Your first two essay assignments were designed to focus on specific critical thinking and writing skills. You were tasked to compare/contrast views in order to take a position on a topic you care about. You were asked to examine causes and effects of a local issue that you cared about, and you were asked you to analyze someone else’s argument, and utilize outside sources.
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 “Points of View” database or the Opposing Viewpoints collection to choose a topic that interests you. Do not choose a topic that you don’t 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.
