1. ENG 101 – Bolton
Essay Assignment 4: Arguing a Position with Research (Research Paper)
Important Dates and Requirements
Pre-Writing Due: Tuesday, October 23 (at class time)
Outline Due: Tuesday, October 25 (at class time)
Draft Due to TurnitIn for PeerMark: Monday, November 12 (by 11:59 p.m.)
Peer Review Must be Completed By: Thursday, November 15 (by 11:59 p.m.)
Paper Due to Instructor: Tuesday, November 20 (by 5:00 p.m.)
Length: 1700-3400 words*
Outside Sources Required: Six—see “Research Component” section for details
Submission Methods: Hard copy (to me), electronic copy to TurnitIn
* Essays that are too short, too long, or don’t meet the source requirements will receive half credit.
Note: You will also be required to turn in additional work that you complete as part of the writing
process—see second page for details.
In your last essay, you analyzed and responded to an argument; now, it is your turn to make one. I
expect you to read Chapters 9 and 32 in your Norton Field Guide thoroughly, as they discuss all the
components of arguing. Follow these guidelines while constructing your essay:
Since we ―don’t make arguments without being provoked‖ (Graff 3), you must first find
something to ―provoke‖ you, and it will be one of the ―technology horror stories‖ we
read/discussed in class.
o For example, ―The Embryo Imbroglio‖ might have you questioning the occurrence of
hospital errors and their effect on society.
o Certainly, at least one of these sparked your interest, and this will be what persuaded you
to write an essay on a similar topic.
o Keep in mind that you are now responding to a situation, not so much an argument or the
ideas of others—this leaves the topic flexible, as you can take it in any (relevant)
direction
Include an appropriate summary of the issue (primarily in the introduction) for your readers
(your intro should also mention/discuss the ―provoking‖ article/text that encouraged you to write
this essay)
Offer a clear, well-developed thesis that makes an argument of definition, causation, evaluation,
or recommendation (refer back to your notes for details on these—your claim must be arguable!)
Offer solid, logical reasons for your claim (and use logos, ethos, and pathos to persuade readers!)
o Avoid logical fallacies as well
Quote/cite from each source at least once in your essay (see Chapter 3 of They Say I Say for
details on quoting and Chapter 49 in your Norton Field Guide for an example of formatting)
o This means a direct quote, not a paraphrase; though you may paraphrase additionally, you
must quote (meaning word-for-word, in quotation marks) at least once from each source
(excluding ―provoking‖ article)—you will lose 15 points for each source you don’t
directly quote from
Include a counterargument (―plant a naysayer‖) where you provide the opposing view and
ultimately disprove it (see Chapter 6 of They Say I Say for details!)
Follow MLA format (you should have a Works Cited page with your sources listed on it, and
each quote/paraphrase should have a correct parenthetical citation!)

2. Research Component:
You must include EACH of the following in your essay (these are the sources you must
quote/cite from as mentioned above):
□ One book (printed, published, physical—not an e-book)
□ One e-book (from library database)
□ Two articles (from library database)
□ One Film-on-Demand (from library database)
 Note: If you can’t find a Film-on-Demand, come see me and I’ll give you an
alternate option—but you must let me know in advance!
□ The article/text that prompted you to write this
 You do not have to directly quote/cite from this, but it must be mentioned in your
intro and should therefore be included on your Works Cited
Some additional notes/warnings:
o All sources (except book and ―provoking‖ story) MUST come from a library
database—if a source doesn’t come from the library database, it doesn’t count (meaning
your essay will receive half credit for just ONE slip!)
o You may use more than these five sources, but all must be scholarly – if you include ten
sources and one isn’t scholarly, you may receive half credit
o Unless they come from a database, newspaper articles are not scholarly.
o Only one dictionary is scholarly (and acceptable): The Oxford English Dictionary. It will
only count once (regardless of the number of words cited) and won’t count as your book;
any other dictionary does not count at all!
o On your Works Cited page, you must include the name of the database where you
retrieved the article—this is typical MLA format, but I warn you because if I can’t tell
where you got it, I can’t check it, and if I can’t verify it, it doesn’t count…
Checklist for Essay 4:
All of the following items are due along with the hard copy of your essay (NO later);
put everything in your folder. For each of these items missing, your essay will be
penalized up to 20 points.
□ copy of this assignment sheet (all three pages—print and turn in)
□ copy of EACH SOURCE used in your essay—each source must be thoroughly
annotated (-20 for each source not included)
o For books/e-books (and extremely long articles), just print a few
relevant pages—the entire thing isn’t required
o You don’t have to include your Films on Demand
o You don’t have to include your ―provoking‖ story, though you are
welcome to do so
□ pre-writing work from class
□ outline for essay (see worksheet on D2L—can be handwritten)
□ self-editing worksheet and draft (see D2L)
Don’t forget that you also have to submit your final copy to Turnitin.com!

3. Student Name: _________________________ Peer Review Grade: _____/20
Essay 4: Arguing a Position/Research Paper (150 points)
Scale: 12.5 = perfect/excellent, 10 = good, 7.5 = fair, 0 = poor or missing
12.5 10 7.5 0
Introduction effectively and objectively summarizes issue, offers what
―sparked‖ essay, provides necessary background information, states why the
issue is important, and ―plants a naysayer‖ (―they say‖)
Thesis statement is clear and well-developed, makes an arguable claim (of
definition, evaluation, causation, or recommendation), and is the last sentence
of the introduction
Each body paragraph includes a topic sentence that outlines that paragraph
and connects to the thesis
Body paragraphs are appropriate, concrete, and well-developed; examples are
logical and effective
Counterargument (the ―they say‖) paragraph is included, well-presented,
(fairly and objectively), and ultimately disproved
In-text citations are formatted correctly, properly framed, and used effectively
to support thesis; sources and quotes are well-chosen and appropriate
Logos, ethos, and pathos are effectively used to appeal to readers; logical
fallacies are avoided
Conclusion avoids introducing new ideas and adequately summarizes essay
Essay is well-organized; transitions effectively enhance essay’s ―flow‖ by
guiding reader
Vocabulary, language use, and word choices are correct and appropriate
Note: You should avoid second-person (“you,” “your,” “you’re”) and
unnecessary first-person (I think, I believe, in my opinion, etc.)
Grammar, spelling, and mechanics demonstrate correct use of Standard
Edited American English
MLA Format is followed throughout essay (including Works Cited page)
* Please consult your essay for details; if you do not understand a comment I made, please don’t
hesitate to come see me during office hours to discuss your essay.
Note: If your total ends in .5, it will be rounded up to the nearest whole number.
See Checklist on page 2 of this
assignment sheet!
Grade: _____/150