Assignment 2 – Topic Proposal

After reviewing the Research Paper assignment, choose one of the topics from the list as the focus of your research paper.

Once you have chosen a topic, write a proposal essay that includes the following:

          A draft introductory paragraph for your paper that includes some context on your topic and your planned thesis statement/argument about your topic. A topic is general; a thesis statement is a specific argument about a topic.

          At least 3 specific research sources (NOT from the textbook) where you will find information to support your thesis statement. A specific source is a book, an article posted at a website or a webpage containing specific information, a piece from a peer reviewed journal, or an essay/article from a well-respected source. A general website, such as census.gov is not a specific source.  You should explain how each these sources will be valuable to you in supporting your argument. Your research sources must be college-level sources.  You MAY NOT use the following sources:

          Dictionaries (online or in print)

          Encyclopedias (online or in print)

          Wikipedia

          Study guides

          Papers written by other students (online or in print)

Format:

          Be sure to use in-text citations for ALL quotes and examples from the text.  In addition, you MUST have a Works Cited page at the end of your writing assignment.

          ALL assignments must be submitted in proper MLA format.  For help with MLA style guidelines, read Chapter 22 in EAA and visit the Purdue OWL website and search for MLA: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/

          Do not use first person (I, we, us, our) or second person (you, your, youre) UNLESS YOU ARE USING RELEVANT PERSONAL EXPERIENCE. Never use Second Person You. Academic writing often requires the use of third person and a formal tone; in this course, I want you to practice this type of formal writing.  College-level papers should always be written mostly in third person, using a formal tone, unless the assignment/professor specifies otherwise. That means no announcements like this paper will discuss etc.