Gun Violence

ENGL1302: The Research Paper
Argument/Persuasion aims to change an audience’s attitude/belief, or at least to get the audience to consider a view different from their own.
Identify a debatable issue that you feel strongly about, an issue that you want to explore further, or maybe an issue that affects you directly as a student or citizen. Take a definitive stance on your chosen issue, develop reasons to support your stance (ones that primarily rely on logos), and then identify and integrate research to support your reasons. Remember to be wary of confirmation bias and overtly biased sources – these can turn readers, especially those on the fence about an issue, off. You will need to integrate five outside sources – personal interviews, newspaper or journal articles, editorials, essays, books, credible websites – three of which must come from the library, into your essay, and provide a Works Cited page.
For the Researched Position Paper, you should have:
An issue that has at least three viewpoints about it, one of which you agree with.
At least five credible sources, three of which must come from the VC/UHV library.
An outline that shows how you intend to organize your paper and what information you will include; you will bring this (or a rough draft) to our conference. Consider using the Toulmin model to help you organize your ideas.
A conference with your instructor – either in person or via phone – the week before the due date.
In the paper itself:
1-2 introductory paragraphs describing/contextualizing/explaining the issue (What happened to make the issue important enough that there are at least three viewpoints about it?), and establishing common ground with the reader.
A clearly stated thesis that takes a definite position on your issue.
Three or more paragraphs that support your viewpoint with sources cited in correct MLA format.
One or more paragraphs that offers a rebuttal to the opposing claims.
A conclusion that leaves the reader with something new to think about (i.e. do not merely restate your thesis).
A Works Cited page in MLA format.
Your final product should be 4-5 pages; note – this does not include your Works Cited page.
Writing Resources: The Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL): https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/; our campus library: https://library.uhv.edu/home ; VC’s Tutoring Center: https://www.victoriacollege.edu/tutoringcenter ; your textbook; and Me!

Last Completed Projects