Regarding the Structure of the Research Paper:
Supporting Paragraphs
In addition to an introduction and a conclusion paragraph, you need multiple body paragraphs. Well-developed body paragraphs should be between 200 and 300 words long. You should have one idea per paragraph. If you begin to transition into a new idea, it belongs in a new paragraph. You can also have several points in a single paragraph as long as they relate to the main point of the paragraph.
Here is the basic structure of arranging your body paragraphs:
Claim: the statement of your paragraph’s point.
Data: the evidence to support the claim.
Warrant (also referred to as a bridge): the explanation of why or how the data supports or proves the claim.
Including a well-thought-out warrant or bridge is important to writing a good argumentative essay or paper. If you present data to your audience without explaining how it supports your thesis your readers may not make a connection between the two or they may draw different conclusions.
You may certainly refute (or rebut) your opposition’s points of argument. You may use what is known as a counterclaim, a claim made by you that differs from your opponent’s position. It is an effective tactic in argumentation to know what your opponent’s views are so that you may counter them (refute them) with evidence and thereby disprove or diminish them. This tactic is effective because it weakens your opponent’s argument while strengthening yours. Including counterclaims makes you look more credible because you appear to be knowledgeable about the entirety of the debate rather than just being biased or uniformed. You may want to include several counterclaims to show that you have thoroughly researched the topic.
Conclusion
An effective conclusion goes beyond simply restating or summarizing the argument. The goal is to synthesize, rather than repeat, an insight that derives from the points you made and the support and examples you used that fits everything together. You should indicate what the broader implications of your argument are.
Research Paper Rules:
2,000-word minimum, 2,200- maximum
Proper MLA citation format
No title page
Sources cited in the paper must be articles gotten from online databases OmniFile Full Text Select and Academic Search Complete (both available in EBSCOhost under Electronic Subscriptions on the KC Library homepage). Do not use Credo Reference database.
No fewer than 5 sources (articles gotten from online databases) cited directly in the paper and no more than 8 sources cited directly in the paper.
A works cited page listing alphabetically the sources cited in the paper (should be the last page of the research paper).
Proper use of MLA in-text parenthetical citation
A complete Introduction and a complete conclusion
An arguable thesis statement that adheres to my Research Paper Guidelines
Proper page formatting. 12 point Times New Roman, 1 inch margins, double spaced.
No long quotations (aka block quotations). Long quotations exceed 4 lines of typed text in the paper.
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