English homework

ENC 1102

Instructor: Professor Sogren

The Rationale

One of your course requirements is to write a research paper using MLA format on a current trend. The knowledge of the research process and paper development can be an invaluable tool to help you become a successful college student. This experience will help you to improve your writing skills.

Learning Goals:

· Demonstrate your ability to utilize the writing process

· Write a paper about a social issue

· Conduct research and provide documentation following MLA guidelines

· Present specific claims and address opposing arguments

MLA Paper Requirements:

*5 to 7 PAGES ONLY

* Double-space throughout. Do not add extra space above or below the title of the paper or between paragraphs.

*One-inch margins on all sides of the page; left-align the text

*12 pt. standard font—Times New Roman

*Include secondary sources: At least 4 journal articles from the MDC library databases are required for documentation purposes. Any article that is not from MDC library database must be approved by me.

*MLA does not require a title page. On the first page of your paper, place your name, your professor’s name, the course title, and the date on separate lines against the left margin. Then center your title. Put the page number preceded by your last name in the upper right corner of each page, one-half inch below the top edge. (Use 1, 2, 3, and so on.)

*Indent the first line of each paragraph one-half inch from the left margin.

*Use third-person objective writing rather than first-person writing. Since this is not personal writing, do not use such as I, we, you, my, etc.

Since Essay 3 (the research paper) is fairly long, we will be completing it in stages. You will be given specific in-class as well as homework assignments each week (will be graded) that must be submitted when due. Assignments that are hand-written in class must be typed at home and submitted when due. Save all of your work. Refer to your syllabus for due dates. Here is a chronological breakdown of the research paper assignments:

1. Submit research topic on a current trend. Topic must be presented as a question. For example, a topic may be “ Is a gluten-free diet safe for all?”

2. Select at least 4 scholarly articles from MDC library (2 articles must support 1 position; 2 articles must support the opposing position). Articles should not be older than 5 years.

3. Annotated bibliography and Outline

4. MLA header and Introduction

5. Revision

6. Body paragraphs

7. Works Cited page

8. Revision

This paper is worth 100 points, which equals to 20% of your grade. Since the paper will be submitted in stages, all assignments must be turned in on time. The final, revised paper is due July 26, 2019. Please attach the following rubric to the back of your final paper. NO LATE PAPERS WILL BE ACCEPTED! Not only will this assignment help you gain knowledge about your topic, but you will also develop a greater understanding of the research writing process.

The Electoral College	CRISPR	Gun Laws	College athletes and salaries	Increasing the Minimum Wage
Legalization of Marijuana	Border Security and Immigration	Social Media and Privacy	Domestic and/or Global Terrorism	Global Warming
Political campaign finance	Alternative Energy Sources	Funding Planned Parenthood	Transgender and the Military	Clothing retailers and monthly rental subscriptions
Gluten free diets	Me Too movement	Mental Health	KKK	Freedom of Religion
Presidential candidates and taxes	Space X	Online Education	Alt Right Movement	Genetically engineered foods
Tuition-free public colleges	Online streaming vs. Cable TV	Black Lives Matter movement	Common Core testing	The United States and no official language
Freedom of speech	Single Payer Universal Health Care	Elective cosmetic surgery	Vaccinations	Voting rights to current inmates
Capital punishment	Stem Cell Research	Ex-Felons and voting Rights	Rent vs. Purchase (Homes)	ANCESTRY.COM 23 AND ME.COM
5G technology	The Electoral College and the popular vote	Arming public school teachers	Brexit	Elimination of the two party system

Suggested Categories (These are broad topic categories to help you think of a research question.)

Suggestions:

We all love to state our opinions, don’t we? Don’t we, for the most part, believe we’ve taken the right stance on a given issue? Well, here’s your chance to PROVE to me you have the end-all-solution to a current trend in our society today. You will be analyzing a controversial topic. State your views. The assignment is simple: SHOW me why—and how —you’re right on your chosen issue. You must back up your analysis with evidence. You must adequately use your information from your secondary sources to support your analysis. However, be careful not to over quote or make your paper a list of statistics. It has to be a smooth flow of your opinions backed up with factual information.

Some things to remember:

1) Once you have decided—at least in a general way—on your thesis, you should be able to write it out in a single sentence. If the sentence seems coherent, you have the structure for an essay. If the sentence doesn’t read logically, reconsider your thesis. Your thesis must be included in your outline. In the paper, your thesis will be the last sentence in your introductory paragraph.

2) Your Conclusion should not only restate the thesis in stronger language. It should also suggest the larger implication of the issue, call for action, and provide possible solutions. Be careful not to introduce new points in the Conclusion.

I. Your paper should contain these Four Elements:

a. Opinion Statement (also known as the thesis statement, which should contain the topic and a forecast of your supporting details) Simply stated, in order to come up with a credible thesis statement, you must suspend judgment, thoroughly research both sides of the issue, and choose the position that has credible, factual evidence supporting it.

b. Supporting Reason and Details- Simply stating a reason isn’t enough. You must support your position with factual information, examples, details, or other information.

c. Counterargument and Rebuttal- A counterargument is the opposing position. By placing a counterargument in argument writing, you are showing that you are aware of other opinions, and you have examined the issue thoroughly. The rebuttal is your challenge to the opposing position.

d. Conclusion- the author summarizes his or her argument by stressing the main points and then tries to make a strong and lasting impression on the reader. You can do this in many different ways:

i. By restating your thesis in different, stronger language

ii. By reminding readers of some of the supporting reasons you gave

iii. By suggesting the larger implication of the issue

iv. By calling for some type of action to be taken

v. By providing one or more possible solutions

II. Determining an Author’s Credibility

a. Credibility- is a person’s ability to earn your trust. Authors might give facts and reasons to support their claims. Should you trust those facts and reasons? To decide, you can ask yourself three questions.

i. Does the person have the credentials, or experience and knowledge, to be trustworthy on this issue?

ii. What is the person’s tone, or attitude, toward the subject? Do his or her words reflect sound thinking, or does he or she seem carried away by emotion?

iii. What does the person mainly want? What is his or her goal?

RESEARCH PAPER GRADING RUBRIC

NAME: ______________________________________ DATE: ___________________

COURSE CODE: COURSE NAME:

Assignment	Possible Points	Points Earned
Header on page 1	5 points
Content/ Focus and Organization	45 points
Use of In-text citations in MLA Format	20 points
Grammar, Mechanics and Conventions of Writing	10 points
Counter Argument and Rebuttal	10 points
Works Cited Page	10 points

I certify that I am the author of this argument research essay and that any sources used have been fully acknowledged and disclosed in my papers.

Comments: __________________________________________________________________________

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