RESEARCH ESSAY
yonzee7
1302-SP199.pptxMust write on second topic in your list of assigned topics
Have at least three reasons to justify your position (but not more than five)
Have a separate paragraph (between the intro and body) to give some history/background of the issue
Requirements of Essay 2
1
Body - explain & defend reasons with evidence
In each reason, you must indicate one strategy you have used in that reason (indicated with ** and name of the strategy at the beginning of the first paragraph for each reason)
Requirements of Essay 2 (cont’d)
Don’t indicate the same strategy in more than one reason
Have a separate paragraph between body and conclusion that contains two counterarguments
Concluding paragraph will be just the solution (no summary!)
Requirements of Essay 2 (cont’d)
Length: 6-8 pages (not counting Works Cited)
Length starts with first word of intro para (NOT top of first page)
Make sure on each full page you have 23 lines total; otherwise, you will have to make up those lines on the last page to meet the minimum length requirement.
Requirements of Essay 2 (cont’d)
Intro (1 para, ¼ - ½ page or 5-10 lines): Any intro technique(s) and thesis
History/Background (1 para, ¼ - ½ page or 5-10 lines): Any two history/background techniques
Body (multiple paras, ¼ - ¾ page each or 5-18 lines): Explain reasons with evidence
Counterarguments (1 para, no more12 lines): Two counterarguments and their responses
Conclusion (1 para, ½ - ¾ page or 10-18 lines): Solution (no summary)
Outline of Essay 2
Requirements of Essay 2 (cont’d)
You must have at least 2 print sources in the essay (book, magazine, newspaper, journal, catalog, etc)
They must be accessed in the original printed form (e-book, PDF, or anything else accessed electronically does not count as a print source)
Requirements of Essay 2 (cont’d)
Recommended course textbook does not count as a print source
At least 1of your 2 print sources must be used in the body of your essay (the other can also be used in the body or in the introduction, background para, counterarguments para or conclusion)
Requirements of Essay 2 (cont’d)
Must attach photocopy or picture of each print source used (no credit for print sources otherwise)
Photocopy/picture must show the cover along with the page/information you actually used
If the source is from a library, the picture must also show the library barcode/sticker
Requirements of Essay 2 (cont’d)
You must also have at least 4 online sources in the essay.
Three of these must be DCCCD academic database sources.
The fourth one can be a database source or non-database source (as long as it is reliable)
Requirements of Essay 2 (cont’d)
At least 2 of your 3 online database sources must be used in the body of your essay (the other can also be used in the body or in the introduction, background para, counterarguments para or conclusion)
You do not need to submit pictures or printouts of your online sources
Requirements of Essay 2 (cont’d)
Personal experience – can be used in only one reason, up to ½ page (10 lines)
How much documented evidence – one documented evidence for every 10 lines in your paragraph.
Any numerical data must be from 2014 onwards
Requirements of Essay 2 (cont’d)
For the 6 required sources (2 print and 4 online), you must quote something from them, not simply paraphrase.
After you have at least one quote from each of the required sources, if you want to paraphrase, you can.
You should have no more than two paraphrases in the essay.
Opposites or Contraries
Comparison-Contrast*
Cause-Effect*
Induction/Deduction*
Narration/Description*
Process
List of Strategies
Classification
Emotion
Definition
Hypothetical Situation
*Counts as only one strategy
List of Strategies (cont’d)
Definition of what is right and wrong OR good or bad
Ethics
15
You get extra change back at the grocery store
You see somebody doing something wrong
You get a higher grade by mistake
Plagiarism
An effective message isn’t necessarily an ethical one – sales pitches or commercials
Ethics in Everyday Life
16
Need to give the audience proper information
Need to gain the audience’s support
Need to do it in the right way
3 Problems Faced by Arguers
17
When it prevents people from making the best decisions or leaves them at a disadvantage
When it is unclear what you are trying to get across
When it offends/insults in a way that is unacceptable to the audience
What is Unethical Communication?
18
Withholding info
Hiding conflicts of interest
Exaggeration
Fabricating data
Trying to distract from the truth
Stealing info
Inaccurate info
Ways in Which Unethical Communication Takes Place
19
Obligations
Values
Consequences
Three Main Factors in Ethics
20
Never depend only on legal considerations – what’s legal isn’t always ethical (“You’re our #1 priority” OR “This product will last for years”).
Decide where and how to draw the line – a choice YOU have to make
Anticipate Hard Choices
21
Know when to use – appropriate for certain topics, not for others …who decides?
Don’t distract from the issue (too much humor)
Sarcasm – how much is too much?
Humor – Medicine or Poison?
22
Responding to the points made by the opposing side
Shows you have thought about the issue from different viewpoints/ angles before coming to your decision.
Counterarguments
23
Also shows you recognize “flaws” or “weaknesses” in your own position but that you still think your position is the better one
We cannot address all counterarguments – must address only two
Counterarguments (cont’d)
24
Research
“Flipping” one of your own reasons
How to Find Counterarguments
25
Format of Counterarguments
Each counterarguments has two parts - stating the counterargument
- your response to it
Must use the exact wording given for both sections to get credit for it
State the counterargument:
- My opponents* may say/argue that….
*[those on the other side, those who disagree with me, proponents of the counter position, those who are for/against, those with a different point of view]
Format of Counterarguments
Respond to the counterargument:
- However, I would respond by saying that…
If you want to use outside sources in counterarguments, you can, but it is not required
Format of Counterarguments
Location & Length of Counterarguments
Both counterarguments will be in one paragraph, between the body and conclusion.
This paragraph should not exceed 12 lines
Purpose: To provide some additional context to your issue
Should include only 2 of the following techniques…
How long the issue has been in existence (origins of the issue)
What parts of the world/country are most affected by the issue
History/Background Para
Any significant rulings/laws related to the issue (e.g. Roe v.Wade)
Any significant event(s) related to the issue (e.g. 9/11)
Dictionary/official definitions of any key concepts/terms
Any significant person/people/groups involved with the issue
History/Background Para (cont’d)
Do not repeat anything already mentioned in intro
Length: ¼ - ½ page (5-10 lines)
History/Background Para (cont’d)
I. Do not make an argument without proposing a solution
Anyone can complain/point out a problem!
A solution shows you have thought deeply and seriously about the issue
II. Ask for a specific response
Don’t be vague
Don’t be unsure
Proposing a Solution
III. Know the particulars regarding your solution
What is it going to involve in terms of factors such as time, money, effort, and image?
What are its benefits/risks?
Proposing a Solution (cont’d)
IV. Don’t ask for too much
Be reasonable
Don’t ask your audience to do something you wouldn’t do
V. Offer realistic solutions
Keep audience and their limitations/ context in mind
Don’t offer “blanket” solutions
Proposing a Solution (cont’d)
VI. Don’t feel you always have to come up with an original idea
If something has worked elsewhere, nothing wrong in suggesting it
Show specific examples of how it has worked in the past
You can also modify existing solutions
Proposing a Solution (cont’d)
Proposing a Solution (cont’d)
Solution will be last paragraph of essay (10-18 lines)
If you want to use outside sources in solution you can, but it is not required
Don’t have more than two solutions in this paragraph
To sum up, make sure your solution is…
Relevant
Specific
Logical
Practical/realistic
Ethical/moral
Proposing a Solution (cont’d)
