Title: Unwanted Embyonic stem cells should be used for research and/or diseases cure.
Introduction:
The goal of this paper is for you to research a controversial topic, take a position, and justify your position in writing using appropriate supporting scientific evidence.
Choosing your topic:
In Table 1 below, you’ll find a list of topics that you may consider writing about. This list is simply meant to be a starting point, and if you’d like to write about something not on this list, please feel free to do so.
When choosing your topic, make sure that it’s:
Current. For example, “Marijuana should be legalized” may not be a great choice as it’s now legal in Illinois.
Debatable. Make sure that the topic has differing viewpoints. For example, “Kale is filled with nutrients” wouldn’t be a good topic because there’s no opposing view (at least not that I know of!).
Researchable. Be sure that the topic you pick isn’t so abstract that you aren’t able to thoroughly research it.
Manageable. For example, “Abortion should be banned” is a topic on which you could write an entire book. It’s recommended that you narrow the topic down to a more manageable piece.
Writing your paper:
Structure:
Introduction: describes the topic, includes background information including why the topic is important, and states the writer’s position on the topic.
Body paragraphs: typically three or more paragraphs that outline the scientific evidence in support of the writer’s position. Opposing viewpoint should also be described, including information on why the writer disagrees with the opposing view. Only scientific evidence may be used to support your argument. Please do not include religious and/or political ideologies in your argument.
Conclusion: Summarizes the main points of the paper and restates the writer’s position.
Formatting:
Font, margins, and spacing: twelve-point Times New Roman font, one-inch margins, single spaced.
Length: Approximately 1000 words, but this is not a requirement. Your paper can be longer or shorter and you won’t be penalized as long as you cover all of the required information.
Do not forget to include a “Literature Cited” section in your paper (see below).
Literature Cited:
Each paper should also include a “Literature Cited” section where all sources used in the paper are listed.
Plagiarism of any kind will result in a score of 0 for the paper. NOTE: Copying a sentence directly from a source without using quotation marks is plagiarism, even if you cite the source at the end of the sentence.
Citing in the paper:
Within the text, citations should be included throughout the text (not only at the end of a paragraph), and should be in the following format: (Author(s), year of publication)
If the source has a single author, then the citation is written as, for example: (Smith, 1992)
If the source has two authors, then the citation is written as, for example: (Smith and Jones, 1997)
If the source has three or more authors, the abbreviation ‘et al.’ is used after the first author’s name. For example: (Smith et al., 1997)
Citing sources in the “Literature Cited” section:
Every citation used in the text must be listed in “Literature Cited.”
Here is an example from easybib.com on how to format a website citation:
Cain, Kevin. “The Negative Effects of Facebook on Communication.”Social Media Today RSSN.p., 29 June 2012. Web. 02 Jan. 2013.
Grading:
Papers will be graded according to the rubric posted in Brightspace. To view the rubric, go to “Assessments,” the “Rubrics,” and click on “Writing Assignment Grading Rubric.”
Potentially helpful websites:
Purdue Online Writing Lab: Argumentative Essays
Masterclass: Argumentative Essays
Theme
Potential topics on which to write your paper
Embryonic stem cells
Human embryonic stem cells should be used for research and/or for disease cures.
Unwanted human embryonic stem cells should be harvested for scientific research
Preview RubricWriting Assignment Grading RRuRubric
