Basic research assignment, any topic

POSITION/RESEARCH PAPER

The purpose of this paper is to explore a topic you find interesting that has at least two separate sides to it.

The Position/Research Paper will be a 3- to 5-page paper which takes a position on one side of an issue. You will develop an argument in defense of that position.

THESIS STATEMENT: In the introduction of your Position/Research Paper, you should have a thesis statement in defense of the position you are taking on this issue. Were you doing a full-blown research paper, you should do a similar position for each side of each issue in your research paper and then reach a conclusion.

DETAILS: This essay functions as ONE position essay for ONE of the sides of ONE of the issues related to your topic. You should examine thoroughly all the claims, sub claims, proofs, and evidence for this ONE side of this ONE issue.

However, be aware that you may need to address issues from the other side of the argument but only if needed.

FORMAT: The essay should be typed, double spaced, in either Arial or Times New Roman, 12-point font and follow the formatting rules laid out in the MLA formatting Guidelines (https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/). Papers should be stapled in the upper, left-hand corner.

WHY? One of the points of this paper is for you to delve into one specific side of one specific issue within the topic.  In fact, you are REQUIRED to read AT LEAST FOUR articles, books, etc., in order to determine, as best you can, if the position you are defending does, in fact, represent the “truth” of the argument or if it deserves being argued for. These will serve as the sources for your Works Cited page and the quotations you will be REQUIRED to do in this paper (See below * for these additional requirements which may have been discussed in previous papers but not counted off for; they WILL be counted off for in this paper).

*Additional requirements for the Position/Research Paper:

QUOTES

Short:

Less than 5 lines

“ ( ).

Form

Long:

5 lines

Indented

CS:

No “ “

. ( )

Form

WORKS CITED PAGE

4 sources

2 internet

2 non-internet

Alphabetical

Hanging indent

Form

Due date for the Position/Research Paper in Turnitin will be at 3 p.m. in Moodle on August 10.

August 10 (3 p.m.)–Final Draft (100%)

Remember that up to 50% of that grade will come from having done the preparatory work for the final draft: Notes, Organizational Plan, Rough Draft. While these are not submitted as separate graded elements, not doing them is often evident in the final draft and will affect the grade.

 Your Rough Draft should be peer reviewed by 1) another student in this class (contact using QuickMail or Open Forum in Moodle) or 2) a tutor in the tutoring center on your local campus. It is up to you to find a peer or tutor reviewer. You can peer review papers through email with other students or the tutors.

 Use the “Review” tab in Word to do a peer review, marking and making comments on the paper.

I will not preview your papers before they are due. I will comment on your final draft when I grade it. Comments may refer to just the final draft, but may also refer to the Notes, Plan, and Rough Draft. USE THE COMMENTS ON YOUR FINAL DRAFT TO MAKE YOUR NEXT PAPER BETTER. Also, use those comments in talking to tutors or peer reviewers in order to address issues for your next paper.