Research Guides: ENGL 1302: Composition &amp; Rhetoric II (Nusbaum): Getting Started

1302 Essay Requirements

Professor Nusbaum: Over the course of 1302, you will focus in on one controversial topic with historical merit (at least 20 years old). That topic needs a minimum of two opposing sides.

You may search a few different sides in order to find information, but to start, I suggest using idebate.org or looking through your textbook. Both provide a number of hot topics and varying views.

Librarian, Ms. Rugh: As you begin reading about the selected topic you will need to develop a focus within the topic. Your textbook refers to generating ideas through "clustering' and "idea mapping" during this stage (pp. 331-339). Check the Research Process tab of this guide to understand the stages of topic development and locating the right information for your research.

Begin with background or overview sources (Credo Reference). These background sources will help you develop a focus for your topic.
Dig deeper with the sources in the Finding Articles, E-books & Books tabs of this guide. You will find credible sources, some scholarly, but all relevant (helpful) to your information needs for each segment of this semester-long assignment.

Prof. Nusbaum: As you consider topics, please keep in mind three topics that I am banning—for no reason than I have heard and read every possible angle on them. In essence, I’m tired of them. As such, please stay away from:

the death penalty,
the legalization of any drug, and
the various stances associated with abortion.

Keep in mind that you may NOT use 1^st or 2^nd person in any of your writing this term.

Assignment Document

Assignments

Research Proposal

(100-150 words, MLA Formatted)

Over the course of 1302, you will focus on one controversial topic with historical merit (at least 20 years old). That topic needs a minimum of two opposing sides.

Textbook: Read pages 186-187: "Proposal Abstracts" (100-150 words )

Must label and include: A summary of

Basic information
Objective description
Thesis statement

Helpful resources for topic selection:

Textbook
Debate Database

Annotated Works Cited

Topic selection and development is an important step. Decisions made about your topic will be based on the information gathered from articles, books or other sources in the Library. In this assignment you will develop an annotated Works Cited listing these information sources and explaining each source and how specific information will help you write about the topic.

Must follow MLA. Purdue OWL is the best place for formatting information and sample work outside of your textbook.
For each entry, you need two paragraphs.
- Paragraph 1—what information are you finding in this source that ADDS to your argument? Summarize and/or paraphrase your findings. (At least 100 words)
- Paragraph 2—how does this information add to your response to the issue question or purpose? (At least 100 words)
10 Sources Required (make sure to cover both sides of the argument)
- Database Articles
  - At least 6
  - Use Lone Star Library databases to conduct academic research on your topic.
- No more than 4 VALID Websites
  - Stick to .org, .edu, and .gov

Toulmin Argument FOR (1000-1500 words, MLA Formatted)

For this essay, your stance must be for your proposed topic. So, if you think kids should be allowed to drink at 18, you would be writing about why the drinking age should be lowered.
Use at least 4 sources from your annotated works cited
Must follow outline and argumentation style as described in textbook and in D2L.

Rogerian Argument AGAINST (1000-1500 words, MLA Formatted)

For this essay, your stance must be against your proposed topic. So, if you think kids should be allowed to drink at 18, then you would be against lowering the drinking age, for this paper.
- Use at least 4 sources from your annotated works cited
- Must follow outline and argumentation style as described in textbook and in D2L.

Persuasive Research Paper (2000-2500 words, MLA Formatted)

Use at least 6 sources from your annotated works cited
- At least 4 database articles
- No more than 2 webpages
Look at the basic outline. It is one way you can organize your paper. There are many ways to organize your essay, but this one is one of the most basic and is considered the classic model for persuasion.