For this assignment, you are going to practice writing a paper that makes a persuasive argument about a debatable topic. Your goal is twofold: present an opinion informed by scholarly research and persuade your reader that your opinion is correct.
Before you put the first word down on the page for this assignment, you will already have a significant challenge ahead of you: you will need to examine a matter of opinion in an analytical way. We often hold ideas and opinions which might be informed by incomplete or inaccurate information. Research helps us to make sure that we are doing our best to ensure that the arguments we make are backed by credible information. You need to be confident that your opinion is informed by credible information, so once you select your topic, you will need to do some research on the issue.
The topic that you choose is entirely up to you. Your sources for this essay must come from the Siena Heights University library databases.
Do not panic. Below my explanation video are three videos from one of our amazing librarians that will show you how to access the library and how to use a few of the databases. Keep in mind, there are more databases than what is shown here. However, these two videos are a great place to start.
This is a research paper, so you must appropriately cite your work. However, keep in mind that this is still a persuasive paper based on information you have read, not an informative essay nor is it a presentation of what someone else thinks. The research that you do is supporting your position. Do not simply regurgitate what some pundit had to say. You can paraphrase, summarize and if necessary even quote that person, but this paper is about you and what you think about the topic at hand.
Remember, you are trying to win an argument and persuade someone to agree with you based on scholarly facts. This is not just an emotional argument over which team you love most. Emotions might be the cause for you to feel the way you do, but this paper is about finding data to support the position.
The parameters are:
This paper may be in first person.
The paper must follow APA format as explained in the APA Basics video.
It must be well supported.
The sources must come from the SHU library databases.
No more than 10% of your paper may be direct quotes.
It must be 4-6 pages long.
A full page is 3/4 of a page.
It must be grammatically correct.
Remember, review the APA Basics video. You will be held accountable for the information presented there. If you have any questions about any part of this assignment, please let me know and ask early.
