For Catherine Owens only,do not disturb if you are not Catherine Owens

Organization

The essay should have the following elements:

an engaging introductory paragraph. You might even want to cite sources in the opening

paragraph to make your opening engaging to the reader.

an effective and clear thesis statement

a statement of definitions and background on the topic on which you are writing.

o You will want to define any terms necessary for the reader.

o You may want to provide a historical background on your topic.

unified, supported, and coherent body paragraphs that defend the thesis

sources cited throughout the body paragraphs that support the arguments in the paper

an effective conclusion

a “references” page that lists the sources cited. The references should be listed in APA

format.

In addition, the paper should be formatted according to APA style in accordance with the

video tutorial you observed in class, How to format your paper according to APA style.

Use one-inch margins.

Double space.

Use size 12 Times New Roman font.

Include a running head.

Include page numbers.

Include a title page.

An abstract is not required.

The sources and citation format for this essay

You are required to use at least six sources for this essay.

At least four sources must be acquired through the databases subscribed to by UMUC’s

Information and Library Services. In addition, at least three sources are to come from

scholarly journals.

Keep in mind that if the sources are scholarly, the argument you make in the paper will be more

persuasive. For this reason, feel free to use all scholarly sources if you can.

In addition, please feel free to cite more than six sources. You may find that seven or eight

sources (or more) are necessary to establish your argument and defend your thesis. Please do not

feel limited to using only six sources. Use more if you would like to or need to.

Please cite your sources and list them at the end of your paper using APA format.

In addition, as noted above, the paper should be formatted according to APA style in

accordance with the video tutorial you observed in class, How to format your paper

according to APA style.

Persuasive or Expository

This essay can be a persuasive essay, in which you try to persuade the reader of a particular

position. Or it can be an expository essay that synthesizes material, an essay in which you give

information to the reader and synthesize the different viewpoints on an issue. The following

examples help illustrate these two approaches.

For example, if you were to write on the effects of video games on students’ learning abilities,

the following would be options:

You could write a persuasive essay in which you take the position that video games should be

integrated into school science curricula to teach middle school students. You would cite articles

that demonstrate research studies and other pieces of evidence to support the claim that video

games can enhance instruction in science classes and will help middle school students learn

science more effectively.

If you write a persuasive essay, please follow one of the following three options for organization:

Classical (deductive) approach

Inductive approach

Refutation approach

More information on these three styles is given in the following video

tutorial: http://info.umuc.edu/academicwrtg/WRTG101_101S/wa3_lecture_f.html

You could write an expository essay that synthesizes information on this topic, one that

summarizes and analyzes the impacts of video games on learning.

Length and Due Date

Length: 1500-2000 words

Due Date: to be determined by the instructor