Write a persuasive research paper in which you do one (or a combination) of the following:
Take a position on an issue
Identify a problem and present a solution
Compare 2 things and make a recommendation
Evaluate something and draw a conclusion
Identify the root cause of some problem
Pose a question and research the answer
Make a claim about the value of something (advantageous, beneficial, helpful or harmful, hazardous, hurtful, etc…)
Your paper should:
be 8-10 pages (plus a “Works Cited” page)
Integrate at least 10-12 sources. Your sources should include at least:
2 academic/scholarly journals
2 sources of data (statistics, infographics, charts, surveys, graphs, etc…)
Include an introduction, thesis statement (not necessarily in the introduction), a logical progression of body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
Each body paragraph should:
have a clear purpose in developing your argument (background, supporting claims, qualifications, counterargument, compare/contrast, a policy proposal, etc…).
include claims
Include support
Include commentary that connects the support to the claim
Properly Integrate source material.
be in MLA format.
Include a properly formatted “Works Cited” page
A good research topic should be:
Arguable: People don’t all agree on one answer/solution/approach/etc… There is more than one well-reasoned position, solution, approach, etc…Also, the issue needs to be complex enough to warrant a 10-page paper. Consider how much research is out there- some topics may not have enough.
Current: People are still interested in knowing the answer. Even better is if some current event has made people more aware of this issue. Positions, solutions, approaches are continuing to evolve based on new research, events, knowledge etc… Please avoid the generic abortion, death penalty, animal testing, legalizing marijuana, etc… High schoolers have been writing these papers since I was in school. It is very difficult to develop a paper that makes these topics new or interesting.
Important: People want to know the answer because it relates to something they care about. The issue needs to matter to a broad swath of people- not just you.
Do you have to know your position before you begin researching? No. Often the best topics/issues to research are the ones which you are still undecided about yourself. However, as you research you should develop a position.
Think about your topic/issue in terms of “policy”, “cause”, “value”, and “fact”:
What is the most effective approach to reducing CO2 emissions? (policy)
Why is the COVID-19 outbreak so bad in the U.S.? (cause)
Is a College education worth it? (value)
Does using social media cause people to be more or less connected in relationships? (fact)
