Reference no: EM133582003
Assignment: Research Paper
Purpose:
You made it! For this last paper, we are going to take the opportunity to wade into the waters of your profession (or a deep interest, if you prefer). This is your chance to practice the level of research and writing that will be expected of you in the remainder of your academic career and likely in your professional career as well. This is the paper that the previous assignments for this course have been building to. You do not, of course, have to write this final paper on the topic(s) you selected for the previous field trend analysis, but do use the skills we practiced-source vetting and analysis-to inform your discussion in this paper.
Transferable Skills: Clear, informed presentation of argument/position/idea with credible evidence/support; time/project management; attention to detail/instructions.
Task
In at least 1,500 words or more, write an argument/position essay on a topic of your choosing. It does NOT have to be related to your profession or the Field Trend Analysis topic but do select a topic in which there is some debate as you will be taking a side in this paper and arguing for it.
Dictionary citations for definitions and inspirational quote citations are not counted toward this, so it's okay to have more than five if the extra are dictionary or inspirational quote sources.
Be sure to use RELIABLE sources for your information and support. Ideally, you will have ALL academic, peer-reviewed sources, BUT you are allowed to have UP TO THREE high-level media sources (top section of the Ad Fontes Media Bias Chart) or other high-level source as described in the instructions for the Outline and Annotated Bibliography, if necessary. Your sources should always be the best, most reliable and credible sources you can find. *Weak sources can and will cause a paper to assess poorly no matter how good the writing is.
Keep in mind that you are welcome to argue from any position you wish. Particularly, I want to be sure to assert that in politically-oriented discussion it does not matter which ideology (conservative, Republican, liberal, Democrat, moderate, Independent, etc.) you argue for. This is meant to help you explore your personal position to develop yourself as a thinker and writer no matter what topic or position you select. You must, however, present it from the stance of an objective researcher (who has considered all sides) with an informed opinion that can be supported with reliable, data- and fact-driven support that is well-reasoned and logical (not biased sources with loaded language, propaganda, or agenda-driven material).
This is all meant to prepare you for the high-level, academic writing that will be expected of you as you go further into your higher-level courses.
The Field Trend Analysis assignment (Major Assignment One) is meant to help you complete the research for this paper. The outline and annotated bibliography assignment (Major Assignment Two) is meant to help you plan for composing this final essay. Use these opportunities wisely!
This is an open prompt, but it is to allow you to follow what interests and inspires you. Consider some of the topics from class. Consider how this might tie to your professional/career interests to make it easier, but you are not required to do so.