For your third, and final, Major Assignment, you’ll essentially select a topic, conduct research
associated with your topic, and compose an argument (in which you incorporate ample
rhetorical analyses and evaluations of sources) about your topic—an argument supported by
your rhetorical analyses and evaluations of researched sources, in other words.
This 3rd Paper will essentially be a continuation of the work you’ve done with the 2nd Paper
(that is, it’s an opportunity for you to fully develop the exploratory/reflective process and
annotated bibliography related to a sociocultural relevant/exigent topic, or perhaps an ethical
topic associated with your major or projected profession). In this final phase of the research
process, then, you’ll move from an exploration of your research process to thesis-driven
argument.
You concluded the 2nd Paper with your tentative thesis. You’ll now have a chance to refine that
thesis, revise your research as needed, and develop the hard work you completed in your 2nd
Paper into an argumentative essay. Because you are now creating a focused argument, the
sources you found for the annotated bibliography may not all transfer to this stage of the
process. Some sources may support your more focused claim, and some will have to be
abandoned—and you will likely need to gather additional sources. I expect your research in the
2nd Paper, as well as your writing in the 2nd Paper, to be substantially updated for this 3rd Major
assignment.
As was the case for our 1st Paper, you are free to go about selecting a topic and crafting a
research inquiry in virtually any way you see fit. Developing an effective topic and inquiry will
be critical to the success of your 3rd Paper. If you are uncertain about your topic and/or inquiry,
please talk to me about it. It is my hope that you will be able to use much or most of the work
you put into the 2nd Paper as a basis from which to proceed for your 3rd Paper.
Like we have discussed all semester, one useful way of approaching this assignment—whether
you do continue your work from the 2nd Paper or whether you choose to begin anew—might be
to select a socioculturally exigent topic that resonates with you (a social justice issue about
which you are passionate, for example) or perhaps an ethical or otherwise exigent issue related
to your major or projected profession.
• NOTE: you do not have to continue with your topic/research/work from your 2nd Paper.
If you would like to start over with something else, that is completely up to you.
(Personally, however, I would encourage you to continue what you started in the 1st/2nd
Papers; it is often useful to take advantage of such a head start!) If you have questions
about this, please be in contact with me.
