For this project you will write a researched argument on a topic that would be of interest to someone in your major or chosen professional field. The topic should be something that you can find researched in academic (peer-reviewed, refereed, or scholarly are terms often used interchangeably) journals, since the majority of your sources must be from this type of publication. Additionally, this essay is notsimply a summary of facts you have found on your topic. Instead, you must make a clearly defined argument about the subject you have researched, so the question must be something that is open to argument and interpretation. While an argument involves stating your opinion, you must support your claims with substantial, credible evidence—it is not justyour opinion. You will support your argumentwith a minimum of 8 of the sources you include in your annotated bibliography including at least 6 academic journal articles. Some of these sources may be used to explain the issue/problem or as differing opinions you refute or critique, some you may analyze to make your argument, and others will provide supporting evidence or views for your argument. There is not one formula for this paper that fits everyone’s purposes: The shape of your argument depends on the question you pursue, the argument you make, and the style for research writing in your field. Your essay will be documented in a style that is used in your field.

Note that your annotated bibliography has more sources –10 total, 8 of them scholarly—to allow you to omit the ones that no longer fit well as you refine your argument. See separate instruction prompt for the bibliography.

Brief research proposal: A short discussion of what you’ve found so far about the research conversation on your topic, how you plan to add to it to answer a particular research question, and short summaries and citations of two articles you will use.

After the annotated bibliography, you’ll put the pieces of your argument together, starting by synthesizing what others have concluded in their research.

Conferences on Outline: Working from the use statements in your annotated bibliography, you’ll prepare a topical outline that coordinates all points with the specific sources you will use to support them. Post it to the class discussion board—so I can read it before our conference to prepare.

You’ll meet for conferences with me on your outline during the week of 10/25-10/31 (week 10)

Rough Draft Due for Peer Workshop:

1^st1000 words of essay rough draft (week 11)

2^nd1000 words of essay rough draft (week 12)

3rd 1000 words of essay rough draft (week 12)

Short Presentation on Research Conclusions: You will post a powerpoint presentation over the findings of your research. We’ll learn the best practices for engaging research presentations. (week 14)

Polished Researched Essay:

The final essay discussing the results of your research and answering your research question should be a minimumof 3,000 words–about 10 pages double-spaced, not including the Works Cited pages (and may certainly be longer if needed for your focus). Due for a grade 5/1 at the start of class. All source articles also due in paper or digital form, highlighted to show the parts you used—so I can check your paraphrase.

Evaluation Criteria for Researched Argument

Your essay will be evaluated according to the following criteria (400 points possible):

Argument’s structure, purpose, and development out of 225 points:

1. The introduction sets the context for the reader, explaining necessary background.
2. The introduction includes the research question (or a more specific phrasing of a thesis statement) and helps the reader appreciate why the question matters.
3. The essay has a clearly stated thesis. (Some of it may be in the intro—at the very least, in the form of a question– and the rest clarified in the conclusion.)
4. The stated thesis accounts well for the paper’s purpose.
5. The author clearly makes an argument in the essay and analyzes source material instead of just recounting/summarizing it.
6. The author draws on source material well to support all the author’s claims/points.
7. The argument refers to at least 8 sources, 6 of which are scholarly ones.
8. Adequate transitions move the reader from point to point in the argument.

Integration and citation of source material out of 125 points:

1. The author makes it clear who’s talking (author or source’s author) at every point in the essay.
2. Author introduces all quoted or paraphrased material so reader knows who said what, and if needed, why that person’s words should be listened to.
3. Adequate context for studies/research is included along with summary and interpretation of relevant findings.
4. Sources are properly cited (with in-text citations and a reference list) according to your chosen documentation style.
5. All direct wording from sources is in quotation marks.
6. All paraphrase is adequately changed from the original source.

Sentence-level editing concerns: style and correctness out of 50 points:

1. Sentences vary enough in style and length to keep the rhythm from being monotonous.
2. Word choice is intelligent, balanced, and non-repetitive, creating a credible and persuasive tone for the author.
3. The paper is mostly free of mechanical (punctuation, spelling) and grammar/usage errors.