After
identifying your topic, you will address
the following elements of this issue
in your paper:
- Identify the issue you will be
examining - Articulate your position on that
issue (both of these will be done in your - thesis)
- Provide a history (overview) of the
issue in America, and specifically in terms of law, events leading up to
the issue you’ve chosen, public opinion, etc). - This portion will require
research! - Examine at least 2 sides (but no
more than 3-4) of the issue thoroughly, - drawing on research to support
both sides. - Provide support for your “side” of
the issue, and for your version of how the issue should be addressed/resolved
How long
should the paper be?
Your
research paper will be 6-8 word processed pages of text, plus the Works
Cited page. In other words, your
paper must be a minimum of 6 completely
full, word-processed pages
in MLA style, and your Works Cited page should
begin no sooner than page 7.
How many
sources do I need?
This
paper requires at least 10 resources from a variety of media. Please note
that any missing sources will
result in a letter grade reduction in your final
paper grade per source missing. Also, remember that in order to be cited, the
source must be used in the body of the paper!
You’ll need to
consult books, periodicals, the library’s online databases, and the
internet. In
addition, I’m sure that some of your topics can be argued using field
research
(interviews, observations, and/or surveys).
I will only
accept 2 of these sources from the Internet, and no more than 2 of
your sources
may be field research (interviews, observations, and/or surveys).
How should I
format my paper?
All research
papers must conform to MLA style for both format and
documentation (ie:
internal citations and works cited page).
The MLA
Handbook, 9th edition, presents samples to help you with the
format. The heading belongs in the upper
left corner of the first page. This
piece of writing is
long enough to deserve a title; try to make it interesting
so that the reader wants to find out what is in the paper!