Final Research-Based Argument Essay Assignment:
This final paper is a 6-8 page research-based argument essay. You already have worked on developing specific, complex, open-ended research questions, so your final paper will create a thesis that is your answer to your question, developed by arguments and evidence from your sources.
Your paper must integrate at least 5 distinct and diverse sources, including scholarly articles, books, general periodicals, and web resources (no more than 3 websites total). At least three of the sources must have appeared on your annotated bibliography. Of course, all sources, even those not specifically evaluated for your annotated bibliography, must be relevant, reliable, and current. You are also encouraged to use the articles we read as a class if they relate to your topic.
The following criteria will give you some idea of what I’m looking for as I grade your assignment:
Research Question/Thesis Is your question both focused enough and complex enough to be answered interestingly and convincingly in this 6-8 page essay? Does the thesis provide a clear, specific, and complex answer to the research question? Is the thesis clearly stated (or implied) in the introduction?
Development/Support/Focus Do you develop and support your thesis with background explanations and clarifications; sufficient supporting arguments and evidence; and examples to illustrate your points? Does everything in the paper clearly help to develop and support the thesis? Do you provide some recognition and knowledge of opposing arguments?
Use of Sources Do you use appropriate ideas and information from your sources, including at least 5 sources as primary support for your thesis? Do you introduce and provide some context for the ideas and information from sources? Do you follow up all ideas and information from sources with comments showing how this material relates to your developing discussion? Do you paraphrase, summarize, quote, and cite carefully and correctly? Do you include an accurate works cited page at the end of your paper?
Organization Is there a strong introduction that clearly presents your research question and thesis? Is the conclusion strong, pulling together the discussion and making the reader think about the overall significance of your subject? Does each paragraph in the body of the essay focus on a specific aspect of the thesis and sufficiently develop that thesis? Does the discussion develop logically? Are the transitions between ideas strong and clear?
Sentence Level Are your sentences clear and effective, avoiding common errors?
Submission Details:
Your paper must have a correct MLA style heading and a specific and interesting title. A full and complete draft including the Works Cited page will be submitted to Canvas and TurnItIn prior to the final essay being due. This will check your citations. Final Paper will also be submitted to Canvas.
Due Dates:
The first, full draft of the paper must be submitted to Canvas prior to your individual writing conference with me during the week of April 20-24th. Any student who would like to have an earlier conference may request one via email.
The final paper must be submitted to Canvas by Thursday, April 30th.
Last Completed Projects
| topic title | academic level | Writer | delivered |
|---|