Your research paper will take
the form of a persuasive essay. You MUST
take a stand on an issue or controversy, asserting your position about a
problem, proposing the best solution to that problem, showing what causes a
particular problem, or discussing the negative effects that will ensue if that
problem is not addressed properly. Here
are some pointers to assist you in writing the paper:
1. In order to construct your thesis statement
for this paper, try to articulate the WHO, WHY, and HOW of the situation. WHO is responsible or affected? WHY does the problem exist? HOW can it be fixed or altered? Remember that your thesis should not be a
statement of indisputable fact, an assertion based only on feelings or
emotions, or an assertion based on moral or religious convictions. These aren’t “provable.”
2. Your paper will be a MINIMUM of 10 pages, not
including the works cited page. You will
follow the Paper Format handout in constructing it. Remember that you do not need a separate
cover sheet or title page; your heading will appear on the first page of the
paper, followed by you interesting and/or informative title.
3. Your introduction will be approximately 1-1 ¼
pages long, and end with your thesis statement.
Remember that an introduction is meant to ease readers into the subject,
not bombard them with supporting details that belong in the body paragraphs or
jump right into your opinions. Use this
paragraph to define important terminology, introduce readers to the problem,
and/or explain what has led to the current situation.
4. Your paper will include between five and
seven body paragraphs of approximately 1-2 pages each. Each body paragraph will begin with a topic
sentence. Remember that a topic sentence
tells the reader 1) what the paragraph will be about, and 2) how that body
paragraph will help prove your thesis. In
order to construct topic sentences, reword your thesis statement as questions
beginning with the words, “Why’, “How”, or “In what ways.” The answers to these questions will become
topic sentences.
5. Each body paragraph will include at least
four quotations and/or paraphrases, each from an approved source, and each
meant to support your topic sentence.
Remember that approved sources include 1) books, and 2) articles from
scholarly journals, magazines, newspapers, and anthologies. Your annotated bibliography provides me with
the list of sources you are considering using.
This may change. Also, remember to
use the Quotations and Paraphrases handout to insure you are documenting and
citing your sources correctly in the paper.
Direct quotations should take up no more than four typed lines of your
finished paper. If you want to use a
quotation that takes up more than four lines, consider cutting it down,
paraphrasing part of it, or only quoting vital parts.
6. Your conclusion will be approximately 1-1 ¼
pages long, and will begin with a restatement of your thesis. Remember that a conclusion is meant to ease
readers out of the paper, not repeat all your main points or include supporting
details that belong instead in the body paragraphs. Use this paragraph to demonstrate how things
will change if this problem is fixed, what the future holds for the individuals
involved, or what the might be expected to happen as a result of your
suggestions.
7. Your works cited page will be approximately 2
pages long, and list between seven and ten sources. Remember that your sources must be approved,
and will be arranged alphabetically by author’s last name. If a source doesn’t have an author, is less
than two pages long, is dated prior to 2001, or is a summary or abstract or a
longer article, it is NOT acceptable. Be
sure to use the Purdue OWL website to construct your works cited page.
