I have attached previous papers for content and sources to reference.
Your argument research essay will be driven by the questions you
explored in your discussion groups and your critical thinking assignments based
on one of the following themes:
·
Science Writing and
the Public (Secular Science)
If you deeply engage in the lecture content, group discussions,
and your critical thinking assignments, you will find that the work for your
final portfolio will be a compilation of your efforts throughout the term. With
your final portfolio paper, you will share your “answer” to your
inquiries throughout the term in an argument essay.
Use the template to complete the project:
·
Argumentative Paper
Format and Outline Template Download
Argumentative Paper Format and Outline Template
Your essay must address the following:
·
Be persuasive in
purpose, i.e. have an argument
·
Be directed at a
specific audience
·
Have a thesis
statement, which includes a claim and reasons
·
Support the thesis
through evidence from research
·
Summarize and respond
to counterarguments
·
Document sources both
within the essay (parenthetical citations) and in an APA formatted References
page
Looking back at the instructions from Week 1 of this course,
this may have sounded like a lot of work. But you will find that having engaged
in critical thinking, research, and writing about this issue over the course of
this term, has led you to the completion of your research paper. The purpose of
this course is to teach you aspects of writing as a process. With that process
in mind, remember that your task is to take what you have learned and shape it
into a specific argument for a persuasive purpose.
·
Purpose: to persuade the audience to accept a
claim about a debatable issue
·
Audience: specific/narrow group who can make a
change regarding this issue, e.g. state or local government
·
Voice: Third-person (no “you” voice;
limited “I” voice for personal stories/examples)
·
Length: 1,800+ words (not including References
page)
·
Citations: APA parenthetical/in-text citations
throughout and APA References page com Score: 5-20% range.
·
Sources: 8 or more research sources used and
cited within the essay (and on the References page)
o 3+ peer-reviewed scholarly articles from the
library databases
o 2+ magazine/newspaper/government
document/book/eBook sources (or peer-reviewed articles)
o 2+ other credible sources, such as more
general websites (may include any of the more credible source types above)
o 1+ personal interview
A Successful Argument Essay
·
The essay is
persuasive, utilized rhetorical devices, demonstrating largely effective
logical and persuasive skills.
·
The essay is directed
at a specific/narrow audience.
·
Successful focus on
topic and stance; thesis is a viable, well-worded opinion (claim + reasons
format) leading to a focused argument.
·
Thesis and body
strongly aligned throughout: flows in an organized manner that matches the
thesis “map.”
·
Utilizes topic
sentences, transitions, etc. well and paragraph content is focused, purposeful,
and smooth.
·
Support is extensive,
varied, and sophisticated throughout the paper:
·
Informs audience about
the background/context of the issue.
·
Offers strong support
for the thesis by developing the reasons listed in the thesis.
·
Cites and incorporates
evidence from multiple sources for each reason.
·
Employs research from
at least 8 credible sources, meeting requirements. Sources are current
(published within the last five years).
·
Synthesizes research
with the writer’s own ideas.
·
Source materials are
smoothly integrated with successful interpretation/accreditation; avoids
“dropped”/”dumped” quotations.
·
Successfully
synthesizes opposing points of view, i.e. fairly acknowledges and responds to
possible counterarguments.
·
Cites paraphrases,
summaries, and quotations with APA parenthetical citations.
·
The point-of-view is
appropriate and sustained with a third-person voice.
·
Language usage, voice,
style, and tone are appropriate and effective; insignificant padding,
redundancy, and/or overstatement.
·
Errors in surface
features are largely non-existent; minor errors do not distract from reading.
·
Is double-spaced,
alphabetized, and indented as prescribed by APA conventions, uses level headers
to separate sections of content for ease of reading.
·
Meets the length
requirement of 1,800 or more words.
· References
page included in the same document as the essay, as the final page.
·
Contains citations in
proper and consistent APA format (7th edition).
·
Is double-spaced,
alphabetized, and indented for the second and following lines of each entry.
·
Is relatively free of
errors in punctuation and mechanics.