THIS IS AN ANALYSIS OF THE TOPIC YOU’VE CHOSEN FROM THE LIST PROVIDED. YOUR PURPOSE IS TO PROVE TO YOUR READER SOMETHING SPECIFIC ABOUT THE TOPIC AND THE SPECIFIC PROBLEM OR ARGUMENT THAT YOU’RE MAKING ABOUT THAT TOPIC. THE PURPOSE IS NOT TO TELL YOUR READER ABOUT THE TOPIC IN GENERAL OR WHAT SHOULD OR SHOULD NOT BE. DON’T TELL WHAT SHOULD BE, TELL WHAT IS. DON’T ATTEMPT TO SOLVE THE ISSUE. ONLY CONVEY THE MEANING AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PROBLEM AND ARGUMENT AS YOU HAVE INTERPRETED IT FROM YOUR RESEARCH.
Remember to utilize the HCCC Library website as a resource for finding your sources. You must use reputable sources, which include peer-reviewed journal articles and published books. Do not use websites as sources. Other articles such as magazine and news paper articles should not be used as primary sources, as they are subjective. Websites, Wikipedia, and other non-reviewed sources are not permitted at all.
In a minimum of 1500 words, please write a full research paper on a specific argument based on the topic of your choice from the list of topics provided in class.
Use the MEAL Plan for body paragraphs: MEAL-Plan.pdf
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- M = Main Idea: A clear topic sentence at the start of every body paragraph that clearly states a claim for that paragraph that relates to and supports the thesis and central claim. It is the focus of the paragraph. It is what that paragraph will prove about that thesis. It is something specific, not a general statement, not a question, and not evidence.
- E = Evidence: This is something from a source from your research. Use a quote to show an example or to provide a statement that supports and shows how the main idea of the paragraph is true. It should be directly related to that main idea. It should speak directly to it or be an example of it from the literature around the topic. It may be a statistic, an example of something happening, or an outcome described from the research that supports and proves the main idea of the paragraph is true.
- A = Analysis: This should be the bulk of your paragraph. This is longer than just a sentence or two. It should describe many things:
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- It describes the meaning of the evidence you’ve used. Don’t just put evidence in and not describe what it means. You can’t assume your reader makes the same conclusion about the evidence that you do. Point to specific language in the evidence and describe the meaning of it as you interpret it.
- It describes the significance of the evidence to your main idea. You have to explicitly explain how the evidence relates to your main idea of the paragraph. You have to show your reader why that evidence is important by explaining your logic for using it and showing your reader how it is an example of or support for your paragraph’s main idea. Explain this thoroughly
- It describes why your main idea is important. Again, you can’t assume your reader makes the same conclusions you do, so you have to explain why your main idea is important to your overall argument.
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- L = Link to the thesis: This is one or two sentences that link the main idea of the paragraph to the thesis and central claim of your argument. This shows your reader why the main idea supports your thesis. You have to explain to your reader what part of the central claim the main idea of the paragraph proves.
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You must use AT LEAST 3 different primary sources (journal articles) as evidence. You may use more, but you cannot use fewer.
Remember to mention and acknowledge counterarguments (the other side of the argument), but don’t make the other side’s argument. You must present a rebuttal claim for every counterargument you present.
Remember to be sure your paragraphs all focus on a single topic (the main idea) that relates to and supports your thesis statement in some way. Don’t get off topic.
All factual claims must be supported by evidence from your research. No personal experiences. No anecdotes. No hypothetical situations. Do not generalize. If you make a statement that is factual, you must have something to show it is true. It must come from a source. Don’t make a statement that is factual that you just know in your head. You have to support with evidence.
All body paragraphs must contain evidence from your research to support the claim of that paragraph. The claims must be clearly defined in the topic sentence of the paragraph.
You should write only in third-person (no use of “I,” “Me,” “us,” “we,” “you,” etc.)
Standard MLA or APA formatting should be used.