English 1A: Essay #3
Research Essay
Four copies of a TYPED, COMPLETED, rough draft due at the beginning of the first class meeting of the week of April 28 (worth 4 quizzes).
Electronic copy due to turnitin.com and paper copy due to me by the beginning of the last class meeting of the semester.
Length: 1200-1800 words (no less, no more). Include a word count in your heading.
Appropriate and correct incorporation and MLA documentation of quotes, paraphrases, and information gathered from a minimum of 6 outside sources. At least four of your sources need to come from CR subscription databases--i.e. CQ Researcher, ProQuest, EBSCOHost, and/or Newsbank.
Assignment
Offer a sourced argument that addresses a specific question at issue relevant to an academic audience. Your goal is to convince your readers that your position on the issue represents an informed, logical way to think.
Important Notes
Essays that do not incorporate the required number of sources will be heavily penalized.
Be sure to study carefully the criteria by which this essay will be evaluated.
Remember that this is an argumentative essay. It is not a "report" in which you simply regurgitate facts and data you've found. Your essay should focus on a specific thesis that expresses your informed judgment, and the body of your essay should give readers what they need in order to see that your thesis represents a reasonable, intelligent way of responding to the question at issue.
This essay represents the single most heavily-weighted assignment of the semester. Take this seriously and don't procrastinate. Work with me, with classmates, and with ASC tutors to develop drafts and get feedback so that by the time you submit your essay, it represents your best work.
Because this essay is not due until the final class meeting of the semester, you will not have the opportunity to receive comments and to rewrite unless you meet in person with me to discuss drafts before the due date.
Study the sample research essays linked in PATH #3.