Assignment: Argumentative Research Essay
Your final assignment, a 1200-1500 word- argumentative research paper, will incorporate the skills you have developed throughout this course, and will develop new skills in research. You will learn to analyze an argument using the rhetorical triangle.
For this assignment, you will:
- Read about your topic.
- Make an argument about the topic. This argument must be clearly stated in a working thesis statement. All body paragraphs must be focused and organized, clearly relating back to your thesis.
- Research sources appropriate to your topic, and effectively use those sources as evidence to support and prove your thesis. You must research and use at least 4 outside sources*. At least 2 of your sources should come from one of the PV databases. We will discuss research methods and ways to incorporate sources into your writing in class.
- Cite all sources using MLA Format. Your paper must include proper parenthetical citations and a Works Cited page. We will go over MLA citation in class, and you have Chapter 22 or Purdue Owl as a reference. Also, you must include one footnote and one table, picture or graph.
Your research paper must be typed, Times New Roman, double-spaced, in 12-point font, and in MLA format.
*A Few Notes about Required Sources: Your sources must be reputable and reliable. Good
sources include the following:
§ newspapers (San Francisco Chronicle, New York Times, etc.)
§ magazines (Time, Newsweek, etc.)
§ books
- websites (gov, edu)
§ academic journals or databases
Remember that a well-researched paper will include a variety of sources.
Due Dates and Other Information Important for this Paper
