english

Overview

For Unit 3, we are focusing on researching and arguing. Most good writing incorporates a level of reporting and research, while also arguing a definitive point about the topic at hand. During your college career, you will write a number of different kinds of research argument papers, whether it be in a psychology class, a nursing class, a history class, or a future English class. A research argument paper relies heavily on good, solid source material, as well as critical thought and thorough understanding of rhetorical, argumentative skills.

Instructions

Write a 4-5 page report (plus a Works Cited page) in which present a topic of discussion, provide a clear understanding of that topic through critical thought and use of source material, while also arguing a “side” you want to convince your audience of.

Because you will be using source material, you will be practicing your synthesizing skills. This means you will be connecting ideas from different places to produce an overview. It will be important for you to research well and find sources that provide information on different aspects of your topic. In short, you do not want to find source material that all says the same thing.

Focus heavily on the writing strategies that are represented in your textbook. Your essay should begin with an introduction that gives an overview of the topic you will be focusing on. It will end with a clear thesis statement. Your body paragraphs will provide pertinent information on the topic that is meant to inform your reader. Body paragraphs will also clearly and methodically influence your reader through your use of rhetoric. This means that organization is important.

Choosing a Topic

You want to be sure to choose a topic that you can find good, reliable, academic source material for. This means you will need to do some initial research in the library or on the library databases before you concretely make a choice. I highly suggest going to the Opposing Viewpoints database and looking through their list of issues to find something that interests you.

While I encourage you to choose a topic that interests you or that you feel passionately about, there are a number of topics than I do not allow in English 101.

Banned List of Topics

1. Abortion

2. Marijuana

3. Alcohol

4. Gay Rights/Marriage

5. The Second Amendment

6. Anything about our current or past Presidents or their administrations

Citing Sources

This essay will use a good deal of information you have gleaned from other sources. Therefore, quoting, summarizing, and paraphrasing accurately is critical. You will need to punctuate accurately and provide in-text citations. You will also need to provide a Works Cited page that lists the source material used in the essay.

Submitting the Assignment

You are required to turn your essays in on D2L to the appropriate drop box under “Assignments” by the start of class on the day the essay is due. You also have to bring a typed, printed copy to hand in at the start of class the day the essay is due.

Plagiarism

Please keep the plagiarism policy in mind. You can find information about the policy in all three of the Syllabi located under “Course Documents” on D2L. If you plagiarize this paper in any way, you will receive a zero on the assignment and be reported to the Vice President of Academic Affairs.