We will be working on the Explaining a Concept Paper for the next four units, as

We will be working on the Explaining a Concept Paper for the next four units, as this is the longest paper you will write for this class. The Explaining a Concept Paper will be due at the end of Unit 14.
In the Explaining a Concept Paper, you will simply want to explain a concept of your choice, using research to support your explanations/definitions. This paper should be at least 4-6 pages long (a minimum of 1000-1500 words), it should include at least two sources, and it should accomplish the following:
* Inform your particular audience about a specific subject.
* Present information confidently and efficiently.
* Use established information for support, as well as personal “evidence” (if applicable) such as short anecdotes and examples from your own experience, or the experience of others.
* Maintain an informative tone (not an argumentative tone, as this is not an argumentative or persuasive paper).
Unit 11 is designed to familiarize you with the Explaining a Concept paper, and to help you choose a topic. I would like each of you to discuss your topic ideas on the discussion board this unit.
Looking ahead, Unit 12 will discuss strategies to consider in terms of your approach to this paper, and Unit 13 will explain the basic structure of papers such as this. Unit 14 is designed to give you time to revise.
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IMPORTANT NOTE: Papers on the following topics will not be accepted:
* abortion
* capital punishment
* euthanasia
…..
These topics are far too controversial for the Explaining a Concept Research Paper, which should be informative (not persuasive) in its purpose. Also, I’ve already read more papers on these topics than anyone should in an entire lifetime, so I won’t read anymore. I encourage you to be more creative in selecting your topic.
Topics for the Explaining a Concept Research Paper can be relatively abstract. For instance, you might explain the concept of “love,” the concept of “freedom,” or the concept of “duty.” However, very concrete concepts can also work well. For instance, you might explain the concept of “wind energy” or “5G technology” or “ballistic defense.” How-to topics also often work well, such as how to skin a deer, how to weld, how to adopt the hobby of paint-by-number, how to cook a particular dish, or how to install a new operating system. Hobbies, or things that you do or are interested in doing, can work very well for this paper.
Other more concrete topics can also work, such as “mothering” or “fathering,” “bipolar disorder,” and “Parkinson’s disease”–and jobs can work too. In the past, I have had some students who explained concepts such as being a Security Communications Officer or being a real-estate agent.
In short, topics for this paper may be relatively abstract or very concrete—the choice is entirely yours.
Even if you choose a topic with which you have a great deal of personal experience, please keep in mind that at least two outside sources are required for this assignment, and these should be well-integrated. Sources for this paper can include dictionaries, encyclopedias, internet articles, journal or newspaper articles, books, etc