Research: Writing Like a Scholar You will now write a complete research paper. A research paper is an expanded essay that presents your own interpretation, evaluation, or argument, using what knowledge is already available on the subject. A research paper involves studying a topic in order to find the best possible information in that field. Your paper must present your own opinions and ideas supported by your research, correctly credited to the original authors and organizations. Basic Requirements: • Length: 900-1,500 words. A minimum of 900 words is required in order for your essay to be substantial. What is important is that you get your point across. • Organization: Introduction, supporting paragraphs, and a conclusion. • Language: Use formal language and avoid the use of first and second person — avoid references to yourself (NO “I believe, in my opinion” etc.), no personal anecdotes, and do not address the reader (avoid “you” altogether. • Documentation: five correctly documented quotes or paraphrases from five adequate sources. • Style: APA style is usually used for the type of research you will be doing. Continue in that style unless otherwise stated by your professor. • Cross-referncing: You must use in-text citations (also known as in-text references) or signal phrases each time you use the words or ideas of your sources in the essay. Cross-reference your work as explained in your handbook. The handbook is especially necessary for this essay. • Support: You’ll need a minimum of five sources. Support your ideas with expert opinion, facts, statistics, and other information you find in your research. It is a mistake to create a Frankenstein research paper by copying and pasting. • Take a position: This is not merely a pro/con paper where you list both sides of an argument. In this paper, you will take a side. Know your position. • State the opposition’s viewpoint: Because this is an argument, you must bring up the opposition’s position and do your best to establish counter arguments to refute it. • Do more research: A minimum of five references is required for this paper. They must all be from different sources. • Write in formal English: This is a research paper, so keep to the formal third person (avoid “I” and “You”) and avoid personal anecdotes. • Proofread carefully! If you are not sure of your writing skills, you may go to one of the MDC campuses to the Writing Lab where tutors are available. You may also use free online tutoring through Smartthinking.com. Go to the link under Tools and Resources (side menu) to find out about this resource. • Revise, edit, and proofread. I can’t stress this enough. • Format correctly according the the documentation style your professor assigns. To assure that your Microsoft Word program does not force those extra spaces on you, remember to go to Paragraph > and click on the bos on the left-had corner that reads “do not add extra spaces between like paragraphs.” IF you wish to change topics: Your new topic (different from the one that was accepted in Discussion D2.2), you must submit: 1. your alternate topic and a statement of purpose 2. a preliminary thesis statement for your research paper. The thesis statement should be a complete sentence in which your purpose and position is clear. Submitting this assignment: Send me a message through the Course Messages in Blackboard with your thesis and statement of purpose. I must approve your proposal before you continue. Your topic must be debatable for an argument paper. Please check the other debatable topic options available in D2.2 or suggest your own. Avoidthe overdone topics such as capital punishment and abortion (I will not approve them). Some possible debatable topics are: 1. Romantic love is a poor basis for marriage. 2. Juvenile murderers should/ should not be tried as adults. 3. Foster parenting isn’t working and should be banned. 4. Most forms of government welfare should/should not be abolished. 5. Censorship is sometimes/never justified. 6. All citizens under the age of 21 should be required to pass a driving education course before receiving a license to drive. 7. Trans fat and high fructose corn syrup are the cause of the obesity epidemic in America. 8. Gasoline taxes should be raised in order to encourage less driving. 9. Troops should/should not be immediately pulled out of foreign bases (or choose one particular base). 10. Tax breaks to large corporations should/should not be eliminated
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