Argumentative Research Paper

Research Paper Assignment Sheet

ENGL 1302

Description: You will write an argument research paper. The topic of your research paper must be related to the course theme: homelessness, food insecurity, or poverty. Your essay should include at least 6 sources (you must use at least one journal article from the library’s databases).

Necessary Components:

Thesis Statement: In your thesis statement, you should state your own position (point) and the one it’s responding to as a unit (see page 21 of They Say, I Say). Depending on your topic and the type of argument you are making, it might also be beneficial to use the word “because” in the thesis statement and give your reasons (which would also serve as a preview of your main points in your “I Say” section).

Context or “They Say” Section: You should include a summary of the overall conversation—the main arguments made in your research area. In this summary, you should mention all of the important, necessary information that a person who is unfamiliar with your topic would need. You should use summaries, paraphrases, and quotations from your sources to illustrate the different points-of-view that emerge from your research.

“I Say” Section: This section is the bulk of your essay. You should include your argument with support from outside source materials. Remember not to use “dangling quotes” and to blend the source author’s words with your own. Refer to pg. 39-40 in your textbook for suggestions of verbs to use when introducing summaries and quotations. Please remember to use the sandwich method of giving an introduction to your quote, giving the quote, and then giving an explanation of the quote. All of your source material should be helping you prove your point. (See chapters 4-5 in They Say, I Say).

Naysayer: Don’t forget to address the opposing arguments and give your refutation of these arguments. (See chapter 6 in They Say, I Say). You must include at least one naysayer source which you will refute.

“So What?”: Make sure that you answer the “so what?” question at some point in your text. It may make sense to put this at the end of your essay (like Merskin and Freeman did in their essay), but it depends upon your topic and your argument. (See chapter 7 in They Say, I Say).

Citations and Works Cited Page: You should have at least six sources (sources from our class readings may be used but do not count as one of the 6) documented according to MLA format on your Works Cited page. You need to appropriately cite these sources throughout your essay using correct MLA format. For help with MLA format, please see the Plagiarism and Documentation menu button on eCampus.

Other Requirements:

· Be sure to organize your essay using an appropriate pattern.

· Your essay must be at least 2000 words in length. It should be typed, double-spaced, 1” margins, 12 point font.

· Your essay must be submitted as a Microsoft Word file to eCampus by 11:59pm on the due date.

Process for Completion:

1. Pick an appropriate topic about the course theme.

2. Brainstorm ideas about what you already know about the topic.

3. Go to the library and/or the library’s website to research more information about the topic. Be sure to use at least one book source and one journal article. If you have trouble finding sources, ask a reference librarian for help.

4. Take notes from your sources keeping track of where all quotes, paraphrases, and summaries come from.

5. Group your ideas into similar categories and start to form a rough outline.

6. Decide what your point/argument will be and write a thesis statement and outline with topic sentences.

7. Use your outline to write a rough draft that includes evidence in each main point paragraph.

8. Revise and edit your rough draft. Use the feedback from your peers and instructor to changes parts of your essay that are weak.

9. Proofread and polish before turning in the final draft.

Plagiarism:

Plagiarism is using someone else’s words or ideas without giving credit and is a serious academic offense.  It can range from:

· Turning in a paper any part of which you did not write, 

· Cutting and pasting a paper together from various sources without attributing the sources correctly,

· Changing a few words but basically keeping most of the words and sentence structure of the original,

· Using the ideas of another without giving credit to the person who originally had the idea.

· Using the exact words of the source without using quotation marks even if you give the name of the source.

Refer to the syllabus for consequences of plagiarism in this class.

Grading:

This essay is worth 300 points. Please see the rubric on eCampus for specific information on how you will be evaluated.