Essay 3 – Research Assignment Details Description: For your final essay, I would
Essay 3 – Research Assignment Details Description: For your final essay, I would like you to think about a problem that impacts you on a daily basis and a research-based solution on a topic that is related to your area of study. You may have come to this issue through experience or through your own research. This could be an issue that you encounter through your job, on MDC’s campus, or in your individual community. For instance, you might focus on employers who monitor their employees’ social media accounts, a minimum wage that doesn’t not cover current costs of living, restrictive college textbook costs, a lack of local leash laws in your city, addressing mental health for students, etc. Then, you must a solution using research for a particular change that you would recommend or consider in order to resolve this problem. Use a combination of both outside sources and your own observations and experiences to develop specific evidence for your argument. Note: Before choosing your topic, consult the list located on the second page of this assignment sheet, which contains ten overused persuasive essay topics that I strongly urge you to avoid. These are the DO NOT DO topics. WRITING TASKS: Before you begin your essay, you should choose which stance you will take on the topic (i.e., are you for the topic, against it, or some combination of both). Then, develop a strong, specific thesis that argues a specific claim about that topic (i.e., don’t simply argue “I am for ______” or “I am against ______”). Remember that you must argue about a specific change that you want to see happen in order to rectify your issue. To help build the ethos and logos appeals of your argument, you will be required to use at least three sources in your essay. While you may reference sources like personal blogs or Wikipedia in your paper, two of your three sources must be more credible or academic (e.g., articles from magazines, journals, or newspapers; books; government websites, etc.). Consider the audience of your essay. Will your reader be receptive to your argument, or will they be strongly opposed to your claims? Your audience’s reaction to your thesis will determine a number of elements in your writing, including structure, tone, and evidence. Also, keep in mind that while recognizing opposing viewpoints certainly lends credibility and ethos to your argument, you don’t want to undermine your own claims. Give credit and acknowledgement to other opinions, but simultaneously reinforce your own ideas. Assessment: Your grade will derive from your abilities to argue successfully your thesis using convincing evidence, specific details and examples, and pertinent outside sources, as well as to organize your thoughts in an effective and logical style to help your reader clearly understand your argument. Peer Reviews: When you bring in your typed rough draft on the day of peer review, you will trade your essay with a classmate so that you can both read each other’s work and provide helpful, constructive criticism to one another. In addition, I will provide each of you with a worksheet to help guide you through the peer review process. Once you and your classmate have finished, you will trade back your essays so that you can each utilize the comments when revising for your final draft. If you are unable to attend class on the day set aside for peer reviews, it is your responsibility to “make up” the peer review by contacting a classmate willing to review your essay outside of class, taking your essay to a tutor in the Writing Lab, or submitting it through Tutor.com. You will not receive credit if a friend or family member reviews your paper. Also, keep in mind that even if you are absent for a peer review, you are still responsible for turning in your final draft on time. Extra Credit: If you would like to receive extra credit on your essay, all you need to do is take the time to have it reviewed outside of class! Simply make an appointment with the Writing Lab and you will receive ten (10) points added to your final essay grade. In order to prove that you went to one of these student resources, you must turn in either a) the reviewed essay with the Writing Lab tutor’s markings and signature or b) a printout of the feedback from the Tutor.com website. Just attach your materials to the peer review worksheet and in-class peer-reviewed essay that you will turn after the final draft due date. Note: You cannot receive “double” extra credit if you choose to have your essay reviewed through both the Writing Lab and Tutor.com (though, I would not discourage you from doing so). Also, remember that this extra credit is completely optional. There will be no penalty if you choose not to have your essay reviewed outside of our in-class peer review. Requirements: You should submit a 1000-1250 word (4 – 5 page) essay, typed and double-spaced. Use Times New Roman, Arial or Calibri font in 12-pt size. Format your paper according to MLA guidelines or APA guidelines. We will go into more details in class. Due Dates: Peer review days and final draft due dates are posted in the “Schedule / Class Activities” section of your ENC 1101 Syllabus. Remember that the final draft of your essay must be submitted online through the “Assignments” section of your MDC page, and the peer-reviewed rough draft and peer review worksheet are due in-person during our next class meeting (all stapled or fastened together with a paper clip). Overused Argument Topics: Abortion Animal Testing The Death Penalty Domestic and Child Abuse The Drinking Age Euthanasia Gay Marriage & Adoption Legalizing Marijuana Smoking Vegetarianism Note: While I am not suggesting that these topics are unimportant, they often lead to overgeneralized and unoriginal argumentation. That being said, I would be more than happy to read an essay that takes a new/fresh look at one of the subjects above.