This document provides instructions for an argumentative research essay on a current world issue. Students must choose a topic from the provided list, write a 5-8 page paper with 5-7 strong academic sources, and take a clear position supporting or opposing the issue. Strong sources are defined as those from academic journals, government, education, or credible organization websites. Sources to avoid include CNN, NBC, FOX, and other partisan or political resources that lack objectivity. The paper must include an MLA formatted bibliography and show evidence of the writing and research process. The goal is for students to write a claim-driven argument using persuasive techniques and approved high-quality sources.

1. Argumentative Research Essay Current or World Issue:
Fueling the First Amendment (Freedom of Choice)
The Basics:
Choose an issue from the provided list
• 5-8 Pages (“Works Cited” page required, but not included in
the count)
• 5-7 Strong Sources (as opposed to “weak” sources) ……see
notes below
• MLA: Paper Format and Source Citations (Failure to cite
properly will result in a letter grade deduction)
· MLA Annotated Bibliography
• Clear evidence of the “writing process” —INFORMAL—
(prewriting, drafting, revision, editing)
• Clear evidence of the “research journey”—INFORMAL—
(handwritten notes of initial source leads,
source summaries, your questions about sources, your
answers to questions about sources, etc.)
• Claim-driven argument
• Use the persuasive appeals of ethos, logos, and pathos
The Details:
In this essay, which is our third and final out-of-class formal
assignment, you are asked to write an argument of your own
issue you have selected. The focus of your paper will be driven
by your own unique claim (thesis) statement that either defends
or refutes the issue you have chosen to provide a specific
position on. This means you will write to either support or
oppose the issue and the views/interpretation of the perimeters

2. as it applies to institutions of higher education in America and
or the world.
All topics must be discussed and approved by the instructor.
Using Sources . . .
By “STRONG SOURCES,” I mean those sources that represent
the highest qualities of academic research! This means sources
that are high in “ethos” appeal, as they should be written by
peoplewith solid academic credentials in the particular areas in
which they write! This means finding articles from academic
and/or professional journals primarily, which can only be
obtained through library databases.
In terms of using sources directly from the open web (as
opposed to web-based platforms/databases from which to obtain
filtered material), DO NOT use “.com” or “.net” domains.
Rather, use “.gov”, “.edu”, or “.org” domains. Even these three
domains are not exempt from biases and agendas. I believe the
order in which I placed them reflects their general level of
credibility, with “.gov” being the most likely sites for the
highest degrees of ethos, simply because of the transparent
nature of government agencies in a free democracy. With “.edu”
domains, credibility varies depending upon whether the page
reflects the institution itself (higher level of ethos) or
faculty/students within the institution (higher potential for
flaws in ethos for various reasons); thirdly, the “.org” category
is perhaps the most difficult to navigate in terms of determining
credibility, since it is so vast. For example, on the one hand you
have an organization like the American Cancer Society that
resides in a .org domain, which is entirely credible, yet you also
have the “Area 51” group who also use the same domain—an
organization devoted to “proving” that aliens exist, have been
captured by the government, and are being kept in the Nevada
desert!
Sources I DO NOT allow in a paper:
First, I do not allow the following three quasi-news and biased
websites or television broadcasts: CNN, NBC, or FOX. By

3. extension, I also do not allow a particular non-objective
resource you are likely to see on the library website called
“NBC Learn.” This so-called “academic” source is merely
partisan politics disguised as academically credible material.
Generally speaking, and beyond these specific sources that lack
objective credibility, you should try to avoid using ANY
strongly partisan or political resource, such as “Slate” or “Rush
Limbaugh,” for example. Using websites or publications like
these reflects poorly on your credibility as a writer.