Is obesity the result of behavior, environment, or genetics?

Step ONE:
Draft Your Research Essay

Your research essay requires
the following:

●
Write a 2,000 to 2,500-word research essay that: (1) explains the
history and current debate of a controversial
topic,
(2) asserts an opinion about the
debate, and (3) ultimately persuades readers to support your position.
○
”Debatable” means a topic about which intelligent, well-meaning
people may disagree. Keep in mind that your audience will be skeptical, so plan
your arguments accordingly.
○
The key to a solid argument is to ensure that your
argument is well-balanced, thorough, and supported by information gleaned from
credible written sources such as scholarly journals, trade publications, and books.

● Your research essay must
include the following elements:
○
Clear title and introduction, which present the history of the problem
in an engaging manner
○
Accurate description of the topic as it is currently
presented in the literature and clear descriptions of the various viewpoints
○
Evaluation and analysis of the debate
○ At least eight reliable and
authoritative secondary sources

●
To help you get started, try following these steps:
○ Begin by drafting an outline
of your research essay.

○
Use your outline to write a rough draft of your paper that incorporates
your sources.
■ Take advantage of credible
websites, radio, or even television programs, but not to the exclusion of
printed sources. If possible, interview a leader in the field- the idea is to
have a balance of source types. Remember to use your critical thinking skills
to determine the validity and reliability of each source before you decide to
include it.
■ Your sources should be
current (usually not more than ten years old), unless you are providing
historical background or the source is a seminal work in the field. All quotations, summaries, and paraphrases
must be correctly cited and documented using APA citation guidelines.
Step TWO: Complete the Research Essay
Submission Checklist
Before you
submit, check to see if you believe you have met the criteria noted below. Did
you….
ü Select and explain the
history and current debate of a controversial
topic?
ü
Provide a clear title and introduction that is engaging for your audience?
ü Clearly present the
debatable issue and make connections between different viewpoints?
ü
Present your own point of view and make persuasive arguments in favor
of it?
ü Conduct a thorough
evaluation and analysis of the debate?
ü
Cite at least eight reliable, authoritative sources?
ü Demonstrate APA academic
writing which is clear, concise, and factually
correct?
ü Adhere to
the 2,000 to 2,500-word length requirement, double-space your essay, and use
the 12-point Times New Roman font?

List of Approved Topics for Possible Selection (some topics may require that you narrow the focus)
1. Should students who engage in cyberbullying, even from off campus, face sanctions at school?
2. Was the Supreme Court’s decision in Kelo vs. New London the correct one? (Eminent Domain)
3. Should other states adopt Oregon’s “Death with Dignity Act” or similar legislation?
4. Should college athletes be paid to play?
5. Are the current security methods employed by the TSA effective?
6. Are video games making children smarter?
7. Should there be a national law that prohibits paparazzi from taking and/or selling photos of children of famous parents?
8. Is nuclear power a safe form of energy?
9. Should the minimum wage be raised to $10.00 an hour?
10. Should Florida’s “stand your ground” law be introduced in other states?
11. Should there be a limit on how much homework K-12 students are given each night?
12. Are genetically engineered foods safe?
13. Should photo identification be required to cast a vote?
14. Should torture be used to interrogate suspected terrorists?
15. Is obesity the result of behavior, environment, or genetics?

Last Completed Projects