Persuasive Research Paper Assignment Sheet – Eng 101 Spring 2015
Directions: Write a 6 to 8 page persuasive research paper about a debatable issue relating to pop culture. I
expect for your paper to have a well-defined thesis (claim about the issue) and use various persuasive
techniques. This essay will use the strategies of argument, and you will be using what you learn in your
research to decide on a claim and defend/explain your point of view. You will be choosing a specific topic
and submitting a research proposal to me. Your research proposal will outline the question that your
thesis, after you have done your research, will answer. If you are having trouble narrowing your topic,
please come and see me.
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. Each page after
the first should have your last name and the page number in the upper right hand corner. These guidelines are
the same as they are for every paper you will write for me. Please consult the format guide that came with your
syllabus if you have any questions.
Suggested Topics: If you are having trouble picking a topic, I have two suggestions for you.
Suggestion #1: Pick one genre of film, television, music, or fiction and analyze one significant way that genre
has changed over time and how the specific change in the genre you picked is related to or shows how society
has changed along with it.
Suggestion #2: Pick a product that is commonly advertised in an intriguing or problematic way. For example,
think about fast food commercials that use extremely sexualized images of women. What is the interesting or
problematic strategy that you noticed being used to advertise the product? Find some specific examples of this
strategy and describe/analyze them in detail. What are some of the broader implications/effects of the
specific product being advertised using the specific strategy you have noticed?
Length: Your paper must be at least six pages long, double spaced and correctly formatted, not including
your Works Cited page, and your word count must be at least 2000 in turnitin, including your Works Cited
page. Please include your word count in the upper left hand corner of the first page along with your heading.
Sources: Your paper must cite as least seven different reputable sources. It is up to you to convince your
reader that your sources are reputable. You may use books, articles from online databases, videos, internet
sources, and any other source you believe will increase the credibility of your paper. Your paper must include a
Works Cited page that lists your seven (or more) sources in correct MLA format. Your turnitin originality score
for this paper (Works Cited page included) must be 30% or less, even if all quotes are correctly cited.
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.
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.
Research Paper Timeline
Note: All research paper assignments must by typed.
* Thursday, 4/30 at the start of class – Research Proposal Due to Turnitin.
Your research proposal must be typed. At the top, write your narrowed research question. Then, in a complete
paragraph, 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 website for example.
Acceptable (Good) Example Research question: "How has the genre of science fiction changed from the 1950's
to the present to reflect changing concerns about technology?"
Unacceptable Example Research question: "I'm going to write about science fiction."
 Too broad – needs to be more specific. This example gives you no direction.
 Not a question. What is it, specifically, that you want to find out about science fiction?
*Tuesday, 5/12 – Annotated Bibliography (worth 50 points) must be uploaded to turnitin by the
beginning of class.
List seven sources in MLA format that you have chosen for your research paper. Below the MLA citation for
each source, write a well-developed paragraph that summarizes the source, including any major claims, argues
for the source's authority and relevance to your question, and explains why you have chosen to use it in your
research paper. We will be discussing this at length in class.
Note: Your annotated bibliography will be worth 50 points, and I will be grading for completeness, the quality
of your paragraphs, and correctness of MLA formatting.
*Saturday, 5/16 at 11:59 PM – Rough Draft of Research Paper due on turnitin for peer
review NOTE CHANGE FROM SYLLABUS
* Tuesday, 5/19 – In-class peer review. Comments due on peer drafts on turnitin. Must be complete and
constructive.
*Friday, 5/22 at 11:59 PM - Revised Rough draft of Research Paper for instructor comments on turnitin
If you participated in peer review, you are eligible for instructor comments, provided your draft meets these
requirements. Your rough draft that you turn in to me must be at least three 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 attached to the file you upload. If you do not meet these requirements, I will not
comment on your draft.
*Friday, 5/29 at 11:59 PM – FINAL DRAFT of research paper due on turnitin
At any time, please feel free to make an appointment with me so we can talk about your draft one on one.