Research paper

Your Task: Your final paper will allow you to develop a more complex claim of your own and to articulate stakes. To begin the writing process, we have already analyzed the arguments of many scholars; we wrote the introductory literature review; and, we wrote a synthesis and interdisciplinary analysis of your topic. We also wrote body paragraphs in the form of claims of value and claims of policy. We also wrote the counter argument. Now, bring those elements together to assemble a cohesive, persuasive argument.

By now, you should have a firm grasp of the existing conversation on your topic after having surveyed the field on your topic so as to narrow the who, what, where, when, and why/how, so that you can fully formulate your own ideas and develop an original complex claim with which to place yourself in the scholarly conversation on your topic.

Evaluating your arguable working claim:

• Reasonable: While you want your claim to be contestable, you also want it to be reasonable. A claim can be radical, in the context of current dialogue on your topic, and still be reasonable if you have sufficient evidence to support it. Readers will recognize the difference between thoughtful, critical interpretations of evidence and contortions that twist evidence around to support an unreasonable claim.

• Specific: Broad claims are more difficult to support effectively than focused claims. Specific claims also tend to provide readers with more useful information than broad claims.

What is your paper adding anything to the current dialogue surrounding your topic? Note that as you become more familiar with the concerns of a given topic or discipline, you will be able to contribute more significantly to the discussion.

Requirements:

1. Introduction (1 page): In your current situation, or modified Literature Review, state the background on your topic. Place your research in the context of what is currently known and thought about your topic and set up your claim. You should show that you understand what others have already written about your subject by pointing out a gap or conflict that your research will fill or address-what will you add to this discussion. Your argument can also enter the research conversation on your topic by taking issue with the conclusions of previous researchers. Please note, you should edit your Literature review to a page, as this is an 8 page paper a longer introduction is not appropriate.

2. Arguable Claim: A clear argument/statement of your research question that disrupts the current situation or the current understanding of your topic. This is a statement of your research question that states what isn't known or fully understood about your subject. This typically begins with a but, however, or other signal word, and gives an answer or explanation.

3. Stakes: State the significance of your claim question/answer. This answers the so what question and is crucial to motivating reader interest. Show that you are addressing an issue that matters, and establish that there is more to be said about it. You can explain why your topic is important, how your approach to the topic is unique, or show that the research addresses an aspect of the issue still unresolved.

4. Counter argument: (1 page maximum) that acknowledges major alternative views and criticism and responds to anticipated questions and objections (also qualifying assertions).

5. Conclusion: that either: points out a new significance, a practical application, or new research. Or, conclude by setting your discussion into a different, perhaps larger, context; or, by considering the implications of your argument, or by redefining one of the key terms of your argument. You can also explain why this topic is timely or important, valuable or significant.

6. Adopt a Voice of Authority By writing in third person (and first when it is appropriate) and by Writing Concisely. Another way writers create an ethos of authority is by using a high percentage of meaning-carrying words-- Use Academic and Discipline-Specific Vocabulary.

- 8-9 double spaced pages, 12 pt. Times New Roman font

- Based on a narrow/specific, unique and complex stake-driven claim of your own, clearly articulated and supported throughout the text of the paper. A Complex claim is significant for the field, feasible, does not repeat the work of others, and poses and answers a research question of relevance, interest, and significance.

Use of sources for this assignment:

-5 scholarly sources

-any primary sources that will help prove your claim. Remember: These are contemporary accounts of an event, written by someone who experienced or witnessed the event in question. These original documents (i.e., they are not about another document or account) are often diaries, letters, memoirs, journals, speeches, manuscripts, interviews and other such unpublished works.

-An optional "I" paragraph, in which you assert your experience as another form of evidence (keep this to a paragraph--as the main paper must follow the 3 academic uses of I besides this paragraph--using I to distinguish between arguments).

- Original title that has a hook, your key terms, and Location (a location is necessary only if you are analyzing a primary source, if not, then a time period under discussion can replace location. See our class title reading below for

- Proper use of formatting and citations. Works Cited page, also in proper formatting (if you need help, please use Easy Bib); MLA is fine, unless you want to branch out into the citation style of your field. You must identify you citation style if not MLA, so I know which one you are using and will use that criteria to grade the citations.