus for research. You need to get used to finding good sources (not just whatever pops up first in a google search), and figuring out ways to effectively integrate those sources into your own writing. Research papers are the cornerstone of many upper-division and writing intensive courses.
Rubric:
Research = 20
Peer Review and revisions = 10
Content and Unity = 30
Utilization of appropriate augmentative techniques
Effective and compelling argument
Appropriate and workable solution
Effective use of support material
Structure and Coherence = 20
Recognizable letter/essay structure
Order of ideas logical and interesting
Transitions appropriate and sufficient
Introduction and conclusion effective
Appropriate use of citation and MLA format
Grammar/Proofreading = 20