Academic Disciplines and Discourse ASSIGNMENT: Argument/Synthesis Assignment Assignment: This assignment covers both argument and synthesis as related to any issue discussed in “Writing in the Disciplines” textbook as the basis for writing. This assignment is broken down into two parts which are, coincidentally, argument and synthesis. Choose a topic from the essays found in this book that is controversial in nature in order to write your argument/synthesis paper. The topic MUST be one for which at least two distinct perspectives are available. You must have a minimum of three points in support of your position. This research paper is NOT to be solely informative, nor are you to simply review the arguments in a controversy. Instead, you must take a stand on the controversial issue! You must argue a specific claim; therefore, your Introductory Paragraph must contain an EXPLICIT claim (which will serve as your Thesis Statement). In addition to supporting all of your sub claims with evidence in order to, then, support your main claim, you are required to include major competing perspectives and to refute them or concede to certain points to a degree in order to show the merit of your own thinking above that of opposing thinking. NOTE: Pay special attention to both the presentation of data/information from outside sources and your own in-depth analysis of that data/info. Be sure to use in-text attribution as well as parenthetical citation within your text. The use of in-text attribution will help you in terms of clarifying who is claiming what, which is especially important as you will be presenting competing perspectives as well as your own perspective regarding your topic! In addition, your interpretation/analysis must be developed in a manner that suits your particular strategy. Finally, be sure to work ALL direct quotations into your own sentences, as doing so will enable your voice to remain the dominant voice within the text. Additional Requirements All papers must be a minimum of 7 FULL pages in length and in APA format to be accepted for a grade. The References page, cover page, and abstract do not count as a page of text. Thus, your research paper must include 7 FULL pages of text at a minimum. All papers must include at least 7 outside credible sources (4 sources must come from academic journals) as well as information from the book. Quoted material may not consist of more than 15% of paper in order for the paper to earn a passing grade. **An Annotated Bibliography for this project will be required later in the semester, so it is important that you keep track of your sources. Criteria for evaluation will be: How thoroughly the paper reflects the conditions of the assignment How thoughtfully and insightfully the writer addresses the writing assignment How appropriate the organization, flow and development are to the purpose of the assignment How well examples and reasons are used to support ideas and claims of the argument The quality of the research support applied from the text The quality of the analysis and the coherence of the logic in the reasoning Effective use of APA documentation style Effective use of APA format How suitable the language level and usage are How clear and concise the language is How effective sentence structure is The topic I would like to write about is the argument between privacy vs. technology posted in the additional files. In the ever-evolving technological world we live in, it is often hard to tell where the line is between policing and protecting and invading people’s privacies. Wiretapping, video surveillance, and data hacking are all ways law enforcement have utilized new technologies, at the cost of personal privacy. There is an argument to be made for the increased use of surveillance by law enforcement but it seems obvious to many that they have been continuously overstepping with their prying. Law enforcement should not be allowed to continue breaking the law in this manner and personal privacy should be protected at all costs.
