Assignment Paper

This essay is a research supported essay using information provided by your sources; this assignment focuses on your own ideas and words. An argument paper by nature discusses an issue using “critical analysis of an issue … giving logical reasons” (Axelrod).

The Assignment:
• Generate a topic of your own that handles a social or political issue – NO topics dealing with enacting laws or the repealing of laws, no political propaganda, etc. or any topics that are solely based in moral or ethical arguments, also anything that is ridiculous and can’t be deemed an academic argument.
• Develop a research-supported paper that uses five (5) sources to back and expand the essay. Your sources must be credible, legitimate sources for college writing – no Wikipedia, ask.com, about.com, or the like. The sources should supplement the essay, not direct it. The usage of source material should be restricted to 30% of the total essay at maximum. You should utilize the different types of research that we discussed in class as well as varying your source material usage in paraphrase, summary, and quoted form.
• You will be writing an argumentative research paper. You must construct a reasoned argument, meaning that you give reasons to support your opinion.
• You must identify the issue to the reader and explain why it is a controversial issue or worthy of argument. Then you must build an argument for a position on the issue that is clearly stated in a thesis statement somewhere in the beginning of the essay. Of course, your thesis must be arguable—if everyone would agree with you, you are not arguing. You may choose to use any variety of an argument including proposing a solution, arguing about causes or effects, establishing an issue etc.
• Third person voice is the proper perspective – avoid personal pronouns – no I, we, me, you, us, our.
• DO NOT use long quotations (anything over 4 lines). NO IMAGES OR TABLES are to be integrated into the paper.
• Make sure to properly credit and cite all IDEAS, WORDS, and FACTS that come from outside sources. Accidental plagiarism is a frequent problem that students have with this assignment.

Evaluation (you will be evaluated on how well you…):
• Introduce the issue and form a clear and arguable thesis that controls the essay
• Develop clearly identifiable main points of argument
• Support your argument using evidence to illustrate your points
• Present a clear, developed, & balanced discussion of directly quoted source material and references to your sources including your interpretations and relationship to your thesis/argument
• Logically organize your essay
• Use effective transitions between paragraphs and ideas
• Conclude

Essay Submission Guidelines:
 The submitted rough draft and final essay should be seven to nine (7-9) pages. This essay should not be less than seven (7) pages and 10% will be deducted if the final draft is turned in at less than 7 pages. RD must be at least 3 full pages to be included in the peer review.
 one-inch (1″) margins on all sides. Use standard 12-point Times New Roman/Cambria/Calibri fonts.
 This essay must be in MLA formatting.