ENGL 1101

Argumentative Research Portfolio

For the final essay in ENGL 1101, your task will be to examine a major local, state, federal, or global issue, examining and researching its various sides FAIRLY, then drawing conclusions from your analysis to conclude for your readers what makes the most sense and what they should do with your facts and conclusions. Choose from the following options, each of them equally valid:

• Examine a heated issue in today’s world, one which either has opposing factions (opponents/proponents) or for which various groups desire different outcomes of solutions. Look at all sides of the issue, then show how, in the end, you conclude that one side has more validity or rational substance than the other side. Any topic is valid EXCEPT the following:

ABORTION

POLITICS.

GUN CONTROL

MARIJUANA LEGILIZATION

• Evaluate the worth or worthiness of some form of artistic OR philosophical expression (can be a specific work or a whole movement), showing both why people agree with or support it and why others do not agree with it or support it. Once you’ve seen all sides of the argument, choose the side to which you belong—concluding that it IS or IS NOT worthy of the attention or profit or discussion it is getting.
• Examine possible solutions to an existing problem. In this case, the problem is not the debatable point (such as with animal cruelty, child abuse, etc.), but how the problem can best be solved is what is in question. Go over all of the options for the reader, then logically explain why one solution is the best way to remedy the situation.

You may choose any of these, and you SHOULD choose a topic about which you have a strong interest. However, while you will be eventually arguing a side, the essay should be thorough and fair in its analysis of all sides, so if you feel so strongly about the issue that you grow angry or emotional just talking about it, select a different topic. If you cannot see the other sides in the issue as having validity, then you cannot effectively judge the issue for your readers.

As part of the development of your portfolio from start to finish, different components are required to make up the total of the project’s grade (which is 45% of the course grade). Each portion is described below, and its weight within the project is also listed:

1. Outline (5%, or 50 pts.)

This should be a one- to two-page document showing the logical progression of the essay plan, including introduction, thesis, main points, major evidence, transitions, and conclusion.

2. Rough draft(s) (5%, or 50 pts.)

This document can show the essay at ANY stage of its development, but it MUST be turned into the instructor at least one time during the process of working on the portfolio—either through Turnitin (on Blackboard) or during class (in paper format). The document, with MY questions, comments, and other marks, is what will be assessed for this portion of the grade. Comments will be compared to the final draft to assess the extent of the student’s revision and editing.

3. Research details/Annotated Bibliography (10%, or 100 pts.)

This portion of the portfolio will present a general summary of the information to be found in each outside resource used, including the interview/survey. The summary of each will be placed UNDERNEATH a fully cited MLA-style end citation of the source to be used. Sources which are consulted but NOT used in the final draft should still be included, as they may substantially increase the score for this portion of the portfolio.

4. Final draft (20%, or 200 pts.)

This is the final document, the argumentative result of your research, logical thought, and development. It should be a minimum of 1500 words (typed, double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman font), plus a works cited page, and all should fully follow the requirements listed below:

NOTE: This word count does not include the works cited. You must have 1,500 words BEFORE the Works Cited is added.

1. Its title effectively draws attention AND connects to the analysis.
2. It has a clear introduction to grab readers’ attention and to establish what issue will be examined.
3. It examines and analyzes the issue fully and fairly, giving all sides of the issue fair depiction and representation, before taking any side.
4. Its structure is clearly organized around main points covered, which examine all sides, then paragraph by paragraph, use logic and clear reasoning to examine each side AND to reach its final thesis and concluding paragraph.
5. Its thesis is delayed, so that readers only understand the overall persuasive point of your essay in the last few paragraphs (not at the beginning).
6. The author’s voice is clear and appropriate to the academic context.
7. It contains at least FOUR credible, unbiased resources, properly cited MLA style, identified within the paper when they are used and more completely detailed on the Works Cited page at the end of the essay.
8. It contains few or no errors to interfere with its effectiveness.