Drafting

The Assignment

For  this assignment, you will draft a formal, academic essay in MLA format  that details an argument about your selected topic. You will use the  outline from the previous assignment as a guide, but you can make  modifications to your thesis and argument as necessary.

Here are the basic requirements for your essay:

(1) Your essay must be 4-5 pages in MLA format with an additional Works Cited page. 

(2) You  must use at least 4 sources in this essay, two of which MUST be  academic journal articles. The other two may be journal articles or  other credible, academic sources. 

(3) Your  essay must be organized with a formal structure, developed with  concrete evidence and analysis, documented in appropriate, ethical MLA  style, and written with a formal, clear style. 

Please use the following guidelines to help develop a successful essay:

(1)  Your essay should begin with an introduction that introduces the topic  and ends with a strong thesis. Your thesis should state your argument  and its major reasons in a clear, concise manner. Think of it as a  mini-map of your paper for a reader. 

(2)  Then, you should include a background paragraph that offers your reader  more information about the topic and its current debate (or relevant  history). Make sure your reader is clear about the exigence of the  argument; in other words, why does this argument matter NOW?

(3)  After, you should include two to four paragraphs that identify your two  to four major reasons. Each paragraph should have a clear topic  sentence that links back to the thesis, and you should support each body  paragraph with sufficient, credible evidence and analysis.

(4)  Before you conclude, please add a Refutation of Opposing Arguments,  where you will present the opposing side or potential obstacles and  offer a refutation in order to convince your reader and eliminate bias. 

(5) Finally, compose a conclusion paragraph that ties all of your paper's points together and argues an overall significance. 

(6)  Each body paragraph should include concrete evidence from research. You  should integrate your research smoothly and ethically. Use identifying  tags to introduce your sources and show your reader an outside idea.  Always analyze the significance of the research before you move on to  the next point! Example: In Jason Ree's article, he notes that, "QUOTE"  (32). This reveals that...

(7)  Your tone and style needs to be academic and polished. This helps add  credibility to your voice. Reading aloud will help the most with this!  Avoid first and second person in this style of writing. 

Assignment Requirements

Your  paper should reach a minimum of four pages, 1000 - 1200 words, not  including the Works Cited page. You must submit this draft by the due  date listed for this assignment. 

Formatting Requirements

MLA format