Research Essay

• Choose an arguable topic, research the topic, and form a discussion. Topics will be

approved by me in the proposal stage.

• Present a persuasive thesis, which takes a stand on a particular issue and attempts to bring

readers into agreement with that thesis.

• Your paper should be 8-10 pages when formatted correctly (this does not include the

works cited page.)

• Utilize at least 7 outside sources, of any type. Those sources should be high-quality and

present the best information or opinions available on the matter at hand. At least one of

those sources should adopt a viewpoint which is different from your thesis.

• Include at least 2 visual elements: 1 chart/table/graph & 1 photo/image/drawing. Those

visual elements should include captions as well as explanations in the essay of the text,

and be properly cited. Combined images cannot take more than 1/2 page of the length.

• Follow a clear structure (Rogerian or Toulmin) designed to have the most positive impact

on your thesis.

• Follow MLA page formatting and citation guidelines (in-text and Works Cited). Each

source listed must be used in the text or no credit is given for that source. An essay

cannot be successful without both present. (no more than 20% outside information in

the essay)

• Follow academic voice; no personal pronouns (I, me, my, your, you, our, we, one, us)