These are the topics that have been selected as a result of meeting with Mrs. Vildardi and Mr. Walker (science). If you have a topic which interests you, please ask me , Mrs. Vilardi, or Mr. Walker. Topics must be approved in advance.

Topics Genetic Engineering Cloning tissue for organ transplants Ethical issues in computer science and

technology (find a specific problem and investigate its use/abuse)

Ethical issues in biotechnology Ethical bionics

pollution of water –

Mining – environmental concerns, mining waste, underground pollution, air pollution –

Population control in China –

Population control for political purposesPrivatization of water Deep ocean drilling (consider the oil spill)Wetlands - biodiversity Effect of climate change on food production Depleting natural resources for energy

Pick a topic. Develop a logical

series of questions. These questions

will become your working outline.

Sample: Use of stem cell research for organ transplant.

Questions – What is limited stem cell research? Cloning?

How could cloning of stem cells save lives?

Why are some opposed to it?

In the library, use a recognized data base such as EBSCO or the Alabama Virtual Library to conduct your research.

Why should you use a data base? The most important reason to use a

recognized data base is so that you can be sure to use valid sources.

A valid source contains bibliographical information about the author of the original research and the author of the article.

It will provide a way for you to properly refer to the article in your own writing. This is called a CITATION.

Note: do not use encyclopedias, including WIKI, for your research.

Other sources you may NOT use: Prewritten essays for free or purchase

(this is plagiarism). Articles with no known source other than

the website.

Now read. Before you can write, you must read. Get a general idea of the topic about which you are writing.

Ready, set, research.

Now, write a 100 word summary (don’t copy ANYTHING) about three articles you’ve read on the topic.

Include with this summary an accurate bibliographic citation – as it would appear in your works cited page. Consult the OWL at Perdue for information on HOW TO DOCUMENT using MLA style.

In your paper, you will need four sources, one of which should be a primary source.

A primary source could be a chart showing original data and surveys collected by an individual or research group.

A primary source could also be a person who is considered expert in his field. An interview would be a primary source.

You will need to include a chart with data in your paper. In this case, it is acceptable to copy and paste; however, you must still record (document, cite) the source of the information. This information must be included with the chart and again at the works cited page.

Now that you have conducted research, you should draw a conclusion about the direction it has taken you. In other words, you will form an opinion. Your thesis statement will be written as a position statement which uses a TOULMIN argument (rather than a personal opinion) as its basis.

A TOULMIN argument is simply one that states that research indicates __(20 % of the population affected by diabates)_ could benefit from the (stem cell cloning)____.

USE THE “IDEA” approach. This simplifies writing, even in an argumentative research paper.

I – Identify and define the topic carefully. This D-will become part of your introduction.

E-xamine the evidence (outline your research, using topic sentence and supporting levels of evidence).

A –nalyze and interpret the research S-Summarize and conclude. Reiterate

position.

Just before your summary/conclusion, you may OPT to include a rebuttal. This is a paragraph or more in which you acknowledge varying points of view about a certain topic.

Once you give that information, however, you should REFUTE it by pointing to your research.

Adding a rebuttal adds validity to your paper and shows that you are capable of looking at the “big picture.”

You will save time by refining your outline before your write.

Using your outline, write an introduction that clearly defines the topic and restricts (narrows) it scope). This introduction will include your thesis statement. Remember, you will be taking a position. Don’t write this as an opinion, though. SEE TOULMIN ARGUMENT.

You should have at least THREE body paragraphs after your introduction. Each of these should address a different examination of the EVIDENCE (consult your summaries).

Next comes the rebuttal. Finally, comes the conclusion (pun

intended).

EACH AND EVERY TIME THAT YOU REFER TO AND/OR QUOTE A SOURCE, you should put in parenthesis the abbreviated portion of the reference that will be completed given in the works cited page.

Note: parenthetical citation and works cited are NOT THE SAME.

Parenthetical: Recent research suggests the American high-fat diet has caused a 1000% increase in diabetes (Smith 17).

Note: There are different ways of referring to different types of sources.

This is the point at which YOU MUST USE OWL at Perdue.

For example, if you are referring to a web article, you must give that web address and the date it was last updated.

You don’t have to quote or document information that is commonly understood. For example, everyone knows that the human body consists of organs and cells. That’s COMMON KNOWLEDGE.

However, not everyone COULD or is expected to know the process of cell division or which organs can replenish cells, etc. In that case, you must consult a reference and give that in your paper.

Use quotations sparingly. It is best to summarize, then put in parenthesis the source of that information, using MLA style.

Use quotes when it is necessary to capture the quality and/or essence of a person’s expertise.

Try to work these into your own sentence. For example: Although human cells divide

and transmit information to other cells, the transmitter “often loses key information that is vital to cell survival” (Smith 78).

At the end of your paper, include a “Works Cited” page (call it that).

USE MLA STYLE, not APA style. Consult the OWL at Perdue.

List only those sources that you used in the paper.

If you wish to make a list of other materials you read just for your own information/edification, do a bibliolography.

This should be turned in to me in a pocket folder (please, no plastic).

ON THE LEFT SIDE: Summaries, note cards, outline, rough

draft. ON THE RIGHT: Your final copy and works

cited page. Don’t staple anything.

Study the plagiarism policy on the my website (county policy).

Ignorance of the rules is no defense.