Why post-secondary education should be free

Final Research Essay (25%)

Due date: December 9th | Folder: Final Essay on SLATE

This essay is the final stage of a research and writing process that incorporates your work on the

Annotated Bibliography and the Oral Presentation. You must use the same topic that you have chosen for

your annotated bibliography and presentation. You must discuss your topic and analyze your evidence in this research paper – it should not just be a presentation of information that you have gathered from your

sources. You may choose one of the two following styles for your essay:

Style 1: Complexity Essay

The goal of a complexity essay is to explain what makes your chosen topic a complex one. Rather than

defending one particular side, you will aim to explain why the topic as a whole is a difficult one.

Typically, complexity essays will be a sophisticated and evidence-based response to the following

question: what makes [topic X] a complex one? For example: what makes the legalisation of marijuana a

complex topic?

You will develop a handful of arguments that support the overall idea of complexity for your topic. Each

individual argument will then be supported with evidence from the sources you have gathered.

For example: the legalisation of marijuana in Canada is a complex topic because of arguments A, B, C, D,

and E. These arguments are supported with evidence.

Style 2: Argumentative Essay

The goal of an argumentative essay is to explain why one particular position is better than another. Rather

than simply (1) comparing or contrasting or (2) listing information you have found, you must demonstrate

an awareness of the two or more perspectives on your chosen topic and support one perspective with

evidence. If you provide only points you agree with and support them with evidence, you are producing

an overwhelmingly biased essay. Therefore, you must also provide an argument or two that you disagree

with and use your evidence to refute that/those argument(s).

For example: the government of Canada should legalise marijuana because of arguments A, B, C, and D.

These arguments are supported with evidence. Argument E goes against my position, but I will refute it

with evidence I have gathered.

Construct a paper that contains the following elements:

1. APA style cover page 2. Title 3. Introduction (one paragraph or two, at the maximum) 4. Main discussion section

a. 5-10 body paragraphs of discussion and analysis, which include: i. well-defined argument, normally one per body paragraph

ii. evidence (facts, statistics, examples, professional/scientific opinion) that supports or refutes the arguments

iii. visuals, if needed (graphs, charts, tables) 5. Conclusion (one paragraph or two, at the maximum) 6. APA style reference page that includes:

a. a minimum of 5 research sources: i. at least 2 must be academic

ii. others may be academic or non-academic 7. 1,500 to 2,100 words excluding content from the title page and reference page—you may not

exceed 2,100 words without approval from the instructor first (in person or by email) Your paper should be formatted according to APA guidelines, meaning:

1. Times New Roman, introduction, body paragraphs and conclusion at 12 font size 2. Double-spaced 3. 1” Margins

NOTE: No more than 30% of the essay can be another author’s referenced words or ideas – if an essay simply reassembles sources from elsewhere without the addition of your own thoughts, then this

constitutes a breach of academic honesty/integrity and could potentially result in a mark of 0. Your essay

will be scanned by a software that scans the content in the essay against everything that is available on the

web.

Final Paper Research Rubric Worth 25% Introduction 5

5 4 3 2 1 0

The introduction provides context for the paper. It includes adequate background information, explains the purpose of the paper (research question), discusses the scope and limitations of the research, and previews the major sections of the paper (optional). The thesis statement is clearly written and includes specific mention of research and arguments which form the body of the paper. The thesis statement is argumentative and grammatically correct. It flows naturally from the background information presented.

More detail is required when introducing background information. Some further explanation of the purpose of the paper and description of its major sections may be needed. The student must make the purpose/scope clearer. The thesis may be present, but it may lack the detail or sophistication necessary for a research paper. The research question/purpose of the paper needs to be clarified.

Some background information is present but is insufficient. The thesis statement is absent, unfocused, or unclear. The student needs to work on developing a clearer thesis and stronger arguments; as well as seek better means to outline and preview a research paper.

Body /15

Exceptional

15 14 Great

13 12 11 Good

10 9 8 Satisfactory

7 6 5 Needs Improvement

4 3 2 Poor 1 0

The body contains 4-6 coherent supporting paragraphs. Paragraphs are written in the 3rd person. Research and attribution to sources is managed with a high degree of skill. The paper flows well and all ideas link back to the thesis or research question. The text’s ideas or arguments are fully developed and are supported by various forms of evidence. Paper develops discussion and analysis with a high degree of sophistication. APA citation and referencing is near flawless. Visual data is present and utilized in the discussion.

The body contains 4-6 supporting paragraphs. An attempt has been made to write in the 3rd person, however, there are errors. The essay flows capably and most ideas link back to the thesis or research question. Ideas or arguments are developed but could use further explanation/development of discussion/analysis. APA citation and referencing is used with a degree of skill. Visual data is present but is not incorporated into the paper effectively.

The body contains only 2-3 supporting paragraphs. Organization and paper structure are evident, but is convoluted. Some ideas are linked cohesively, but not all relate to the thesis or research question. Ideas or arguments are developed, but require further explanation. Discussion/analysis is present, but inconsistent. Further evidence may be needed for support. APA may not be used properly, but consistent effort is made throughout the paper to reference and cite. Visual data is present, but is not discussed, addressed,

The body contains some problems in organization and paragraph structure. The composition and outline for a paper need revision. At times the paper may seem to lose focus. Only some headings are present. Ideas or arguments are only partially developed – paper is mostly summary with little discussion or analysis. Further evidence is needed for support. Frequent and careless errors are made with APA citation, but effort has been made to cite and reference.

Paragraph structure and organization are weak. Ideas or arguments are present but not developed. Ideas are not adequately supported by evidence. Paper lacks analysis or discussion, and more than 30% of the paper is others’ ideas or words. Sources are not properly cited, and referencing is largely incorrect. Paper may be written in argumentative essay style as opposed to the expository style.

Paragraph structure and organization are lacking. Only some ideas or arguments are present. Paper lack logic and flow. No quotations or paraphrases have been used. In text citation or reference page are absent. Little to no content of the paper is the student’s own work/words or ideas Please note that failure to provide in text citations or a reference page constitutes plagiarism and is subject to Sheridan academic honesty sanctions.

and/or relevant to the discussion.

Conclusion /5

5 4 3 2 1 0 The conclusion contains effective topic, supporting, and closing sentences. The thesis is restated. Suggestions or recommendations for future research/investigation are stated and explained.

The conclusion lacks some form of paragraph structure (topic, supporting, or closing sentences). The thesis is restated, but is unclear. Suggestions or recommendations are not fully developed.

Conclusion is weak or not present. Paragraph structure may be lack, thesis may not be present. Suggestions for future research/investigation are not present.

APA Title Page and other formatting issues /5 Reference Page – five (5) sources minimum in proper APA style /5 1 mark deducted per error Grammar, Punctuation, Spelling, Sentence Structure /10 1 mark deducted per error In-Text Citation for “quotes” and paraphrases in proper APA style /15 1 mark deducted per error TOTAL: /60

Steps for Improvement (If Necessary): ☐Review the thesis writing process ☐Consult an APA/MLA handbook regarding referencing ☐Work of flow between paragraphs ☐Work on communicating ideas concisely and continuously connecting those ideas to the thesis ☐Work on grammatical/spelling issues ☐Work on using/incorporating evidence more effectively ☐Discussion and analysis need development ☐Paper relies too heavily on evidence/ideas of others ☐Work on structure and organization of the paper ☐Other: _____________________________________ Professor Recommendations (If Necessary): ☐Consult the Library ☐Consult the writing center ☐Tutoring recommended ☐See me for further discussion