Topic/Guidelines: You will write a 10-12 page Argumentative Research essay on a

Topic/Guidelines:
You will write a 10-12 page Argumentative Research essay on a topic of local (Colorado area) significance. This paper will require a claim of value or policy. In short, your claim should discuss and analyze a problem while proposing a solution to that problem.
This paper will require use of primary sources, field research (interviews, surveys, observation), and secondary (scholarly articles, books, websites) sources. You must include at least one instance of field research, and 9 secondary sources with a total of 12-20 sources. The foundation of your research must come print sources and/or databases, but you can also use up to 5 internet (non-scholarly) sources.
You must choose topic of relevance, interest, and significance (your research proposal will require you to state why this is a topic worth exploring, and a topic worth reading about). Choose a topic you are curious about, and what to research and write about for nearly four weeks—do not choose a topic you already have a wealth of knowledge about.
Dates:
12/15: Final Essay is due
This must be double-spaced and written in 12 point, Times New Roman font. Essay must include an abstract. APA format and citations, including a References page, are also mandatory for a passing grade.
Grading:
90-100: Research is supported by sufficient examples from primary and secondary research. Investigates the topic in detail, arriving at surprising results. Ideas are synthesized into a coherent whole. APA is flawless. Little to no proofreading errors are found.
80-89: Supported by strong examples from primary and secondary research. Research is detailed and author’s ideas and conclusions are interesting, although not as powerful as an A paper. Synthesis is not quite as complete in the A paper. APA and proofreading errors are found in small numbers.
70-79: An insufficient number of sources. Analysis/Argument is insufficient. A larger sense of the significance of the subject is missing. The synthesis is not entirely coherent. APA and grammar errors are more numerous.
60-69: Lack of appropriate examples/research. Analysis/argument is also insufficient. Issue is not sufficiently significant. Sources are summarized rather than used to support an argument. Too many errors in grammar, spelling, and APA. Essay length is fewer than 10 pages.
F: Fails to meet basic requirements—Resources page is not included. Essay is significantly (2-3 pages) under 10 pages. Essay is not submitted on time.