Write an original, academic research essay that uses the academic documentation style (MLA or APA) appropriate to the chosen issue. The essay must develop an argumentative thesis, and it should be appropriately narrowed (see “Choose an Issue” Palmquist, p 38).
Your research focus may be based in a specific academic discipline or in an integration of more than one discipline. Please note that changing your topic after approval may result in a failing grade for your final paper. Email me immediately if you feel you need to change your topic.
In addition, at the end of your paper, include a 1–2-page writer’s reflection about your writing and revision process. Be specific! Here are some questions to prompt your thinking. You do not need to answer all of them, but they may help you get started:
What did you learn from peer reviews, e-tutor visits, instructional handouts, etc.?
How much time did you put into revision?
What will you do again in the future?
What will you do differently?
What advice would you give students going into this class?
LENGTH
A minimum of 8 – 10 pages (not including the bibliography, title page, headings, etc.). A paper that does not meet length requirements cannot earn a C or above.
In addition, add a 1–2-page reflection about your revision process. Make sure to provide details about your revision choices!
You may submit the reflection within the same document upload as your research paper — following your References (APA) or Works Cited (MLA) or as a separate document (uploaded to the same submission window). Either way, the 1–2-page reflection is additional to the 8–10-page essay.
SOURCES
The essay will meaningfully and effectively synthesize and cite at least 10 sources. (Of course, you will likely need to collect many more sources to find 10 that work together in support of a focused thesis statement.)
At least 8 sources should be scholarly/substantive and represent a range of types of information (e.g., journal articles, books, internet sources, etc.) as appropriate for your topic. (Do not expect to draw entirely from books or entirely from internet sources, for example.)
In addition, though not manadatory, you are also welcome to use up to 2 interviews that you conduct with experts in the field.
A paper is in jeopardy of not passing if sources are primarily popular sources (ex: general news, Psychology Today, Men’s Health, Time Magazine, Vanity Fair, etc.), blog posts, Wikipedia, YouTube, student papers (ex: dissertations), and other such sources. Review: Scholarly vs. Popular Sources.