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Researched Argument Essay

Purpose: The purpose of the Researched Argument Essay is to synthesize your viewpoints with the information you have discovered in the research process for the Annotated Bibliography and the Oral Presentation.

Assignment: To complete your Researched Argument Essay:

1. Review the feedback that you received on your planning document and your Body Paragraph Draft.

2. Use your completed planning document, your completed Body Paragraph Draft, and the feedback you received to write a 750 to 1000 word Researched Argument Essay focused on your chosen controversial topic in which you support your claim with analysis and synthesis of the 3 sources selected for your Annotated Bibliography.

3. As you integrate and cite the sources, follow MLA style guidelines to create in-text citations and the corresponding works cited page.

4. Consider using the following resources for additional support prior to submitting your final draft:

a. IRSC Library MLA Style Review

b. IRSC Academic Support Center

5. Submit Researched Argument Essay.

Grading: This assignment will be graded based on the

• Originality and thoughtfulness of the thesis statement and topic sentences.

• Effective integration of source information.

• Logical development and progression of an argument.

• Adherence to MLA formatting and citation guidelines.

• Professional presentation of content with respect to spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

The Researched Argument Essay requires students to

• Evaluate information from multiple sources.

• Develop an arguable thesis statement that presents a claim.

• Support the claim with evidence from scholarly resources found in IRSC Libraries’ databases.

• Draft original, organized work, act on productive feedback, revise, and edit.

• Adapt communication for tone, purpose, audience, and situation.

• Use essential Standard American English conventions—including appropriate sentence structure, grammar, and punctuation—and formal, academic composition style.

• Use MLA style for document format and source citation.