Assignment: Argumentative Research Paper

Due Date: Rough draft due Wednesday, November 26th; Final Draft due Friday, December 5th

Page Requirements: 4-7 pages, double-spaced; MLA format; 12 point font, Times New Roman; Include page numbers in the right header; 1” margins.

Assignment Description: Write an argumentative research paper, taking a stance on the topic for which you wrote your Synthesis paper. You will use the same research that you compiled for the last paper. When arguing your position, you can showcase holes in your opponent’s argument by identifying logical fallacies they might use, you can explain how or why your position is superior to the alternative, you can elaborate on an idea presented by a source with whom you agree, or you can do a combination of the three. Make sure to avoid making claims that are logical fallacies. Please use at least three sources for this paper.

Rough Drafts: You will be required to write multiple drafts of this paper. The first draft is due on Wednesday, November 26th and must be submitted in the Argumentative-Rough Drafts dropbox on D2L by the beginning of class. I will provide feedback to you through one-on-one conferences during the first week of December. You will need to sign up for a conference date on November 26^th. Failure to turn in a rough draft will result in the forfeiting of your participation points for the conference, and you will not receive feedback from me for your final draft.

Late Papers: If you turn in your final draft late, you will receive a penalty of 10% reduced from the paper’s final grade. Whether it’s late one day or seven, your grade for this assignment will be lowered 10% if it’s not turned in on time. You will be required to turn in a final draft via the D2L dropbox marked, Argumentative-Final Draft, and you will be required to turn in a hardcopy in class on the due date. This assignment counts for 25% of your overall grade, so it would be to your benefit to turn it in on time.

Plagiarism: If you do not give credit where credit is due, if you fail to cite sources or blatantly steal someone else’s work, you will receive an automatic zero for both the assignment and the class. MSU has a zero tolerance policy on plagiarism. Remember: if you can find it on the Internet, so can I. If you feel unsure about citing and paraphrasing from your sources, feel free to ask for some assistance.

If you have any questions regarding the assignment requirements, grading criteria (provided as a supplement to this sheet), or policies, please contact me via email, my office phone, or stop by during office hours. Please refer to your syllabus for contact information.

Questions for Consideration—Argumentative Research

· Does the writer narrow his/her topic to a single, specific and clear focus?

· Does the writer clearly choose a position?

· Does the writer provide an in-depth look at his/her topic?

· Does the writer incorporate sources that are credible, timely, and relevant?

· Does the writer identify holes in his/her opponent’s argument?

· Does the writer paraphrase in a clear and accurate way?

· Does the writer properly cite sources?

· Does the writer rely too heavily on any one source?

· Does the writer contribute to the argument?

· Does the writer define terms for the layperson audience?

· Does the introduction hook the reader?

· Does the essay have a logical organization?

· Does the writer vary sentence length/structure?

· Is the text free from distracting surface errors?

· Is the text readable prose?

· Does the conclusion trail off or end abruptly?

· Does the writer maintain a consistent tone?

Logical Fallacies

Click here for a list of logical fallacies and their definitions. 

The Remaining Days of 101

Thursday, November 13th In-Class Workshop
Friday, November 14th In-Class Workshop

Monday, November 17th In-Class Workshop
Wednesday, November 19th Synthesis Final Drafts due
Begin Argumentative Unit
Thursday, November 20th Argumentative Unit (cont.)
Friday, November 21st Argumentative Unit (cont.)

Monday, November 24th Argumentative Unit (cont.)
Wednesday, November 26th Argumentative Rough Drafts due
Sign-ups for conferences
Thursday, November 27th No Class
Friday, November 28th No Class

Monday, December 1st Conferences
Tuesday, December 2nd Conferences
Wednesday, December 3rd Conferences
Thursday, December 4th Conferences
Friday, December 5th Argumentative Final Drafts due
Class Evaluations

Finals Week

Tuesday, December 9th Room AH203
10:15am – 12:15pm
Handing back papers
Giving out grades
Class is optional
Enjoy Winter Break

Assignment: Synthesis
Due Date: Rough draft due November 5th; Final Draft due TBA
Page Requirements: 5-7 pages, double-spaced; MLA format; 12 point font, Times New Roman; Include page numbers in the right header; 1” margins.

Assignment Description: Write an informative research paper based on the tentative thesis statement you emailed to me. This paper should incorporate 6-10 sources that work to support your thesis. I have posted on D2L and the class blog a list of questions to consider when writing, reviewing, and revising your drafts. This assignment will display your ability to research a narrowed topic, interpret the information, and present that information in the form of a formal research paper. You will be required to properly cite sources within the body of the text and compose a works cited page, as well. Examples can be found in your Wadsworth handbook.

Rough Drafts: You will be required to write multiple drafts of this paper. The first draft is due on Wednesday, November 5th and must be posted to your group’s discussion page on D2L. We will conduct peer review workshops Thursday and Friday (November 6th and 7th), and the second drafts will be due the following week (I will set up a dropbox for these). The first draft does not have to be a complete draft with all of your sources; however, it would be beneficial for you to have as much written as possible. The second draft must be complete with a clear intro, body, and conclusion.

Late Papers: I have not set a due date for the final draft; I will have a better idea of when it will be due once we have completed peer reviews. I will email and post this information on the blog and D2L once a date has been chosen. Same policy as before: if you turn in your final draft late, you will receive a penalty of 10% reduced from the paper’s final grade. Whether it’s late one day or seven, your grade for this assignment will be lowered 10% if it’s not turned in on time. You will be required to turn in a final draft via the D2L dropbox marked, Synthesis—Final Draft, and you will be required to turn in a hardcopy in class on the due date. This assignment counts for 25% of your overall grade, so it would be to your benefit to turn it in on time.

Plagiarism: If you do not give credit where credit is due, if you fail to cite sources or blatantly steal someone else’s work, you will receive an automatic zero for both the assignment and the class. MSU has a zero tolerance policy on plagiarism. If you feel unsure about citing and paraphrasing from your sources, feel free to ask for some assistance.

If you have any questions regarding the assignment requirements, grading criteria (provided as a supplement to this sheet), or policies, please contact me via email, my office phone, or stop by during office hours. Please refer to your syllabus for contact information.