Persuasive Research PaperFive paragraph argument paper

on a controversial issue

Mode:Persuasive/Argument PaperPersuasion = the art of convincing people to do or believe something

Argument = genre of writing that requires the student to investigate a topic; collect, generate, and evaluate evidence; and establish a position on the topic

in a concise manner

“What is an argumentative essay?” The Purdue OWL. Purdue U Writing Lab, 2010. Web. 18 Jan 2014.

Persuasive/Argument Paper• To write an argument essay, you’ll need to

gather evidence and present a well-reasoned argument on a debatable issue.

• You will argue for one side of your chosen controversial issue.

• Your research-based arguments must convince your audience that your view/thesis is true, valid, & correct.

Topic:Cross-CurricularChoose a debatable or controversial issue . . .

in sports, science, the earth and the environment,government/politics, animal welfare, education, arts & culture, media & communications, etc.

Choose your own topic from the list of topics on the Points of View database.

New in 8th Grade!!!To give credit to your sources, you must use

in-text citations and a Works Cited page,

NOT a Works Consulted page

You will follow MLA Format for your research

(MLA = Modern Language Association)

and you will use the MLA proper heading, page layout, pagination, documentation, etc.

Samples of In-Text CitationsA week later, corrections officer Shannon Smith, who was guarding prisoners by the side of the road, was killed by a woman distracted by a phone call (Besthoff).

In Japan, for example, accidents linked to cell phones fell by 75% just a month after the country prohibited using a handheld phone while driving (Haughney A8).

Works Cited

Besthoff, Len. “Cell Phone Use Increases Risk of Accidents, but Users

Willing to Take the Risk.” WRAL.com. Capitol Broadcasting,

9 Nov. 1999. Web. 12 Jan. 2001.

Haughney, Christine. “Taking Phones out of Drivers’ Hands.”

Washington Post 5 Nov. 2000: A8. Print.

Sample of First Page in MLA Format

Sample of Works Cited Page

Research: Documentation of Sources1) You must use at least four in-text citations• Used within the text of your paper• Reference in parentheses that gives credit to the

source; e.g., (Smith 23).• Directs readers to the full source entry on the

Works Cited page

Research: Documentation of Sources2) Works Cited page• Last page of your paper (page three)• Must list at least three sources on your Works

Cited page• Lists only the sources you have cited in the

text of your paper

Length: Five Paragraphsfive paragraphs on two pages maximum;

the Works Cited page is page 3Library Time:Provided 6 days in the library to complete research

Choosing a TopicStep 1: Identify three possible topics of interest. Step 2: Write three research questions,

one for each topic of interest.Step 3: Read articles on databases (do research!) to answer your research questions. Step 4: Write one final research question.

Step 5: Answer research question with your thesis statement.Step 6: Your thesis statement is what you will prove with solid research in your paper.

Example

Sample Research Question:Should PA public school students be required to wear uniforms? Answer/thesis:Pennsylvania public schools should require all students to wear uniforms.

orPennsylvania public schools should not require their students to wear uniforms.

Keep pace . . .

Do your work ON TIME! Don’t fall behind . . .

Do your best!