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Research Essay

You will compose an argument about the topic you chose in week one. You will need to utilize the angle you used in the first assignment to write a thesis statement that expresses the topic and your angle (what you are going to argue). For example, if you chose aliens and believe they are real, you are going to use what you believe to guide your research to others who will give you primary and secondary sources. You will use these sources, along with what you thing, to prove your argument. You can and should utilize the source paragraphs from the source chart in this essay. You will need two to four more sources for a total of five to seven sources. All sources must be properly integrated and cited correctly according to MLA 9 guidelines.

Essay Requirements

Audience: general

Purpose: persuade (argument)

Word Count/Page length:1200-1500 (5-7 pages) not including the Works Cited page

Paragraphs: you must have MORE than 5 total paragraphs.

Sources needed: 5-7 sources, including the three from the source chart, that are NOT encyclopedias or Wikipedia or Britannica or AI (i.e. ChatCPT).

Quotes: 1 properly integrated quote from each source for a total of 5-7.

A properly formatted Works Cited page.

All sources on the Works Cited page appear in the essay.

All sources that appear in the essay must appear on the Works Cited page.

27% of your overall grade.

Introduction:

Entice the reader in to your topic and give them background. Introduce the topic and include any background or facts to ground the reader. Grab the readers attention without giving away too much. Make sure the following essay will discuss is absolutely nowhere in the essay. Make sure your thesis statement is in your introduction.

Body:

Lay out your argument and explanation. Make sure the reader understands the topic and your position on the topic and give support with evidence from the research. You will be using multiple strategies as you prove your thesis: describing, comparing, analyzing, illustrating, and cause and effect.

This is the meat of your paper, where most of your research will be used and where you prove your points.

Conclusion:

Wrap up what you are saying and make sure the audience knows your argument. Remind the audience of

why your perspective is the most reasonable one to have, without just repeating what you said in the introduction or summarizing your paper. Think about what you want your reader to walk away with.