This document provides the assignment details and requirements for Essay 4 in the ENG 101 course taught by Professor Bolton. Students must write a research paper arguing a position on a topic of their choice. Key due dates include drafts for peer review by July 18-19, completed peer reviews by July 20-21, and the final paper due July 25-26. The paper must be 1500-3000 words and include at least six credible outside sources, including one book, one e-book, two articles, one film, and the article/text that inspired the topic. Students must follow MLA format and include an introduction, thesis, body paragraphs, counterargument, conclusion, and works cited page. Additional process work like outlines

1. ENG 101 – Bolton
Essay Assignment 4: Arguing a Position with Research (Research Paper)
Important Dates and Requirements
Draft Due to TurnitIn for PeerMark: (MW)Wednesday, July 18 (by 11:59 pm)
(TR) Thursday, July 19 (by 11:59 pm)
Peer Review Must be Completed By: (MW) Friday, July 20 (by 11:59 pm)
(TR) Saturday, July 21 (by 11:59 pm)
Paper Due to Instructor: (MW) July 25; (TR) July 26 (by 5:00 p.m.)
Length: 1500-3000 words*
Outside Sources Required: Six—see “Research Component” section for details
Submission Methods: Hard copy (to me), electronic copy to TurnitIn
* Essays that are too short, too long, or don’t meet the source requirements will receive half credit.
Note: You will also be required to turn in additional work that you complete as part of the writing
process—see second page for details.
In your last two essays, you analyzed an argument; now, it is your turn to make one. I expect you to
read Chapters 9 and 32 in your Norton Field Guide thoroughly, as they discuss all the components of
arguing. Follow these guidelines while constructing your essay:
Choose one of the following as your ―jumping off‖ point:
o A news article you read and responded to in your blog
o The text you analyzed for your second essay assignment
o One of the ―technology horror stories‖ we read/discussed in class
Certainly, one of these sparked your interest, and this will be what persuaded you to write an
essay on a similar topic.
Include an appropriate summary of the issue (primarily in the introduction) for your readers
(your intro should also mention/discuss the ―jumping off‖ article/text that encouraged you to
write this essay)
Offer a clear, well-developed thesis that makes an argument of definition, causation, evaluation,
or recommendation (refer back to your notes for details on these—your claim must be arguable!)
Offer solid, logical reasons for your claim (and use logos, ethos, and pathos to persuade readers!)
o Avoid logical fallacies as well
Quote/cite from each source at least once in your essay (see Chapter 3 of They Say I Say for
details on quoting and Chapter 49 in your Norton Field Guide for an example of formatting)
o This means a direct quote, not a paraphrase; though you may paraphrase additionally, you
must quote (meaning word-for-word, in quotation marks) at least once from each
source—you will lose 15 points for each source you don’t directly quote from
Include a counterargument (―plant a naysayer‖) where you provide the opposing view and
ultimately disprove it (see Chapter 6 of They Say I Say for details!)
Follow MLA format (you should have a Works Cited page with your sources listed on it, and
each quote/paraphrase should have a correct parenthetical citation!)
Research thoroughly and carefully—see the ―Research Component‖ section as this is the most
crucial aspect of this essay!

2. Research Component:
You must include EACH of the following in your essay (these are the sources you must
quote/cite from as mentioned above):
□ One book (printed, published, physical—not an e-book)
□ One e-book (from library database)
□ Two articles (from library database)
□ One Film-on-Demand (from library database)
 Note: If you can’t find a Film-on-Demand, come see me and I’ll give you an
alternate option—but you must let me know in advance!
□ The article/text that prompted you to write this
 You do not have to directly quote/cite from this, but it must be mentioned in your
intro and should therefore be included on your Works Cited
Some additional notes/warnings:
o All sources (except book and ―jumping off‖ article) MUST come from a library
database—if a source doesn’t come from the library database, it doesn’t count (meaning
your essay will receive half credit for just ONE slip!)
o Unless they come from a database, newspaper articles are not scholarly.
o Only one dictionary is scholarly (and acceptable): The Oxford English Dictionary. It will
only count once (regardless of the number of words cited) and won’t count as your book;
any other dictionary does not count at all!
o On your Works Cited page, you must include the name of the database where you
retrieved the article—this is typical MLA format, but I warn you because if I can’t tell
where you got it, I can’t check it, and if I can’t verify it, it doesn’t count…
Checklist for Essay 4:
All of the following items are due along with the hard copy of your essay
(NO later); put everything in your folder. For each of these items missing,
your essay will be penalized up to 20 points.
□ copy of this assignment sheet (all three pages—print and turn in)
□ copy of EACH SOURCE used in your essay (for books/e-books (or
extremely long articles), print a few relevant pages)—each source
must be thoroughly annotated
□ pre-writing work and drafting from class
□ outline for essay (see worksheet on D2L—can be handwritten)
□ self-editing worksheet and draft (on D2L)
□ discussion post with Amy Harris (complete on D2L – dates: Friday,
July 13 – Friday, July 27 at 11:59 p.m.)
Don’t forget that you also have to submit your final copy to Turnitin.com!

3. Student Name: _________________________ Peer Review Grade: _____/20
Essay 4: Arguing a Position/Research Paper (150 points)
Scale: 12.5 = perfect/excellent, 10 = good, 7.5 = fair, 0 = poor or missing
12.5 10 7.5 0
Introduction effectively and objectively summarizes issue, offers what
sparked essay, provides necessary background information, states why the
issue is important, and ―plants a naysayer‖ (―they say‖)
Thesis statement is clear and well-developed, makes an arguable claim
(definition, evaluation, causation, or recommendation), and is the last
sentence of the introduction
Each body paragraph includes a topic sentence that outlines that paragraph
and connects to the thesis
Body paragraphs are appropriate, concrete, and well-developed; examples are
logical and effective
Counterargument (the ―they say‖) paragraph is included, well-presented,
(fairly and objectively), and ultimately disproved
In-text citations are formatted correctly, properly framed, and used effectively
to support thesis; sources and quotes are well-chosen and appropriate
Logos, ethos, and pathos are effectively used to appeal to readers; logical
fallacies are avoided
Conclusion avoids introducing new ideas and adequately summarizes essay
Essay is well-organized; transitions effectively enhance essay’s ―flow‖ by
guiding reader
Vocabulary, language use, and word choices are correct and appropriate
Note: You should avoid second-person (“you,” “your,” “you’re”) and
unnecessary first-person (I think, I believe, in my opinion, etc.)
Grammar, spelling, and mechanics demonstrate correct use of Standard
Edited American English
MLA Format is followed throughout essay (including Works Cited page)
* Please consult your essay for details; if you do not understand a comment I made, please don’t
hesitate to come see me during office hours to discuss your essay.
Note: If your total ends in .5, it will be rounded up to the nearest whole number.
Grade: _____/150