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ENG 1213

Research Essay (20%)

Draft #1 due Wednesday, November 13th by 8:00am in the online drop-box

Bring a physical or digital copy to class.

Draft #2 due Friday, November 22nd by 8:00am in the online drop-box (1200 word minimum)

Bring a physical or digital copy to class.

Final due Monday, November 25th by 8:50am in the online drop-box (1600 word minimum)

Instructions:

Research a topic to construct an essay around your own analytical or argumentative thesis

statement. Your analysis/argument should be informed by secondary sources that reflect

relevant factual information as well as current scholarship (including debates) within your field

of research.

Option 1: An analytical essay interprets a primary text using secondary sources to inform and

engage your own analysis.

Option 2: An argumentative essay argues a social, political, or institutional point; informed by

and engaged with secondary sources that illuminate the existing positions on the subject.

Option 3: A problem/solution essay identifies an existing social, political, or institutional

problem and offers a solution based on information from secondary sources.

Your research essay should demonstrate:

 a knowledge and critical assessment of the discourse of its subject (the academic

writings, case studies, histories, past and current debates—i.e. your secondary sources)

 your own analysis and original argument on the subject.

NB: It is difficult to establish an original analysis/argument on commonly discussed

topics such as debates around gun control, abortion, and marijuana legalization; choose a

topic or an approach that will allow you to offer a new perspective.

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Additionally, essays should:

 Develop the stated thesis (a clearly defined and original stance)

 Effectively incorporate 6-10 secondary sources, representative of the existing discourse.

 Demonstrate critical thinking and knowledge of the subject material.

 Support and defend the thesis through detailed argument, analysis, and evidence.

Additional Requirements:

 Before submitting your essay, first you will submit:

A research proposal (due Monday, September 23rd)

An annotated bibliography (due Friday, October 4th)

A formal outline (due Monday, October 28th)

All three components must be submitted before you turn in your final essay.

 For this assignment, you may expand upon your own previous work.

However, your research essay must be at least 70% new material and include at least

4 new sources. Previous work must be submitted at the time of the proposal.

Failure to comply with these guidelines will lead to plagiarism.

Format:

 All essays must be typed, double spaced, 12 point Times New Roman font

 Essays should be 1,600-2,000 words (approximately 5-6 pages)

 Essay should include proper citations (a MLA Works Cited Page, Chicago Style footnotes or endnotes, or an APA Reference Page).

 Final essays must be submitted to the online drop-box as Word documents (.doc or .docx)

 File names must contain your full name (ex: Andrew Davis Research Essay.doc).

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Grading Criteria:

 Clarity and development of your thesis statement.

 Articulation of your own argument, analysis, intervention throughout the essay.

 Effective use of secondary sources to enhance your own argument/position.

 Thoughtful and meaningful analysis of secondary sources.

 Overall coherence and unity of your essay.

 Correct and consistent use of citations (including proper formatting).

 Sentence and paragraph structure.

 Grammar: punctuation, mechanics, and spelling.

Word Count: The minimum word count is 1,600 words (not including end citations).

1599-1536 words up to 4% will be deducted from the final grade

1535-1440 words 5% will be deducted from the final grade

1439-1360 words 10% will be deducted from the final grade

1359-1280 words 15% will be deducted from the final grade

1279-1200 words 20% will be deducted from the final grade

1199-1120 words 25% will be deducted from the final grade

1119-1040 words 30% will be deducted from the final grade

1039-960 words 35% will be deducted from the final grade

959-880 40% will be deducted from the final grade

879 words or less The essay will not be accepted.

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Rubric:

An A essay

will present a clearly defined thesis statement, which is supported throughout the

essay by insightful analysis of primary and secondary sources. The introduction will

establish the scope of the subject, provide all necessary background information, and

the writer’s own stance (the thesis). Body paragraphs will begin with specific topic

sentences that illustrate one main point of the writer’s own argument. A conclusion

will reestablish the writer’s thesis by synthesizing the arguments and framing its

significance. The essay will demonstrate knowledge of multiple positions (including

relevant counterarguments) to illustrate the validity of the writer’s own position.

Secondary sources will be cited correctly; there will be few to no grammatical errors

or typos.

A B essay

will present a thesis statement, which is supported throughout the essay by analysis

of primary and secondary sources. The introduction will establish the thesis and

suggest the scope of the subject. Body paragraphs will contain one main idea

supporting the thesis. The conclusion will reestablish the thesis, but may not suggest

the significance or relevance. Secondary sources will include multiple positions and

be cited correctly. Grammatical errors or typos will not hinder the clarity of the

writer’s argument.

A C essay will suggest the writer’s position on the subject, though the thesis statement may be

undeveloped or not established within the introduction. Secondary sources will

provide evidence, but may not be fully analyzed or explained by the writer. Relevant

counterarguments may not be fully considered or included. Citation errors,

grammatical errors, and typos hinder the clarity of the writer’s argument.

A D or F essay will summarize an existing argument without offering an original stance or position.

Paragraphs will offer little or no analysis of the subject. Secondary sources might not

be considered or included. Citation errors, grammatical errors, and typos hinder the

clarity of the writer’s argument.