RESEARCH

PAPER
McLaughlin / WR 13300 / Fall 2016

Paper Requirements

Address a topic of interest to you,

while also engaging a concept or
scholarly conversation relevant to
the course "happiness" theme.
Present a clearly articulated, wellreasoned, focused argument to a
specific, persuadable audience
Develop key points with
examples, evidence, and analysis

Over the past several weeks,

you have developed a variety
of critical thinking and writing
skills. Youve learned how to
write with specificity, how to
read, analyze, integrate, and
cite sources, and how to craft
an organized, focused,
developed argument framed by
academic concepts.
Throughout these tasks, you've
examined a variety of
arguments about the concept
of "happiness," including some
emerging from psychology,
brain science, religion,
government, education, and
popular culture. This essay will
draw from all of the knowledge
capacities and skills listed
above and will also orient you
to the realm of independent
research. You will gain a
deeper understanding of a
subtopic related to our course
theme and will make a focused
argument to a specific
audience that draws from your
research and analysis.

You may choose any topic

you like that somehow
engages our course theme
(we will spend some time
exploring topic ideas in
class). Be sure to stay
focused on what arguments
you can make to particular
stakeholders, rather than
simply "reporting" or
summarizing the existing
debate. You could, for
example, consider
proposing a solution to a
problem. Another option
would be to offer a rebuttal
to a prevalent perspective.
Yet another option would be
to critique an existing policy
or practice in light of
something you learn. You
could offer a causal
analysis of a trend/
phenomenon you identify;
and, of course, you could
perform a rhetorical
analysis of a text or artifact
that relates to our theme.

Anticipate and respond to possible

counterarguments
Integrate at least six credible
sources
Follow MLA format and citation
guidelines
Be 7-9 pages in length.

PAPER DUE: NOV 9

(by 11:55 p.m., via Sakai)

Other Required Work

To support your research and drafting,
you will be asked to complete several
smaller tasks. Most importantly, you will
be required to turn in a research
proposal and exploratory draft early
in your research process. You will also
compile an annotated bibliography to
organize your research. We will talk
more about these in class.

INVENTING A TOPIC
There are many strategies for finding a viable topic, but one of the best approaches is to ask questions
about communities and texts that are of interest to you and how those interests might relate to some of
the discussions we've had this semester. Here are some examples (not exhaustive!):
Education/Campus
What steps could the University of Notre Dame take to increase the well-being of first-year
students?
To what extent might meditation be valuable as part of the training for student athletes?
In what ways does education promote (or combat) hedonism?
Are home-schooled students "happier" than their public school counterparts? Why or why not?
Identity/Community
In what ways do current conversations about "happiness" reflect problematic assumptions about
race, class, gender, sexuality, or ability?
Under what conditions is a person more likely to practice altruism? To what extent can those
conditions be recreated within a community that needs more unity?
Popular Culture/Entertainment
What might the rise in "anti-hero" television shows reflect about societal happiness and well-being?
What does the organic food industry want us to believe about the connection between food and
happiness? To what extent are those claims sound, problematic, or incomplete?

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
AUDIENCE/PURPOSE (40 points): The paper makes a clear, focused argument to a specific,
persuadable audience. The paper reflects what's at stake for readers and avoids drifting away
from its intended purpose. The paper keeps an argumentative stance, avoiding mere research
"reporting" or summarizing of what's already known. The paper adopts an appropriate tone for
academic readers.
ORGANIZATION (40 points): The paper offers a clear "road map" for readers, signaling what
readers can expect from the essay. Paragraphs are organized around distinct main ideas and
are arranged in a way that reflects a progression of logical thought. Smooth transitions guide
readers seamlessly through the logic of the argument.
DEVELOPMENT (40 points): The paper addresses all necessary pieces of the argument,
providing relevant context and points of debate to frame the thesis. All claims are supported with
relevant evidence and analysis, with an effective balance between source material and the
writer's independent thought.
CLARITY (40 points): The sentence-level prose is generally free of mechanical errors and typos.
Sentences are varied in structure and length, with attention to precise word choice. The language
is easy to follow, with all important terms and concepts clearly defined.
CONVENTIONS (40 points): The paper follows the current MLA 2016 format and citation
guidelines, using appropriate in-text citations and a properly formatted Works Cited page. Source
material is integrated responsibly and seamlessly throughout, taking into account the
expectations of academic audiences.