Persuasive Research Paper Assignment Sheet – Eng 28 Fall 2014
Directions: Write a 4 to 5 page persuasive research paper on the topic of your choice. This means that your
purpose is to ask a question about a debatable issue and, through research and analysis of the issue,
decide where you stand. This means that you must form an informed opinion about the issue through
research. You will then write a paper where you inform your reader about your topic while at the same
time persuading him or her that your point of view about the issue is valid. If you are having trouble
narrowing your topic, please come and see me.
Requirements:
Format: Your paper should be written in Times New Roman font with one inch margins on all sides. The
upper left hand corner of the first page should include your name, the date, the class, the assignment, and your
word count. It should have a title, which should be centered above the first line of your paper. These guidelines
are the same as they have been for every paper you have written for me. Please consult the format guide that
came with your syllabus if you have any questions.
Length: Your paper must be at least 1300 words and four pages long, double spaced, and it may be no longer
than five pages. Please include your word count in the upper left hand corner of the first page.
Sources: Your paper must cite, by quoting word for word or paraphrasing/summarizing, as least five different
sources. Only one of these may be a non-library website. The others must be books, magazine or newspaper
articles, online database articles, or other reputable sources that have been approved by me.
Your paper must include a Works Cited page that lists your five (or more) sources in correct MLA format
Friendly Advice:
If you have never written a research paper before, it may seem like a big task. However, if you follow the steps
that we go through in class and keep up with your research, you may find it to be an enjoyable process.
Be sure to turn in all required papers and write required drafts ON TIME. Falling behind is one of the
worst things that can happen to a paper during this process. Don't be the student who stays up all night writing
his or her first draft.
Bring all of your work for your research paper (notes, drafts, sources, etc.) to class every day. You will
want to have them with you for in-class work time.
Write about something you are genuinely curious about. Don't write about a topic simply because you think
it will be easy, or you think you should. We will be doing this assignment for a long time, and you don't want
to be stuck writing about a topic you don't care about.
If you are feeling lost, or if you are having any problems with this assignment, please let me know as soon as
possible. I would be happy to talk to you about any concerns you have.
While I will be giving you a lot of class time to work on this project, you need to realize that your research
paper will require a considerable amount of time outside of class. I would suggest that you spend the first two
weeks doing research and gathering information. Then, you should begin to organize your information into an
outline some time around the end of the second week. If you have done your research well, it should not be
difficult to produce a rough draft. Next, polish your draft. Integrate quotations and paraphrases from your
sources if you haven't already. Make sure that you have covered all of the information you wanted to include in
the most interesting, engaging manner possible.
Research Paper Timeline
Note: All research paper assignments must by typed.
*Tuesday, 11/11 – NO CLASS ON THIS DAY, but Research Proposal due on Turnitin by 11:59 PM. You
will receive feedback that will direct you to your next steps as soon as possible.
Your research proposal must be typed. At the top, write your narrowed research question. Then, in a series of
complete paragraphs, you must answer these questions: What is at stake when it comes to this topic? Who
might be affected by or have a vested interest in the issues? What will you need to find out before forming
an informed opinion on this issue? What are possible sources of information for this issue? See example
posted on website.
*Tuesday, 11/18 – Annotated Bibliography due.
List five sources in alphabetical MLA Works Cited format that you have chosen for your research paper. Below
the MLA Works Cited entry for each source, summarize the source in your own words in one brief paragraph,
and in a second paragraph, discuss: 1.) the reasons the source is credible, 2.) what including the source will add
to your paper. Your annotated bibliography will be worth 50 points on its own. See example on p. 379 of EaA.
*Friday, 11/21 at 11:59 PM – Rough Draft of Research Paper due on turnitin for peer
review
Your rough draft that you upload to turnitin must be at least two pages long, and it must include an
introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Also, it must quote or paraphrase three different sources and
have a rough works cited page using MLA format. Drafts that do not follow these directions will not receive
full credit.
* Tuesday, 11/25 – In-class peer review. Comments due on peer drafts. Must be complete and
constructive.
Bring three printed copies of your draft for peer review. We will not be in the BEACH for this peer review,
and it is very important that you bring your draft on paper. If you do have a laptop or a tablet, bring it so you
can view your comments.
* Friday, 11/28 at 11:59 PM – Optional 2nd Rough Draft due for instructor comments
* Tuesday, 11/2 – Have research paper drafts and sources in class for revision time.
*Tuesday, 12/9 – FINAL DRAFT of research paper must be uploaded to turnitin by the
beginning of class.
Forbidden Topics: Same-Sex Marriage, Abortion, Obesity, Violent Media/Video Games, Legalization
of Drugs (Marijuana, steroids, etc), Government Conspiracy Theories, Creationism vs. Evolution, 9/11,
Euthanasia/Assisted Suicide, “crystal ball” prediction questions (“Will we ever cure cancer?” “Will there
ever be world peace?”), and any argument whose main evidence is based on opinion or religious belief.
At any time, please feel free to make an appointment with me so we can talk about your draft one on one.