For your own research paper:
1. Write a research paper that tries to convince the reader of a position. In other words, to repeat, your paper should not just inform your reader about a topic, but instead it must convince your reader of something. Think of an argumentative paper as writing FOR or AGAINST something.You may choose your own topic, but to promote writing across the curriculum, choose from the following:
an argumentative issue that exists within your major/field of study or a job you currently hold or want to hold (where you take a side and argue FOR or AGAINST something. Dont just explore a career, salaries, etc. that does not equal an argument). For example, a business student may write an argumentative paper in support of/or against the Affordable Care Act and its effect on small businesses. A criminal justice student may write an argumentative paper in support of/or against the use of confessions in trials. Ultimately, choose a topic that will be of real interest to you. Consider perhaps a problem you face at your current job or areas of disagreement in your profession of interest.an argumentative issue that exists in the field of education (where you can take a side and argue FOR or AGAINST something. Think of a problem or issue you yourself may have faced in the past or are facing now, a school policy with which you disagree, etc.). If you have not declared a major or are a dual-enrolled student, you must choose this option.
Source guidelines:
The paper must incorporate formal research.A minimum of three (3) sources must be used a maximum of five (5) sources can be used.Only ONE (1) source may come from a direct website; this does not mean that you cannot conduct all of your research online you can, but your other sources must be academic ones (books, newspaper articles, journal articles, etc.). It IS possible to access these sources remotely via the library portal (from your home or work computer) without having to physically visit the library, if you would prefer not to or are unable to do so. The unit content will explain how this is possible.Within the paper itself, you must cite each source from which you paraphrase, summarize, or quote. All in-text citations must adhere to MLA formatting. Although this is a reseach paper assignment, the bulk of the paper should still come from your own original ideas, interpretations, evaluations, and suggestions. Roughly, no more than 30% of the paper should come from source material.An accompanying Works Cited page is required: papers submitted without one will automatically earn a zero (0).Accompanying multi-media materials can be incorporated and are encouraged! but should be in addition to, not in place of, other formal source material and own content.