Contemporary Issues Research Essay /English

Contemporary Issues Research Essay /English

Essay #3:  Contemporary Issues Research Essay

 

Choose a contemporary issue which you can explore in a research essay.  The contemporary issue you choose should have appropriate depth and scope.

 

Supplies:                      folder in which to submit: (1) printouts of all sources  (2) rough draft  (3) final draft (see tab above for information on folder)

 

Length:                        5 pages minimum, not including the works cited page

 

Format:                        double-space; MLA formatting required (LB Brief pg. 488 or pg. 468)

 

Point of View:                        Third person perspective (no first or second person)

 

Objectives:                  Identify a topic of appropriate length and scope

 

Explore databases for academically sound, peer-reviewed journal articles

 

Construct a well-organized, clear academic essay with a thesis statement

 

Use of direct quotations (with proper MLA citations) to support the thesis

 

Sources:                       4 peer-reviewed journal articles OR

 

3 peer-reviewed journal articles and one outside website, which ends in   .gov     .edu     or     .org

 

Resources:                   You may use articles from the academic databases (located under the blue “Find Articles” tab) available on the WTCC Library website.  ProQuest Central and JSTOR are highly recommended.  Please see the “Collecting Sources” folder for more information.

 

Possible approaches to your topic include:

 

  • Cause/Effect
  • Problem/Solution
  • Description/Illustration
  • Historical Approach

 

Banned Topics:

 

  • legalization/decriminalization of marijuana
  • capital punishment
  • abortion
  • terrorism/homeland security
  • immigration

 

Points to consider:

 

  • Direction quotations, summaries, and paraphrases must follow MLA in-text citation format (found in our notes and in LB Brief pgs. 440-444).
  • Use third person throughout your essay, and do not include any personal experiences/reflections.
  • A MAXIMUM OF NINE DIRECT QUOTATIONS IS ALLOWED.
  • Works Cited entries must follow MLA format (2016 MLA Eighth Edition).
  • All rules regarding grammar and use of standard English must be followed in order to avoid penalization for errors in grammar, spelling, and/or word choice.
  • English 111: Contemporary Issues Essay Rubric
    Title (5%)

    ·         Specific to the topic

    ·         Previews the content of the essay

    ·         Does not contain grammatical errors

    Reflective Writing (5%)

    ·         Completed in class on the essay due date

    ·         Responds to all five of the assigned questions

    ·         Does not contain glaring grammatical errors

    Introduction (10%)

    ·         Introduce the issue with thoughtful background information

    ·         Previews the organization of the essay

    ·         Written in the third person

    ·         Does not contain critiques/commentary

    Thesis Statement (10%)

    ·         Insightful

    ·         Identifies the contemporary issue

    ·         Indicates the significance of that issue

    ·         Is not an “announcement” statement

    ·         Is grammatically sound

    Body Paragraphs (30%)

    ·         Clear organizational pattern following the chosen approach (i.e. problem/solution, cause/effect, two-sided argument)

    ·         Sources are introduced as they are used (with full title, author’s names, and journal title)

    ·         Use of transitional expressions to navigate the reader through the issue

    ·         Topic sentences clearly preview the content of the paragraph

    ·         Written in the third person

    ·         Contains direct quotations with in-text citations serving as evidence

    Conclusion (10%)

    • Topic sentence clearly restates the contemporary issue under investigation
    • Does not include personal commentary or critiques
    • Reiterates the main points of the essay
    • Analyzes the significance of this issue for contemporary audiences
    • Provides points for future consideration
    • Written in the third person
    Style & Grammar (30%)

    ·         Lapses in academically appropriate language & tone

    ·         Diction / word choice

    ·         Run-ons/Comma Splices/Fragments

    ·         Agreement Problems

    ·         Use of first person (I,  me, we)

    ·         Use of second person (you)

    ·         Problems with MLA formatting

    ·         Absence of and/or problems with in-text citations and/or works cited entries

    Late Point Deduction (if applicable)

     

 

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