Introduction
For this task, you will begin researching your topic. In the next section of the class, you will begin to outline an argument about this topic, so right now, it’s important for you to research both sides of the argument so you know which side you plan to argue. Aim to gather varied evidence for your side of the argument in this research assignment
You are required to find at least four sources for this assignment. Two of these MUST be scholarly articles accessed using the FTCC Library databases (or Google Scholar). The other two sources may be scholarly journals OR other quality, academic sources.
The Assignment
After you complete your research, craft a Works Cited page that notes each source you plan to use in your paper (at least four total).
On the second page of your document after the Works Cited page, please write a short narrative (2-3 paragraphs) detailing your research process, what you learned about research and your topic, and how you will use this research in your upcoming argument.
Resources
Review the Research and Documentation Quiz readings for this assignment.
Works Cited example: Works Cited Page Example.docx Works Cited Page Example.docx – Alternative Formats
Video on Works Cited page: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rXoM4eW7_4
Consult the OWL at Purdue MLA website for additional guidance on MLA citation style: https://tinyurl.com/yckmh85 (opens in a new window)
Template: Template for the Research Process.docx Template for the Research Process.docx – Alternative Formats
Acceptable Length
This assignment should be, at minimum, two pages: one for the Works Cited page and one for the research reflection.
Formatting Requirements
• Put your name, course and section number, and assignment title at the top of the document.
• Use one-inch margins.
• Use a 12-point Times New Roman font.
• Use double line spacing in the document.
• Follow MLA format for the entire document.
Grading Criteria
25 points: Student selects quality, academic sources.
50 points: Student examines research experience with strong paragraph writing, to include examples and analysis.
25 points: Student polishes document for clear, academic writing and strong MLA documentation.
SafeAssign Guidance
The overall score noted in a SafeAssign originality report is an indicator of the percentage of the submitted paper matching existing sources. This score is a warning indicator only and papers should be reviewed to see if the matches are properly attributed.
• Scores below 15 percent: These papers typical include some quotes and few common phrases or blocks of text that match other documents. These papers typically do not require further analysis, as there is no evidence of plagiarism in these papers.
• Scores between 15 percent and 40 percent: These papers include extensive quoted or paraphrased material or they may include plagiarism. These papers should be reviewed to determine if the matching content is properly attributed.
• Scores over 40 percent: There is a very high probability that text in this paper was copied from other sources. These papers likely include quoted or paraphrased text in excess and should be reviewed for plagiarism.
To Submit
Use MS Word (or a similar word processing program) to complete your work, and save the document with a filename that includes your last name and assignment title (e.g. Jones_ResearchLog). Please avoid .odt files.
Module 4: Assignment 2 — Outline Discussion Board
Introduction
For this discussion board, you will compose a detailed outline that plans your academic essay, which you will write in the next week of the course. Your upcoming essay will need to be 4-5 pages in MLA format with 4-5 sources. In this essay, you will make a sound argument about the academic topic you’ve been working with in class. Remember: you must position yourself on one side of the debate for this assignment.
You are required to have the following elements in your essay:
(1) An introduction that introduces the topic and ends with a strong thesis. Your thesis should state your argument and its major reasons in a clear, concise manner;
(2) A background paragraph that offers your reader more information about the topic and its current debate (or relevant history);
(3) Two to four paragraphs that identify your two to four major reasons. Each paragraph should have a clear topic sentence that links back to the thesis, and you should support each body paragraph with sufficient, credible evidence and analysis;
(4) Refutation of Opposing Arguments. You should present the opposing side or potential obstacles and offer a refutation in order to convince your reader and eliminate bias;
(5) A conclusion paragraph that ties all of your paper’s points together and argues an overall significance.
Assignment Guidelines
For the outline, you will NOT draft the essay; instead, you will begin to map out its frame. Please use the template below to construct your outline in a document.
Outline Template: ENG 111 Outline Template.docx ENG 111 Outline Template.docx – Alternative Formats
Introduction: explain topic briefly
Thesis: write out thesis statement
Background: write a topic sentence for this paragraph
Identify key sources or quotes that need to go here (in note form)
Major Reason #1: write a topic sentence for this paragraph
Identify key sources or quotes that need to go here (in note form)
Major Reason #2: write a topic sentence for this paragraph
Identify key sources or quotes that need to go here (in note form)
Refutation of Opposing Argument: write a topic sentence for this paragraph
Identify key sources or quotes that need to go here to show the opposing viewpoint (in note form)
Identify key rebuttal points
Conclusion
Identify key points to argue paper’s significance (in note form)
Response Requirement:
Once you’ve completed your outline, please submit it to the appropriate Discussion Board space. You will have twenty-four hours to respond to two peers. As you respond to peers, consider the following:
Module 5: Assignment 1 — Draft of Research Paper
The Assignment
For this assignment, you will draft a formal, academic essay in MLA format that details an argument about your selected topic. You will use the outline from the previous assignment as a guide, but you can make modifications to your thesis and argument as necessary.
Here are the basic requirements for your essay: Example Argument Essay.docx Example Argument Essay.docx – Alternative Formats
(1) Your essay must be 4-5 pages in MLA format with an additional Works Cited page.
(2) You must use at least 4 sources in this essay, two of which MUST be academic journal articles. The other two may be journal articles or other credible, academic sources.
(3) Your essay must be organized with a formal structure, developed with concrete evidence and analysis, documented in appropriate, ethical MLA style, and written with a formal, clear style.
Please use the following guidelines to help develop a successful essay:
(1) Your essay should begin with an introduction that introduces the topic and ends with a strong thesis. Your thesis should state your argument and its major reasons in a clear, concise manner. Think of it as a mini-map of your paper for a reader.
(2) Then, you should include a background paragraph that offers your reader more information about the topic and its current debate (or relevant history). Make sure your reader is clear about the exigence of the argument; in other words, why does this argument matter NOW?
(3) After, you should include two to four paragraphs that identify your two to four major reasons. Each paragraph should have a clear topic sentence that links back to the thesis, and you should support each body paragraph with sufficient, credible evidence and analysis.
(4) Before you conclude, please add a Refutation of Opposing Arguments, where you will present the opposing side or potential obstacles and offer a refutation in order to convince your reader and eliminate bias.
(5) Finally, compose a conclusion paragraph that ties all of your paper’s points together and argues an overall significance.
(6) Each body paragraph should include concrete evidence from research. You should integrate your research smoothly and ethically. Use identifying tags to introduce your sources and show your reader an outside idea. Always analyze the significance of the research before you move on to the next point! Example: In Jason Ree’s article, he notes that, “QUOTE” (32). This reveals that…
(7) Your tone and style needs to be academic and polished. This helps add credibility to your voice. Reading aloud will help the most with this! Avoid first and second person in this style of writing.
Once you have completed your draft, please submit it through this assignment link.
You must also submit your assignment to NetTutor feedback from an e-tutor. To do so, open the Optional Resources tab on the left-hand side of our Blackboard site. Once that opens, you will see another NetTutor link, which will launch you to their homepage. Choose the second option “Live Writing Tutor and Paper Center.” After that, choose the third option that allows you to upload your paper, then click the button that says “Upload a Paper to NetTutor.” After you have uploaded your paper, a live tutor will read your paper and post feedback, which you will be able to download by revisiting the NetTutor site (see directions posted below). This usually takes around 48 hours.
NetTutor Directions NetTutor Directions – Alternative Formats
Assignment Requirements
Your paper should reach a minimum of four pages, 1000 – 1200 words, not including the Works Cited page. You must submit this draft by the due date listed for this assignment.
Formatting Requirements
MLA format
Grading
Full credit is given to completed drafts submitted in a timely manner.
To Submit
Click the button that says, “Browse My Computer.” Find where you have saved your document, and click “Open.” You should see the attached document pop up. Do not type or copy and paste your paper into the “Write Submission” or “Comments” area.
Please use .pdf, .doc, or .docx files only.
Module 6: Assignment 1 — Research Paper Final Draft
The Assignment
For this assignment, you will carefully review your essay feedback and make revision choices.
I encourage you to review section E-1 through E-6 from your The Little Seagull Handbook for additional guidance. Please see pp 268 – 313
I also encourage you to seek additional feedback from peers, and, of course, if you have any questions about your draft, do not hesitate to contact me.
After you revise and polish, you will submit your assignment for instructor grading.
Assignment Requirements
Here are the basic requirements for your essay:
(1) Your essay must be 4-5 pages in MLA format with an additional Works Cited page.
(2) You must use at least 4 sources in this essay, two of which MUST be academic journal articles. The other two may be journal articles or other credible, academic sources.
(3) Your essay must be organized with a formal structure, developed with concrete evidence and analysis, documented in appropriate, ethical MLA style, and written with a formal, clear style.
Please use the following guidelines to help develop a successful essay:
(1) Your essay should begin with an introduction that introduces the topic and ends with a strong thesis. Your thesis should state your argument and its major reasons in a clear, concise manner. Think of it as a mini-map of your paper for a reader.
(2) Then, you should include a background paragraph that offers your reader more information about the topic and its current debate (or relevant history). Make sure your reader is clear about the exigence of the argument; in other words, why does this argument matter NOW?
(3) After, you should include two to four paragraphs that identify your two to four major reasons. Each paragraph should have a clear topic sentence that links back to the thesis, and you should support each body paragraph with sufficient, credible evidence and analysis.
(4) Before you conclude, please add a Refutation of Opposing Arguments, where you will present the opposing side or potential obstacles and offer a refutation in order to convince your reader and eliminate bias.
(5) Finally, compose a conclusion paragraph that ties all of your paper’s points together and argues an overall significance.
(6) Each body paragraph should include concrete evidence from research. You should integrate your research smoothly and ethically. Use identifying tags to introduce your sources and show your reader an outside idea. Always analyze the significance of the research before you move on to the next point! Example: In Jason Ree’s article, he notes that, “QUOTE” (32). This reveals that…
(7) Your tone and style needs to be academic and polished. This helps add credibility to your voice. Reading aloud will help the most with this! Avoid first and second person in this style of writing.
Formatting Requirements
MLA format
Grading
Writing Rubric Writing Rubric – Alternative Formats
SafeAssign Check
You will automatically submit this assignment through SafeAssign, a plagiarism detector. The overall score noted in a SafeAssign originality report is an indicator of the percentage of the submitted paper matching existing sources. This score is a warning indicator only and papers should be reviewed to see if the matches are properly attributed.
• Scores below 15 percent: These papers typical include some quotes and few common phrases or blocks of text that match other documents. These papers typically do not require further analysis, as there is no evidence of plagiarism in these papers.
• Scores between 15 percent and 40 percent: These papers include extensive quoted or paraphrased material or they may include plagiarism. These papers should be reviewed to determine if the matching content is properly attributed.
• Scores over 40 percent: There is a very high probability that text in this paper was copied from other sources. These papers likely include quoted or paraphrased text in excess and should be reviewed for plagiarism.
To Submit
Use MS Word (or a similar word processing program) to complete your work, and save the document with a filename that includes your last name and assignment title (e.g. Jones_ResearchPaper). Please avoid .odt files.
