Assignment Overview
The Researched Argument, your third major writing assignment in ENG 111 worth 25% of your overall course grade,
requires that you take a firm stance on an issue and argue its relevance, backed by evidence-based findings, to persuade
readers to agree with their approach or point of view. For this assignment, you will write an argumentative research essay
that explores a contemporary issue in society.
Consider what piques your curiosity within social, political, environmental, technological, or cultural aspects of society and
pose a research question that will allow you to deepen your understanding of the complexities and implications of the
issue.
This assignment requires three submissions: a topic proposal, a preliminary draft, and a final draft. During this unit, you
will gain experience demonstrating critical thought about a current topic, organizing information about that topic, utilizing
evidence to build claims, and ensuring that your voice is the guiding and predominant force behind a substantive
argument that cites the words of others.
Banned Topic Choices:
You may not argue about any of the following topics:
1. Topics related to morality: abortion, euthanasia, gay marriage, the death penalty, etc. Topics related to personal
morality (i.e. one’s personal or religious beliefs about “right and wrong”) are not appropriate topics for academic
debate.
2. Other banned topics: gun control, legalizing marijuana, lowering the drinking age, dress codes, immigration, paying
college athletes, climate change, video games and violence, etc. These topics are more complicated than what can be
argued effectively in an academic essay of just five pages.
Instead, please choose a topic that you are genuinely interested in and one that you do not already have a strong opinion
about.
Assignment Requirements
Compose an essay no less than five, double-spaced pages in length. This total does not include your Works Cited
page, which must begin on a new page.
Include as support for your argument at least one quote (or paraphrased idea) from each of the required four
sources.
Develop a thesis that conveys your argumentative purpose.
Develop your arguments within the essay body by way of explanation and exemplification — concrete, detailed, and
coherent reasons, evidence, and examples that demonstrate the logic and significance behind your argument.
Respond to objections to your claim by first citing a specific objection and then explaining either why the objection is
invalid or why the objection does not detract from your overall claim.
Identify and apply the conventions of 10th edition MLA format and accurate MLA documentation, including attribution
(signal phrasing), in-text citations, and a Works Cited page. The document must exemplify MLA document format,
including use of 12-point, Times New Roman font, left justification, and appropriate capitalization, centering, and
hanging indent requirements.
Avoid use of 1st or 2nd person (“I,” “we,” “us,” and “you”). This assignment asks for a response based on research
found in the source material, and you should strive to write in an academic voice that uses third person only.
Avoid personal narrative and opinion-based development (i.e. “I believe,” “I think,” “In my opinion,” etc.). All ideas
must be well-supported with logical explanations, details, connections, and evidence from the required source
material.
Use all stages of the writing process to develop a final draft that demonstrates your ability to incorporate standard,
academic, writing conventions (see rubric)
Source Requirements
This essay requires a total of four sources that meet the following requirements:
One credible video or podcast source
Two library database sources which could include newspapers, magazines, scholarly journals and proceedings.
One credible internet source (which could include a second video or podcast)