Writing Task

In Chapters 2-5, we have worked on close reading, summary, and response in relation to one text at a time. Here we build on that to allow you to choose multiple texts on a given topic and summarize them as needed to help you make your own argument.  This is a classic college research paper--a chance for you to become an authority and have your say on a topic that matters to you. Chapter 6: The Research Process Links to an external site. and Chapter 7: Forming Your Own Argument Links to an external site. will offer guidance and strategies along the way. 

Requirements

• At least 8 pages or 2,400 words total (not including the Works Cited page)
• A thesis for the paper as a whole. 
• Your paper should be both informative and persuasive. 
• Connecting strategies and signal phrases
• Topic sentences for each paragraph
• Supporting details, including quotations and paraphrases from your sources
• An introduction and conclusion that are engaging and thoughtful
• A Works Cited page with at least five reputable sources
• MLA format.

Note: Avoiding plagiarism is trickier in a research paper because you are drawing from multiple sources.  When copying into your notes, always use quotation marks. All strings of words from your sources should be in quotation marks. 

How to add something to the conversation

As Chapter 5 "Making Your Recommendation in Response to an Argument" Links to an external site. states, academia is founded on the idea of an ongoing conversation in which we can learn from each other. As you research and reflect critically on the sources you find, you can develop a perspective on the topic and find a way to advance the conversation. Here are some reminders of techniques from Chapter 5 and Section 7.2 "Organizing a Paper to Respond to Sources" Links to an external site. for coming up with an original point in relation to one or more sources.

Making A Recommendation

See Chapter 5 "Making Your Recommendation in Response to an Argument" Links to an external site. for more information on each of these strategies.

1. Take an argument a step further by adding to the sense of urgency about the argument, recommending ways to draw attention to the issue, suggesting that the argument has implications even beyond what the writer discusses, removing limitations on the argument to make a broader claim, OR arguing that the argument's claim points us toward a particular course of action.
2. Call for clarification on an argument, and explain how that ambiguity weakens the argument.
3. Call for more support or inquiry on an argument.
4. Call for limits on an argument.
5. Find a middle ground on a controversial point
6. Point toward an alternate claim or reason
7. Suggest a better reason for the same claim.
8. Suggest a different way to frame the issue.

Responding to Sources

See Chapter 7.2 "Organizing a Paper to Respond to Sources" Links to an external site. for more information on each of these strategies.

1. Combine research findings from multiple sources to make a larger summary argument.
2. Combine research findings from multiple sources to make a claim about their implications. 
3. Identify underlying areas of agreement or disagreement. 
4. Identify unanswered questions. 

Organizational strategies

Is your paper a definition Links to an external site., evaluation Links to an external site., proposal Links to an external site., or causal Links to an external site. argument? Once you know what type of argument you are crafting, see Chapter 7 Links to an external site. for suggestions on how to organize and expand your essay.

Beginning to research

Here are some interesting places to begin your research:

• Your library’s databases, such as Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints (accessed through your library's homepage)
• The Conversation Links to an external site.
• Pro/Con Links to an external site.
• TED Talks Links to an external site.