Current Issues Argumentative Research Paper Packet

Current Issues Argumentative Research Paper Packet

WOAH. THIS IS EXCITING! You get to write a five-paragraph argumentative research paper in response to a prompt of YOUR CHOICE. This essay will contain three credible sources, will be written in MLA format, and will even include a works cited page at the end. HOORAY!

Prompt Choices:

Is a college education worth it?
Should more gun control laws exist in the United States?
Should students have to wear school uniforms?
Is social networking good for society?
Do violent video games contribute to youth violence?
Should performance enhancing drugs be allowed in sports?
Are standardized tests improving education in America?
Should people become vegetarians?
Should the death penalty be allowed?
Should tablets replace textbooks?
Should the US continue using drone strikes overseas?
Should college athletes be paid? (this one is not on ProCon.org)

General Essay Requirements

Your essay must answer your prompt using evidence from three sources:
The AFFIRMATIVE (pro) side of this issue on ProCon.org
The NEGATIVE (con) side of this issue on ProCon.org
Another CREDIBLE source you find yourself
Typed, double-spaced, Times New Roman size 12 font. If your paper is not in MLA format, I will delete it from Canvas and make you fix it and upload another (with love) 
An introduction paragraph, two body paragraphs, one counterargument/rebuttal paragraph, and a conclusion paragraph
A correctly formatted and typed “Works Cited” page (we will work on this together)

Important Dates

Date / In Class / Due (will be checked in class)
Tues 5/2 / Intro paper; begin brainstorming / Nothing
Wed 5/3 / ProCon.org research / Nothing
Thurs 5/4 / Continue ProCon.org research / Nothing
Fri 5/5 / Research own source / Source Info Sheets 1 and 2
Mon 5/8 / Begin essay outline / Source info sheet #3
Tues 5/9 / Review outline/begin typing essay / Essay outline
Wed 5/10 / Typing in class / Nothing
Thurs 5/11 / “Works Cited” chat; typing in class / Nothing
Fri 5/12 / Last day to work in class / Nothing

FINAL ESSAY DUE ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 17TH BY 11:59 VIA CANVAS

This packet is hefty and cost a lot of copies. So, if you lose this and require a new one from Ms. Herrera, it will cost you 15 points off of your grade. KTHANXBYE

RESEARCH PAPER RUBRIC

Introduction ……………………………………………………………………..____/15 pts
Do you have all the elements of an introduction?
Is your attention getter interesting and connected to the issue you’re discussing?
Does your context provide background information about the issue—some history to help your reader fully understand it?
Is your claim clear? Does it identify the three major points in your essay?

Body Paragraphs (2)……………………………………………………..…..._____/40 pts
Does each body paragraph contain all the important elements?
Does each paragraph begin with a transition?
Do you have transitions throughout each paragraph? Are they varied?
Is each paragraph written in correct EXTENDEDSchaffer Paragraph format?

Is each TS an element from your claim?

Is the connection between your TS, CD, DQ, and CM strong?

Does your CM connect back to your TS and fully prove the overall point you’re making?

Is each body paragraph clear and interesting?

Counterargument/rebuttal Paragraph………………………………….._____/25 pts
Do you identify TWO counterarguments to your own argument?
Do you include evidence to support these counterarguments?
Do your rebuttals make sense?

Conclusion…………………………………………………………………….._____/15 pts
Does the conclusion have all the proper elements?
Does it include a restated thesis that begins with a transition?
Is the conclusion clear and interesting?

Works Cited……………………………………………………………...…….._____/15 pts
Do you include a “Works Cited” page at the end of your essay?
Is it formatted correctly?
Does it include all of your sources?

Grammar/Formatting………………………………………………….…..…_____/15 pts
Is this essay as error-free as possible? Have you actually proofread, and corrected things?
IS IT WRITTEN IN THIRD PERSON? (No I, you, we, me, us, etc…)
Has it been checked, rechecked, and rechecked again?
Does it follow all requirements for MLA typing format?Times New Roman, Size 12, double spaced; Proper heading in the top left corner

All citations formatted perfectly? /

Total Points: _____/125 pts

Letter Grade Earned: ____

SOURCE INFORMATION SHEET #1: ProCon.org AFFIRMATIVE Argument

Directions: Read over the AFFIRMATIVE (pro) argument for your chosen prompt. Then, complete the following with this information.

Your Prompt: ______

Source type: ______(magazine article, newspaper article, website, speech, etc…)

Source title: ______(name of magazine, newspaper, website, etc…)

Text title: ______

Author name: ______Date of publication: ______

Web Address: ______

Date retrieved: ______(date you discovered the information)

QUOTES! WOO HOO!

As you read over this source, copy down at least FIVE quotes (can do more if you so desire) that most effectively support the argument. Make sure to also include the page number (if a website, just put the page as 1).

Direct quote from the source. This should be 1-3 sentences long. / Page #
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7

SUMMARY TIME! Write a one-paragraph summary of the AFFIRMATIVE argument for this issue. Then, explain whether or not you agree with the position this source takes and why.

______

SOURCE INFORMATION SHEET #2: ProCon.org NEGATIVE Argument

Directions: Read over the NEGATIVE (con) argument for your chosen prompt. Then, complete the following with this information.

Your Prompt: ______

Source type: ______(magazine article, newspaper article, website, speech, etc…)

Source title: ______(name of magazine, newspaper, website, etc…)

Text title: ______

Author name: ______Date of publication: ______

Web Address: ______

Date retrieved: ______(date you discovered the information)

QUOTES! WOO HOO!

Direct quote from the source. This should be 1-3 sentences long. / Page #
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7

SUMMARY TIME! Write a one-paragraph summary of the NEGATIVE argument for this issue. Then, explain whether or not you agree with the position this source takes and why.

______

SOURCE INFORMATION SHEET #3: Your Own RESEARCHED Source

Directions: Research and read over an additional source that aligns with your opinion on your chosen prompt.

Your Prompt: ______

This source supports the AFFIRMATIVE/NEGATIVE (circle one) of this argument.

Source type: ______(magazine article, newspaper article, website, speech, etc…)

Source title: ______(name of magazine, newspaper, website, etc…)

Text title: ______

Author name: ______Date of publication: ______

Web Address: ______

Date retrieved: ______(date you discovered the information)

QUOTES! WOO HOO!

Direct quote from the source. This should be 1-3 sentences long. / Page #
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7

SUMMARY TIME! Write a one-paragraph summary of this source. Then, explain why you chose it and how it supports your position on this argument.

______

ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY STRUCTURE

INTRODUCTION:

Attention getter (1-3 sentences): Statement that gets the reader’s attention and connects to the issue your paper is about

Context (2-3 sentences): Provides reader with background information about your issue

Claim (1 sentence): Response to prompt; provides TWO reasons of support; just like thesis

BODY PARAGRAPH #1:

Topic Sentence (TS): First point in your claim/thesis; should be IN ORDER of your thesis statement

Concrete Detail #1 (CD): One example that supports the TS; begins with transition

Direct Quote #1 (DQ) : One quote from one of your sources that supports CD #1; MLA format

Commentary#1 (CM): Sentence one—explain what the quote literally says; sentence two—explain how this quote supports your TS and proves your overall point.

Concrete Detail #2 (CD): 2nd example from one of your sources that supports the TS; begins with transition

Direct Quote #2 (DQ): 2nd quote from one of your sources that supports CD #2; MLA format

Commentary #2 (CM):Sentence one—explain what the quote literally says; sentence two—explain how this quote supports your TS and proves your overall point.

Concluding Sentence (CS): restates TS and wraps up paragraph

BODY PARAGRAPH #2:

Topic Sentence (TS): Second point in your claim/thesis; should be IN ORDER of your thesis statement 

Concrete Detail #1 (CD): One example that supports the TS; begins with transition

Direct Quote #1 (DQ) : One quote from one of your sources that supports CD #1; MLA format

Commentary#1 (CM): Sentence one—explain what the quote literally says; sentence two—explain how this quote supports your TS and proves your overall point.

Concrete Detail #2 (CD): 2nd example from one of your sources that supports the TS; begins with transition

Direct Quote #2 (DQ): 2nd quote from one of your sources that supports CD #2; MLA format

Commentary #2 (CM):Sentence one—explain what the quote literally says; sentence two—explain how this quote supports your TS and proves your overall point.

Concluding Sentence (CS): restates TS and wraps up paragraph

COUNTERARGUMENT/REBUTTAL PARAGRAPH:

Counterargument #1: Provide one example of an argument AGAINST your position (from the research—should be two sentences: First sentence in your own words, second sentence is a direct quote with MLA format.

Rebuttal #1: Explain, using your own research, why this counterargument is wrong.

Counterargument #2: Provide an additional example of an argument AGAINST your position (from your research). Should be two sentences: First sentence in your own words, second sentence is a direct quote with MLA format.

Rebuttal #2: Explain, using your own research, why this counterargument is wrong.

CONCLUSION:

Summarize thesis/claim: Rewrite thesis with concluding transition

Oh Yeah: Provide another example to support your claim or explain WHY this issue matters in the world today

Powerful Statement: End your essay on a strong note. Leave your reader wanting more!

Transitions Examples:

To start off TS:

First, Second, Third, To begin, To continue, In addition, Finally, Last, To start, To finish

Intro CD #1:

To explain, For example, To illustrate, To elaborate, For instance, In fact, Specifically, Indeed, To expand

Intro to CD #2:

In addition, Also, Furthermore, Moreover,

Intro DQ #1 and DQ #2:

The text states, As the text illustrates, As ______explains, As the author says, The text clearly says, As the text elucidates,

Introduce elements of CM:

This is important, because… This example shows… This clearly demonstrates… The author implies that…

A reader can infer that….

Intro CS:

Thus, In conclusion, In summary, To conclude, Finally, To finalize

Essay Outline 

INTRODUCTION:

Attention Getter: ______

Important Context Info:

______

COMPLETE CLAIM/THESIS:

______

BODY PARAGRAPH #1:

Topic sentence: ______

DQ #1: ______

DQ #2: ______

BODY PARAGRAPH #2:

Topic sentence: ______

DQ #1: ______

DQ #2: ______

COUNTERARGUMENT/REBUTTAL PARAGRAPH:

Counterargument #1:

The opposition says, ______

______

Quote to support:

______

Rebuttal #1:

However, research clearly shows that ______

______

Counterargument #2:

Some scholars also say, ______

______

Quote to support:

______

Rebuttal #1:

However, it’s apparent that ______

______

CONCLUSION:

Summarize thesis/claim (rewrite claim with transition): ______

Connections to real world/why this issue matters:

______

Sample Counterargument/Rebuttal Paragraph

Some scholars say that studying Harry Potter is not important in high school, because it does not teach students about real life. For example, ProCon.org says, “Harry Potter is set in the wizarding world, and this is not reality. Students should be learning about what life is like in our present day real world” (ProCon.org 1). This quote is trying to explain that, because Harry Potter is fiction, it is not relevant to life. However, it is clear from other research that, though Harry Potter is set in a fictional world, many of the themes in it are similar to those in our current society and are thus valuable for students to study. The opposition also says that studying Harry Potter is not important, because it is not as academically challenging as other texts. To explain, ProCon.org says, “Students should be studying more challenging novels that will help students grow as readers and writers” (ProCon.org 1). This research is saying that Harry Potter novels are simply not rigorous enough for high school students. However, these novels include complex vocabulary, mature themes, and incredibly diverse and complicated characters, and thus they are incredibly challenging, though provoking, and rigorous enough for any high school classroom.

Works Cited

"Death Penalty ProCon.org." Should the Death Penalty Be Allowed? N.p., 2017. Web. 02 May 2017.

Paul, Annie Murphy. "Reading Literature Makes Us Smarter and Nicer."Time. 3 June

2013. 17 Jan. 2017.

Rowling, J. K. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Harry Potter #7. New York: Random House, Inc, 2007. Print.

Format of the Works Cited Page:

Last page of your paper—should be on its own page.

Times New Roman, size 12 font, double spaced.

Place the title of the page (Works Cited) in the center of the page

Each citation should start on the left margin (one inch from the side of the paper).

For longer citations, indent the second and any lines that follow. This is called a hanging indentation. You can create this by hitting enter at the end of your first line, then hitting TAB before beginning the next one.

Place citations in alphabetical order by the author’s last name.