All papers are to be written in MLA format, typed, double-spaced, following MLA format for the first page, page numbering and Works Cited. This is to be at least 6 full pages pages in length, excluding the Works Cited, for each. You are expected to research and write these papers on your own, and we won’t spend much class time on these.
Your research should incorporate no fewer than 3 recent (within the last 5 years) sources, and preferential treatment will be given to library database sources. You may have as many sources as you wish. I recommend you become familiar with CQ Researcher, EBSCOhost, and Opposing Viewpoints and other library databases. You may, however, use other reputable sources. Just know that online encyclopedias, dictionaries, etc. will not count as sources. ProCon.org is a lousy source to include in the final draft of your paper as it’s one step above Wikipedia. If you do use them, however, they should be cited appropriately.
Sources: A paper will only get an A on the Works Cited if at least 3 are current sources from the library databases. Google sources aren’t as reliable.
For each paper, the introduction should be a startling statistic or attention-getting story. Then you will write a paragraph of relevant background information if it is needed and for the next 3+ pages, you will write your best pro evidence that supports arguments, citing expert sources from your research. After that, you will write 3+ pages of your best con evidence supporting arguments, citing expert sources from your research. Finally, you will include a Works Cited which doesn’t count toward the page allotment for the paper. Stick with reliable, scholarly, objective sources.
You may use YouTube videos, blog posts, personal interviews with experts, unconventional sources, and older works as sources, but only as a fourth source. Is this clear?
You can use just about any action-based, specific thesis for these papers, but I respectfully request that you avoid same-sex marriage and legalizing marijuana debates. Everything else is fair game, but not all thesis ideas are the same. The research for these papers should be based on results, not hypotheticals or conjecture. The best thesis ideas have hard evidence behind them. Focus on them.
