Research and Persuasive Essay correction ASAP

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Research and Persuasive Essay

Unit Three

Front Range Community College

ENG 122 Spring 2014

Caroline Daniel, Instructor

Table of Contents

Essay assignment ………………………………………………………………………………. 3

Tips for The Beast ………………………………………………………………………………. 6

Topics ………………………………………………………………………………………………… 8

Calendars ……………………………………………………………………………………………. 11

Essay Assignment - Research and Persuasive Essay Paper “The Beast”

This assignment will consist of each step in the writing process.

Brainstorming Due: ________________________________________________________

Outlining Due: ______________________________________________________________

Working Thesis Statement Due: __________________________________________

Argument Proposal Due: __________________________________________________

Portfolio/Annotated Bibliography Due: _________________________________

Rough Draft #1 Due: _______________________________________________________

Rough Draft #2 Due: _______________________________________________________

Conference Date and Time: _______________________________________________

Final Draft Due: December 8, 2014

Assignment: write a 10-page persuasive research paper on the topic of your choice. Your task is to present your opinion on an issue or problem in such a way that your presentation reveals your understanding and attempt to convince others of its efficacy. Unlike argument, the persuasive essay requires an audience, which will consist of your classmates and instructor. The Research and Persuasive Essay (RPE) calls upon the skills of analysis and synthesis, i.e. “breaking” the larger issue into smaller components and incorporating opinions and evidence from sources into your own argument. You will also be using the skills of paraphrasing, summarizing and quoting sources to substantiate and support your position. The subject must be controversial: this assignment requires you to take a position and defend it, and you must be able to address the opposition, i.e., the refutation.

Organization: The essay must follow the classical arrangement of persuasive discourse. Use this guideline while preparing your outline:

1. Introduction

Remain neutral

Remain general, no specific points

Generate reader interest

Avoid overuse of sources in the introduction

2. Background

Give overview of differing opinions

Define terms (if relevant)

Provide history (if relevant)

Provide overview of interest groups

Establish credibility or authority

Introduce thesis

3. Confirmation

Your points (1 idea or point per paragraph)

Support opinion with evidence and facts from sources

Comment on how sources prove or illustrate your position

Avoid using source material, especially quotations, as topic or transitional sentences

Think about transitional words and devices that will move the argument forward seamlessly and fluidly

3. Refutation

Identify opposition by name or title (A.C.L.U., the Catholic Church)

Fairly and accurately summarize their position

Concede the point and give credit where it’s due

Attempt to disprove or discredit the opposition by using evidence or facts: you cannot simply say someone is wrong because you disagree with them

4. Conclusions

· Re-emphasize main points

· Don’t introduce new evidence

· Avoid overuse of source material

· Call on audience to rethink position

· Make a strong call for action

· Offer possible solutions

· Discuss implications of doing nothing

· Suggest other tangential issues that might be relevant

Please, remember the refutation. This is an important component of persuasive writing and should be treated adequately.

Sources: This assignment requires a minimum of eight (8) sources (maximum 10). You must include one each of the following source types:

1. newspaper article

2. trade journal or news magazine

3. government document

4. reference or specialized book

5. special interest website

Include a minimum of 12 parenthetical in-text citations (maximum 15). Do not rely too heavily on one source. At least one source must support the refutation and you must use a source to disprove the refutation. Make sure you scrutinize the quality of web and internet sources. Remember that you should be looking for major, reliable and authoritative sources. Credibility will be one of the features I use when evaluating your use of sources.

Portfolio: The Portfolio will be due at your individual conference. Evidence of all source material must be included in your portfolio, clearly labeled (with author/title) and highlighted (quotations used in paper should be easily identifiable). I recommend making photocopies of pertinent pages from each resource. Sources should be arranged in Works Cited order.

All ideas relating to the introduction should be grouped and arranged; likewise, you should arrange the narration, confirmation, refutation and conclusion so that you maximize your position and minimize the refutation. Be mindful that minimizing the refutation does not mean disregarding it. Refutation is an important part in argumentation and you should devote a fair amount of discussion to it. The key is to prove that your position is superior to the opponent’s. Never disregard the opposition: to do so minimizes your credibility by suggesting that you’re unable to effectively argue against the refutation.

Look at your sources carefully and begin integrating them into your paper. Use sources to augment and validate your position. Don’t just simply “tack a quote on.” Introduce your source with a tag phrase or running acknowledgement: put the source in some sort of context in relation to your own writing. At this point in the writing process, you should be looking carefully at the primary and secondary points you plan to make. Remember the thesis. How pertinent are the points you intend to emphasize? Have you constructed any fallacious arguments or used faulty reasoning? Scrutinize the introduction and conclusion carefully. Think about the arrangement of persuasive discourse. Have the introduction and conclusion met the requirements outlined earlier in this handout? Does the introduction generate reader interest without turning the reader “off?” Does the conclusion provide a strong sense of logical closure? Is the conclusion clear, with a call from some sort of action, reaction or thought?

Requirements:

1. Calendars

2. Argument Proposal

3. Working Thesis Statement

4. Annotated Bibliography

5. Hardcopies of source material arranged according to instructions, both written and verbal.

6. Anything assigned in class that is subsequently required in the portfolio

Do not throw away any document as you may be required to submit it in the portfolio.

Rough Drafts:

1. Must be typed

2. Must be a reasonably comprehensive draft of final paper (from intro through conclusion)

3. Must include source material

4. 10-point penalty for failure to submit a rough draft on due dates specified

Important Criteria:

1. Does your persuasive essay follow the classical arrangement of persuasive discourse? Have you met the page requirement?

2. Have you used the minimum requirement of internal citations and sources?

3. Have you relied too heavily on one source?

4. Is source material clearly identified with running acknowledgements, parenthetical citations and quotation marks? In other words, can the reader differentiate between the writer’s ideas and those of the source?

5. Is source material used in a relevant and meaningful way? Or are sources “used” simply to meet the requirement?

6. Have you overused source material? Is the essay essentially a string of quotations or survey of source material, with little to no mention of your opinion?

7. Have you correctly used MLA style for documenting sources, completing the Works Cited page and typing the manuscript?

8. Is the argument clearly made and strongly supported?

9. Is transition effective in moving the argument from point to point?

10. Have you made any erroneous or fallacious claims?

11. Is source material arranged according to guidelines?

12. Has the portfolio been prepared according to instructions?

Format: DO NOT IGNORE THIS REQUIREMENT

MLA, with appropriate headings; works cited page; double-spaced, using 12-point font in Times New Roman; and 2 visual elements, which are added to the 10 pages, making the paper 12-13 pages overall.

Tips for The Beast:

· Persuasion essays are like argument essays, but they can be a little kinder and gentler.

· Argument essays require that you discuss and attack an alternate view, while persuasion essays can be less "in your face." Persuasion can include narrative, and can also be written in first person. Some are more like attempts to convince the reader that you have a believable argument.

· Persuasive essays try to convince the reader that your view of the subject is valid.

· Note that you are NOT trying to convince the reader that your view or position is the ONLY way to see the subject, nor are you necessarily trying to convince the reader that your position is the best way to see the subject. You can't just tell us that something is true. You can't just say: "Smoking is unhealthy." You need to have sources that back that up. You need to explain to us WHY it's unhealthy.

· The key is to think defensively: you are trying to explain why YOU see the subject this way.

· More importantly, you want to base your argument on solid evidence. This is NOT a personal experience essay, even though your personal experiences will probably influence your viewpoint.

· EVERY point that you make needs to be supported with evidence. Your entire argument should be based on evidence from reliable sources.

· In general, evidence that proves that your views are known or shared with a wide variety of other people will help validate your claims; that's one of the primary reasons for using sources - to provide that outside validation that you aren't the only one who feels this way.

· Try to remember that your audience does not know as much as you do. Even if they know more facts about the subject, they don't know your understanding as well as you do. Your job is to explain to the reader how YOU interpret the information and how YOU see things fitting together. Also, as indicated above, remember that you are not telling the audience that their views are wrong or stupid. You are defending/explaining your views, not attacking theirs.

· The organization of an argument is always open to interpretation. You will probably find yourself using parts of the earlier essays like personal narrative, compare/contrast, classification, etc. to do different parts of the argument. Remember that each part of the argument needs to be connected to the main thesis at some point so that the reader sees how the overall argument builds to the conclusion.

· Remember the basic body paragraph formula for an argument:

· Thesis

· Evidence supporting the thesis

· Explanation of HOW the evidence supports the thesis and how the paragraph's point fits into the overall argument.

· Make sure that your argument includes the three appeals of a convincing argument: logos, ethos, and pathos.

Logos: is it logical? Is it based on solid evidence clearly connected together into a strong argument?

Ethos: The traditional element of ethos deals with the character of the writer. How trustworthy are you? What are your credentials? How believable is your argument? Does any bias show through, and if so, does it harm their argument's "truth?" Most student writers already feel uncertain about their credentials, which is one reason why outside sources are often used. The ethos argument then needs to be applied to those sources as well.

Pathos: Have you given the issue a human face? Have you used specific examples to show the reader how this issue affects real people, not just theoretical abstracts?

Step One:

· Don't lock yourself into a viewpoint yet. Keep an open mind.

· Find as wide a variety of sources as possible and learn as much about the subject as you can.

· After you've done the research, reading, and thinking about the subject, then you are ready to share your viewpoint with the audience. Make sure that you cite all evidence from your sources. Give credit where credit is due.

Step Two:

· To produce an acceptable persuasive essay, the writer should:

· Use grammatically appropriate sentence structures

· Organize the essay in a format appropriate to the assignment

· Use appropriate paragraph breaks to control the flow of information

· Use transitions both within and between the paragraphs

· Develop and explain the essay content completely

· Communicate a clear and specific purpose to an audience

· Incorporate information from outside sources ethically, effectively, and appropriately using the MLA citation style

Topics

Option 1: Traditional

Pick a subject from current events and give your viewpoint on the issue. The subject should either be controversial or at least a subject where there are multiple sides or viewpoints being presented. Make sure that you do the proper research for this paper. Try to get a variety of sources in terms of timeframe and perspectives. If all of your sources are from the same week, there probably won't be much variety. If all of your sources are liberal in perspective, you also won't get much variety.

Option 2: Career Focused

Review the literature for your career field. For example, for business you would look at Fortune, Forbes, Barron's, The Wall Street Journal, BusinessWeek, or their websites. For education, you would look at Education Digest, NEA, AFT, ERIC, or other education resources. See what issues they are discussing. Review the materials on the subject.

After determining what professionals in the field are saying, go to general interest magazines, especially magazines with editorial/opinion writing like National Review, New Republic, Commentary, the Progressive, The American Spectator, etc. or their websites to see what non-professionals are saying about the subject.

Option 3: Fun

Pick a subject that you want to know more about, or that you are already somewhat of an expert about. Research the subject to determine what other people need to know about it. Explain what the major issues or controversies are in the area, and take a stand on that issue. For example, if you are a football fan, you could research the XFL and write a paper indicating whether you think it was good or bad for the sport.

Option 4: The List

This list of topics may give you an idea that you can get excited about. Remember that you may argue the statement as it is written, or take the opposite view.

· Droopy pants laws are unconstitutional.

· Snow days are great for family quality time.

· Too much money is a bad thing.

· Teens should be required to take parenting classes.

· High schools should offer specialized degrees in arts or sciences.

· People should go to jail when they abandon their pets.

· Kids should get paid for good grades.

· Free speech should have limitations.

· Kids should have less homework.

· Magazine advertisements send unhealthy signals to young women.

· We need more women in power.

· Penmanship is important.

· We should teach etiquette in schools.

· Spam mail should be outlawed.

· Puerto Rico should be a state.

· Short hair is better than long hair.

· Racial slurs should be illegal.

· I'm old enough to babysit.

· Recycling should be mandatory for everyone.

· Gun ownership should be tightly controlled.

· Children should be required to read more.

· We shouldn't have to pay for Internet access.

· All students should study abroad.

· Yearly driving tests should be mandatory over a certain age.

· Yearly driving tests should be mandatory for the first five years after getting a license.

· Cell phones should never be used while driving.

· All schools should implement bullying awareness programs.

· Bullies should be kicked out of school.

· Parents of bullies should have to pay a fine.

· The school year should be longer.

· School days should start later.

· All students should wear uniforms.

· Cigarettes should be more expensive.

· Smokers should pay a health tax.

· Child support dodgers should go to jail.

· Students should be allowed to pray in school.

· Teens should be able to choose their bedtime.

· There should be a mandatory entrance exam for high school.

· At least one parent should work from home.

· People should carpool more.

· We should allow pets in school.

· I'm old enough to stay at home alone.

· We should all grow our own vegetables.

· MP3 music should be free.

· Textbooks should be free.

· Pregnant couples should receive parenting lessons.

· We shouldn't use products made from animal skins.

· Celebrities should have more privacy rights.

· Boxing should have tighter rules.

· We need better sex education in schools.

· School tests are not effective.

· We should all give back to our communities.

· Every American should learn to speak Spanish.

· Every American should learn to speak English.

· Video games can be educational.

· We need more holidays.

· Aliens probably exist.

· Beauty contests are bad for body image.

· All students should study abroad.

· Athletes are paid too much.

· Kids should be able to vote.

· We need a military draft.

· Cheerleaders' costumes are too skimpy.

· Kids should get paid for grades.

· School should take place in the evenings.

· Country life is better than city life.

· City life is better than country life.

· Life is better than it was 50 years ago.

· Some health foods are really junk foods.

· Some junk foods are really health foods.

· We should return to horse and buggy transportation.

· The Electoral College is outdated.

· Medical testing on animals is immoral.

· Safety is more important than privacy.

· Single sex colleges provide a better education.

· Books should never be banned.

· Students should have an adult with them during the first year of driving.

· Year round school is a bad idea.

· Students should be allowed to leave school property for lunch.

· Music lyrics promote violence.

· We can change the world.

· Skateboard helmets should be mandatory.

· Cars should come with breathalyzers.

· Kids under 15 shouldn't have Facebook pages.

· SATs should be eliminated.

· Teachers should be paid more.

· Reincarnation is possible.

· There should be one world currency.

· We should provide food for the poor.

· The government should impose household trash limits.

· Spying is patriotic.

· Children should be paid for doing chores.

· We should populate the moon.

· Letter grades should be replaced with pass or fail.

· Every family should have a natural disaster survival plan.

· Parents should talk to kids about drugs at a young age.

· Dogs make better pets than cats.

· Freedom of religion has limitations.

· The moon is as important as the sun.

· Psychic abilities are real.

Sun	Mon	Tues	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
			Library Day
	27	28	29	30	31	1
				Group Presentations
2	3	4	5	6	7	8
9	10	11	12	13	14	15
16	17	18	19	20	21	22
	Fall Break	Fall Break	Fall Break	Fall Break	Fall Break
23	24	25	26	27	28	29

October - November 2014

Sun	Mon	Tues	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
	Peer Response Group #1		Peer Response Group #2
30	1	2	3	4	5	6
	RPE Due!
7	8

December 2014

Sun	Mon	Tues	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
	Peer Response Group #1		Peer Response Group #2
27	28	29	30	1	2	3
4	5	6	7	8

December 2014