Argument Research Paper
This paper must be 7-9 pages in length (seven full pages minimum and no more than nine full pages).
In an argument paper, the writer imagines and addresses the opponent’s side and then disputes the opponent’s side by using factual, reliable, documented information.
For this paper, even though you cannot use personal examples, it is important that you pick a topic that interests you or relates to your own experience. If you pick a topic that has never affected your life, you may have great difficulty trying to prove your stance on the issue. Likewise, you may not really care about the issue unless you pick a topic that matters to you. After all, you will be spending a lot of time on researching your information; therefore, you will want to work with a topic that is somehow meaningful to you.
Requirements for this Research Paper:
Off Limits Cliché Topics:The following is a list of topics that are off-limits because they serve as default issues that students blindly rely on instead of putting their efforts into coming up with more original topics:
Abortion Death Penalty
Euthanasia Gun Control
Legalization of marijuana Gay Marriage
Evolution vs. Creation Global Warming
As long as you don’t write on one of the topics above and your topic fits the following three criteria, you can write on it:
1) It’s a two-sided topic
2) You can write at least seven pages on it
3) You can find research in the library database
Note: Papers written in other classes cannot be submitted for this assignment. Your paper will show up plagiarized on Turnitin.com since the paper written in your previous class was most likely submitted there.
Sources: You must use at least six outside sources and no more than eight for this paper that you use to prove your argument or disprove your opposing points.
At least two of your sources must come from one or more of the databases in the Cerritos College Library (Ex. Academic Search Complete, Proquest, Library Infobase, etc.).
Wikipedia may not be used as a source since it is not credible.
Works Cited Page:In order to give credit to your outside sources, you must include a Works Cited page (which is not included in the 7-page minimum requirement length) at the end of your paper. The Works Cited page must adhere perfectly to the MLA format.
In-Text Citations: In order to avoid plagiarism, you must also provide in-text citations within the paper.
The majority of the research must be paraphrased. Your Turnitin.com report should contain a blue or green box.