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1) Primary Literary Sources:
You will use a minimum of 5-7 separate, non-fiction sources in order to conduct your research regarding a controversial topic of your choice.
Sign up for your topic must be completed by Friday, January 15.
Paragraph explaining why you chose your topic
DUE JANUARY 15—Daily Grade
2) Definition of an argumentative research paper:
In addition to analysis, an argumentative research paper requires a clear, wellresearched and persuasive argument on a certain issue. Writing an argumentative paper requires that you look at both sides of an issue and take a position on one side or the other. In addition to taking a stand on an issue, you must defend it against opposing points of view. Thus, a good argumentative research paper must not only present the views of its author, but must also address and disprove the viewpoint of the opposition in order to persuade.
3) Basic Requirements:
In this paper, you must present a clear, well-researched and persuasive argument that requires you to:

Read or re-read multiple non-fiction resources including but not limited to books, articles pulled from scholarly databases, scholarly journal articles, etc.

Research the issues surrounding the controversial topic. (i.e. history, major influences of society, etc.)

Read other writers’ arguments for and against (Ensure you research the issue in its entirety-focusing on both sides is critical in order to successfully persuade your reader.

Select the issues you will argue

Take a stand

Present supporting evidence in favor of your position

Defend your position against opposing points of view

Anticipate and deflect arguments against your position

Make your case persuasively
You will discuss: a) b) Your position and why c) Opposing views and counterarguments

DO NOT REMOVE FROM CLASSROOM – PLEASE RETURN TO MRS. NORRIS the issue (great battles, tragedies, new discoveries, etc.). e) The important philosophical movements and ideas of the time and their roots that may have led to challenges or objections of the issue. f) Background information g) Major themes of the issue
4) Minimum Requirements:
d) Relevant historical events that may have prompted challenges or objections to
6 full pages of text (*** Full pages of text denotes that the 6th page will be a
complete page of text)
-1 Works Cited page attached directly to the research
-5-7 sources (books and RPHS databases)
-8 (minimum) direct quote references integrated/blended/incorporated into text
5) Items required:
-Essay with heading and parenthetical citations
-Works Cited page
-legal pad with all Cornell notes
-a 10x14 (or larger) envelope or gallon plastic bag to hold your research paper process.
- Flashdrive to save your paper.
Suggested Ideas for How to Complete Your Research Paper:
1) Choose your controversial topic.
2) Read multiple articles which take various stands on the issue.
3) Annotate/take analytical notes ( Use Cornell notes.)
4) Draft preliminary thesis/topic statement
5) Decide on the sub-topics/issues for each of your paragraphs (see basic requirements for ideas)
6) Go to the library and research background information (author, historical events, and philosophical trends, and literary critics).
7) Compile a list of quotes from various credible sources
8) Compile your Works Cited.
9) Revise your thesis/topic statement, if needed.
10) Rough draft #1
11) Edit/Revise
12) Meet with your teacher to review paper
13) Rough draft #2
14) Edit/Revise
15) Rough draft #3
16) Edit/Revise
17) Final draft
Formatting:
-double-spaced

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-12-point Times New Roman font (even headers/page #)
-1” margins top, bottom, and sides
-on the upper right corner (last name, page # - 2 nd page and up),
-title should be centered and included immediately after your heading (DO NOT underline or place in quotations)
Grades:
Final paper – 4 major grades
1 Formatting (major)
1 Content (major)
1 Documentation (major)
1 for Grammar, Mechanics, and Proofreading (major)
Timeline grades (these are daily grades to keep you on track):
Choose controversial topic—by Friday, 1/15
Annotations of 1-2 articles Due—Friday, 2/12
Legal Pad/Envelope Due—Wednesday, 2/17
Cornell/Two-column Notes—due Monday, 2/29 (May also be taken for a grade
DAILY during library/lab research week-Use your time wisely.)
Library Research [Controversial Topic Background/History]—Monday, 2/22
Library Research [Controversial Topic Pro/Con]—Tuesday, 2/23
Library Research [Controversial Topic Pro/Con—Wednesday, 2/24
Library Research [Annotated Bibliography]—Thursday, 2/25
Thesis development—due Thursday 2/25
Library Research [Annotated Bibliography]—Friday, 2/26
Library Research [Finalizing of Research AND Annotated Bibliography DUE]—
Monday, 2/29
Drafting & Self-Evaluation (Computer Lab)—Monday, 2/29 through Friday, 3/4
First Draft—Due Friday, 3/4 to turnitin.com
by 11:59 PM
Begin Revision/Peer Editing Exercise—(Computer Lab) Monday, 3/7
Complete Revisions/Draft #2/Clocking—Tuesday, 3/8Ratiocination (Computer
Lab)—Wednesday, 3/9
Draft #3/Format Paper/Works Cited (Computer Lab)—Thursday, 3/10
Final Clocking Exercise & Final Computer Lab Day—Friday, 3/11
FINAL PAPER (Both hard copy and electronic submission) due Friday, March 11 to Turnitin.com
(This date and others may need to be revised.)

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Suggestion for Outline
I.
Introduction: Attention getter (hook), introduction to controversial issue and its implications, and thesis statement
II.
Introduction to your controversial topic—explain the background and the major contributors to each side of the controversy. Discuss the controversy and its implications for those who are major stakeholders as well as those uninvolved
III.
Establish background for your topic—what events led to the controversy? What are specific instances that contributed to the issue being an issue in the first place?
IV.
Establish your personal viewpoint—Introduce your stance on the issue and provide concrete evidence for your stance.
V.
Address the counterargument (the other side)— Who disagrees with you? Why do they disagree? Address and give real credit to opposing opinions and their logic.
VI.
Refute and Concede—Logically prove your viewpoint over the counterargument.
VII.
Conclusion—Amplify the force of your argument, and show the readers the best solution given the circumstances.

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Review Research Paper Requirements
When must you have signed up for your literary piece?
When is your paper due?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Where are you going to submit your paper?
In addition to signing up for your literary piece, what other requirement must you complete?
5. When should you have read your literary piece by?
6.
7.
8.
What is a literary research paper?
What are the basic requirements for this paper? (hint – discuss at least 8 items)
When is your paper due?
9. Where are you going to submit your paper?
10. What are the minimum requirements for this paper?
11. What items are required?
12. What formatting should be used?
13. How many grades is this paper worth?
14. How will you be graded?
15. When is your paper due?
16. Where are you going to submit your paper?
17. What days will we be in the computer lab?
18. What days will we be in the library doing research?
19. How many print sources do you need?
20. When is your paper due?
21. Where are you going to submit your paper?
22. How many database sources do you need?
23. What is the minimum amount of direct quotes that you need?
24. How many drafts will you write?
25. When is your paper due?
26. Where are you going to submit your paper?
27. Explain at least 3 different literary devices.
28. When is your paper due?
29. Where are you going to submit your paper?
30. Take out your planner/phone, and write down all of your research paper due dates.