Basic details:
1200-1500 words
MLA manuscript formatting
See syllabus and/or Brightspace for guided due date
You have to complete all drafting on your own; submit your FINAL draft to Brightspace
Objective:
Familiarize yourself with a current conversation that is happening on an important topic from a provided list of essays in a chapter They Say/I Say. Then, once you have an understanding of how this topic is discussed by multiple authors, you will enter the conversation in a traditional MLA research paper. In response to one of the chapters, you will come up with an interesting, well-developed, vigorously supported, original argument with a cogent answer to the question: “so what?” (or reason for why people should care).
Your thesis will make a claim about why the topic matters, and your conclusion will include a call to action for the reader.
You will need to include 2 articles from one of the They Say/I Say chapters and 3 additional sources that you find on your own. The additional sources should be of high quality–they should meet the requirements to pass the CRAAP Test.
Include at least 1 quote from each of the 5 sources, but no quotes should be over 4 lines long. You must also have correct MLA in-text citations, a correctly formatted MLA Works Cited page, and an MLA-formatted manuscript.
Thesis Statement Instructions:
Throughout this term, we have worked on building strong thesis statements that make a claim that can be defended with evidence.
Your thesis statement should be no more than 1 sentence for this essay
Place your thesis statement at the very end of your introductory paragraph
Make sure that your thesis can stand on its own. If someone cut your thesis sentence out of the paper and gave it to a stranger to read, would that stranger understand the main idea of your essay?
Your thesis must make an argument about the topic by answering the question “So what?”
Here are some sample thesis statements that answer the question “So what?” about a topic. (These are not the same topics you are writing about for this class.)
As climate change worsens, more radical action and lifestyle changes will be needed to avoid catastrophic environmental damage.
A person’s career choice has long-term implications for financial stability, work-life balance, and overall well being.
High-quality early childhood education better prepares children emotionally, socially, and academically for future success in school and life.
Because water scarcity is increasing globally, sustainable water management through conservation and efficiency should be a priority for every national government.
Topic Options:
Each of the following chapters of They Say, I Say is a collection of essays on a specific topic. You will choose ONE chapter that is of interest to you. You will quote and cite 2 of the essays within that chapter, and then find 3 external sources on the internet or in the library to use for the rest of your essay.
Chapter 19: Why Care About the Planet?
Chapter 20: How Can We Bridge the Differences that Divide Us?
Chapter 21: What’s College For?
Chapter 22: How is Technology Changing Us?
Chapter 23: What’s Gender Got to Do With It?
Important: If your book does not contain Chapters 19-23 exactly as listed here, then you have the wrong textbook. You need to revisit the instructions at the beginning of the Brightspace course to find the correct edition. If you are unable to access the correct book, contact your professor immediately to determine how to get the correct textbook. This paper cannot be completed without the correct textbook.
Essay must include:
MLA manuscript formatting
An MLA Works Cited page that correctly lists all 5 sources
Correct MLA in-text citations throughout the paper
Introduction with a thesis statement at the end
Thesis statement that makes a claim regarding why the topic is important (“so what?”)
Multiple pieces of evidence throughout the body paragraphs that support the claim
At least 5 quotes (1 from each source), none over 4 lines long
Conclusion paragraph
Do not include:
Any additional sources beyond the 5 required
First person (“I” or “we” statements)
Content made by generative AI (ChatGPT or other platforms)
Example Outline
This is a useful outline to follow if you’re not sure how to approach this essay! You are not required to follow this outline, but it will likely be helpful to you!
Introduction
First sentences: introduce the general topic
End with the thesis statement that makes a claim about the topic and why it matters (“so what?”)
Body Paragraph A through….however many you have
Topic sentence that introduces the evidence that you are providing to support your claim
Properly formatted quote(s) from one or more sources
Transition sentence to move on to the next idea
section’s guidance with a new piece of evidence for your claim
Continue to address aspects of the CRAAP Test throughout the paper
Conclusion
Don’t just restate the thesis, and definitely don’t repeat the same language. In this topic sentence, make it clear that the reader is getting close to the end.
Works Cited Page
Include your source in correct MLA style on a properly formatted Works Cited page
