CHOOSE ANY TOPIC FROM THE LIST BELOW
The argumentative research paper must be a minimum of 2,000 words plus a completed Works Cited page. Anything less than 2,000 words will not be accepted. The research paper must follow the updated MLA format. See my blog and all other handouts that were given in class. I will not accept any paper written in any other format.
Argumentative Research Paper:
Current Controversial Issue whereby pro and con sides can be researched.
RESEARCH LIST LIST*:
Immigration Reform Immunization Body Image Reproductive Rights
Minimum Wage Lowering the drinking age Vaping Trump Administration
Legalizing Marijuana (Federal) LGBTQ Rights Animal Rights Education Censorship
Profiling “Stop and Frisk” Prescription Medication Gun Control War Video Games
Physician Assisted Suicide National Anthem Plastic Surgery Milk Population
Fast Food Wifi Pandemic GMOs Child Discipline Climate Change
Affordable Health Care Self-driving Cars Social Media Sex Workers
(All topics must be approved by the instructor. You may not write about: pornography)
Sources:
In a standard research paper there is generally one source per page. In this case, your research paper must have a minimum of 10 sources, three of which must be print sources.
Two books
Two periodical (newspaper, journal or magazine)
Two from a reliable internet website
Four of your choosing
Note: Wikipedia cannot be used as a source.
Research Paper Must Haves:
Thesis statement—answers the question. It includes three elements to be discussed/proven in the body of the essay.
Topic sentences
Transitional words
Proper Citation
Hard Facts/Evidence
Opposing View Guidelines:
DO NOT SUMMARIZE OR PARAPHRASE into your own essay without acknowledging your source and stating that you are summarizing or paraphrasing.
It is best to quote directly from the source.
How to quote—copy an author’s remarks exactly as they appear in a source, word for word and punctuation mark for punctuation mark, enclosing the borrowed words in quotation marks.
When to quote:
Quote when a source’s wording or phrasing is so distinctive that a summary or paraphrase would diminish its impact.
Quote when a source’s words—particularly those of a recognized expert on your subject—will lend authority to your presentation.
Quote when an author’s words are so concise that paraphrasing would create a long, clumsy, or incoherent phrase or would change the meaning of the original.
Quote when you expect to disagree with a source. Using a source’s exact words assures readers you are being fair.
Resource: Kirszner & Mandell. The Brief Holt Handbook.
AVOID THE DROP QUOTE SCENARIO. BE SURE TO BLEND THE QUOTE INTO THE REST OF THE PARAGRAPH: the interpretation of the evidence you presented in your argument.
