RESEARCH ESSAY ASSIGNMENT
ASSIGNMENT: SHORT RESEARCH ESSAY (8-10 pages)100 points
Write a research essay on the topic of mass shootings. THIS IS NOT AN ARGUMENT ESSAY. What you will be doing is inquiring about the topic. You are exploring the topic, NOT TAKING A SIDE FOR OR AGAINST a particular issue related to the topic. The exercise is to explore the topic rationally and with intellectual balance. It is a brief overview of the topic without having to make a case for or against anything. This assignment is the essence of inquiry. The challenge is to find and evaluate sources so that your essay covers the topic without bias. YES, you may include the sources we’ve covered in the modules for your essay~!
The topic of mass shootings, as we’ve seen in the modules, is quite large. Here are some suggestions of areas to explore:
➢ How are mass shootings defined?
➢ What is the landscape of solutions being offered, and what are the shortcomings of each solution?
➢ What are some of the theories of what causes mass shootings?
➢ Personal reflection on topic. What was most surprising/interesting that you found in your research? Explain why.
Your research essay must possess the following:
1. RESEARCH that generates 8-10 pages of research writing;
2. ORGANIZED research essay; USE AN OUTLINE TO CREATE ORGANIZATION;
3. Paragraphs that INCORPORATE SOURCE INFORMATION;
4. Complete a WORKS CITED page of the sources you used and IN-TEXT CITATIONS THROUGHOUT.
FORMAT REQUIREMENTS:
1. MLA FORMAT
2. 8-10 pages of writing.
3. WORKS CITED PAGE of at least 10 sources.
RESEARCH ESSAY CHECKLIST
CHECKLIST ITEM
✓
WORKS CITED PAGE
AT LEAST TEN (10) SOURCES ON WORKS CITED PAGE
CORRECT MLA FORMATTING (FIRST PAGE)
CORRECT IN-TEXT CITATIONS (CORRELATEDWITH WORKS CITED PAGE)
ORGANIZED PARAGRAPHSTHAT INCOROPORATE SOURCE INFORMATION
INTRODUCTION CONTAINS RESEARCH QUESTION
AT LEAST 8-10 PAGES (NOT INCLUDING WORKS CITED PAGE)
PROOFREAD FOR ERRORS
OUTLINE FOR RESEARCH ESSAY
I. RESEARCH QUESTION:
a. Introduce the topic of mass shootings;
b. State research question: What is the general state of mass shootings in the United States?
II. DEFINITIONS OF MASS SHOOTERS:
a. State the various definitions and sources of those definitions;
b. How has the definition changed?
III. PROFILES OF MASS SHOOTERS:
a. What are the profiles of mass shooters?
b. What are the behaviors of mass shooters?
c. Similarities and differences between sources.
IV. THEORIES of CAUSES of MASS SHOOTINGS:
a. What is the contagion theory?
i. How it works;
ii. Recommendations to prevent contagion;
b. Other theories of the causes of mass shootings.
V. CONCLUSION:
a. Discuss anything of particular interest that you found in the researching of the topic;
b. Discuss further areas of research you would explore if you were to continue researching the topic.
