Essay 4: Research Project

Persuasive Essay Using Eight or More Sources

Writing Assignment

Using eight or more good sources—at least four of which must be scholarly sources—write a persuasive essay of eight to ten pages.   Papers of this type either provide an adequately detailed, specific solution to the issue or explore causes that have been ignored or undervalued.

This is not a report.  Your audience knows the topic well; your task is to change their actions or opinions.  Use varied support and make an effort to be objective as you research the topic, but support a clear, persuasive thesis claim that’s both arguable and provable.

For this paper, you must create a research question whose answer is likely to become your thesis claim.  Focus mainly on logical appeals and avoid fallacies.   Include well-placed refutals of one side’s reasoning.  Refutals are appropriate, detailed “comebacks” or counterarguments to opposition reasons.  Your paper should investigate at least three to four opposing reasons, three to four supporting reasons, and must include refutals for each opposing reason.

• Papers that are plagiarized will not be considered as research papers and may result in failure for the course.
• No .com websites are allowed unless I know about them beforehand. Clear them with me through an email to jdickinson@sunyjefferson.edu If you include those without permission, they will be ignored.
• Get varied sources for the paper.
• Avoid overuse of a single CQ Researcher article.
• No Opposing Viewpoints sources may be used.
• Also check with me beforehand for each .net, .org, or .gov source you wish to include.
• Choosing not to write the minimum number of full pages in the correct format and with the proper number/type of sources will result in a failing grade.
• Per the syllabus, submission of the research paper is a requirement for passing this section.

MLA Format

Again, make sure you follow MLA style rules.  These can be found both in Bb and on the JCC Dare to Document page.

Purpose

• Write to persuade, changing an informed academic audience’s actions.
• Give readers the information needed to understand your subject.
• Use description, narration, definition, comparison/contrast to develop argument.
• In an objective essay, so limit the use of “I” and “you.”
• Write with a formal tone; avoid contractions or a chatty, conversational tone.

Audience

Assume your audience has familiarity with the subject and with each side’s reasons.  Do more than just point out the obvious to them.  Your audience includes those who disagree with you or doubt the validity of your connections.  It will even include those who don’t see why the topic matters.

Strategy

• With so many sources, it’ll be even more important that you figure out a system of note-taking so that you avoid plagiarism.  Cite as you write.  If in doubt, cite.
• You might create a file with working bibliography information—underneath works cited entries for sources, include quotes you might use.  You can then cut and paste these into a draft.  If you do this, still interpret what you use
• Placement and fair use of “the other side” will be important

Integration

• Carefully cite your sources, as usual.  Include strong interpretation of any quote’s specifics.  Citing carefully means subordinating the quote to your purposes, so break up long quotes.
• Establish the authority of those you are quoting or paraphrasing.
• Only quote when you wish to capture the flavor of the speaker’s words.  Otherwise, you should be paraphrasing or summarizing.  To avoid plagiarism, you must change the sentence structure and the words of the source.  You still cite paraphrases and summaries.  You must interpret them, too.
• I expect you to break up long areas of source use, and to interpret more strongly.
• In most cases, begin and end paragraphs on your own.
• Relate the source material to your topic, or to your thesis throughout your essay.

Topics: Choose from the List Below

North Korea policy

invasive species in NY

mechanisms for punishment in sports

campus free speech policies

internet censorship in China

racism in European football (soccer)

To what extent is abuse of executive power a solvable problem?

African bush meat crisis

friendly fire inquests

opposition research

medical apartheid

exhibited cadavers

uranium smuggling

stadium subsidies

coal industry regulation

document declassification

prions (chronic wasting disease)

patenting of genes (such as the Henrietta Lacks case)

What are the environmental impacts of dumping old computers?

Are genetically modified foods acceptable?  Preferable?

How should works of art owned by Jews and stolen during the Holocaust be handled?

plastic surgery vs. cosmetic surgery: the implications of increasing procedures?

medical tourism

effects of graphic novels on literacy

cause/effect argument about the grotesque (sideshows, film, issues of “normalcy”)

massively multiplayer online role-playing games and social behavior

video game farming in China (yes, that’s one topic)

video games and the depiction of history

branding, rebranding and the implications of naming

doublespeak

public apologies

sponsorship deals for high schools and athletes

value-added evaluation models in teaching

bike sharing programs

document declassification

the increasing wealth gap and its implications

gene screening and its implications

abstinence-only and its impact upon AIDS foreign aid

greenwashing and corporate image

Should the American government pay reparations and return land to Native Americans?

How should we view Denisovan archaeology findings?