USE STRONG ARGUMENTS AND AVOID HARSH OR DEMEANING WORDS!  ARGUE THE PRINCIPLES AND THE FACTS, NOT OPINIONS OR PERSONALITIES!

The purpose of the introduction is to relate to the reader your topic, to state some ideas about the controversy within it, to mention the pro (thesis supporting) and con (thesis opposing) sides and to state your argumentative thesis in the last sentence(s).  In text citations are not necessarily needed in this section-it is an introduction.  Please see the syllabus and the study guide, “Lesson 4: The Introduction.”

The major purpose of the Review of Literature is to let the reader know the ideas the sources discuss on your topic; this portion allows your references to argue for your thesis and some to argue against it.  Imagine a kind of conversation of opposing ideas. Remember, the purpose of this portion of the paper is not to state your ideas, but to relate source ideas. A good rule of thumb is to have at least two different sources cited on each side.

The Literature Review requirements and expected length of each section are listed and explained, as well as a sample to view in the syllabus and the study guide further clarifies the requirements.

In Lesson 4.2, you will see the "Requirements and Considerations" and note that the "Requirements" include "no less than five sources." 

The Literature Review requirements are explained, as well as ideas for putting the information together, in Lesson 4.3. 

Draft of Introduction and Literature Review

Follow the directions below for the completion of the introduction and literature review draft assignment for Unit IV. If you have questions, please email your professor for assistance.

Purpose: The purpose of this assignment is to begin drafting your academic argumentative research paper.

Description: In this assignment, you will first write your literature review; then, you will write your introduction. Please see "Lesson 4: The Introduction" for details on why it is suggested that you begin the drafting process with the literature review instead of the introduction. The following details are requirements of the assignment:

• Introduction (9-12 well-developed sentences/approximately 350 words): For more details about what is expected for each of the following sentences, please see "Lesson 4: The Introduction." You may also want to review the "Example Introduction and Literature Review (with comments)." The following components must be included in the introduction (in the following order).
  • Sentence 1: Introduce the general topic
  • Sentence 2: Pro side (general)
  • Sentence 3: Con side (general)
  • Sentence 4: Narrow the scope (1)
  • Sentence 5: Examples of the narrowed topic
  • Sentence 6: Narrow the scope (2)
  • Sentence 7: Specific controversy
  • Sentence 8: Pro side (specific)
  • Sentence 9: Con side (specific)
  • Sentence 10: The thesis
• Literature Review (800-900 words): For details about the structure of the literature review, you will want to review "Lesson 3: The Literature Review: The Process." You may also want to review the "Example Introduction and Literature Review (with comments)." The link is below.
  • Literature review preface: This paragraph acts as a guide to what the reader can expect in the literature review.
  • Literature review body: This section includes three to four body paragraphs that discuss the history, terminology, and both sides of the controversy (pro and con).
  • Literature review conclusion: The conclusion signals that the literature review is ending, but it also acts as a kind of preface for the body of the paper by restating the thesis statement and establishing your argument once again.
• Demonstrate how to summarize and paraphrase source materials.
• Demonstrate the avoidance of plagiarism through proper use of APA citations and references for all paraphrased and quoted material.