Developing thesis statement and main points

Main point 2 (one sentence) – All students attending Baltimore City Community College (BCCC) should be required to take English 101 to improve writing skills.

Main point 3 (one sentence) – All students attending Baltimore City Community College (BCCC) should be required to take English 101 to expand vocabulary.

Main point 4 (one sentence) – All students attending Baltimore City Community College (BCCC) should be required to take English 101 to expose students to the different genres of writing.

Main point 5 (one sentence) – All students attending Baltimore City Community College (BCCC) should be required to take English 101 to ensure they can transfer to any other accredited college/university

Sources:

Your essay should contain the following elements:

1. An Abstract (5-8 sentences) that summarizes your essay;

2. A clear thesis statement (one sentence) in the introduction (5-6 sentences);

3. Supporting paragraphs (7-8 sentences) that clearly state and discuss the main points;

5. At least five sources (four sources must be from the BCCC database).

6. Each source must be used in the essay in the form of a paraphrase and a quote a minimum of two times. In the end, you should have a minimum of ten in-text citations in your paper;

7. and a separate Reference page that includes correct, full citations for your five, or more, sources.

1. You may not use encyclopedia articles, Wikipedia, or sources dated prior to 2010 (unless you have permission).

2. You may use one source from the Internet (Use caution when selecting material from the Internet. Remember what you read in the text regarding selecting reputable sources.) MOST - .org sites are reputable, and any - .gov, and .edu sites are reputable sources. Feel free to contact me to discuss any sources you are not sure about using.

Problems you want to avoid:

· Using another person's work without giving them credit for it (plagiarism).

· Not making the purpose of your essay clear to your reader by including a clear and concise thesis statement.

· Not supporting your thesis statement with related main points that are well developed and add value to the reader’s understanding of your paper.

· Presenting a list of facts rather than organizing material into a coherent essay.

· Dealing with too many facts rather than limiting the scope of your paper.

Format:

· Length – 1200 - 1400 words (approximately 6 typed pages)

· Bold the Thesis statement, Topic sentences, and Concluding sentences.

· Use APA Style

· Include a separate Cover page (1st page)

· Include a separate Abstract page (2nd page)

· Include separate Reference page (last page)

· Indent all paragraphs

· Double space the entire document

· Include a Running Head and page number atop of each page.

Evaluation: You must have a clearly stated and identifiable thesis statement and supporting evidence/ examples in you supporting paragraphs. In addition, an introduction, body (supporting paragraphs), and a conclusion are mandatory. Keep in mind that evidence, facts, examples, observations, and details strengthen your essay.

A good response will demonstrate an ability to articulate a clear position on the assigned topic, organize information, sustain a discussion for several paragraphs, develop your premises, support claims with evidence, and express ideas clearly. In the end, having written at least two drafts, you should submit a well written and polished essay.

Rubric:

The student:

--(0-10 points) follows directions (Uses APA Style Formatting, meets word requirement, thesis statement, topic sentences, and concluding sentences are bold, etc.)

--(0-10 points) includes a correct Abstract (5-8) sentences, summarizes the essay

--(0-10 points) correctness, content, and organization of the 5 Support paragraphs (7-8 sentences, supports the thesis statement, includes a Topic sentence and a Concluding sentence with the correct transition words, etc.)

--(0-10 points) the overall essay composition

--(0-10 points) Concluding paragraph (4-5 sentences, summarizes, does not introduce any new information, etc.

--(0-5 points) exhibits coherence and flow with the use of varied sentence structure and transitional words & phrases (such as however, for example, nevertheless, consequently, etc.)

--(0-10 points) uses correct writing conventions (Grammar, punctuation, spelling, capitalization, etc.)

--(0-10 points) uses appropriate style and expression – does not use you, your, we, our, us, I, my, or me, contractions, use varying sentence structures (uses an academic language and tone)/

--(0-10 points) uses correct APA Style format (i.e. cover page, abstract, Running Head, citation format, double-space, indent paragraphs, etc.)

--(0-10 points) uses correct in-text citations

--(0-10 points) includes a separate reference page with correct citations (5 or more sources)

--(0-10 points) use of sources in the form of paraphrases, quotes, and summarization, are well integrated into the text

Topics:

1.) The Electoral College, the entity that actually decides who will be President of the United States, should/ should not be removed from the election process.

2.) Teachers should/ should not be paid salaries comparable to high paid white-collar jobs. Lawyers.

3.) Children under the age of 12 should/ should not have cell phones.

4.) People with felony convictions should/ should not have the right to vote reinstated once they are released from jail.

5.) Professional athletes and entertainers should/ should not be responsible for the image they portray to the public, especially children.

6.) The land of Israel should/ should not be returned to Palestine.

7.) Marijuana should/ should not be legalized in Maryland.

8.) The act of punishment by “spanking,” “hitting,” “beating,” and “whipping” (whatever you might call the act) one’s children should/ should not be illegal in Maryland.

9.) Condoms should/ should not be distributed in high schools along with education about sexual intercourse.

10. The drinking age for alcohol should/ should not be lowered to 18 years of age in Maryland.

11. The Internet should/ should not be monitored by an international agency versus national agencies as it is currently.

13. All students attending college should/ should not be required to take the COVID-19 virus vaccine to attend enroll.

14. All marriage licenses should/ should not have to be renewed after every seven years of marriage to decrease the number of divorces in the United States.

15. Parents should/ should not be held responsible for the illegal activities of their children under age 18.

16. College tuition should/ should not be free to all full-time Maryland college students.

17. The outsourcing of jobs to other countries should/ should not be encouraged/ supported by the United States government.

18. The same Child Labor Laws that apply in the United States should/ should not also apply to employees who work for American companies in foreign nations.

19. Every person should/ should not create a life-plan and follow it.

20. Capital punishment should/ should not be reinstated in Maryland.

21. Students should/ should not attend a community college before transferring to a

four-year institution.

22. People should/ should not be allowed to adopt babies who are not of the same race.

23. Parents should/ should not be required to vaccinate their children.

24. All students should/ should not have to stand during the Pledge of Allegiance.

25. Guns should/ should not be legal in Baltimore City.

26. Students should/ should not be required to wear uniforms in all public schools.

27. Public school administrators should/ should not be allowed to change students’ grades without the teacher’s consent.

28. A woman should/ should not become the first United States President in the next decade.

29. Social promotion should/ should not be used to move students to the next grade if the student has not earned a “D” or better in the course.

30. People should/ should not live together before they marry.

31. People should/ should not vote in local and national elections.

32. The penalties for hate crimes should/ should not be harsher than they are currently.

33. Immigration laws in the U.S. should/ should not be modified.

34. The next President of the United States should/ should not make denuclearization a priority in their administration.

35. People should/ should not take steps to decrease the effects of Climate Change.

36. People should/ should not travel outside of their state in 2021.

37. Annual driving tests should/ should not be mandatory for the first five years after a person gets a driver’s license.

38. The legal age to drive should/ should not be increased to 18 years of age.

39. High-speed internet access should/ should not be regulated like a public utility.

40. Recreational marijuana should/ should not be made legal nationwide.

41. Legal marijuana should/ should not be taxed and regulated like tobacco or alcohol.

43. Students should/ should not be allowed to pray in school.

44. All Americans should/ should not have a constitutional right to health care.

45. Internet access should/ should not be free for everyone.