Instructions The topic of this next paper is your choice. It is a thesis-driven,

Instructions
The topic of this next paper is your choice. It is a
thesis-driven, argumentative paper, so you need to find a controversy you are
interested in discussing, take a side, and make your argument using academic
and scholarly sources to support your claims. You will be required to use five
sources total, at least two of which must be academic or scholarly sources. If
you can use more than two, that only strengthens your paper and argument.
Research
papers require you to apply critical thought toward a specific topic.
Typically, research papers fall under either argumentative or analytical modes.
You will adopt an argumentative style. When you write in an argumentative mode,
it develops your ability to convey your thoughts clearly and persuasively. The
difference between arguing a point through conversation, and writing
argumentatively, is that through writing, you can often be more articulate and
concise in expressing your ideas. This is because an argumentative essay
requires research in order to provide factual, statistical, anecdotal, and
logical support for your specific assertion.
Your
paper will follow a specific format:
An
introduction that includes a hook, general information about the topic,
explains why the topic is important, and how it connects to your claim (a
specific, complex thesis statement) that comes at the end of the introductory
section.
Evidence
that explains/supports your thesis. (as many paragraphs needed to argue your
case)
Counter
Argument(s) (usually a paragraph or two) that in a fair manner, addresses
opposing views, and then refutes those views by proving/showing why/how they
are false, weak, or undesirable, and how your claim is valid and better.
Finally,
your conclusion should summarize your points, relate them back to the thesis,
and express WHY it is significant to examine your chosen topic and controversy.
What did you learn? What would you like your reader to take away from your
analysis?
You
should try to focus your attention on immediate or major points that are known
or assumed to be true. In order to achieve a balanced argument, you will need
to shelve any emotional attachment you may have to your topic and consider all
possible positions. —Remember, a balanced argument also considers the
opposition!
I
will be paying particular attention to your thesis statement, as well as your
ability to stay focused on the argument set forth in your thesis. As always, I
will be looking at your individual paragraph organization, making sure that
each paragraph is focused on one idea, one aspect of the essay’s argument. In
addition, I will also be paying particular attention to your essay
organization, checking to see that it flows naturally, specifically within the
parameters of the assignment.
Here is a suggested
outline for the paper, which will also direct you to our lessons on
developing thesis statements, framing quotes, and using MLA citations.
SPECS:
2000
words (8 pages), typed, double-spaced, 12 font, 1-inch margins. MLA format!
Works
cited page, not included in the page count. Must have at least 5 sources, 2 of
which must be peer reviewed, academic papers, although more is better.
Outline Structure for Research-based argumentative essay
1.
Catchy title.
Please
don’t use “paper four” or “research paper” or “my argument” or “argumentative
essay” as your title. Please take just a bit of time to come up with something
clever that talks about what your paper, specifically, will address.
2.
Introduction:
Your
introduction should open with a hook, or an interesting statement that will
encourage your reader to want to read further. Since you are exploring a topic
that interests you, personally, you will need to introduce this topic to your
reader so they know a little about it before you start getting into details in
the body of your paper. Since this is an argumentative paper, you should
definitely discuss what the controversy is, why it is important to discuss, and
who the important players are. If there is specific terminology your readers
might need to have defined, you should do that, too. Finally, you should close
your introductory section (it might be more than one paragraph) with your thesis
statement, which is the side you are taking on the controversy you are
discussing. Please be specific. You might also want to briefly outline and
define the arguments you will be making in your paper to support your claim.
Here
are some links to our lesson on thesis statements to get you started:
University of Arizona, Global Campus,
Writing Center: Thesis generator. (Links to an external site.)
Writing Ninja: How to write a thesis
statement.
3.
First body section
First,
write a good topic sentence that transitions from the previous paragraph, and
defines what this section of your paper will discuss, and HOW it supports your
thesis.
You
then are going to want to quote directly from your ACADEMIC, SCHOLARLY sources
to support your claim. First, give some context for the quote. What is the name
of the article? Who are you quoting? You then should present your quote,
properly framed, and also properly cited with in-text citations. The quote you
select should be specifically related to the specific argument you are making
in this section to support your claim. Keep “like-topics” together! Stay
focused, and don’t wander off the argument you are making in this section.
Once
you have done your quote, you are going to want to provide a good analysis of
the quote you are presenting. (This might be a new paragraph.) An analysis of
your quote will show your reader WHY your quote proves or supports your claim,
and HOW the quote backs up your thesis.
Here is a link to
our lesson on MLA citations and creating frames for quotes to help you out.
Here is a link to
our lesson on how to find scholarly, academic sources, which you might also
find helpful.
4.
Second body section (repeat the instructions for the first body section)
5.
Third body section (repeat)
6.
Fourth body section (if necessary, repeat)
7.
Counter-argument and rebuttal:
In
a fair manner, address opposing views, and then refute those views by
proving/showing why/how they are false, weak, or undesirable, and how your
claim is valid and better.
8.
Conclusion (You do not necessarily have to follow this order)
Your
conclusion should summarize your points, relate them back to the thesis, and
express WHY it is significant to examine your chosen topic and controversy.
What did you learn? What would you like your reader to take away from your
analysis?