Argumentative Research Essay/First Draft Assignment Sheet

Peer Review of First Draft: 3/18

First Draft Due: 3/23

Final Revision Due: 4/20

Your final research essay will be the capstone of this course. The purpose of this essay is to utilize the argumentative skills and rhetorical techniques we have learned this semester to persuade a skeptical, but reasonable, audience to accept your position through academic argument. This essay will also demonstrate your ability to formulate audience-based reasons, as well as gather relevant and credible research and incorporate it effectively.

For this assignment, you will take a stance on a controversial, current issue which you will articulate in a thesis statement. You will support the argument with audience-based reasons and credible evidence from your research. They will be properly incorporated and cited in MLA formatting. The essay should also acknowledge and refute counterarguments or alternative solutions.

Your essay will incorporate a minimum of five sources. The majority of your research should be from scholarly, peer-reviewed sources.

Your essay should be a minimum of 8 pages (max of 10), double spaced, in 12 pt. Times New Roman font. You will both paraphrase and directly quote your sources (framing and attributive tags). Sources should be cited (in-text and in a Work Cited) according to MLA formatting. It should also have an original and engaging title.

First Draft: Your first draft, due to the peer review, should be at least 6 pages.