7-1 Project

Competencies

In this project, you will demonstrate your mastery of the following competencies:

• Conduct research for specific writing situations
• Integrate qualified evidence from research into ones own writing
• Articulate an evidence-based position in a written communication

Overview

Persuasive essays are a staple of writing. A persuasive essay has multiple goals. One is to demonstrate certain skills like research, proper citation, and critical thinking. These skills benefit us any time we need to take a position on a topic. This could be to present information for a suggested change at work or to help change someones mind about a global issue affecting our society. The skills that you will develop in writing your persuasive essay with research are transferable to all aspects of life and career.

When writing a persuasive essay, a writer must consider multiple communication elements and persuasive writing techniques such as strategically using introductions and conclusions, refuting an opposing viewpoint, among others. These elements of writing matter in everything we write, not just in essays. Persuasive essays organize your ideas by stating a thesis, followed by key points backed up by citations from credible sources, and examine diverse perspectives. All the skills that you will develop while working on your persuasive essay with research will help you when trying to persuade someone to consider your perspective.

Directions

There are two parts to this assignment: creating a collection of sources and writing a persuasive essay supported by research.

1. For Part One, you will list the sources you will use in your persuasive essay. You will also include a description of each source and other information about your research process. Please note that the information in Part One must be included in your submission and is in addition to the traditional References (APA) section that will appear at the end of your paper.
2. For Part Two, you will write an essay that states your position on a topic, integrates evidence from the sources you listed in Part One to support your key points, and uses different writing techniques to engage and persuade your audience. You will use at least one source from the Project Resources and two sources that you find through your own research using the Shapiro Library to support your project. Your final draft of Part Two should include a minimum of three sources.

Part One: Collection of Sources

In Module Three, you will collect sources to create an annotated bibliography. In Module Seven, you will apply instructor feedback to revise your collection of sources and resubmit it for Part One of the project. Your sources will help you organize your research as you prepare to write a persuasive essay in Part Two of the project. This part of your project should be 2 to 4 pages long.

Specifically, you must address the following rubric criteria:

1. Purpose: State the purpose of your research.
2. Consider the purpose of your research in relation to your topic.
3. Research Question: State your research question.
4. State your revised research question.
5. Based on your research, what is your potential answer to your question? Considering the potential answer to your research question now will help you write a thesis statement for your persuasive essay in a future assignment. The thesis statement will be an essential part of your essay.
6. Biased Sources: Describe the impact of using biased sources to support your topic.
7. How does the presence of bias in each source impact your argument?
8. Diverse Perspectives: Describe how diverse perspectives from sources support your position. Consider the following questions:
9. How do the multiple voices in the sources give evidence for your argument?
10. How do these diverse perspectives from your research support your topic?
11. Relevant Sources: List three relevant sources to support your persuasive essay.
12. Include one source from the Project Resources and two sources that you find through your own research using the Shapiro Library.
13. Include a citation entry for each source.
14. Supports: Describe how each source supports your topic.
15. Briefly summarize each source and state why it is credible.
16. Explain how each source is relevant to your research question.

Part Two: Persuasive Essay With Research

In Part Two, you will write a persuasive essay that is supported by the sources you listed in Part One. To write your essay, revise the draft you wrote in Module Five using the instructor and peer feedback you received in Modules Five and Six. This part of your project should be 2 to 3 pages long.

Specifically, you must address the following rubric criteria:

1. Thesis Statement: Compose a thesis statement that addresses your position.
2. Key Points: Support key points in your persuasive essay with evidence from your research.
3. These are the key points presented in your thesis statement.
4. Quotes or Paraphrases: Use quotes or paraphrases to integrate evidence from research into your persuasive essay.
5. Include at least one quote or paraphrase for each body paragraph.
6. Strategies: Include strategies to meet the needs of an audience. In your response, include the following content:
7. An introduction with relevant background information that appeals to your chosen audience
8. A conclusion that summarizes your key points and includes a call to action for your chosen audience
9. Persuasive Writing Techniques: Use persuasive writing techniques in the body of your persuasive essay.
10. Address and refute an opposing viewpoint to your position.
11. Attribution Conventions: Use attribution conventions throughout your persuasive essay.
12. Use APA attribution conventions for all in-text citations or paraphrases.
13. Include a References page at the end of your persuasive essay.

What to Submit

Your submission should be a 4- to 6-page Microsoft Word document with 12-point Times New Roman font, double spacing, and one-inch margins (with an additional title page and References page). Sources should be cited according to APA style both throughout and at the end of your project. Use at least one source from the Project Resources and two sources that you find through your own research using the Shapiro Library to support your project.