The SHORT (3 page) Research Paper

Topics are due TODAY
     no changing them
     select one side or the other; do NOT try to do both

The paper MUST be structured according to the guidelines in chapter 14
     Introduction
          --get the reader's attention
          --provide necessary background and state the two sides of the issue
          --make certain the thesis statement clearly makes a claim

Make sure the entire paper (especially the first page) is in MLA format

The body of the paper should provide evidence (OR provide information on the opposite side of the issue) from at LEAST 3 of the 4 essays from the textbook. You are NOT required to use any other outside references; if you choose to do so, use NO more than TWO.

The next to the last paragrapth should contain a brief explanation by you (and any reference material you may choose to include) of the other side of the issue AND your refutation.

Remember that the conclusion gracefully brings the paper to an end; remember that an argument is reasoned and logical and must use facts/examples/evidence that is factual, that is supported, that is representative and typical. An argument is NOT the same as persuasion.

There MUST be a Works Cited page, which includes, in alphabetical order, the references used in the paper. Remember that your friend is Easy Bib.

YOU MUST INCLUDE IN-TEXT OR INTERNAL CITATIONS IN THIS PAPER.
Students always want to know HOW MANY.  The real answer is "As many as is needed."  A definite number is impossible to indicate, but I would expect at least 2-3 citations from each references listed on the Works Cited page.

This is your reference essay; it will count 20% of your grade; you may turn your paper in at the end of class on Monday, but you cannot email it to me or turn it in late. For better or worse, it is better turned in ON TIME, at the end of class Monday.

The Next to the Last Essay!

Argumentation

The argumentative essay will be worth 20% of your grade!!!

Your final essay will be worth 20% of your grade!!!

Argumentation: chapter 14 --525-532;541-542

CHOOSE ONE of the following as your argumentative essay topic; use at least 3 of the 4 essays in the text to support your argument:

605: How Can We Address the Shortage of Organ Donors?

OR

630: Should Government Tax Sugary Drinks?

Essay should be at least 3 pages, in MLA format, WITH a Works Cited page AND internal citations

Keep in Mind How Much You Know:

You know how the first page of a paper in MLA format should look
You know what a Works Cited page is, what it's for, and where it goes
You know that an introduction should catch a reader's attention, provide background and state a thesis
You know that the body of the paper should provide reasonable, logical evidence that supports the thesis
You know that the evidence presented is stronger when you use concrete, specific details
You know that your paper must have a conclusion; it cannot simply stop
You know that the length requirement is just a number and nothing to be intimidated by
You know how to read essays critically, aware that it is necessary to think and evealuate the information presented--not take everything at "face value"

Peer Evaluation for C/C

READERS: This will count as a quiz grade. PLEASE GIVE FEEDBACK in left margin or on back for any "c" or "d" answers in numbers 3-5. Your comments or suggestions could be of great assistance.

1.       This paper sets up a comparison between:

_______________________________________    And    ______________________________________

2.       The title:

a.        Gives the reader some idea of what’s ahead in the paper

b.       Is clever and thought-provoking

c.        Both of the above

d.       Neither—OR is poorly conceived

3.       The first paragraph

a.        Introduces the broad area of the paper, becomes more narrow in focus and ends with a strong thesis statement which leads the reader into the body of the paper

b.       Attempts to introduce the topic, but does not provide clear information or enough background on the topic; the thesis is not as direct as it could be

c.        There is not enough development of the introduction to lead the reader into the body; there is a thesis statement, but very little else introduction, otherwise

d.       Even after reading the introduction, the reader is not sure that there is a clear purpose or comparison in this paper

4.       The body of the paper:

a.        Follows a tight organization, as it is established in the introduction, and provides many specific examples and abundant details, as necessary to support generalizations; there is a definite balance in the information provided on each subject

b.       The reader is able to easily follow the organization of the paper, which gives some examples and details to support generalizations; there is a balance in development in the paper—each subject is give approximately the same amount of development

c.        There is clear logic and organization in the paper and the reader is not confused; some examples are given, but more would be even more helpful to support the thesis, and the writer  should consider that the amount of information for one subject, should be balanced by roughly the same amount for the other subject

d.       Organization is skewed; the paper is difficult to follow; transitions are needed to achieve fluency and unity; there may be too much development of one subject, while not enough development of the other.

5.       The conclusion:

a.        Is thoughtful; the reader is aware that the writer has considered his/her topic and evaluated both for the comparison/contrast, and is now ending the paper with grace, leaving the reader satisfied for the time he given to read it

b.       Brings the paper to a graceful conclusion, with considered thought and an awareness of the reader

c.        Ends the paper adequately, thoughtfully, but perhaps could be improved

d.       Ends too abruptly or is too limited; gives the reader no real concept to think on

What this reader most enjoyed about this paper was:

___________________________________________________________________________________________

What this reader would like to see improvement in:

_______________________________________________________________________________________

On Sentence Variation

“This sentence has five words. Here are five more words. Five-word sentences are fine. But several together become monotonous. Listen to what is happening. The writing is getting boring. The sound of it drones. It’s like a stuck record. The ear demands some variety. Now listen. I vary the sentence length, and I create music. Music. The writing sings. It has a pleasant rhythm, a lilt, a harmony. I use short sentences. And I use sentences of medium length. And sometimes, when I am certain the reader is rested, I will engage him with a sentence of considerable length, a sentence that burns with energy and builds with all the impetus of a crescendo, the roll of the drums, the crash of the cymbals–sounds that say listen to this, it is important.” -Gary Provost

Good Examples from Student Papers

From Essay #2:

The key words often written on papers: give an example.
Too often students provide generalizations but not supporting detail or example.
Here is an excerpt from a paper in which a student supports his generalization with a detail.

Commercials should tell a story, like reading a book. They should hve an introduction, topic, body, and then an ending. If you start to get away from that, you don't have the viewer interested any more and they're probably ready to change the channel. The Super Bowl commercial with the man who buys a Dorito eating goat, then tries to get rid of the goat because it eats all of his Doritos is a good example of a commercial that tells a story.

From Classwork--writing a Comparison/Contrast Thesis Statement:

Most people today have hectic lives. With everyone being pressed for time, it can be difficult to sit down and watch the news. Therefore, most people pull up the news with their smart phones or tablets. Having online news websites, such as CNN and CBS, at such an easy access, are very convenient. But deciding which one to use can be a challenge. CNN is known for its appealing headlines and in-depth information. CBS is known for its concise, straight to the point, brief articles.

So . . . Comparison/Contrast

I was not able to post very well last week, so you could not respond; now, we can both get back to work.

Our focus was on the comparison/contrast paper and, by now, you should have your topic. Copy the following on your own paper on a Ms. Word document and complete. By the way, whatever you are comparing or contrasting, you will need to be able to list on a works cited page. We'll talk about what a works cited page is, why it's important, where it goes, and what it lists,  this week. For now, copy and complete:

The Comparison/Contrast Paper

Topic: ______________________________________

The basis for comparison--that is, the features that both subjects have in common: (2-3)

Despite the similarities, these two subjects are different in terms of:
(2-3)

THESIS STATEMENT: (REMEMBER: DO NOT USE SIMPLISTIC TERMS SUCH AS "alike" AND "different" or "similarities" OR "differences") - Refer to the examples in the book and on previous blog posts.

***For every contrast or difference noted, there should be an example that comes directly from your subject.***

Make sure your paper follows a very tight, well structured organization

Looking Forward to Class!!

It has been a good while since I've looked forward so much to coming back to class! I hope to remain well the remainder of the semester and leave no class "hanging" as happened the past two weeks. I hope, with all sincerity, none of you are plagued with the various "bugs" that are visiting for the season.