You will write a 7-9 page research paper in which you will execute your research proposal. Your research paper must be argumentative and analytical.
Method:
Introduction: Your introduction can be some version (or some combination) of your rationale paragraph for your research proposal or your summary of debate paragraph for your literature review. You must emphasize what is at stake in the exploration of your research question and how your paper will convey the importance of your question. Also, your introduction should answer what you hope to gain or help others understand by exploring this research question.
Thesis: The final version of your thesis statement should be the last sentence of your introduction.
Body Paragraphs: You should have full topic sentences. Your body paragraphs should be fully developed and unified under those topic sentences. Your paragraphs must be coherent, must integrate quotes into your sentences, and must mix sources and interpretation fluidly. You may, and probably should, have multiple paragraphs under one topic, so split where it seems appropriate and when your paragraphs are getting too long. You must do in-text citations for any quotes OR paraphrases OR summaries (any ideas that are not yours) within your body paragraphs.
Conclusion: Your conclusion is not a summary. Rather, you are answering the questions “So What?” Your conclusion must take your thesis to the next level. Why is your thesis so important? You may accomplish this in a conclusion by abstracting your argument outwards so that your reader can see the bigger picture; providing a personal example or connection to your argument; asking a new and provocative (but related) question; ending on a provocative thought.
Audience: Your paper must demonstrate a clear understanding and consideration of audience. Whom do you want to convince? Who is your ideal audience for this research paper?
Rhetorical Devices: Your research paper should use rhetorical devices to achieve its purpose (to convince your reader). Rhetorical devices are listed on Blackboard and can be found in your Writing Matters book. They included moves like logos, pathos, ethos, warrants, assumptions, deductive or inductive reasoning, diverting the reader’s attention, repetition, strategic emphasis, personal anecdote, rhetorical questions, etc.
Reference Page: Be sure this is the correct and final version of your APA Works Cited.
Editing for Grammar/Style: As you will not have a chance to revise your final draft, you are expected to have corrected all instances of the error you and I have been tracking in your writing this term. Also, revise on the sentence level for clarity (try to eliminate awkward phrasing and filler), concision (shorter is always better!), and variety (your sentences are structured in many different ways).
REMEMBER:
As you write this paper, remember:
· This paper should be organized with a point-by-point structure. That means organize the paper by idea, not by source.
· The paper should be argumentative. You are not just reporting what others have written about your topic; you are taking a position about your topic.
· This paper is a little longer than others that you’ve written. Be mindful of your paper’s cohesiveness. Make sure that you structure your paper in a logical manner.
· You must use sources to back up your argument. Remember to introduce the your sources, and remember to cite ALL summaries, paraphrases, and quotes.
Also keep in mind that an argumentative research essay is not supposed to be a place where you just parrot other people’s beliefs, but instead it should be place where you discover what you think about the topic by carefully considering other people’s ideas. If you have questions about how to integrate your opinions and ideas, ask me or refer to Writing Matters.
Unit Outcomes:
Demonstrate the advancing ability to recognize the stated and implied ideas of a complex text.
Demonstrate the advancing ability to summarize and synthesize information provided in multiple texts.
Demonstrate the advancing ability to recognize and develop college-level vocabulary.
Demonstrate the ability to recognize the multiple complex tones in a text.
Focus on purpose through clearly developed thesis/guiding statements.
Respond appropriately to the needs of different audiences and to different kinds of rhetorical situations.
Conduct basic research.
Practice appropriate means of documenting their work.
Integrate and synthesize students’ own ideas with those of others.
Write in several genres to demonstrate mastery of rhetorical modes.
Demonstrate knowledge of genre conventions ranging from structure and paragraphing to tone and mechanics.
Adopt appropriate voice, tone, and level of formality.
Control such surface features as syntax, grammar, punctuation, and usage.