English 102 Final Paper
Point value:
Final essay: 300 points (30% of final grade)
Drafting assignments: 150 points (15% of final grade)
Length: 6-8 double-spaced pages of content (not counting the title page, abstract, references, and any visual elements you may choose to incorporate).
Documentation: APA style. Please use this template to help you with correct APA formatting.
Topic requirements: You will have considerable freedom in choosing a topic. Pick a topic that will allow you to conduct scholarly research and to support a persuasive thesis. (See Finding an Appropriate Topic in Elements of Argument, 337 – 338.) Ideally, your topic should be something that interests you and can sustain your interest for the weeks youll be working on the paper. This paper should provide you with a valuable opportunity to uncover new knowledge that will benefit your personal, academic, or professional development.
Sources: Your paper should cite a minimum of 6 – 8 sources. Ideally, some sources will be scholarly and you will incorporate some primary research. (See the sections on Primary and Secondary Research in Elements of Argument, 344 – 345.) Please consult with me or a research librarian if you need guidance on conducting research for your topic.
Do not use facts, statistics, opinions, etc. from sources unless you can feel confident (and make your readers feel confident) that this information is credible. Make every attempt to use high-quality research that has been reviewed before being published in a reputable source.
Assessment:
To do well on this final assignment, you must demonstrate a range of skills related to academic writing:
Research: Obtain quality information from appropriate sources
Documentation: Document your research by following the conventions of APA style.
Persuasion: Persuade your audience that your information is credible and that your conclusions are reasonable and well-informed.
Style: Write in a style that is appropriately formal for an academic audience.
Several assignmentsdue in the second half of the quarter and graded separately from the essay itselfwill help you to construct a solid paper. Youll receive more guidelines on these assignments in Canvas.
