I need help with my research essay...

English 1020

The Research Paper

Purpose/Objectives:

In our longest paper of the semester, you will be asked to draw upon all of the resources you have become acquainted with thus far in the course in order to produce a well-organized, concise exploration into the subject of your choice. In this assignment you will successfully integrate your ideas with the ideas of other “voices” in the particular discussion you wish to enter. It is helpful to think about the research paper writing process as living and fluid – a process in which you observe, participate in and leave until a time when you are well-suited to return

Assignment:

If you choose to pursue this option, you will be making argument on a large scale. In so doing, you should reflect on the different types of arguments you have been acquainted with thus far in the semester. You should first choose one of the issues that most interests you. Next, you should decide what position you are going to take on the issue. Finally, you need to argue against one side and for the other. In your argument, you need to include at least 4-5 supplementary articles or positions that deal directly with your argument. It is important to note that this assignment is NOT an exploration of two sides of the argument and a taking of sides; rather, most issues - such as the ones above - are not merely two-sided issues. In your analysis, you need to include as many viewpoints as possible. You also need to include a "solution" portion that proposes a compromising approach to the issue you are analyzing.

Audience:

Imagine that you are presenting your research findings to a group of students at a conference on the subject you have chosen to explore. While all of the conference attendees are well versed in the Aristotelian appeals, college-level vocabulary and research skills, they may not be familiar with your particular topic; therefore, you will need to develop the context of your subject in great detail in order to reveal to your peers the importance of the movement/people/subject/issue you are researching. In addition, per the conference’s policy, you will need to conform to traditional “academic” standards in your writing.

Paper Length and Format:

The specifications of the essay are as follows: cleverly titled and carefully proofread, a minimum of 8 and a maximum of 12 pages, typed, double-spaced, with 1” margins top and sides, with MLA style quotations should you use direct quotations in this essay, and MLA style citations should you quote from or paraphrase an outside source. A bibliography, in addition to your annotated bibliography, is to be included for all sources you cite. The first draft of your essay is due in class for peer review on March 21. A revised and polished version of your essay that has been revised in response to your peer review responses is due via Blackboard by March 25 at 11:59 PM.

Assignment Expectations/Requirements:

In this essay, you will be required to use at least 10 outside sources. These sources can be drawn from popular culture periodicals, scholarly journals, books or electronic sources (excluding wiki’s). Please do not be late or skip class to complete your assignment. Late work, including essays delivered after the start of class, will not be accepted. Please participate in the peer work shopping and turn in a first draft

Evaluation Criteria:

Your polished drafts will be evaluated utilizing the following grading system:

A = Texts fully meet assignment objectives and offer appropriate responses to the original assignment. Writing is clear, engaging, grammatically correct, and easy to read. Texts show originality in details, word choice, and approach to the assignment.

B = Texts fully meet assignment objectives and offer appropriate responses to the original assignment. Writing is clear, engaging, grammatically correct, and easy to read. There may be a few awkward spots or minor grammatical problems, but texts are basically well-written and well-developed.

C = Texts adequately meet assignment objectives and respond adequately to the original assignment, although there may be several minor problems with style, tone, thesis support, organization, or mechanics.

D = Texts show some evidence of attempting to meet assignment objectives but have many problems with organization, thesis support, word choice, style, or mechanics.

F = Texts fail to meet assignment objectives or have several major problems with tone, writing style, thesis support, organization, and mechanics.