5 to 7 page Research Essay prompt

5-7 page Research Essay: Arguing Impact of a Word   |

ENGL102

Worth: 200 points (20% of course grade)

Course Objectives Focus (see syllabus):          

·       Effective Writing (b, c, d, e)

·       Informational Literacy skills (all)

·       Critical Analysis and Reasoning (all)

Important Dates:

·       Wed., 8/3: Annotated Bibliography due during conferences

·       Thur., 8/4: Research Essay Due (1200-1500 words); work cited page due

Requirements:

·       1200 – 1500 effective words, which approximates to 5 to 7 pages.

·       MLA Format: double-spaced paragraphs; 12-point Times New Roman or Cambria font

·       Include MLA in-text citation and a Work Cited page (not included in minimum page count)

·       Five sources,  (one primary; four secondary), including one source that must fulfill the counterargument to your main argument

·       Single space header on left side:

Student name

ENG 102

5-7 Page Research

Title (Centered)

Essay Topic/Purpose:

Choose a word or a phrase that you find has arguable connotations—one that you as a critical thinker implies some kind of societal prejudice. Some societal prejudice topics include racism, sexism, religious persecution, ageism, social class snobbery (I’m being light-hearted, here), slights against disabled people, or some other word group that “people” slur against.

Also, find a main source—this will be your primary source—in which you argue both the problems with the author’s specific use of that word/phrase and how use of that word is generally problem-atic in society or in such societal discussions of the topic, such as in this article. You will also in your argument, as part of your analysis of the problem, define the connotations of the word/phrase (see Practical Argument for help with making Definition and Ethical Arguments).

You will need at least four secondary sources to support your argument; one of those four sources must provide a counterargument to your position.

Critical Thinking/Pre-writing on Topic:

1.   What are words we should never really say in polite company? What are words that are used to easily in polite company—or in media?

2. Where does this word exist in constant usage? What types of texts (from videos to news to speeches to…) include this word/phrase’s usage?