Research-Supported Argumentative Synthesis (5 pages) + Outline : Can video games increase creativity?

ENG 100

Geisse Spring 2018

Research-Supported Argumentative Synthesis

What is an Argumentative Synthesis?

An argumentative synthesis combines synthesis and argumentative skills in order to examine a topic and present your own argument based on those varying opinions and your own research. The research-supported argumentative synthesis provides students the opportunity to collect research, synthesize texts and argue their own opinion. An argumentative synthesis is a kind of written version of an argumentative conversation, grounded in thoughtful research, in which you argue a point while considering several viewpoints and multiple kinds of information on your topic. As Stephen Wilhoit points out, “In an argumentative synthesis, you use material from various readings to support or illustrate and argument of your own, usually concerning the quality of writing in the source texts or an issue they address” (213).

The Assignment

Students will begin by determining a research question based on their readings and research about a topic of their interest. Your topic should be a) debatable (many different opinions), b) scholarly/academic (able to be supported by academic research), and c) provide you with enough issues, material and conversation points to craft a viable argument. After determining a research question, students will continue the research process and evaluate and integrate additional primary and secondary sources.

You must use at least five (5) sources in your essay. The sources can be used in different ways: some can be part of background information; others can help you support your position; others can represent opposing views.

In this essay, you will need to choose a concrete argument and create a one to two sentence thesis statement that pronounces your position. Throughout the essay, use your own explanations and supporting evidence to argue your stance.

Evaluation

A successful argumentative synthesis will include all of the following:

· A clear introduction to the problem

· A argumentative thesis

· Topic sentences with meaningful transitions

· Support of your position with valid evidence/examples

· Inclusion of counterarguments with either a rebuttals or concessions

· Appropriate and accurate integration of all sources

· Proper citation of all direct quotes and paraphrased materials

· A persuasive conclusion

· Formal, non-inflammatory language

· Few mechanical or grammatical errors

· Literary present tense and grammatical 3rd person

· Correct formatting and MLA

· Correct Work Cited page

Grading

This project will be graded out of 250 points (25% of your final grade).

· Outline: 30 points

· Rough Draft: 70 points

· Final Essay: 150 points

Essay Submission Guidelines

· 5-7 pages

· Minimum 5 sources

· 12-point Times New Roman font

· MLA Format

· Double spaced

Due Dates

Outline: April 12

Rough Draft: April 19

Final Essay: April 26