Essay

Research Paper Assignment-

Minimum 1800 words of text and a works cited page. MLA documentation should be closely followed. Carefully review information located in the Research and MLA link in the course menu.

You will use a minimum of 6 sources - 1 book (ebook is acceptable) and 5 articles (from database or a physical magazine or newspaper- not internet).

You may use up to 10 sources- they must be from the databases. Everything will be documented in MLA style.

The first thing you will need to do is decide is what you would like to argue. Choosing to argue an issue will include choosing a current debatable issue and supporting a position persuading your audience that they should support that position as well. Review the handout on argumentative style located in the research paper folder.

Make sure to read from our text- Chapter 2 for help summarizing (should be done sparingly) and Chapter 3 for help quoting (should be done to a limited extent in the paper), Chapter 5 for distinguishing what you say (your argument—should have a prominent place in the paper), Chapter 6 for dealing with the opposition, and Chapter 7 for convincing your reader/audience that they should care about your topic and position.

This paper works better if you choose a topic of specific interest to you and narrow it down to a small topic.

I am banning overdone topics such as abortion and capital punishment unless you email me with a new "spin" (for example- looking at capital punishment in Dallas county in light of the high number of overturned convictions in the county)-In other words, no "generic" topics.

It is important that you do not simply choose “for” or “against” on some issue. You need a small, specific argument. For example, I have had a student argue that the new Texas abortion laws were negatively affecting access to low income women’s clinics (her topic was not an argument on abortion, but a specific look at some other small, specific effects of the new laws.) I have had students argue that VA hospitals needs larger budgets and more oversight, that the DREAM act would increase access to college (a small, specific area of a very large bill), that deer hunting is a beneficial practice in certain communities, etc. Small and specific is key!

After you have selected an issue, you will need a subject. You will need to narrow that subject down to a specific topic that can be sufficiently covered in approximately 5 pages.

BANNED TOPICS—Abortion, Capital Punishment, Legalizing Marijuana, Same-Sex Marriage, Gun Control. (Remember, if you have a “spin,” email me.)