Project 2: Researched Argument

"Research is to see what everybody else has seen and think what nobody else has thought."
– Albert Szent-Györgyi, Academic Press

Description: Write a 5-7 page researched argument on an issue that affects you. Incorporate at
least 5 valid/reliable sources (3 must be scholarly) into your argument.

For this assignment, you will choose a topic, conduct research, identify the dialogue surrounding
that issue, and successfully join that dialogue with a strong claim and supporting evidence. You
should both state your own position on an issue and use outside sources to support your thesis.

Ideally, you will use your research question from Project 1, but you are not required to do so.
You can also use the sources from Project 1, but you should incorporate at least 2 new sources as
well. When researching, be sure to look at all sides of the issue, not just those that agree with
you. Take note of commonly occurring themes and information you could use in your paper.

As you draft your paper, think about what an academic audience would find persuasive (appeals
to authority, logic, or emotion; outside facts vs. personal experience; etc.). Structure your paper
around the 2 or 3 most compelling reasons behind your position. Make sure you acknowledge
and respond to possible counterarguments. Your final product will be an academic paper that
argues a clear point and supports your argument with strong evidence.

Purpose of the Assignment: This project will focus on building a well-constructed argument
and supporting it with strong research and reasoning. This will prepare you to write academic
arguments in other courses and to better support your reasoning/opinions in other areas of your
life.

Grading Criteria:
• Organization and Clarity: the argument should have a clear structure that shows a logical
development of ideas over the course of the paper. Within each paragraph the evidence
and claims should be clearly linked.
• Transitions: ideas and paragraphs should be separated by clear transitions that make the
writing easy to follow.
• Thesis: you should have a strong, analytical thesis that drives your entire paper.
• Sources: you should integrate sources into your argument in relevant ways without letting
them make the argument for you. Be sure to explain all these sources clearly.
• Quality of sources: the sources should be reputable and clearly relevant to your project.
• Finishing: careful proofreading and correct citation style format.

Due: First draft –

Second draft –