Argumentative Research Project
Over the next several weeks, you will develop, research, write, and submit an argumentative research project in several steps in class. An argumentative research paper takes a position on a debatable topic and presents evidence derived from sources to support its position.
I have designed this assignment to reflect a typical research project for a college course so that you will have experience in working on and completing the assignment with a guide to answer questions and provide help and assistance. So, we will spend the next month in the library working on this project together. I will be available during class for discussion and assistance with each phase of this assignment. Please do not hesitate to ask me questions and use my knowledge and expertise to help you learn and navigate this assignment. There are no dumb questions! You have only just begun your educational journey. Research and writing is a challenging practice, but I am confident that each one of you can master these skills and become solid researchers and writers.
This project has multiple phases/assignments:
First: Select one of the topics you have already written on for this semester. Use one of your module essays as a place to begin. If you've already written a 1200+ word essay for one of the modules, you must choose a different topic. You cannot submit the same exact essay for this assignment.
Once you have selected the topic you wish to do further research on, go do the research. Research sources MUST come from the library unless otherwise approved by me. It is imperative that you understand how to locate and interact with academic sources found through the library.
Assignment 1: AnAnnotated Bibliography (100 points): This is a written presentation of your research on the subject. It includes a summary of the source's information and an MLA formatted citation. See example on eLearn.
Step by step instructions:
1. Locate a source (book, article, etc.) on your chosen topic.
2. Read it. Really, read it. The whole thing. Completely. All of it.
3. After reading the source, write a brief summary paragraph of the main ideas of the source. DO NOT USE THE ABSTRACTS FROM THE DATABASES. That is plagiarism. You MUST write your own summaries of the articles from your own reading.
4. Construct a citation for the source using MLA citation format. If you don't know how to do this, you need to ask me for help.
5. Repeat 3 & 4 for a total of four sources.
6. Create the annotated bibliography (see example on eLearn)
7. Submit the final, proofread, copy to the dropbox on eLearn by April 10th at 3:00 PM
Now that you've done your research, time to write:
Assignment 2: The Final Draft of your Paper (200 points)
• Your final thesis statement MUST be approved by me. Be sure to bring it to me during class while we are working in the library. It must have a Claim and Reasons for your claim.
• This final essay is the same essay we have been writing all semester, but now you will include more research (at least 4 sources) and extend the paper to a minimum of 1200.
• You will submit the final, polished, ready-to-be-graded copy of your paper including an MLA formatted Works Cited page to the dropbox on eLearn by April 19th at 3:00 PM and hard copies will be submitted to me in class on the same day. LATE PAPERS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.