How to Write Your Essay

Follow these rules. They will ensure that you are meeting the guidelines of the CMS Graduation Paper.

Does your essay have a title

• Should be short

• Should give the reader an idea of the topic

• Should give the reader and idea of what you will talk about within that topic:

Ex. A paper on child labor and why it is good could be called: Child Labor and the Benefits It Can Provide

• Should be at the top of your paper and should be centered.

Introduction Checklist

• Do you have a hook?

• Do you explain why your broad topic matter? (i.e, why as a reader should I care?

• Do you provide background information that would help the reader:• Understand key terms• Understand the specifics of your topic

• Is you thesis in bold?

• Does your thesis include 3 arguments (how and/or why you will prove your statement)

What does this look like?

Writing Your First Argument

• You will know what to write based on what the thesis statement!

EX: Even though some people believe child labor is a violation of human rights, there should be exceptions for child labor because it is an income option for families in economic need, a high poverty rate makes it necessary, and being employed can keep kids away from trouble.

• Based on this, my first argument will be that Child Labor is a good thing because it helps families that are in economic need.

In your argument you will use quotes

• Quotes must come from a variety of sources

• You can use paraphrasing or direct quotes.

• No matter how you reference the material, there MUST be an internal citation:

EX. According to World Bank economist George Pscacharopoulos, working children contribute on average about 27% of their household income in Venezuela (Clement).

You know what to put in the parenthesis based on the works cited page:

EX. Clement, Douglas. "Why Johnny Can't Work." Region Vol. 19, No. 2. June 2005: 32-40. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 09 Apr 2012.

Rules on Using Quotes

• When you use a quote, be sure that it is important

• When you write one line of a quote (even if it is paraphrased) you must explain why it matters and how it relates to your topic in at least 2 lines.

• Rule for every 1 line from another source, you must have 2 lines (min.) of explanation.

How Long Should Argument 1 be?

• 1 ½-2 pages in length

• You will have about 3-4 paragraphs per argument

What is due on Mon. 10/21

• You paper TYPED, 12 pt font, double-spaced with 1 inch margins

• A title, which is at the top of the page and centered

• Your introduction, which includes your thesis statement in bold

• Your first argument which includes internal citations

• Your works cited page.