Students Attending Baltimore Invent Youself/tutorialoutletdotcom
- 1. EN 101 All students attending Baltimore City Community College (BCCC) should not be required to take English 101.Explain FOR MORE CLASSES VISIT www.tutorialoutlet.com Purpose and audience: Select one of the questions from the list of research questions/ topics (page 5-6). If you choose, you may develop a question of your own or tweak one of the questions on the list. When you choose or write a question, you must make sure there are logical arguments for both sides of the issue. You will argue only one side, for the most part. However, one of the requirements of the assignment is that you include a refutation or concession (opposing viewpoint). The answer to your question, which may contain “should” or “should not,” or “is/are” or “is/are not” is the thesis for your documented argument. Example: Question: Should all students who attend BCCC be required to take English 101? Answer: Yes, all students attending BCCC should be required to take English 101. Or NO, all students attending BCCC should not be required to take English 101. Answer: Possible Thesis Statements: 1. All students attending Baltimore City Community College (BCCC) should not be
- 2. required to take English 101. 2. All students attending Baltimore City Community College (BCCC) should be required to take English 101 to ensure that they have the thinking and the writing skills to pursue a successful career. 3. All students attending Baltimore City Community College (BCCC) should be required to take English 101 to develop critical thinking, improve writing skills, expand vocabulary, and exposure to the different genres of writing. (you would then choose five to six reasons you believe that All students attending Baltimore City Community College (BCCC) should/ should not be required to take English 101. Each reason will become the basis for one of your support/ Body paragraphs. Example: Introduction (includes thesis) Thesis: All students attending Baltimore City Community College (BCCC) should be required to take English 101. Support Paragraph 1 – to develop critical thinking skills Support Paragraph 2 – to improve writing skills Support Paragraph 3 – to expand vocabulary Support Paragraph 4 – to expose students to the different genres of writing 1 EN 101 Professor Pope Support Paragraph 5 – to ensure they can transfer to any other accredited college/ university Support Paragraph 6 – opposing viewpoint Conclusion The purpose of your essay should be clear from the beginning of your essay by way of a thesis statement (ONE SENTENCE) being included in the Introductory paragraph. Your audience is comprised of members of the academia i.e. professors and fellow
- 3. classmates. Sources: Your essay should contain the following elements: 1. A clear thesis statement in the introduction; 2. Supporting paragraphs (the Body paragraphs) that clearly state and discuss the main points; 3. A conclusion that brings your essay/ discussion that summarizes and closes your essay; 4. At least five sources (three sources must be from the BCCC database). 5. Each source must be used in the essay in the form of a paraphrase and/ or a quote (parenthetical/ in-text citation) a minimum of two times. In the end, you should have a minimum of ten in-text citations in your paper using MLA Format; 6. and a separate Works Cited page that includes correct citations for your four, or more, sources. You may not use: 1. 2. 3. 4. encyclopedia articles. Wikipedia. more than two sources from the same periodical. sources dated prior to 2008 (unless you have special permission). You may use: 1. one source from the Internet (Use caution when selecting material from the Internet. Remember what you read in the text regarding selecting reputable sources.) MOST - .org sites are reputable, and any - .gov, and .edu sites are reputable sources. Feel free to
- 4. contact me to discuss any sources you are not sure about using. 2. one source from a popular news magazines such as Time, USA and Newsweek. (Other magazines such as ‘O’ Oprah, may be used depending on your topic, but you will more than likely not have use for magazines such as TV Guide and Good Housekeeping.) 3. one book (or chapter from a book). 4. one source such as an interview, pamphlet, etc. 2 EN 101 Professor Pope 5. You must use a minimum of three sources from the BCCC Database. (I realize this list can be a bit overwhelming, so I absolutely encourage you to approach me with your questions.) Rhetorical Pattern: Argument Your essay should contain the following elements in its three sections: Introduction Background information (which may include statistics and facts) Thesis statement Body A minimum of four points that support your thesis statement One opposing viewpoint Conclusion Restatement of the thesis Final appeal Problems you want to avoid: Using another person's work without giving them credit for it (plagiarism). Not making the purpose of your essay clear to your reader by including a clear and concise thesis statement. Not supporting your thesis statement with related main points that are well developed and add value to the reader’s understanding of your paper. Presenting a list of facts rather than organizing material into a coherent essay. Dealing with too many facts rather than limiting the scope of your paper. A 12-step program to success: 1. Use the brainstorming techniques you have learned to select a topic
- 5. of interest. 2. From the topic you have selected, develop a research question. For example, Should convicted felons have the right to vote upon their release from prison regardless of the crime(s) they committed? 3. Do some preliminary research. Find at least four sources on your topic, but finding a few more than the required number of sources is always better. 4. Read the source materials. 5. Answer your question. The answer to your question is your working thesis statement. 3 EN 101 Professor Pope For example, Convicted felons should have the right to vote upon their release from prison regardless of the crime(s) they committed. 6. Prepare a preliminary Works Cited page (using proper MLA format) consisting of at least four acceptable sources. 7. Complete an outline. 8. Find support for the main points of your argument (supporting details). 9. Find an opposing viewpoint to your argument. 10. Revise your essay. 11. Proofread for errors, and submit your final paper. 12. Submit your final draft. Format (using MLA): Length – 1200 - 1250 words (approximately five-six typed pages) Use white paper. The Thesis statement must be underlined, highlighted or bold. Use MLA Formatting – (For more information, view the MLA information located under the COURSE CONTENT link in Blackboard) -indent/ TAB five spaces at the beginning of each paragraph -use a 12 point font -use Times New Roman -do NOT have a cover page -double space the text of your entire paper from the heading on the first page to the end of the Works Cited page (see example on Page 4 of this document) -include a Works Cited page, as the last page of the essay (include on
- 6. a separate page than the actual essay) Sources/ Research: 4 EN 101 Professor Pope The Guide to Plagiarism is attached in your Course Syllabus. MLA format will be the documentation style preference for ENG101. To help with citing your sources, I have included several URL’s (below) of helpful resources at the Purdue OWL (Online Writing Lab). In addition, there is more information on MLA and citations in the Handouts & Information section of the course in Blackboard. Lastly, the BCCC Library is another great resource for learning MLA. We will review accessing and utilizing the website in class, as well as visit the library to meet with a Librarian this semester. Evaluation: You must have a clearly stated and identifiable thesis statement and supporting evidence/ examples in you supporting paragraphs. In addition, an introduction, body (supporting paragraphs), and a conclusion are mandatory. Keep in mind that evidence, facts, examples, observations, and details strengthen your essay. A good response will demonstrate an ability to articulate a clear position on the assigned topic, organize information, sustain a discussion for several paragraphs, develop your premises, support claims with evidence, and express ideas clearly. In the end, having written at least two drafts, you should submit a well written and polished essay. I will evaluate the content, organization, style/ expression, grammar/ mechanics (including language usage), and punctuation of your essay. In addition, I will pay attention to your having an easily identifiable and clearly stated thesis
- 7. statement. Sample Topic Questions: 1.) Is President-elect Donald Trump the best candidate for the United States Presidency? 2.) Should the Electoral College, the entity that actually decides who will be President of the United States, be done away with? 3.) Should teachers be paid salaries more comparable to that of physicians and lawyers? 5 EN 101 Professor Pope 4.) Should people with a felony conviction have the right to vote reinstated once the serve their time? 5.) Is the “Black Lives Matter” campaign a positive force in the community? 6.) Are the police officers charged in the Freddie Gray case guilty of “Involuntary Manslaughter” or some other illegal act(s)? 7.) Should professional athletes and entertainers be responsible for the image they portray to the public, especially children? 8.) Should the land of Israel be returned to Palestine? 9.) Should marijuana be legalized in Maryland? 10.) Should the act of punishment by “spanking,” “hitting,” “beating,” and “whipping” (whatever you might call the act) one’s children be illegal in Maryland? 11.) Should condoms be distributed in high schools along with education about sexual intercourse? 12.) Should the drinking age for alcohol be lowered to 18 years of age in Maryland? 13.) Should the Internet be monitored by an international agency versus national agencies as it is currently? 14.) Should child support payments be extended through 21 years of
- 8. age instead of ending at 18 years of age? 15.) Should all marriage licenses have to be renewed after every seven years of marriage to decrease the number of divorces? 16.) Should the laws and penalties for being charged and convicted of pedophilia be re-evaluated by state governments? 17.) Should interracial adoption be promoted in the United States? 18.) Should parents be held responsible for the illegal activities performed by children under the age of 18? 19.) Should outsourcing be encouraged/ sanctioned by the United States government? 20.) Should the same laws regarding Child Labor Laws that apply in the U.S. also apply to employees who work for American companies in foreign nations? 21.) Should Developmental courses be removed from the college curriculum? 6 EN 101 Professor Pope 7