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Unit Three
The Research/Position Paper
Your essay should be 9-10 pages long and conform to MLA format in terms of
font size, margins, citations, etc.
Essay Question:
For the final, major research paper you will choose one of the five free online
documentaries included in the Week Thirteen module, and write a 9-10 page
research paper about the documentary/issue the documentary addresses.
Examine the filmmaker’s main argument, and tell us if you agree or disagree with
it. You choose the documentary, you choose the issue, you choose your side of the
debate.
If you wish, you may choose another documentary (from Netflix or another site
that requires a subscription or payment), as long as you email me the title for
approval.
This paper needs to include at LEAST six, valid, academic sources and be 9-10
pages long, not including the Works Cited page.
You will use quotations, in-text citations, and include a Works Cited.
As you work on the paper there will be several pieces that will be turned in or
checked for completion. These may include, but not be limited to:
A. Brainstorming/Rough Draft
B. Middle Draft
C. Final Draft
Some things to keep in mind:
1. What is the conversation you are joining? What is the issue being
debated/discussed? What are the different sides a person might take in
this debate?
2. What is your thesis (i.e. what is your argument)?
3. Do you remind your audience what your thesis is in the body of your
essay? Do you provide examples, quotes and reasons to support your
thesis?
4. Why is this topic important? Do you state this somewhere in your paper?
If not, where can you add this information?
2
Grading:
Your essay will be worth 30% of your grade. I will be grading this the same way I
grade your other essays, based on the ENMU Writing Department Grading
Rubric.
From the Syllabus:
Essay Three (30%) (Research Paper/Topic TBA) 9-10 pages, plus a Works Cited.
This essay will build upon the specific concepts from the first two essays. Students will
combine different rhetorical modes (or organizational patterns). Different modes that
might be applicable are cause/affect, process, definition, compare/contrast, and
classification. Students should not be relying upon one mode for organizational structure
of the essay. Instead, these modes should help students analyze the relationship of
evidence (details in the paragraph), organization, and audience. Similar to Essay Two,
this essay will adhere to MLA format and we will focus more on research
strategies/documentation.
