Researched Argument Paper
The portfolio requirement for this paper is that it must be an argument (not a general research paper) and it must be a minimum of 1,250 words (this does include the works cited page, etc.). For this class, the grade on the paper will reflect a minimum of six full pages ((not counting the works cited page(s)), so continue your writing onto a page seven to be sure you have six full pages, with 1” margins all around. Note: If a bottom margin is greater than 1” by default (due to an end-of-page paragraph finishing with only a few lines on the next page), do not worry as this cannot be “fixed” and professors are aware of this software default.
Introduction
Does it explain to the reader what the social problem is? ___
When setting the stage, are you using shocking statistics or a brief narrative that starts with “Imagine . . .” or “Picture . . .” that will get the reader interested? ___
Does the thesis statement reference that the problem needs to be solved and that the best solution is X (whichever solution you think is best or, if this has not yet been decided, use “X” as a place holder)? ___
Have you cited information that is not common knowledge (e.g., it’s information that a fellow student with a different major would not know, it must be cited, even if you have paraphrased!)? ___
If you have used another’s words, have you added quotation marks AND a citation? ___
Three pages about the problem
Have you used no more than one-half of a page to give historic information about the problem (if you are including history)? Only include a history for how the problem evolved if it is absolutely necessary, otherwise, leave this out. ___
Have you given statistics that indicate the size of the problem/number of people affected? ___
Have you explained the ramifications/consequences/effects of this problem on a society (e.g., the individual, the family, the region, education system, the health care system, law and order, labor force, the economy, etc.)? ___
Have you used transition words at the start of each paragraph, to connect each paragraph to its previous one? ___ Do these transitions look like: Adding to the suffering caused by X is the awful effect on Y; In addition to Y1, X also is responsible for the tragic result of Y2; As if it’s not enough that X causes Y1, it also tragically results in Y2.
These underlined examples of transitions are critical to the argument approach of this paper; it is not an information research paper but a researched argument paper!
Have you cited information that is not common knowledge (e.g., it’s information that a fellow student with a different major would not know, it must be cited, even if you have paraphrased!)? ___
Remember to only quote statistics and definitions, and then cite these. A list of medical (illness) symptoms is an exception and may be quoted.
If you have used another’s words, have you added quotation marks AND a citation? ___
Three pages about the solutions and your conclusion
Solutions
Have you suggested solution one (from an expert)? ___
Is this solution clearly explained, perhaps example(s) given, an analogy used? ___
Have you suggested solution two (from an expert)? ___
Is this solution clearly explained, perhaps example(s) given, an analogy used? ___
Have you defined what would make for a Best Solution? ___
Follow this with:
- Why Solution 1 doesn’t meet your definition of best? ___
- Why Solution 2 doesn’t meet your definition of best? ___
- A solution 3: clearly explaining with perhaps example(s) given, an analogy used? ___ (note-you cannot combine two solutions and make it a best solution).
- Why Solution 3 meets your definition for a Best Solution? ___
These underlined sections are critical to the argument approach of this paper; it is not an information research paper but a researched argument paper!
Have you used transition words at the start of each paragraph, to connect it to its previous one? ___
Have you cited information that is not common knowledge (e.g., it’s information that a fellow student with a different major would not know, it must be cited, even if you have paraphrased!)? ___
Remember to only quote statistics and definitions. A list of medical (illness) symptoms is an exception and may be quoted.
If you have used another’s words, have you added quotation marks AND a citation? ___
Conclusion-Remember that your paper is making two arguments: that this issue is big and bad and that Solution 3 is the Best Solution (note-you cannot combine two solutions and make it a best solution).
Have you avoided repeating everything the reader has just read? ___
Is there an analogy you can use, e.g., a social issue that was resolved in a similar way (maybe in another country), or a similar type of issue solved in the way you selected as best? Also see tips on writing a concluding paragraph offered by a document on the Blackboard documents list (“Paragraphing-Concluding Paragraphs”) ___
Have you reinforced why the reader should care that this problem should be solved? ___
Have you reinforced that your “best” solution should be implemented? ___
Overall check
Do a computer search for “you,” “our,” “we,” “us,” etc—replace with third person pronouns or nouns.
A minimum of six different academic sources have been cited, only one if which may be a highly credible news source. Repeatedly citing one source still only counts as one source having been cited.
Is each of your cited sources on your Works Cited page—and ONLY those sources that have been cited?
Create a title!