Research papers tend to fall into two categories—the argumentative and the informational. In this class, we will practice putting together a research paper that is more informational in nature. Its main goal is to practice assembling sources in a way that adequately explores a research question from various sides but does not (necessarily) take a strong stance on the “correct” answer. The paper can lean in certain directions if that is where the scholarly conversation leans, but it is not necessarily trying to persuade the audience of one specific point of view. The point of the paper is to assemble a scholarly conversation around a research question and then synthesize possible answers to the research question.
In summary, the steps you will have gone through are as follows:
- Identify and narrow a research question.
- Find and evaluate sources.
- Summarize sources in an annotated bibliography.
- Write a rough draft.
- Revise a rough draft and proofread.
Task
- Compose a 1000-word essay in APA citation style that presents and then attempts to answer your research question.
- You must use a minimum of five cited sources. Three must be from peer-reviewed academic journals. Popular sources, including magazine articles, newspapers, secondary scholarly summaries of topics, or government or institutional literature may be allowed if deemed appropriate as per the lessons on source evaluation and rhetorical needs of the paper.
- Cite your sources on a standard format APA reference page.