ENGH 302-SN2, Summer 2015
Paper #3 (print and post)
SLO-2, SLO-3, SLO-4, SLO-5, SLO-7)
Argumentative Research Paper

Purpose of the Paper

Throughout the semester we have been exploring the issues, methods, questions, scholarly/research conventions and rhetoric (situations and strategies) that structure academic discourse and professional training in universities.   We began with a brief history of information technology so we had a common topic to explore through our respective disciplines and majors at the beginning of the class.  But we then moved on to several assignments exploring your discipline, its methods, questions, kinds of evidence and modes of communication.  In this final research paper, you will pick a topic that is of interest to scholars in your discipline.  Most of you found that the development or consequences of Information Technology was an issue in your discipline but will chose another topic of interest to scholars or practitioners in your field.  As you refine your research question, you will conduct further research and write an argumentative essay on the issue or topic you have chosen to explore. This assignment has several purposes. They are for you:

• To become an authority on an issue or controversial topic in your discipline by conducting extensive research on it
• To develop a specific research question that guides the investigation of your topic
• To create an argument based on your research and to present it in a paper that employs an audience-appropriate voice and sufficient audience-appropriate evidence
• To incorporate a variety of rhetorical appeals into one, longer essay
• To translate your academic research into an audience-appropriate, five minute presentation 
• To become more familiar with the process of academic research, particularly as it relates to your discipline.
• To become more familiar with the style of documentation (either APA or MLA) used by scholars in your discipline.

Length and Format Requirements

The paper must be at least 2100 words, not including your works cited page, but no more than 3600 words. That’s between seven (7) full pages and twelve (12) full pages in 12-point Times New Roman Font. In addition, this paper must cite at least eight (8) sources, including substantial use of at least four (4) authoritative sources. The source break down for authoritative scholarly sources is:

·   At least three articles from authoritative, scholarly/professional, print journals (access may be online).

·   At least one book or book chapter published by a credible academic press.

Process and Due Dates

On July 18th a preliminary plan, outline and annotated bibliography is due (see page/prompt 11).  On July 25th the first draft of the paper is due (see page/prompt 12a).  Based on feedback you receive in several subsequent classes from both your fellow students and from your professor, you will revise your research question, due more research, and hand in a final revision of the paper on August 15th.  There will be a 2nd revision post on August 1st (see page/prompt 12b) and a paper workshop on August 8th.  

Remember that the final paper needs to be in a folder--or held together with a substantial clip.  The portfolio should include drafts (with my comments and editing sheets), your original paper plan, the paragraph structure sheet, and an account of what you changed as you worked on your project (including what you went over with your student editor and with me). If you see a tutor from the Writing Center, include a Visit Verification Form. I you saw a subject/liaison librarian, include his or her name, the date you met, and what you went over. Finally, indicate which citation format you used (APA, MLA, Chicago or one of the Sciences listed on  Re:Writing 3.    Put your revised paper on top and your draft on the bottom with the other materials in between.  
 
During the last class, there will be an in class completion of the QEP Targeted Metacog Assignment on Learning Outcomes. 

Audience(s)
Your audience will be the specific scholarly community to which your topic is of interest. You can (and perhaps should) take this a step further and identify a specific scholarly journal that would be interested in publishing a paper on the topic about which you are writing. This will allow you to more specifically focus your question, your methods, and your evidence. You can also address the educated public more generally after thinking carefully about the points Pinker makes in the article you read by him for June 27th.