Reference no: EM133399677

Introduction: You're going to write an argumentative paper (your opinion) based on five or more library sources only. Make sure that whatever stance you take on your topic, you can use all of your sources to support your opinion. You must choose a topic in which you're genuinely interested and very passionate. For example, right now, I'm interested in ceramics, effective ways to potty-train toddlers, and time management, so if I were in this class, I'd choose one of those three topics. ? ***Don't write about overdone topics such gun control or regulations, abortion, death penalty, capital punishment, hunting regulations, school uniforms, legalizing marijuana, pay to play, etc. etc.***

Directions: 1) First, find five or more Normandale sources on a topic that you'd like to use. 2) Then, take careful notes about what each author in the sources says on the topic to prevent plagiarism. MLA prevents plagiarism. 3) Choose a position about any issues/topics the authors discuss. This will create your thesis. Remember: you're not writing a report-you're arguing a position. 4) Pre-write (brainstorm) your opinion/position about your chosen sources and topic. You must use specific info from the sources with correct MLA in-text citations and a works cited page in your pre-writing, too. 5) After pre-writing, write your second draft, the Peer Review Draft, (a regular typed draft that meets all of the requirements of the assignment). (Basically, you'll take the ideas you brainstormed in your pre-writing, using the sources and MLA again and write a six to seven paragraph essay.)
Audience: College-level readers

Purpose: to persuade your audience to reasonably consider your position. (An argument-your opinion)

Paper Requirements: (**All drafts must include information from the sources, using correct MLA documentation.**)

1. Thesis statement must be in the "topic + opinion + reason format" OR "topic + opinion format." ***To help with organization, try putting your thesis statement as the last sentence in your introduction. See the thesis statement handout if you need help..*** Hint: use similar words in the topic sentences of your body paragraphs as are in your thesis statement. It'll help you focus and stay organized.***

2. Length: 8 - 10 paragraphs (introduction, six+ body paragraphs, and the conclusion); each paragraph should have seven to ten sentences each. Your paper will be anywhere from 4 - 8 pages long.

3. Use transitions to glue your ideas together (See the transitions handout for help).

4. *MLA documentation & formatting. (***This applies to THREE areas: your paper's format, in-text citations, and the works cited page. See the MLA packet for help and any associated MLA handouts or PowerPoints.)

*--Quoting, paraphrasing, and summarizing: use information from the sources to prove your thesis statement. Each time you mention an idea from the sources, you must put the author's name and page in parenthesis at the end of the information like this: (Barry 542). If you fail to do this, you've committed unintentional plagiarism. *If your source doesn't have an author, see the MLA PowerPoint on what you should do.* IMPORTANT: right after you use information from the sources, explain how that information relates to and proves your thesis. This is called analyzing. It's very important as you're learning to assert your academic voice, tone, and stance. You need to deeply explore what you quote, paraphrase, or summarize.

5. Classical or Rogerian Arrangement. See the "Argument Packet."

6. Use five or more Normandale library sources.

7. Use the "Essay Cheat Sheet" if you need help with basic essay/paragraphing skills.

Draft Requirements: (**All drafts must include information from the sources using correct MLA in-text and works cited formatting.**)

**All drafts (including pre-writing) should include five or more Normandale library sources. All drafts must be in Classical or Rogerian Arrangement. See the Argument Packet for help.**

---Draft #1: Pre-writing Draft should be in one of the following formats: a sentence outline, spider web (clustering), journaling, free-writing, etc. It must be 2-3 pages long, double-spaced. Must include MLA in-text citations and an MLA works cited page. To meet all of the requirements, you must read the documents titled, "Pre-Writing Explanation and Requirements," "Sample Completed Outline," "Pre-Writing Grading Rubrics."

---Draft #2: Peer Review Draft (all requirements for a normal, eight to ten paragraph essay are required, including MLA.) To meet all of the requirements, you must read the documents titled, "Essay Basics" A Cheat Sheet," "Peer Review Draft and Final Draft Grading Rubric" and "Sample Peer Review Draft Paper."

**NOTE: Drafts 1, 2, and 3 must be in either Classical Arrangement or Rogerian Arrangement. See the "Argument Packet" for directions on how to do these arrangements.