Essay 2 Assignment: Argumentation and Secondary Research, First Version
The essays we have read offer a glimpse into the ongoing conversation about social class and wealth inequality. Though each of the writers you’ve read focuses on a different aspect of this topic, they share a common message: social class and wealth inequality is a problem. Now it is time for you to join this conversation by taking a position of your own. Compose an essay in which you draw on these writers’ ideas to develop your own argument about what, exactly, is wrong with how our world operates as regards class and wealth OR how we might go about solving some of the problems we have and making positive changes to our social class and economic systems. Which changes do you believe are most pressing? What obstacles stand in the way of implementing them? In addition to citing the essays that we have read together, you should conduct original research to develop your perspective and to provide evidence to support your thinking.
Research
This assignment is a research project that requires you to locate, evaluate, and incorporate sources that we have not discussed together in class. Your essay should incorporate at least five sources from academic books and journals or professional websites (these can include the three essays we have read in class (Reich, Ehrenreich, Hooks), if you want). One of these sources may be an interview with one of your instructors or with a similar expert on the topic. Your sources may not include Wikipedia or other non-scholarly websites, though sites like Wikipedia can help you to find more appropriate sources.
To help you find and evaluate sources, you will read the chapter “From Finding to Evaluating Sources” in our textbook (pp. 129-50) and the “Research Process” LibGuide provided through LCCC’s Bass Library (http://libguides.lorainccc.edu/research-process (Links to an external site.)). You will also complete the Library Research Toolkit, a short Canvas course created by LCCC’s librarians that will lead you through the research process.
You will complete your research project in small parts. You will first compose a proposal in which you will describe your topic and the research process you plan to follow. Then, you will compose an annotated bibliography that evaluates and summarizes a selection of your sources. Finally, you will compose a first draft on which you will receive feedback from me and from your peers.
Requirements and Submission
Your paper should be at least 1,500 words long, though well-developed responses may be much longer. Your paper should have an introduction and a conclusion. It should present your argument on the subject matter, summarizing and synthesizing information from your sources to develop and support your position. Your paper should be typed and formatted according to MLA guidelines. You should include at least three direct quotations in proper MLA citation. See our online resource, Purdue Online Writing Lab, for assistance.
EVALUATIVE CRITERIA FOR ESSAY 2
Content
Your essay should include an opening paragraph that introduces the topic and states your thesis.
It should introduce, summarize, and synthesize information from a variety of authoritative sources.
Your use of sources should clearly develop and support your argument.
Your essay should utilize a range of the most effective rhetorical strategies that we have discussed in class to make your argument convincing.
It should include a conclusion paragraph that explains your final observations or reflections.
Organization
Your essay should include clear transitions between the major sections of information: the introduction, the body, and conclusion.
Within the body of your paper, you should use topic sentences and transitions to help your reader move from main idea to main idea, paragraph to paragraph.
You should organize your paragraphs around of series of main ideas that logically develop the different aspects of your argument. (That is, do not simply summarize your sources one after another in some random order.)
Format and Citation
You should include quotations that are contextualized, well explained, and formatted in MLA. (At least three quotations are required.)
Your essay should include an MLA works cited entry for your five original sources.
Your essay should be in MLA general format throughout.
Style and Mechanics
Your essay should exhibit correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
You should utilize an appropriate authorial voice and academic style.
