This document outlines the requirements for a final research essay assignment worth 25% of the student's grade. Students must write a 1,500-2,100 word essay on the topic they chose for their annotated bibliography and oral presentation. They can choose between a complexity essay explaining why their topic is complex or an argumentative essay supporting one perspective on the topic. The essay must include an introduction, body paragraphs with arguments and evidence, and a conclusion. It also needs an APA style cover page, references from at least five sources, and adherence to formatting guidelines. The rubric assesses elements like the introduction, body, conclusion, citations, and mechanics.

1. Final Research Essay (25%)
Due date: December 9th | Folder: Final Essay on SLATE
This essay is the final stage of a research and writing process
that incorporates your work on the
Annotated Bibliography and the Oral Presentation. You must
use the same topic that you have chosen for
your annotated bibliography and presentation. You must discuss
your topic and analyze your evidence in
this research paper – it should not just be a presentation of
information that you have gathered from your
sources. You may choose one of the two following styles for
your essay:
Style 1: Complexity Essay
The goal of a complexity essay is to explain what makes your
chosen topic a complex one. Rather than
defending one particular side, you will aim to explain why the
topic as a whole is a difficult one.
Typically, complexity essays will be a sophisticated and
evidence-based response to the following

2. question: what makes [topic X] a complex one? For example:
what makes the legalisation of marijuana a
complex topic?
You will develop a handful of arguments that support the
overall idea of complexity for your topic. Each
individual argument will then be supported with evidence from
the sources you have gathered.
For example: the legalisation of marijuana in Canada is a
complex topic because of arguments A, B, C, D,
and E. These arguments are supported with evidence.
Style 2: Argumentative Essay
The goal of an argumentative essay is to explain why one
particular position is better than another. Rather
than simply (1) comparing or contrasting or (2) listing
information you have found, you must demonstrate
an awareness of the two or more perspectives on your chosen
topic and support one perspective with
evidence. If you provide only points you agree with and support
them with evidence, you are producing
an overwhelmingly biased essay. Therefore, you must also
provide an argument or two that you disagree
with and use your evidence to refute that/those argument(s).

3. For example: the government of Canada should legalise
marijuana because of arguments A, B, C, and D.
These arguments are supported with evidence. Argument E goes
against my position, but I will refute it
with evidence I have gathered.
Construct a paper that contains the following elements:
1. APA style cover page
2. Title
3. Introduction (one paragraph or two, at the maximum)
4. Main discussion section
a. 5-10 body paragraphs of discussion and analysis, which
include:
i. well-defined argument, normally one per body paragraph
ii. evidence (facts, statistics, examples, professional/scientific
opinion) that supports
or refutes the arguments
iii. visuals, if needed (graphs, charts, tables)
5. Conclusion (one paragraph or two, at the maximum)
6. APA style reference page that includes:

4. a. a minimum of 5 research sources:
i. at least 2 must be academic
ii. others may be academic or non-academic
7. 1,500 to 2,100 words excluding content from the title page
and reference page—you may not
exceed 2,100 words without approval from the instructor first
(in person or by email)
Your paper should be formatted according to APA guidelines,
meaning:
1. Times New Roman, introduction, body paragraphs and
conclusion at 12 font size
2. Double-spaced
3. 1” Margins
NOTE: No more than 30% of the essay can be another author’s
referenced words or ideas – if an essay
simply reassembles sources from elsewhere without the addition
of your own thoughts, then this
constitutes a breach of academic honesty/integrity and could
potentially result in a mark of 0. Your essay
will be scanned by a software that scans the content in the essay
against everything that is available on the
web.

5. Final Paper Research Rubric
Worth 25%
Introduction 5
5 4 3 2 1 0
The introduction provides context for the paper. It includes
adequate background information, explains the purpose of the
paper (research question), discusses the scope and limitations
of the research, and previews the major sections of the paper
(optional). The thesis statement is clearly written and
includes specific mention of research and arguments which
form the body of the paper. The thesis statement is
argumentative and grammatically correct. It flows naturally
from the background information presented.
More detail is required when introducing
background information. Some further explanation
of the purpose of the paper and description of its
major sections may be needed. The student must
make the purpose/scope clearer. The thesis may be
present, but it may lack the detail or sophistication
necessary for a research paper. The research
question/purpose of the paper needs to be clarified.
Some background information is present but is insufficient.
The thesis statement is absent, unfocused, or unclear.
The student needs to work on developing a clearer thesis and
stronger arguments; as well as seek better means to outline
and preview a research paper.

6. Body
/15
Exceptional
15 14
Great
13 12 11
Good
10 9 8
Satisfactory
7 6 5
Needs Improvement
4 3 2
Poor
1 0
The body contains 4-6
coherent supporting
paragraphs. Paragraphs are
written in the 3rd person.
Research and attribution to
sources is managed with a
high degree of skill.
The paper flows well and all
ideas link back to the thesis or
research question.
The text’s ideas or arguments

7. are fully developed and are
supported by various forms of
evidence. Paper develops
discussion and analysis with a
high degree of sophistication.
APA citation and referencing
is near flawless. Visual data is
present and utilized in the
discussion.
The body contains 4-6
supporting paragraphs.
An attempt has been made
to write in the 3rd person,
however, there are errors.
The essay flows capably
and most ideas link back
to the thesis or research
question. Ideas or
arguments are developed
but could use further
explanation/development
of discussion/analysis.
APA citation and
referencing is used with a
degree of skill. Visual
data is present but is not
incorporated into the
paper effectively.
The body contains only 2-3
supporting paragraphs.
Organization and paper
structure are evident, but is
convoluted. Some ideas are
linked cohesively, but not all

8. relate to the thesis or research
question. Ideas or arguments
are developed, but require
further explanation.
Discussion/analysis is
present, but inconsistent.
Further evidence may be
needed for support. APA may
not be used properly, but
consistent effort is made
throughout the paper to
reference and cite.
Visual data is present, but is
not discussed, addressed,
The body contains some
problems in organization
and paragraph structure.
The composition and
outline for a paper need
revision.
At times the paper may
seem to lose focus. Only
some headings are present.
Ideas or arguments are
only partially developed –
paper is mostly summary
with little discussion or
analysis. Further evidence
is needed for support.
Frequent and careless
errors are made with APA
citation, but effort has been
made to cite and reference.
Paragraph structure and

9. organization are weak.
Ideas or arguments are
present but not
developed. Ideas are not
adequately supported
by evidence. Paper
lacks analysis or
discussion, and more
than 30% of the paper
is others’ ideas or
words. Sources are not
properly cited, and
referencing is largely
incorrect. Paper may be
written in
argumentative essay
style as opposed to the
expository style.
Paragraph structure and
organization are lacking.
Only some ideas or
arguments are present.
Paper lack logic and flow.
No quotations or
paraphrases have been used.
In text citation or reference
page are absent. Little to no
content of the paper is the
student’s own work/words
or ideas
Please note that failure to
provide in text citations or a
reference page constitutes
plagiarism and is subject to

10. Sheridan academic honesty
sanctions.
and/or relevant to the
discussion.
Conclusion
/5
5 4 3 2 1 0
The conclusion contains effective topic, supporting, and
closing sentences. The thesis is restated. Suggestions or
recommendations for future research/investigation are stated
and explained.
The conclusion lacks some form of paragraph
structure (topic, supporting, or closing sentences).
The thesis is restated, but is unclear. Suggestions
or recommendations are not fully developed.
Conclusion is weak or not present. Paragraph structure may
be lack, thesis may not be present. Suggestions for future
research/investigation are not present.
APA Title Page and other formatting issues
/5
Reference Page – five (5) sources minimum in proper APA style
/5
1 mark deducted per error

11. Grammar, Punctuation, Spelling, Sentence Structure
/10
1 mark deducted per error
In-Text Citation for “quotes” and paraphrases in proper APA
style /15
1 mark deducted per error
TOTAL: /60
Steps for Improvement (If Necessary):
☐Review the thesis writing process ☐Consult an APA/MLA
handbook regarding referencing
☐Work of flow between paragraphs ☐Work on communicating
ideas concisely and continuously connecting those ideas to the
thesis
☐Work on grammatical/spelling issues ☐Work on
using/incorporating evidence more effectively
☐Discussion and analysis need development ☐Paper relies too
heavily on evidence/ideas of others
☐Work on structure and organization of the paper ☐Other:
_____________________________________
Professor Recommendations (If Necessary):
☐Consult the Library ☐Consult the writing center
☐Tutoring recommended ☐See me for further discussion
1. My essay is going focus on why post-secondary should be
free.
2. What positivity will free post-secondary options bring to
people?

12. 3. Thesis statement:
In this generation- having a good job is essential to sustain a
good personal and professional life. In order to sustain a good
lifestyle, it is important that you have a good career- in order to
get a good job, you need the right type of education. Having
free education will allow a vast majority population to push
themselves for a better education and not fearing debt. In this
essay, I will be talking about why free post-secondary will
promote a lot of people to strive for a better education which
will eventually lead them to getting a good job.
4. 1. NO more student debt
2. People will actually decide to pursue college
3. People would get to finally choose whatever they feel like
doing in post-secondary without thinking how they will pay
5. Where will post-secondary tuition money come from then?
ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY

13. Annotated Bibliography
Amanjot Kaler
Sheridan College
Annotated Bibliography
Amanjot Kaler, Sheridan College
Free Post-Secondary Education. (2018, December). Retrieved
November 16, 2020, from https://cfsontario.ca/wp-
content/uploads/2017/07/Factsheet-FreeEducation.pdf
This article talks about free education in many countries
worldwide; countries in Western Europe- Finland, Germany,
Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Iceland all have free post-
secondary education where no one pays for tuition. This article
also talks about how free education can reduce financial barriers
and help promote individuals to pursue post-secondary
education after high school. This article also shows how post-
secondary education can be achieved which will be through the
existing tax system income. Only about 30% of people in
Ontario have completely finished their post-secondary
education. The high cost of education is preventing a lot of
people to go and finish their post-secondary education. This
article is very useful as all the information on this article
actually refers to things that are happening in Ontario and not
worldwide. All the information that is given in this article is
information that was put together for statistics and results in
Canada- specifically Ontario.

14. Author, N. (2020, November). College and University Should
Be Free For All Canadians. Retrieved November, 2020, from
https://www.publicboard.ca/school/beaton/Documents/Emmas%
20Persuasive%20Essay.pdf
This article was actually written by someone who is potentially
in school to raise their own opinion. The article talks about and
states how essential free education is in terms of people not
being in debt. The opening statement of the article shows that
the most powerful weapon can be education which can also be
used to change the world. In order to help change the world it is
a possibility that a lot of good things that can happen in the
world is prevented by not enough people having a good
education to make it happen. The article talks about how
expensive post-secondary education really is and how much
students can go to debt after finally finishing their
diploma/degree education. They have advised that maybe
taxpayers can potentially help cover the cost of tuitions for
students. This article helped explain the con side of how the
cost of post-secondary education can be covered.
Kigotho, W. (2015, January 16). Higher education boosts job
opportunities. Retrieved November 17, 2020, from
https://www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?story=2015011
6110024170
This article discusses that free post-secondary can help students
that are low to middle class families get the education they
need. A lot of times people who have potentially to get a good
education get restricted by having to take on warehouse/general
labour jobs for the sake of money and think that they can save
up for an education. With the help of free post-secondary option
students can work while getting their education as well. Free
post-secondary can give individuals to finally get a job in the
career they really wish to do instead of going to programs with
smaller fees to get their education. This article is helpful

15. because it shows how doing something as simple as free post-
secondary can help promote better education for people who do
wish to go to school but due to circumstances cannot.
Pluto interlinks the issue of Justice with a design for the
integration of knowledge of the individual and society while
Aristotle regards Justice as being important for in some sense
Justice is the most complete among the virtues.
In his opinion, Plato views political Justice as easy to achieve
especially within a city and then from which it is reflected a
specific individual thereby creating a stability in the method of
governance which is possible to achieve using education and
reason.
Pluto classification of society is in layers using layers of
professions to classify society. In contrast, Aristotle classifies
society mainly using only three layers lower middle and high
this Aristotle classification based on the wealth with little
regard on the ills affecting the society. Plato's main idea and
+drive is to implement transformative politics that aim at
ensuring that he transforms the local politics. On the other
hand, Aristotle aim is to study the existing political systems.
Plato believes that the political systems can be transformed and
made better while Aristotle believes this the existing political
systems is impossible to change. Plato opinion about politics
and Justice is that it has to be ideal; however, this is disputed
by Aristotle who views Justice and politics as real and
impossible to become ideal.