Select a research question
Instructions
Late research papers will not be accepted.
Research Paper Instructions:
Select a research question. This question will serve as the topic that you will explore and center on throughout your research. I may approve your topic.
Then, prepare an essay of argumentation that focuses on some aspect of the issue. Remember—you must take a position about this issue and you MUST include a clear claim that centers on your position. Place the claim as the last sentence of the introductory paragraph.
Guidelines:
- Your research project essay will need to be between eight (full) to ten pages in length.
- You must address an issue that has at least two sides (email me for topics if you’re not sure)
- Effectively address the rhetorical situation – audience, purpose, context
- articulate a clear position regarding the issue and argue that position with logical reasons
- adequately develop the argument using credible support (research)
- acknowledge the opposing viewpoints and employ counterargument or concession
- identify and explain the assumptions, contexts, and consequences of the various positions.
- Utilize at least 10 credible sources – from scholarly databases, books, etc. (no google .com sources)
- MLA formatting
- Read and carefully follow all of the guidelines for MLA on the purdue OWL website.
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/
- You will need to incorporate 10 outside sources (Note: dictionary.com does not constitute a source. into the essay—use paraphrase and/or direct quotations). From these sources at least 4 need to be books and the rest may be database articles, documentaries, etc.
- You will need a Works Cited page at the end of your essay that includes the 8 – 10 sources.
- Follow these style specifics:
- Only write in third person
- Do not use contractions
- Follow all MLA guidelines
Research:
Your research will be for the following reasons:
- To establish background or preliminary information.
- To support an assertion with facts, statistics, or professional information.
- To exemplify an idea with testimony, examples, and the like.
- To support the claim
Process:
- Select a topic that you will enjoy researching and writing about
- Read and explore this topic carefully—what are the positions already expressed about this issue?
- Select a specific position that you will assert in your claim. This will be a working claim that can evolve with your research and growing understanding of your topic.
- Begin prewriting activities (i.e., brainstorming to find out everything you already know about this topic, asking questions, further researching this topic)
- Research extensively: include citations or paraphrases. Vary your resources. Do not depend solely on Internet resources—points will be deducted for not using other resources such as books, handbooks, journal articles.
- Limit web resources to those that include one of these suffixes: edu, .gov., or .org (unbiased). For any other Internet resources, discuss with me before using.
- Wikipedia is not an acceptable website for this paper.
Other guidelines:
- For this paper you must use at least 10 outside sources (Note: dictionary.com does not count as a source).
- A clear claim needs to be composed
- Present at least three reasons to show the logic of your position. Develop each reason thoroughly.
- Write in third person (he, she, him, her, his, hers, they, their, them, etc.) NO first or second person.
- Works Cited—this is part of the document and should appear as the last page of the document. Document the sources and place in alphabetical order.
