• Prompt — Write an argumentative essay about a controversial topic.
• At least 5 outside sources needed for the Works Cited page (at least 2 sources
must support your position, at least 2 sources must support the opposing
viewpoints, 1 should be the introductory article from the Opposing Viewpoints
database, and at least 5 articles must come from MDC’s Online Library
databases).
Prompt — Write an argumentative essay about a controversial topic.
• Use the databases Opposing Viewpoints (you should include the overview article
as one of your 5 sources), SIRS Issues Researcher, & Issues and Controversies to
find articles.
• Reference the Purdue Online Writing Lab
(OWL)(https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatti
ng_and_style_guide/mla_in_text_citations_the_basics.html ) for more guidance
about In-Text / Parenthetical Citations.
• Reference the Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL)
(https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and
_style_guide/mla_works_cited_page_basic_format.html) for more guidance about
the Works Cited
page(https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_
and_style_guide/mla_works_cited_electronic_sources.html).
• Reference the Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL)
(https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/the_writing_process/developing_an_
outline/types_of_outlines.html)for more guidance about the Alphanumeric
Outline.
• In-text / Parenthetical Citations required (at least 1 for each outside source and
recommended at least 1 per body paragraph).
• Originality Report — no more than 20% similarity with outside sources.
• 8-10 pages total (Outline, Essay, Works Cited) including at least 5 full and
formatted essay pages.
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/544/03/
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/544/03/
Timeline:
1. Wednesday (MWF) – Thursday (TR), November 09-10. – Brainstorm at
least 5 controversial issues / argumentative topics to possibly write about.
2. Monday (MWF) – Tuesday (TR), November 14-15. – Choose topic to post
on the Class List (only 1 topic per person with no repetition).
3. Wednesday (MWF) – Thursday (TR), November 16-17. – Find at least 5
articles (2 supporting your position, 2 opposing your viewpoint, and the
overview article from the Opposing Viewpoints database) and either print or
save a digital copy of the articles for review. Type, copy / paste, format, and
upload the MLA-formatted Works Cited page through Blackboard before
11:59PM with at least 5 articles you will be using and citing in your Research
Paper (5 of which should be found through a database from the MDC Online
Library).
4. Wednesday, November 23 – Type and upload your completed Alphanumeric
Outline (refer to the template provided) through Blackboard before 11:59PM.
5. Thursday, December 01 – Type and upload a First Draft with at least 3 full
and formatted essay pages addressing your argument and supporting details
only, including Introduction and Conclusion paragraphs, before 11:59PM.
Please do NOT include the Works Cited page (save it for the Final Draft
submission on 12/09).
6. Tuesday, December 06 – Type and upload at least 2 full and formatted essay
pages addressing the opposing viewpoints to / of your argument before
11:59PM. Please do NOT include the Works Cited page (save it for the Final
Draft submission on 12/09).
7. Remember to send / take your essay draft to Smarthinking Online Tutoring
[asynchronous feedback] for credit, while visiting the Writing Lab (in-person
[Library or Academic Support Lab] OR MDC Tutoring [live online]) for extra
credit, before submitting your Final Draft.
8. Peer Review – Final Research Paper Drafts: Respond to each of the 10
questions (which will be reviewed in class) with at least 1 complete sentence
after reading 2 of your classmates’ essay drafts. Either suggest something (to
make good, better) or compliment what the writer has done well as it relates to
each question. Be concise, yet specific. [Depending on the class modality,
these activities may be completed both online and /or during in-person class
sessions the weeks in between the First Draft and Final Draft submissions.]
9. Friday, December 09 – Submit your Final Draft (8-10 pages total, including
an Alphanumeric Outline at the beginning and Works Cited at the end with at
least 5 full essay pages in the middle) through Blackboard / Turnitin in M4
before 11:59PM.
Contents of Research Paper:
I. Alphanumeric Outline
II. Introduction (including hook & thesis statement / claim with
supporting details)
III. Points
IV. Counterpoints
V. Rebuttal
VI. Conclusion
VII. Works Cited Page
Format:
• Original Title (suggesting your position)
• Double-spaced
• Heading
• Header
• 1″ margins
• Size 12
• Times New Roman
Other Reminders:
• Maintain the 3rd person POV throughout
• Avoid contractions
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