Please write a Research Argument and Worked cited paper

Research Argument Guide Eng 2100

7 full pages minimum (9 maximum) plus works cited page(s)

This final, long project depends upon self-reliance and your ability to demonstrate that you understand how academic argument works, in general. You’ll need to display depth with your research and use at least 4 scholarly sources (and at least 7-12 sources total).

Your Topic:

You will have already chosen topics with your proposal and annotated bibliography (an RWT exercise worth x5); the point is to continue with the same topic. However, there is a lot of thesis statement wiggle room within that broad topic, so there are many possible angles you can explore, most likely. It is not uncommon to change your stance somewhat as you begin expanding the argument and furthering your research.

You also need to have decided on the type(s) of argument that you’ll be making—definition, causal, narrative, rebuttal, etc. (see Good Reasons).

Assignment:

The research argument paper will be written in “formal voice” (i.e. third person, no contractions, etc.) because your target audience should be within “academia,” though depending on your topic and target audience, you might ask me to make some exceptions.

The assignment itself? It’s exactly as it sounds: a paper where you will make an argument, and where you will include research and support for your own opinion. That’s the guts of it: a thesis and logical support, written with a specific target audience in mind.

Some Miscellaneous Tips and Guidelines

1) The entire paper must conform to basic MLA standards. Once again, use the chapter on MLA in your text. You might also use APA, if your subject matter calls for it—please speak with me, if you think this is the case.

2) The paper must be at least seven full pages in length in twelve-point Times New Roman font. Write a concise but developed argument—I do not want papers any shorter or much longer than the seven to nine pages assigned. Focus your topic toward this length.

3) Do not include a cover sheet. Include the information in the top left-hand corner of page one.

4) Your paper must be assertive. Take a stance or position. Don’t be wishy-washy. To test your thesis or claim, make sure that someone would say, “I’m not sure I agree with that” and/or “Explain it to me or convince me.”

The final draft of the paper must include at least seven sources, no more than two of which may be a direct Internet sources. You must use at least four solid and current academic/scholarly sources. You will obviously begin with many more sources (twelve, at least) but will eventual narrow down to the ones that are the best and the most reputable. It is very likely that you’ll have to find some new ones. Just because you finish your proposal does not mean you have finished your research. The proposal shows that research is available, but you’re expected to continue looking for the best sources to use for your paper. Use research strategies suggested in class. Avoid overreliance on just one or two sources. Balance your support. Find some recent sources.

5) The most appropriate way to use sources is to “sandwich” them. Do not just stick a quotation or a paraphrased section of a source in your paper without introducing it and then explaining it.

6) Your writing should be concise: eliminate empty words or phrases, replace a string of words with one word, use strong and concise verbs, eliminate wordy prepositional phrases, use active voice and simplify your sentence structure altogether.

7) Do not use lengthy block quotes. The majority of sources should be paraphrased rather than quoted directly. Use your sources to support your argument, but do not reverse this: do not use your words and ideas to support your sources’ words and ideas. Even though this is a research argument paper, it is still your paper and should express your ideas. You are not simply reporting everything you read during the course of your research.

8) One of the most important things of all: recognize opposing viewpoints and handle them appropriately! It is sometimes a solid argumentative strategy to include sources that oppose you—you can acknowledge or refute them and explain your alternative viewpoint, displaying why it might be more appropriate, accurate, beneficial, etc.

9) Remember that you have to recognize and acknowledge others' words AND their ideas, too. If you do not understand plagiarism after we discuss it and you do the reading on it, talk to me.

10) Include a “works cited” page, following MLA (or APA) format guidelines. This isn’t “busy work,” it’s standard. It allows a reader to quickly access your sources if he or she wants to do so.

11) You’ll need to include some focused background early in your paper, in the introduction, in order to situate your target audience and give them context on your topic/argument.

(This list of "tips and guidelines" is by no means exclusive, and information from class discussions and Good Reasons should supplement my guidelines.)

Grading Criteria:

I’m including the actual grade rubric on page three:

Research Argument and Works Cited Eng 2100

	Very strong	Strong	Average	Somewhat Weak	Weak
Introduction: engaging? Focused? Sets up context and background?
Voice: concise, readable, *appropriate, consistent?
*Target audience awareness?
Clear and direct thesis statement with qualification or criteria up front? Argument type is clear?
Focus and organization: stays on track and is easy to follow? Solid basic structure?
Individual thinking and avoidance of over-reliance on sources? Logic: avoids major logical fallacies? Depth?
Use of sources: “sandwiching” (lead-in and clear explanation?)? Signal phrases?
Research: solid research and appropriate sources? Recognition of sources: MLA (or APA) format, citations, paraphrasing (rather than quoting, in most cases), etc.?
Counterarguments: considers other viewpoints and responds appropriately?
Conclusion: engaging? Wraps things up clearly?
Mechanics (grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, etc.). MLA (or APA) format, Times New Roman 12 pt., 7-9 pages, plus works cited page done correctly?

Estimated Grade: