Persuasive Research Paper
Five paragraph argument paper
on a controversial issue
Mode: Persuasive/Argument Paper
Persuasion = the art of convincing people to
do or believe something
Argument = genre of writing that requires the
student to investigate a topic;
collect, generate, and evaluate
evidence; and establish a
position on the topic
in a concise manner
“What is an argumentative essay?” The Purdue OWL. Purdue U Writing Lab, 2010.
Web. 18 Jan 2014.
Persuasive/Argument Paper
• To write an argument essay, you’ll need to
gather evidence and present a well-reasoned
argument on a debatable issue.
• You will argue for one side of your chosen
controversial issue.
• Your research-based arguments must convince
your audience that your view/thesis is true, valid,
& correct.
Topic: Cross-Curricular
Choose a debatable or controversial issue . . .
in sports, science, the earth and the environment,
government/politics, animal welfare, education,
arts & culture, media & communications, etc.
Choose your own topic from the list of
topics on the Points of View database.
New in 8th Grade!!!
To give credit to your sources, you must use
in-text citations and a Works Cited page,
NOT a Works Consulted page
You will follow MLA Format for your research
(MLA = Modern Language Association)
and you will use the MLA proper heading, page
layout, pagination, documentation, etc.
Samples of In-Text Citations
A week later, corrections officer Shannon Smith, who was
guarding prisoners by the side of the road, was killed by a
woman distracted by a phone call (Besthoff).
In Japan, for example, accidents linked to cell phones fell by
75% just a month after the country prohibited using a handheld
phone while driving (Haughney A8).
Works Cited
Besthoff, Len. “Cell Phone Use Increases Risk of Accidents, but Users
Willing to Take the Risk.” WRAL.com. Capitol Broadcasting,
9 Nov. 1999. Web. 12 Jan. 2001.
Haughney, Christine. “Taking Phones out of Drivers’ Hands.”
Washington Post 5 Nov. 2000: A8. Print.
Sample of First Page in MLA Format
Sample of Works Cited Page
Research: Documentation of Sources
1) You must use at least four in-text citations
• Used within the text of your paper
• Reference in parentheses that gives credit to the
source; e.g., (Smith 23).
• Directs readers to the full source entry on the
Works Cited page
Research: Documentation of Sources
2) Works Cited page
• Last page of your paper (page three)
• Must list at least three sources on your Works
Cited page
• Lists only the sources you have cited in the
text of your paper
Length: Five Paragraphs
five paragraphs on two pages maximum;
the Works Cited page is page 3
Library Time:
Provided 6 days in the library to complete research
Choosing a Topic
Step 1: Identify three possible topics of interest.
Step 2: Write three research questions,
one for each topic of interest.
Step 3: Read articles on databases (do research!)
to answer your research questions.
Step 4: Write one final research question.
Step 5: Answer research question with your
thesis statement.
Step 6: Your thesis statement is what you will prove
with solid research in your paper.
Example
Sample Research Question:
Should PA public school
students be required to wear uniforms?
Answer/thesis:
Pennsylvania public schools should require
all students to wear uniforms.
or
Pennsylvania public schools should not
require their students to wear uniforms.
Keep pace . . .
Do your work ON TIME! Don’t fall behind . . .
Do your best!