Description: You are providing a solid thesis statement as learned about in the lectures in which you claim that [INSERT YOUR CAUSE HERE] has led to [INSERT THE EFFECT HERE] in society. This can be anything from the decline in education (if you think there is one) to the socialist policies in the government (if you think these are present and an issue) to the removal of religion from public schools resulting in mass shootings (if that is what you want to present).
Important Note: Not everyone is going to agree with you on whatever topic you select, and that’s okay. The goal here is for you to present solid facts, statistics, data, etc. that supports your stance. It doesn’t matter what side of the aisle someone is on or what they believe. This is your paper. I want you to pick something that is important to you, something that you are passionate about and strongly believe. All of those samples I have listed above are papers I have actually seen from students who got to select their own topic, and I can tell you that they did so much better than students who had a topic handed to them. Your passions inform your writing and help you develop your written voice. That’s what I want for you… to find your written voice.
Objective: You have a “hot button” issue/topic that is under fire. This has to be a cause/effect issue. Your job is to show your online followers how the cause has led to the effect of what we are now seeing in society. You have to have solid research to back up your claims because some of your followers are firmly on the other side and ready to drop your blog. Some have even left scathing reviews already. Your job is to help those followers at least have an understanding of why you believe the way you do.
Are some of them still going to leave? Sadly, yes. There are some people who will never want to listen to opposing views. Can you convince some of them who are maybe on the fence about the issue? If you write well enough, present enough evidence, and provide solid support, yes, you can.
Important Note about this Paper: This is your capstone paper. I will be checking your ability to utilize all of the tools we have learned in this class. This paper is worth 30% of your entire course grade. If you do not pass this paper, you do not pass the class.
MLA Requirements: 5-6 pages plus (meaning in addition to) your MLA works cited
Source Requirements: Minimum of FIVE sources that supports your stance. Three of your sources have to come from the Peru State College online library under the search for peer-reviewed sources. If you do not as of yet know how to use the online library, you need to reach out to me immediately so that I can get you the help you need. Your final two sources can be any online source that you feel is CREDIBLE (in other words, no blogs or vlogs, try to find something that is vetted). If you are not sure what a vetted source looks like, go to the Student Resources and find the CRAAP test. Use the CRAAP test to vet your source.
Number of Attempts for Submission: Unlimited
Course Outcomes Fulfilled:
Develop and effectively communicate your ideas in writing using appropriate grammar, syntax, and organizational conventions based upon the rhetorical context
Understand the audience you are seeking to communicate to and the rhetorical context of a piece of writing
Understand and utilize the process of revision in order to respond to constructive feedback
Employ your writing skills for a variety of different rhetorical situations and purposes across a variety of different assignment types
Critically analyze numerous types of texts and/or media in a sophisticated and relevant fashion
General Studies Outcomes Fulfilled:
Develop and effectively communicate your ideas verbally and in writing using appropriate grammar, syntax, and organizational conventions based upon the rhetorical context
Research, critically evaluate, and utilize evidence drawn from multiple types of sources appropriately cited to support your claims, ideas, and points of view
