Questions and Topics We Can Help to Answer
Paper Instructions;
Argumentative Research Essay
Objective
Building off the skills developed in the first four essay assignments, students present a position statement on an arguable topic and support their respective arguments using high quality research. Students must rebut a major opposing argument that is research-based. This assignment requires a wide range of cognitive skills including comprehension, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation.
The Task
Students shall write a 2000-word essay that asserts a claim; supports it with secondary sources; addresses an opposing perspective; and adheres to MLA format. The essay must be argumentative, not merely informational.
The Nature of the Beast
The thesis must be arguable. This is not merely informative. For example, you may not write about Catholicism in South America, but you may write about how Catholicism has had a positive or negative effect on contemporary South American politics. This invites an opposing viewpoint that must be addressed in your essay. Keep in mind that your topic must have the approval of the instructor. Changing your topic without approval shall result in a grade of zero. Your reader, though not an expert in any field, is both intelligent and skeptical.
Secondary Sources
You must employ a minimum of seven sources. These can range from books and academic journals to interviews. Use high quality sources. Poor sources will hinder your essay and most certainly reflect in your grade. Sources like Wikipedia, About.com, and the like shall result in a grade no higher than a D at 65%; given other factors, the grade could be lower. There must be a variety of sources. For instance, a paper that uses sources solely from the Internet is unacceptable and shall receive a grade of zero.
Format and Length
Your essay must adhere to MLA format for research essays. Nothing else is acceptable. If you are uncertain, ask me. Your essay’s outline might be like this:
1. Introduction-Context and Debate
2. Thesis and Rationale, Discussion Points
3. Theory (optional)
4. Argument
5. Transitional paragraph
6. Opposing Viewpoint
7. Response to Opposition
8. Conclusion
Certainly, there are variations and alternative approaches to the organization. This, however, is the most commonly used model. As you can tell, it will be no problem filling the 2000-word requirement.
Organization
Remember, this is a high-impact assignment. The best way to insure absolute disaster is to procrastinate until a week before it is due.
Topics
You must secure approval for your topic. If you change topics without talking to the instructor about it, your essay shall receive a grade of zero. There are a few topics that are not permitted. Though the reasons vary for each one, in most cases these topics demand a level of expertise that is not yet at hand for students of COM 102. In other cases, the topics require much more time than can be given in this course. The prohibited topics include but are not limited to:
AbortionCapital PunishmentLaws regarding firearmsLegalization of drugsThe ParanormalThe legal age for drinking or driving
The war in Iraq or Afghanistan
Animals as test subjects or consumer products
Sports Hall of Fame or other sports related topics
The use of steroids or other performance enhancing drugs
Bully breeds and puppy mills
Sometimes, topics are so recent or so obscure that there is very little research available. In such cases, approval will not be given. Students need to be enabled to succeed, not handicapped in their efforts.
A Word of Advice
The more input I can give you, the better your essay will be. Most of the class time over the remaining weeks will be devoted to working on the essays. Historically, people who don’t bring their material to class during these times do poorly on their essays. Bring your notes, your drafts, sources, whatever you have, and pick my brain –this is, after all, why I am here.
Certainly, I cannot make you participate. You are in charge of your progress. If you don’t bring your work, don’t disturb others who have. If you attempt work on material for other courses during class, you will be required to leave. You are putting in a lot of hard work and long hours into this project. I hope you don’t just settle for a grade.
Requisite Elements
✓ Address a general audience
✓ 2000 words
✓ 7 sources
✓ A variety of sources
✓ Research-driven argumentation
✓ Research-driven opposition
✓ Strict MLA format or formatting otherwise required at the instructor’s
discretion
Research Essay Guidelines for Grading
The following guidelines apply to the evaluation of the Research Essay for both COM 101 and COM 102.
• Essays that omit critical assignment requirements (i.e. introductions for COM 101 or a counterargument for COM 102) shall receive a grade no higher than a D at 65%.
• Essays that misrepresent the content of sources shall receive a grade of F. In other words, essays that make up facts and falsely ascribe them to a source shall receive an F.
• A paper that does not include a Works Cited page shall receive a grade of F.
• A paper that does not include proper in-text citations (MLA 8th Edition) of sources shall receive a grade of F.
• A paper that uses a format other than MLA 8th Edition for for the citation of sources shall receive a grade of F.
• A paper that does not use quotations can receive a grade no higher than a D valued at 65%.
• A paper that relies upon excessive quotation to make the writer’s point can receive a grade no higher than a D valued at 65%.
• A paper handed in piecemeal over time is considered late the number of days that have elapsed from the time of collection to when the last portion of the essay is handed in.
• A paper that is emailed to me is given the grade of zero.
• Keep copies of all of our research materials; you may be asked to provide proof of your findings.
• Plagiarism at any level shall result in a grade of zero and failure of the class.
As always, the usual criteria for evaluation apply. If you are uncertain about any of the criteria, ask me for clarification.
• Asking your classmates for clarification does not count and will not be considered.
• The opinions of Writing Center staff do not in any way supersede or compromise the requirements of the assignment or my directions.
