Your assignment is to write argumentatively about a topic you uncovered as a result of your freewriting and research proposal. Follow these guidelines:
Take your topic and write an argumentative thesis (and your thesis must make a claim and be arguable, not informative).
Write a full essay with an introductory paragraph, body/supporting paragraphs, concluding paragraph, and a Works Cited/References page.
Your introductory paragraph must include an argumentative thesis statement (often the last sentence of the introductory paragraph).
Your thesis statement will be focused and argumentative. You had practice with this in your Proposal assignment. Please read the feedback comments from that assignment as you proceed with this essay.
Your body/supporting paragraphs must be developed using topic sentences and details (use RENNS, journalist questions, concrete nouns and active verbs).
Your concluding paragraph will do more than simply restate your thesis. See the Introductions and Conclusions video for specific strategies.
Your Works Cited/References page will include a minimum of 5 sources. At least 1 source must be from an SCTCC’s database (EBSCO and ProQuest are good choices), and it is likely that most of your sources will be from the databases.
The length of the entire paper/essay must be 7-10 pages long (including a Works Cited page if you are using MLA format, and an Abstract and a Reference page if you are using APA format); in other words, a minimum of 6 pages of essay text is required.
Argumentative Research Essay Check List
___ Your paper uses either the MLA or APA template (not a mix).
___ Your paper is 6-8 pages double spaced with an easy-to-read font in size 12. Font style and size is consistent throughout the paper and the Works Cited/References page.
___ You have used and cited at least 5 sources with a minimum of 1 from SCTCC’s databases.
___ Your introduction begins with a hook or attention-getter and ends with your thesis statement.
___ Your thesis is something arguable/debatable and is written clearly in your introductory paragraph (often as the last sentence of the intro).
___ Each body paragraph begins with a topic sentence in your own words and is developed using details (examples, source information, and your own analysis). The ending analysis of the paragraph should support and connect with the thesis.
___ Your conclusion should do more than summarize and will leave the reader with something to think about or even a call to action.
___ You will eliminate the words “you” and “your” throughout.
___ You will avoid passive constructions of “there is,” “there are,” “it is,” and other empty phrases. Use concrete nouns and active verbs instead (third-level details).
___ You’ll avoid linking verbs such as am, is, are, be, been, was, were. Use active verbs. Instead of The novel is boring to the readers, you can say The novel bores readers.
___ You will cite the source of everything summarized, paraphrased, and quoted within your essay following either MLA format (Jones 43) or APA format (Jones, 2019). This may seem excessive but is absolutely necessary throughout your essay to avoid plagiarizing.
___ You will use signal phrases to qualify quoted source material; a quote cannot stand alone as a sentence in academic writing.
___ Your Works Cited or References page must list all 5 or more sources used in your paper and include at least 1 source from SCTCC’s database.
