ENG 102: Research-Based Argument Assignment Sheet GENRE: Research-Based Argument OVERVIEW: According to

ENG 102: Research-Based Argument Assignment Sheet

GENRE: Research-Based Argument

OVERVIEW: According to Hacker and Sommers (2021), “A college research assignment asks you to pose questions worth exploring, read widely in search of possible answers, interpret what you read, draw reasoned conclusions, and support those conclusions with evidence. In short, it asks you to enter a research conversation by being in conversation with other writers and thinkers who have explored and studied your topic” (p. 107).

A key element of research requires you to “[evaluate] arguments of other writers, [which] prepares you to construct your own. When you ask questions about logic and evidence of the arguments, you become more aware of such needs in your own writing. . . . In constructing an argument, you take a stand on a debatable topic. Your purpose is to explain your understanding of the truth about a subject or to propose the best solution to a problem. . . . Your aim is to persuade your readers to reconsider their positions by offering new reasons to question existing viewpoints” (Hacker & Sommers, 2021, p. 82).

When writing a research-based argument, “you synthesize multiple sources in a research paper [and] create a conversation about your research topic. You show readers how the ideas of one source relate to those of another by connecting and analyzing the ideas in the context of your argument [while keeping] the emphasis on your own writing” (Hacker & Sommers, 2021, p. 223).

DEFINITION: Argumentation is a genre that is common in academic settings and in the workplace. Argumentation is a more demanding endeavor as students are expected to exhibit skills in logic, written communication, and critical thinking.

THE WRITNG ASSIGNMENT GUIDELINES: The essay should be submitted in APA style; see the APA tab in A Writer’s Reference.

WRITING PROMPT: How does social media alter human relationships and interactions? You must examine how relationships/ interactions are altered positively and negatively by social media. You will choose to take one of the following approaches:

1. Summarize arguments made by experts who have proposed that social media has positively altered human relationships and interactions. Then, present counterarguments from experts that argue that social media has negatively altered human relationships. This means that most of your research argument will focus on the positive aspect of the argument. You will only have 1-2 paragraphs for the counterargument.

2. Summarize arguments made by experts who have proposed that social media has negatively altered human relationships and interactions. Then, present counterarguments from experts that argue that social media has positively altered human relationships. This means that most of your research argument will focus on the negative aspect of the argument. You will only have 1-2 paragraphs for the counterargument.

NOTE: Whatever position you take, you are permitted to use only valid, credible, relevant sources.

WRITING ASSIGNMENT GUIDELINES: The essay must be 7+ pages and written in APA style; see the APA tab in A Writer’s Reference. [See following pages for assignment details, specific writing instructions, and grading rubric.]

You must submit the final draft by Saturday, October 22, 2022, by 11:59 p.m. NO LATE SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED.

Penalties

Failure to cite five (5) or more sources in the literature review will result in an automatic grade of 50/F. You have 2 sources that are required and have been provided to you.

Failure to meet the minimum length requirement will result in an automatic 50/F.

Assignments that are not submitted by the deadline will receive a 30pt deduction per day late.

ESSAY WRITING NOTES: Only 15% of your paper should include parenthetical citations from sources in your annotated bibliography. Do not rely on your sources to write your entire paper. The other 85% of your paper should be your own wording and thoughts about the argument. The sources/ parenthetical citations only support your argument. This paper must be 7+ pages and be written as an APA research paper rather than a traditional essay. Consequently, it will consist of the following elements:

Title page (1 separate page → Page 1) [Note—Title must consist of Title: Subtitle]

Abstract (1 separate page → Page 2) [Summarize the report in 100 –125 words and list key words]

Report body (4+ properly formatted pages= 3 full pages with at least a half page on page 4 of your paper) Note: A through F will all be combined, with no page breaks between.

Title (bold) [Note—Title must consist of Title: Subtitle]

Introduction [no heading]: Statement of issue; scope and purpose of research

Background and Opposing Viewpoints [heading]: For the sake of length and transitioning, please divide this section in at least 2 paragraphs. Provide a brief history of social media. When was it first introduced? How did it evolve? You may want to focus your attention on human interactions and relationships prior to social media as well. Then transition into your opposing viewpoint. You must identify at least two to three groups of people (sources) who may disagree with your argument and offer their reason for their position using fair and honest language. You need to have at least 2 different opposing viewpoints. The last sentence must state the limitations of the opposition’s position. From here, you will transition into your argument.

Note: In this section, you must refer to 1-2 of your sources that present your counterargument. If one or both required sources is a counterargument source, then use it/them here.

Literature Review: In this section, you must refer to at least 3-4 different sources in total! If one or both required sources is a source that supports your position, then use it/them here. Write at least five body paragraphs. Each body paragraph must present and summarize a single argument about how social media has altered relationships (depending on the perspective you have chosen) and the reason(s) the experts make this argument.

Note: You must include at least one valid, credible source to support each literature review paragraph but you may use your sources in multiple paragraphs.

Conclusion: Briefly recap your findings on the opposition’s arguments and your proposals and then make a call to action. (Note the word “briefly”! This conclusion should only be a few sentences long!)

References (1+ page- This is your annotated bibliography.) You may need to revise your annotated bibliography prior to submitting it as the last page of your research argument. Sources may come only from Calhoun library databases.

Reference

Hacker, D., & Sommers, N. (2021). A writer’s reference (10th ed.). Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martin’s.

Rubric for Research Argument

Criteria:

Arrived

Almost There

Getting There

In Progress

Not Yet

120

100

60

40

0

APA Format

Formatted according to the APA Style Guide, including Cover page, abstract, page format, and Reference page which lists all sources used in essay. Sources are cited in-text according to the APA Style Guide.

Mostly formatted according to the APA Style Guide, including Cover page, abstract, page format, and Reference page which lists all sources used in essay. Sources are cited in-text according to the APA Style Guide.

Attempts formatting according to the APA Style Guide, including Cover page, abstract, page format, and Reference page which lists all sources used in essay. Sources are cited in-text according to the APA Style Guide.

Attempts formatting according to the APA Style Guide, including Cover page, abstract, page format. Contains a Reference page which may not appropriately list all sources used in essay. Sources may not be cited in-text according to the APA Style Guide.

Messy, illegible, does not attempt the proper format, does not included required elements of the essay, sources are not cited in-text.

Grammar, Mechanics, Usage

Few, if any errors (0-1) in grammar, mechanics, and/or punctuation.

No more than 2 major errors and less than 5 minor errors.

3 major errors or 5 minor errors.

4 major errors or 6 minor errors.

Numerous major and minor errors that make the assignment illegible.

Paragraph 1: Introduction

Includes a lead paragraph that captures readers’ attention; introduces the general topic; Provides relevant background info; Identifies the problem; In the last sentence, the Thesis is clearly stated based on a debatable, manageable question.

Mostly does the following: Includes a lead paragraph that captures readers’ attention; introduces the general topic; Provides relevant background info; Identifies the problem; In the last sentence, the Thesis is clearly stated based on a debatable, manageable question.

Adequately does the following: Includes a lead paragraph that captures readers’ attention; introduces the general topic; Provides relevant background info; Identifies the problem; In the last sentence, the Thesis is clearly stated based on a debatable, manageable question.

Lead paragraph may not capture reader’s attention. thesis may not be clearly stated or may be too general.

The intro paragraph is missing.

Paragraph 2: Summary of Opposing Viewpoints

Students most summarize their opposition’s position in a fair and reasonable way. Students must identify at least two to three groups of people (sources) who disagree with them and offer their reason for their position using fair and honest language. The last sentence must state the limitations of the opposition’s position.

Mostly does the following: summarizes their opposition’s position in a fair and reasonable way. Students must identify at least two to three groups of people (sources) who disagree with them and offer their reason for their position using fair and honest language. The last sentence must state the limitations of the opposition’s position.

Students adequately summarize their opposition’s position in a fair and reasonable way, but may not include sources who disagree with them and offer their reason for their position. May not have stated the limitations of the opposition’s position.

Summary of opposing viewpoints is attempted but makes broad generalizations and does not provide information from opposing sources or state limitations of those sources.

This paragraph is missing.

100

75

50

25

0

Paragraphs 3-5: Body

Three body paragraphs each include the following: Present reason for position in a clear topic sentence that supports the thesis statement. Provide a minimum of two to three pieces of sound evidence to support your reason. Use transitions to smoothly integrate evidence and follow-up evidence with explanation. Cite ideas, summaries, paraphrases, and exact language in-text with a parenthetical citation. Must follow-up evidence and explain how the evidence supports the topic sentence. Body paragraphs must be well-developed (sufficient evidence), unified (one main idea), and coherent (language use). Body paragraphs must have closing sentences.

Three body paragraphs each adequately include the following: Present reason for position in a clear topic sentence that supports the thesis statement. Provide a minimum of two to three pieces of sound evidence to support your reason. Use transitions to smoothly integrate evidence and follow-up evidence with explanation. Cite ideas, summaries, paraphrases, and exact language in-text with a parenthetical citation. Must follow-up evidence and explain how the evidence supports the topic sentence. Body paragraphs must be well-developed (sufficient evidence), unified (one main idea), and coherent (language use). Body paragraphs must have closing sentences.

Body paragraphs each attempt to include the following: Present reason for position in a clear topic sentence that supports the thesis statement. Provide a minimum of two to three pieces of sound evidence to support your reason. Use transitions to smoothly integrate evidence and follow-up evidence with explanation. Cite ideas, summaries, paraphrases, and exact language in-text with a parenthetical citation. Must follow-up evidence and explain how the evidence supports the topic sentence. Body paragraphs must be well-developed, unified, and coherent. Body paragraphs must have closing sentences. A body paragraph may be missing.

Body paragraphs do no each include the following: Present reason for position in a clear topic sentence that supports the thesis statement. Provide a minimum of two to three pieces of sound evidence to support your reason. Use transitions to smoothly integrate evidence and follow-up evidence with explanation. Cite ideas, summaries, paraphrases, and exact language in-text with a parenthetical citation. Must follow-up evidence and explain how the evidence supports the topic sentence. Body paragraphs must be well-developed (sufficient evidence), unified (one main idea), and coherent (language use). Body paragraphs must have closing sentences. Body paragraphs may be too few or too many.

Body paragraphs are missing and/or do not include required information. The parameters of the assignment are not met. These paragraphs are not organized according to the assignment.

30

25

15

10

0

Conclusion

Addresses the “so what” question. Discusses the broader implication of their research and call the audience to action.

Adequately addresses the “so what” question. Discusses the broader implication of their research and call the audience to action.

Attempts the following: addresses the “so what” question. Discusses the broader implication of their research and call the audience to action.

The following may be missing: addresses the “so what” question. Discusses the broader implication of their research and call the audience to action.

Concluding paragraph is missing.

Total: 250 Points