Academic arguments

Directions for your academic research paper

Basic guidelines

Your essay must focus on one of the 15 questions created for this essay.

Your essay must be four-to-five pages long and must include an additional, separate Works Cited page.

Your essay must be written using Standard American English and MLA formatting.

Your audience

· Other scholars interested in the subject matter

Your purpose

· Persuade these scholars that your argument is valid with a strong claim and clear evidence.

The introductory paragraph must

· Set the context and give any necessary background information on your topic

· Explain the focus of your paper and state your argument directly

· IMPORTANT: Your argument must take a specific stance and be persuasive in nature. In addition, you must underline your claim.

Each of the first three or four body paragraphs following the introduction must

· State a specific point in support of your claim

· Explain how the research and evidence supports the point you are making

The final body paragraph must

· Respectfully acknowledge opposing arguments or complicating factors

· Answer those opposing arguments or complicating factors

Your five or more direct references to five or more sources must

· Introduce the source

· Quote or paraphrase the important information from that source

· Explain the significance of the information from the source

· Include a correct MLA in-text citation which is also referenced in the Works Cited page

Your conclusion paragraph must

Wrap up your paper. Do not simply repeat your introduction, and do not introduce new information. Drive home your claim and note any issues you have discussed that may need further exploration.

A final note

This paper is not about you. It is about the claim you are arguing. Therefore, the following words and phrases are not acceptable in your essay: I, me, myself, we, us, in my opinion, I think, I believe, etc. Your paper is also not about your audience, and you do not know your reader personally; therefore, the following words are also not acceptable in your essay: you, your, you’re, yourself, etc.