You will write a researched argumentative essay using your approved topic from Week 3 that follows the requirements below: Requirements: at least 3  full  pages without Works Cited Works Cited (that includes a minimum of five valid, current sources) Each source should be used a minimum of two times.  Only a maximum of three direct quotes can be used within the paper; the other references should be paraphrases or summaries. Paraphrases/Summaries/Quotes should be incorporated into the body paragraphs using lead-ins and documented correctly. proper MLA formatting Your paper will follow one of the two following outlines: Outline 1: I. Introduction Begin by defining the issue around which people disagree. End with a brief statement of the proposed solution. II. Representing Side 1 The writer must first write a neutral analysis of the other side's position. This summary includes key arguments along with the proof/reasons for the points. III. Representing Side 2 The writer then does the same type of neutral analysis of the writer's side of the issue. Just as in the other section, key arguments along with accompanying proof/reasons should be examined. IV. Common Ground The next section identifies what the two positions share. V. Proposed Solution The last section offers a proposal to resolve the issue, recognizing that both sides of the argument must be satisfied. This section argues for ways to compromise or for alternative solutions that would benefit both sides under more circumstances than either perspective alone accounts for. Outline 2: I. Introduction Introduce the problem or topic; introduce thesis II. Writer’s Side Give side, plus reasons/evidence to support argument III. Counter Arguments Give counter arguments against side; then provide rebuttal IV. Conclusion Implications of argument, summary of points, etc. Research Paper Instructions Format Follow all  MLA  Guidelines for formal essays. Margins should be 1” all around.  You may have to change the default settings. Paragraphs should be indented ½ inch. Double space the entire essay. That means no extra spaces between in heading, title, or body.  You might have to reset the default settings on your computer. Use 12’ Times New Roman Font—no exceptions. MLA heading Title:  The title is centered, double-spaced after your heading.  It is not the title of the question/topic you are researching.  It should not be an entire sentence and should be as short as possible but still give the reader a general impression of what the paper is about.  Do not underline, bold, italicize, or use quotation marks for your title.  Do follow rules of capitalization, which require the first word, the last word, and every important word in the title to be capitalized. Provide a header with page numbers. Formal Writing Do not use 1st person or 2nd person—use 3 rd  person. Do not use contractions. Use words for numerals when no more than two words are required.  Ex:   ten,four hundred,  but  123 . Avoid these.

1. You will write a researched argumentative essay using your
approved topic from Week 3 that follows the requirements
below:
Requirements:
at least 3
full
pages without Works Cited
Works Cited (that includes a minimum of five valid, current
sources)
Each source should be used a minimum of two times.
Only a maximum of three direct quotes can be used within the
paper; the other references should be paraphrases or summaries.
Paraphrases/Summaries/Quotes should be incorporated into the
body paragraphs using lead-ins and documented correctly.
proper MLA formatting
Your paper will follow one of the two following outlines:
Outline 1:
I. Introduction
Begin by defining the issue around which people disagree. End
with a brief statement of the proposed solution.
II. Representing Side 1
The writer must first write a neutral analysis of the other side's
position. This summary includes key arguments along with the
proof/reasons for the points.
III. Representing Side 2
The writer then does the same type of neutral analysis of the
writer's side of the issue. Just as in the other section, key
arguments along with accompanying proof/reasons should be
examined.
IV. Common Ground
The next section identifies what the two positions share.
V. Proposed

2. Solution
The last section offers a proposal to resolve the issue,
recognizing that both sides of the argument must be satisfied.
This section argues for ways to compromise or for alternative
solutions that would benefit both sides under more
circumstances than either perspective alone accounts for.
Outline 2:
I. Introduction
Introduce the problem or topic; introduce thesis
II. Writer’s Side
Give side, plus reasons/evidence to support argument
III. Counter Arguments
Give counter arguments against side; then provide rebuttal
IV. Conclusion
Implications of argument, summary of points, etc.
Research Paper Instructions
Format

3. Follow all
MLA
Guidelines for formal essays.
Margins should be 1” all around. You may have to change the
default settings.
Paragraphs should be indented ½ inch.
Double space the entire essay. That means no extra spaces
between in heading, title, or body. You might have to reset the
default settings on your computer.
Use 12’ Times New Roman Font—no exceptions.
MLA heading
Title: The title is centered, double-spaced after your heading.
It is not the title of the question/topic you are researching. It
should not be an entire sentence and should be as short as
possible but still give the reader a general impression of what
the paper is about. Do not underline, bold, italicize, or use
quotation marks for your title. Do follow rules of
capitalization, which require the first word, the last word, and
every important word in the title to be capitalized.
Provide a header with page numbers.
Formal Writing
Do not use 1st person or 2nd person—use 3
rd
person.

4. Do not use contractions.
Use words for numerals when no more than two words are
required. Ex:
ten,four
hundred,
but
123
.
Avoid these words:
thing, a lot, nice, very, really
.
Avoid linking verbs. Try to use strong verbs.
Do not use slang (say
father
instead of
dad
).
Avoid clichés.
Avoid simplistic transitions such as
first, second, third, lastly, in conclusion
.
Rubric
Research Paper - ENG 1123
Research Paper - ENG 1123

5. Criteria
Ratings
Pts
Format
Correct – no errors (20)
10.0
pts
One error in formatting
8.0
pts
Two errors in formatting
5.0
pts
Three or four errors in formatting
3.0
pts
Five or More Errors in Formatting
0.0
pts
10.0
pts
Formal Writing
Formal Writing throughout
10.0
pts

6. One error or two errors in formal writing
5.0
pts
More than two errors in formal writing
0.0
pts
10.0
pts
Page length
Three full pages
10.0
pts
Two full pages, but not three full
5.0
pts
One full page but not two full
0.0
pts
10.0
pts
Works Cited
Correct – no errors
30.0
pts
One or two errors

7. 24.0
pts
Three to six errors
12.0
pts
More than six errors
6.0
pts
No Works Cited
0.0
pts
30.0
pts
Sources; Lead-ins/Quotes/Paraphrasese/Requirements
Requirements: Use a minimum of five sources, twice each
(5*2=10) (4 points each) Use only lead-ins. (-1 for each source,
not using lead-in) Use only three quotations. (-2 for each quote
used over three) Each source is represented on the works cited
page. (-1 if not on works cited)
40.0
pts
No Marks
0.0
pts
40.0

8. pts
Content (outline 1 or 2)
Issue is clearly defined; proposed solution OR problem is
identified; thesis clear Neutral throughout Strong evidence/
support for points
90.0
pts
Issue is somewhat defined; proposed solution or problem
identified; Thesis somewhat identified; adequate evidence/
support for points; neutral throughout
80.0
pts
Basic idea of issue/problem; solution or thesis identified;
adequate evidence/ support for points; neutral throughout
60.0
pts
Unclear of issue/problem; weak solution or thesis; inadequate
support for points; not neutral in argument
40.0
pts
No solution or thesis given; not an argumentative paper; does
not follow any of the given outlines; just a report, not a
research paper
20.0
pts

9. 90.0
pts
Writing Style
Clear concise well organized paper. Flows well, good transition
between paragraphs
20.0
pts
Overall writing ability is good; overall paper flows. Slight
problems between transitions.
15.0
pts
Overall writing ability is still good. No definite transitions
between paragraphs
10.0
pts
Writing technique needs some work. Flow of paper choppy,
writing hard to follow, confusing.
5.0
pts
Not college level writing! Style is WAY TOO INFORMAL for a
college paper. Do Not follow literary guidelines (i.e., Paper is
ONE LONG paragraph)
0.0
pts
20.0

10. pts
Organization
The paper is completely COHESIVE. There is a logical,
compelling progression of ideas in paper; a clear structure
which enhances and demonstrates the central idea or theme and
moves the reader through the text. Organization flows so
smoothly the reader hardly thinks about it. Carefully
constructed PARAGRAPHS exist with topic sentences. The
paragraphs have flow, and are easy to understand.
20.0
pts
The paper is cohesive. Progression of ideas in paper makes
sense and moves the reader easily through the text. Clearly
organized paragraphs exist with topic sentences. Paragraphs
have adequate flow and are understandable.
15.0
pts
The paper is adequately cohesive. Progression of ideas in paper
is awkward, yet moves the reader through the text adequately or
without too much confusion. The writer sometimes lunges ahead
too quickly or spends too much time on details that do not
matter. Paragraphs have organization, but they lack topic
sentences or flow. It requires effort to understand paragraphs.
10.0
pts

11. The paper is somewhat cohesive. Progression of ideas is
awkward at times and reader often gets confused and lost in the
points being made. Paragraphs lack either clear organization or
topic sentences.
5.0
pts
The paper is inadequately cohesive. Arrangement of paper
unclear, illogical, and inadequate. The writing lacks a clear
sense of direction. Ideas, details or events seem strung together
in a loose or random fashion; there is no identifiable internal
structure. Paragraphs lack organization, and topic sentences or
flow. It is hard or impossible to understand individual
paragraphs.
0.0
pts
20.0
pts
Mechanics/Usage/Grammar
Each error is 1point up to 20 points.
20.0
pts
No Marks
0.0
pts
20.0

12. pts
Total Points:
250.0
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