ASSIGNMENT:

1. What is a “research-based argument”?

Generally, when we think of arguments, we think of heated discussions in which people stand on one side of an issue. Arguments may also make you think of people yelling at each other. When people talk about “arguments” in academic discourse communities, however, they generally are not talking about this type of argument. An academic argument tends to be persuading your readers that your position is well-supported and credible. Your position could be that current research has overlooked a particular perspective, or that an issue is not as black and white as it might first appear, or that a particular theory is helpful in explaining a phenomenon. These are the kinds of arguments often found in academic research.

2. Where does research come in?

In academic inquiry, the research is your starting point. Though people can (and sometime do) begin with an argument, usually the argument is the end product of research. In other words, you begin with a question, research that question, and formulate your answer (or argument) based on that research. This type of work is more likely to lead to a fair and well-informed argument than work that sets out from the beginning to prove specific a point of view. After all, if you knew your answer from the start, why ask the question in the first place?

3. So what are we supposed to do in this assignment?

The objective of this assignment is to take a position on a topic based on the research that you have found. That is, you will describe your research question(s) and then try to answer them through your research. Your answer to the question is your position or argument, and it is your job to persuade your audience that you have answered the question in a fair, well-informed, and well-supported way.
You already have done much of the work in your previous projects. In this paper, you will bring this previous work together and go a step beyond to take a position on your topic. Feel free to use portions of your previous work in this paper. (Though be warned that just cutting and pasting without making any changes may not be the best strategy.)

4. Guidelines:

  • 5-7 pages, typed, double-spaced, Times New Roman size 12, APA format
  • Complete referencing (in-text and references/works cited) using APA
  • Appropriate and informative title
  • 6-10 appropriate sources (at least 2 from an academic journal)

GRADING CRITERIA:

(these might change a little this week so come back often!)

  • (15 pts) focused introduction that contains an attention catcher, the research questions, a short explanation of the value of the research, and a description of the organization of the paper; strong conclusion that summarizes the main points of the paper and shows critical understanding of the research;
  • (15 pts) very clear organization of the content of the paper, including 2-5 well-proportionned and logical major sections (each section must include a sort of transitional introduction and conclusion);
  • (40 pts) in-depth, convincing, and interesting "answers to the research questions" and presentation of the ideas, including developped arguments, objective counter arguments or different views of the ideas, your response to those counter arguments, and personal opinions based on critical thinking. Remember to DRAW CONCLUSIONS from the information you present. Always ask yourself the question "so what?"; I also want SUBSTANCE, new information, in-depth and objective argumentation, more than just opinions!!
  • (15 pts) correct format (APA) throughout the text and for the entire paper (title page, page number, references, reference list, etc.); 5-7 pages, exciting title, transitions, balanced sections and paragraphs, acadminc discourse, precise language (nothing vague, unexplained, too generalized); varied sentence structures, good spelling and grammar, mechanics, (writing lab +4%);
  • (15 pts) the adequate use of enough sources (6-10) of quality (at least 2 from academic journals); good balance between quotations, summaries, and paraphrases; an APA reference list at the end.

EXAMPLES:

Here are some examples from my last semester students (native English-speaking students). You won't need an abstract, you won't write as much, and you won't need that many references either. It's just to give you a good idea of what "mainstream" students are doing and what you can do if you want (and what you might be expected to do in your future classes) (if you are interested in their assignment page, it's there) (all are in .doc format):

- about stokes (this one is one of the best papers from my students last semester)

- about jetlag (this one is good and you could all do something like that if you put the time into it)

- about the school system (this one is the closest to what I expect you to do this semester)

- about diets (this one is not the best but still good)