Need Help

2

Eng.1C -- Research Paper-Rogerian Argument—Dossani

A Research essay is one that explores a topic and substantiates the stance of the reader with discrete and concrete examples drawn from research.

Your research paper should address an issue related to education or a social problem that strongly interests you. The structure of the paper should follow that of a Rogerian argument where you would look at both sides of the argument and find common ground.

What makes a Rogerian thesis different from a regular thesis is that it is presented only after the writer has conceded that opposite viewpoints exist and that they have some merit.

Step 1:

Choose from one of the following topics. These topics have been drawn from Practical Argument so you can view multiples examples of articles based on them. If there is any other topic related to education or social problem that interests you, please feel free to discuss it with me.

Possible Topics:

1. Education

2. Importance of Recycling

3. Sweatshop Exploitation

4. Speech Censorship

5. STEM subjects versus the Arts in schools

6. Affirmative Action

7. Global warming

Step 2:

Do some research into the topics and construct a question.

Examples:

1. Should Colleges take steps to ensure bilingualism?

2. Is the continued use of plastic a serious threat to the environment?

3. Should the exploitation of workers in sweatshops from developing countries be made transparent to the consumer.

4. Should hate speech be censored?

5. Should Arts subjects be given equal importance as STEM subjects?

6. Should Affirmative Action –which considers preferences for jobs and College placements for minority groups – be eliminated?

7. Why is it important to address global warming?

Step 3

1. Cull evidence from both sides of the argument.

2. Create a table where you can see all the evidence presented from both sides.

Steps 4:

Take a stand. You must present both sides of the argument and the thesis should acknowledge the opposing side. However, you must take a stand and argue that your position is stronger than the opposing one while acknowledging the merits of the opposing arguments. Then construct a thesis based on the stand.

Thesis –statement/opinion backed by argument.

Opinion (precise/clear) + reasoning behind the opinion (general)

Examples:

Although bilingualism is a challenging goal for colleges, fluency in two or more languages is an important component in a student’s holistic education.

Despite the long-term investment of time and money, society should phase out the use of plastic in most areas to prevent the pollution of oceans.

Hate Speech –of which definitions may vary -- should be censored because it can lead to a dangerous society.

Although jobs favor those who are more educated in STEM related fields, an investment in Humanities creates a well-rounded person better equipped to face societal challenges.

Affirmative Action –even if it is discriminatory – should be instituted in Colleges because society is not yet a level playing field for all.

Requirements:

5 -7 pages long double-spaced MLA formatted.

An Annotated Works Cited Page (worth 10% of the grade)

If a student does not submit an Annotated Works Cited Page, the student will not receive a grade for the paper.

Please remember:

. 

· The essay is based on a Rogerian Argument structure. This means that you should evaluate opposing viewpoints, identify common ground, and explain how your view is stronger than the opposing view.

· The research paper should present a thesis that is specific, manageable, debatable, and evaluative. It should not be a report on the issues presented by the topic.   In other words, the thesis should offer a clear position, stance, or opinion that will be proven with research.

· The essay should present opposing views before presenting the thesis.

· The student should analyze and prove the thesis, using examples and quotes from a variety of sources.

· Students must follow MLA guidelines for formatting the document, placing the in-text citations, and for creating the Annotated Bibliography page.

· Students must integrate quotations and paraphrases using signal phrases and analyze and/or explain each quotation.

· The student should use multiple appeals. The essay should be dominated by logical and authoritative appeals.

· The student should use both inductive and deductive lines of reasoning.

· Students must sustain thesis support, use transitions effectively, and use correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

· The essay must be logically organized and focused.

· The essay should be between 5 to 7 pages (excluding Works Cited).

Sources:  Students must research and cite from at least five sources; three of them must be from the following:

· At least one source must be from a library database.

· At least one source must be a book, anthology, or textbook. (You can read one chapter)

· At least one source must be from a credible website, appropriate for academic use. (. Edu/.gov)

· The essay should not rely on any one source for most of the information; instead, it should use multiple sources and the student should synthesize the information found in them.

· All sources must be documented in the Annotated Bibliography.

 

Writing Tips:

1. Your essay will be significantly longer, simply because you will be dealing with multiple sources – that is, simply because you will have more material with which to work. Nonetheless, you still must have an identifiable topic and thesis . In other words, you must have an argument .

2. Although you will be researching and even using the opinions and analyses of experts, this is still your argument. Your argument (that is, you ) should dictate which quotations are used, when they are used, and at what point in your essay they are used.

3. Always be sure to back up your claims by showing how you reached your assertions.

4. Ensure that each paragraph has a main idea (a topic sentence).

5. Make sure that the body paragraphs have rich concrete, discrete examples to support your position.

Structure of the essay

Because this essay is a Rogerian Argument, consider the following pattern for your structure. Further guidance is provided in Chapter 6 of Practical Argument

1. Introductory paragraph that presents the issue and the two sides.

2. 2 body paragraphs that present the opposing views and acknowledge the validity of some of the views. You should acknowledge alternative views which may be valid. You should also provide evidence for the opposing views.

3. One paragraph that states your thesis. The thesis should be stated clearly and underlined.

4. 2-3 body paragraphs that asserts and supports your thesis. Make sure you support with strong evidence. Do not repeat your opinion. Use multiple examples that you have drawn from your research to strengthen your thesis. Make sure that all your evidence has been correctly cited in MLA form.

5. Have a concluding paragraph in which you consider both sides of the argument and present your rationale for the strength of your thesis.

 

Pre-Writing Activities

1. Use your notes on readings in class which may inspire you towards a direction for your topic.

2. Follow the steps as presented in the handout.

3. Take notes on your research. You will be researching more than you plan to use. Invest the first two weeks of the semester on research.

4. Create an outline for the essay which covers the main points for the structure of the essay. Remember that the structure of your essay is that of a Rogerian Argument so the outline should follow that structure.

5. Submit first draft on Canvas by due date for instructor feedback.

Annotated Bibliography:

You must have a minimum of five (5) sources; following each source, provide and some brief notes explaining what your article or book is about. The first line should be the thesis of the article which should include the author’s name and title of article. Subsequent lines can show supporting arguments, the use of sources and the type of appeals Do not copy abstracts for your notes. Use your own language and provide the information in two or three sentences.

The Annotated Bibliography takes the place of the Works Cited page. The title of the page would be Annotated bibliography. It should be arranged in alphabetical order, double-spaced with no extra space in between the entries and in hanging indent.

Sample of an Annotated Bibliography entry:

Holton, Shawn Green. “Going Green.” Practical Argument: A Text and Anthology, edited by Laura G. Kirszner and Stephen R Mandell, Bedford/St. Martins, 2020, pp.278-282.

Holton in “Going Green” argues that colleges should invest in implementing sustainable polices because they will not only contribute to the environment but also serve as models for subsequent generations. The author argues that long term costs will be reduced with the investment and attract prospective students. The evidence has been drawn from academic journals and mainstream media. It is based largely on a combination of authoritative and logical appeals.

Due Dates: Research Thesis Approval: Sunday July 11, 2021

Annotated Bibliography Page: Sunday July 11

1st Draft (2-3 pages) : Friday July 16,

2nd Draft (4-5 pages) : Tuesday July 20 ; Canvas peer-edit : Thursday July 22

Final copy (5-7 pages) Friday July 23

2