The Researched Position Paper
Check Dropbox for Due Date
Purpose
To showcase the skills you have learned in English 1010, specifically in writing, organizing ideas, developing paragraphs, applying research to a topic, and persuading an audience.
Skills
using research to support ideas
using persuasive skills
thinking critically
applying feedback to revise your writing
Task
Using a variety of invention strategies, drafting techniques, model texts, and revision activities, you will write a thesis-driven, persuasive research essay about some current topic.
Manuscript Requirements
You will produce a manuscript that is 1,000-1,300 words.
You will use 4+ sources, including at least one academic source.
You must use MLA format for layout and include a correct MLA Works Cited page and in-text citations.
Elaboration
For this project, you will take a position on a topic that is important to you (and important to the world). The idea is to convince us of your position by using rhetoric effectively. This means that you must be credible (Ethos), make us feel empathy for your position (Pathos), and use sufficient evidence to logically support your position (Logos).
You will introduce your topic and then give a thesis statement that lays out your position with the main claim and three reasons. Then you will support each reason with evidence. You will present the opposing position and then refute it. Finally, of course, you will conclude by reminding us of your thesis and predicting what happens in the world if your position is taken or ignored.
To give sufficient evidence, you must engage in outside research (which you should have a good start on, thanks to the Annotated Bibliography assignment). You need to be sure your sources are credible; you will have to make this determination. Your instructor will require that you use one academic source. Learning Materials in this course, especially Sub-Module 6B on Documentation and Research, can help.
Also, you can consult the English 1010 and 1020 Research Guide at the Vol State Library website. Otherwise, you may use articles you find on Google if they are credible (usually those in the domains .gov, .edu, or .mil are best). You might also have sources that are not articles. If, for example, you choose to write about gun control, you could use a YouTube video as one of your sources as long as you research the video’s creator to ensure the information is credible.
You will select one or more academic sources from your research, plus additional sources, which you will quote or paraphrase in your Researched Position Paper.
Criteria for Success
CONTENT: How well do you construct your argument? Is it thorough and compelling? Do you sound like an expert on your topic? Do you include a counterargument and refute the counterargument to solidify your stance?
ORGANIZATION: How effectively have you composed the elements of the argument? Does everything seem to fit and connect to the thesis? Does the essay flow as it progresses?
RESEARCH: Is evidence from sources abundant and credible? Is it properly cited?
POLISH: To what degree is the essay clear, polished, and copyedited, free from elements that may distract readers?
Specific grading criteria are listed in the Researched Position Paper rubric. Please read through that rubric before submitting your final paper.
Research proposal, annotated bibliography, cited works, and grade rubric in drop files, rough draft needed also.
