FOR MORE CLASSES VISIT www.tutorialoutlet.com Purpose and audience: Select one of the questions from the list of research questions/ topics (page 5-6). If you choose, you may develop a question of your own or tweak one of the questions on the list. When you choose or write a question, you must make sure there are logical arguments for both sides of the issue

1. EN 101 All students attending Baltimore City Community
College (BCCC) should not be required to take English
101.Explain
FOR MORE CLASSES VISIT
www.tutorialoutlet.com
Purpose and audience:
Select one of the questions from the list of research questions/ topics
(page 5-6). If you choose,
you may develop a question of your own or tweak one of the
questions on the list.
When you choose or write a question, you must make sure there are
logical arguments for both
sides of the issue. You will argue only one side, for the most part.
However, one of the
requirements of the assignment is that you include a refutation or
concession (opposing
viewpoint).
The answer to your question, which may contain “should” or “should
not,” or “is/are” or “is/are
not” is the thesis for your documented argument.
Example:
Question: Should all students who attend BCCC be required to take
English 101? Answer: Yes, all students attending BCCC should be
required to take English 101.
Or
NO, all students attending BCCC should not be required to take
English 101. Answer: Possible Thesis Statements:
1. All students attending Baltimore City Community College (BCCC)
should not be

2. required to take English 101.
2. All students attending Baltimore City Community College (BCCC)
should be required to
take English 101 to ensure that they have the thinking and the writing
skills to pursue a
successful career.
3. All students attending Baltimore City Community College (BCCC)
should be required to
take English 101 to develop critical thinking, improve writing skills,
expand vocabulary,
and exposure to the different genres of writing.
(you would then choose five to six reasons you believe that All
students attending Baltimore City
Community College (BCCC) should/ should not be required to take
English 101. Each reason
will become the basis for one of your support/ Body paragraphs.
Example:
Introduction (includes thesis)
Thesis: All students attending Baltimore City Community College
(BCCC)
should be required to take English 101.
Support Paragraph 1 – to develop critical thinking skills
Support Paragraph 2 – to improve writing skills
Support Paragraph 3 – to expand vocabulary
Support Paragraph 4 – to expose students to the different genres of
writing
1 EN 101 Professor Pope Support Paragraph 5 – to ensure they can
transfer to any other accredited college/
university
Support Paragraph 6 – opposing viewpoint
Conclusion
The purpose of your essay should be clear from the beginning of your
essay by way of a
thesis statement (ONE SENTENCE) being included in the
Introductory paragraph.
Your audience is comprised of members of the academia i.e.
professors and fellow

3. classmates.
Sources:
Your essay should contain the following elements:
1. A clear thesis statement in the introduction;
2. Supporting paragraphs (the Body paragraphs) that clearly state and
discuss
the main points;
3. A conclusion that brings your essay/ discussion that summarizes
and closes
your essay;
4. At least five sources (three sources must be from the BCCC
database).
5. Each source must be used in the essay in the form of a paraphrase
and/ or a
quote (parenthetical/ in-text citation) a minimum of two times. In the
end,
you should have a minimum of ten in-text citations in your paper
using
MLA Format;
6. and a separate Works Cited page that includes correct citations for
your
four, or more, sources.
You may not use:
1.
2.
3.
4. encyclopedia articles.
Wikipedia.
more than two sources from the same periodical.
sources dated prior to 2008 (unless you have special permission). You
may use:
1. one source from the Internet (Use caution when selecting material
from the Internet.
Remember what you read in the text regarding selecting reputable
sources.) MOST - .org
sites are reputable, and any - .gov, and .edu sites are reputable
sources. Feel free to

4. contact me to discuss any sources you are not sure about using.
2. one source from a popular news magazines such as Time, USA and
Newsweek. (Other
magazines such as ‘O’ Oprah, may be used depending on your topic,
but you will more
than likely not have use for magazines such as TV Guide and Good
Housekeeping.)
3. one book (or chapter from a book).
4. one source such as an interview, pamphlet, etc. 2 EN 101 Professor
Pope 5. You must use a minimum of three sources from the BCCC
Database.
(I realize this list can be a bit overwhelming, so I absolutely
encourage you to approach
me with your questions.)
Rhetorical Pattern: Argument
Your essay should contain the following elements in its three
sections:
Introduction
Background information (which may include statistics and facts)
Thesis statement
Body
A minimum of four points that support your thesis statement
One opposing viewpoint
Conclusion
Restatement of the thesis
Final appeal
Problems you want to avoid: Using another person's work without
giving them credit for it (plagiarism). Not making the purpose of your
essay clear to your reader by including a
clear and concise thesis statement. Not supporting your thesis
statement with related main points that are well
developed and add value to the reader’s understanding of your paper.
Presenting a list of facts rather than organizing material into a
coherent essay. Dealing with too many facts rather than limiting the
scope of your paper.
A 12-step program to success:
1. Use the brainstorming techniques you have learned to select a topic

5. of interest.
2. From the topic you have selected, develop a research question.
For example, Should convicted felons have the right to vote upon
their release
from prison regardless of the crime(s) they committed?
3. Do some preliminary research. Find at least four sources on your
topic, but finding a few
more than the required number of sources is always better.
4. Read the source materials.
5. Answer your question. The answer to your question is your
working thesis statement. 3 EN 101 Professor Pope For example,
Convicted felons should have the right to vote upon their release from
prison regardless of the crime(s) they committed.
6. Prepare a preliminary Works Cited page (using proper MLA
format) consisting of at least
four acceptable sources.
7. Complete an outline.
8. Find support for the main points of your argument (supporting
details).
9. Find an opposing viewpoint to your argument.
10. Revise your essay.
11. Proofread for errors, and submit your final paper.
12. Submit your final draft.
Format (using MLA): Length – 1200 - 1250 words (approximately
five-six typed pages) Use white paper. The Thesis statement must be
underlined, highlighted or bold. Use MLA Formatting – (For more
information, view the MLA information
located under the COURSE CONTENT link in Blackboard)
-indent/ TAB five spaces at the beginning of each paragraph
-use a 12 point font
-use Times New Roman
-do NOT have a cover page
-double space the text of your entire paper from the heading on the
first page
to the end of the Works Cited page (see example on Page 4 of this
document)
-include a Works Cited page, as the last page of the essay (include on

6. a
separate page than the actual essay) Sources/ Research: 4 EN 101
Professor Pope The Guide to Plagiarism is attached in your Course
Syllabus. MLA format will be the
documentation style preference for ENG101.
To help with citing your sources, I have included several URL’s
(below) of helpful
resources at the Purdue OWL (Online Writing Lab). In addition, there
is more information
on MLA and citations in the Handouts & Information section of
the course in Blackboard.
Lastly, the BCCC Library is another great resource for learning MLA.
We will review
accessing and utilizing the website in class, as well as visit the library
to meet with a
Librarian this semester.
Evaluation:
You must have a clearly stated and identifiable thesis statement and
supporting evidence/
examples in you supporting paragraphs. In addition, an introduction,
body (supporting
paragraphs), and a conclusion are mandatory. Keep in mind that
evidence, facts, examples,
observations, and details strengthen your essay. A good response will
demonstrate an ability
to articulate a clear position on the assigned topic, organize
information, sustain a
discussion for several paragraphs, develop your premises, support
claims with evidence, and
express ideas clearly. In the end, having written at least two drafts,
you should submit a well
written and polished essay.
I will evaluate the content, organization, style/ expression, grammar/
mechanics
(including language usage), and punctuation of your essay. In
addition, I will pay attention
to your having an easily identifiable and clearly stated thesis

7. statement.
Sample Topic Questions:
1.) Is President-elect Donald Trump the best candidate for the United
States Presidency?
2.) Should the Electoral College, the entity that actually decides who
will be President of the
United States, be done away with?
3.) Should teachers be paid salaries more comparable to that of
physicians and lawyers? 5 EN 101 Professor Pope 4.) Should people
with a felony conviction have the right to vote reinstated once the
serve
their time?
5.) Is the “Black Lives Matter” campaign a positive force in the
community?
6.) Are the police officers charged in the Freddie Gray case guilty of
“Involuntary
Manslaughter” or some other illegal act(s)?
7.) Should professional athletes and entertainers be responsible for the
image they portray to
the public, especially children?
8.) Should the land of Israel be returned to Palestine?
9.) Should marijuana be legalized in Maryland?
10.)
Should the act of punishment by “spanking,” “hitting,” “beating,” and
“whipping”
(whatever you might call the act) one’s children be illegal in
Maryland?
11.)
Should condoms be distributed in high schools along with education
about sexual
intercourse?
12.) Should the drinking age for alcohol be lowered to 18 years of age
in Maryland? 13.)
Should the Internet be monitored by an international agency versus
national
agencies as it is currently?
14.) Should child support payments be extended through 21 years of

8. age
instead of ending at 18 years of age? 15.) Should all marriage licenses
have to be renewed after every seven years of
marriage to decrease the number of divorces? 16.) Should the laws
and penalties for being charged and convicted of
pedophilia be re-evaluated by state governments? 17.) Should
interracial adoption be promoted in the United States? 18.) Should
parents be held responsible for the illegal activities performed by
children under the age of 18? 19.) Should outsourcing be encouraged/
sanctioned by the United States government? 20.)
Should the same laws regarding Child Labor Laws that apply in the
U.S. also
apply to employees who work for American companies in foreign
nations?
21.) Should Developmental courses be removed from the college
curriculum? 6 EN 101 Professor Pope 7