Persuasive Research Paper

English I

The Assignment

Key Issue Outline

Submitting the Paper

                Everyone wants to be heard and have their voice respected.  Developing a strong persuasive writing style is a way to be heard and garner respect.  However, no matter how persuasive someone may be, strong evidence is needed to bolster an argument.  This is true if someone is arguing about the best place to eat dinner or the merits of various tax systems in the United States.  The best evidence to support an argument will come from reliable and respected sources.

                In this assignment, you will be using research skills to find evidence to support a persuasive argument. It should not be a difficult assignment if it is broken down into stages and diligence is maintained throughout the process.  The assignment could become cumbersome for those who dawdle or procrastinate.

The research process should not be difficult if it is broken down into stages.  To help with the paper, a topic entitled “English I, Honors Persuasive Research Paper Questions” will be added to the FHS message board of Gaggle.  You may use this to post questions.  Anyone at FHS has access to this board.  Please check it often to see if you can help each other. 

                A discussion topic entitled “English I, Honors Persuasive Research Paper Questions” will also be set up on the discussion board of turnitin.com.  You may use this to post questions.  Individuals from your class are the only ones who have access to this site.  Please check it often to see if you can help each other. 

                During the research process, be sure to frequently save your documents to your Gaggle digital locker and your student user drive. 

                Use of the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers is essential for this paper.  Reading chapter 1 is a logical place to begin. 

I.         Stage One:  Choose a topic (MLA 1.3).  In most cases, individuals will not be allowed to share a topic.  This will assure that a variety of topics are being researched and a variety of sources remain available.  Your preferred topic selection must be submitted using Gaggle in the manner already provided in class. 

 

II.       Stage Two: Create a working draft of the text.  This working draft should serve to get your ideas on paper and provide a starting point for your research.  The working draft should have all the necessary components of a quality writing, but it might not contain the research that will provide the strong evidence necessary for the completion of the assignment.

 

III.     Stage Three: Research a variety of reliable sources (MLA 1.6). Three research days will be provided in the school library to find evidence to strengthen ideas. There are several requirements that must be met during this time.

1.        Research a minimum of five sources.  The research must incorporate the following five types of sources.  Each type of source must be used once in the research paper. 

A.      A book.

B.       A periodical.

C.       A reference book.

D.      A website.

E.      An interview with an authority (it may be a transcript or a personal interview).

2.        Complete a working bibliography (MLA 1.5).  The working bibliography is essential if note cards are to be completed correctly.  If this is not done correctly the first time, then it will mean much more work later.

3.        Take notes (MLA 1.7)  While you should take many notes, you must complete at least 24 note cards (see handout “Taking Notes.”)   Most individuals will need more information than 24 note cards can contain.  Twenty-four is the bare minimum requirement.  After 24 cards have been completed, you may implement your own system of organization as long as you can demonstrate that system if asked.  

A.      Four note cards must be completed for each key issue of the argument.  There should be a minimum of three key issues.

B.       Four note cards must be completed for each key issue of the oppositional argument.  There should be a minimum of three key issues.

IV.     Stage Four:  Complete a key-issue outline for each side of your topic. Note: See handout for proper format of a key-issue outline.

V.       Stage Five: Incorporate your research into your working draft.  If the key issue outline was completed appropriately, then this stage should be easy.

VI.     Stage Six: Complete a polished draft for review and have the draft reviewed.  At least two people need to read the draft before it is turned-in for a grade.  A review sheet will be given for this stage.

VII.   Stage Seven: Submit a polished copy for review (MLA 1.9).

1.        The polished draft should appear in MLA style (MLA 4).

2.        See the handout entitled “Submitting the Research Paper” for the proper method of submitting the paper.

3.        After the writing has been submitted, each student must attend a writer’s conference with the teacher to discuss the writing and ways in which it might be improved.

VIII.     Stage Eight: Make corrections.

1.        After the writer’s conference has occurred, the writer has one week to make necessary revisions and resubmit the paper for review.

2.        A copy of the paper will be added to the writing portfolio.

Student Name

Mr. Stephen Womack

English I, Honors - ___ period

Date

Key Issue Outline

Topic: Random drug testing of students involved in extra-curricular activities should not be allowed in schools.

1. Key Issue 1: The cost of drug testing is expensive, and money could be better spent on other areas to support education.

1. Quality and reliable drug test are expensive.

1. Supporting Evidence: “An average drug test cost $16.32.  A school that administers drug test to students involved in extra-curricular activities could give up to 300 drug test a semester which is almost $10,000 a year”  (Smith 46).  The notation at the end refers to the source and the page number of the information.

2. Supporting Evidence: summary A student who tests positive for drugs must be retested at an additional cost to the school (Fross A11).

2. Money spent on drug test could be better spent in most schools.

1. Supporting Argument: summary No Child Left Behind seeks to implement more technology in schools. The money used for drug testing could be placed towards quality technology in schools (ACLU “Random…” par. 4).

2. Key Issue 2: Testing only students involved in extra-curricular activities is a discriminatory practice that risks missing the heaviest drug users and alienating students who are not drug users.

1. Students have a Constitutional right to expect privacy and be innocent until proven guilty.  Random drug testing does expects that some are guilty and must be proven innocent.

1. Supporting Evidence: summary The Constitution of the United States guarantees a right to privacy.  Random drug testing infringes on that right to privacy (ACLU. “Random…” par 10).

2. Random drug testing sends mixed messages to students.

1. Supporting Evidence: pp Random drug testing is a form of fear-based propaganda that does not teach students to critically analyze reasons they should not do drugs (ACLU. “Improper…” par. 4)

3. Random drug testing targets the wrong individuals.

   1. Supporting Evidence: “The heaviest drug users in schools are usually not involved in extra-curricular activities” (Smith 48)

2. Supporting Evidence: “ Testing only students involved in extra-curricular activities drives at-risk students away from extra-curricular activities leaving them more time to experiment with drugs” (Smith 49).

3. Key Issue 3: Drug test that are utilized in schools are not accurate enough to have a significant impact to offset the expense.

1. Drug tests typically used in schools are not accurate and may accuse innocent students.

1. Supporting Evidence: “Drug tests that are typically utilized by schools cannot detect the most commonly abused drug by teenagers – alcohol.  The test will also miss many of the more serious drugs such as methamphetamine or steroids.” (Ross B2).

2. Supporting Evidence: pp Drug test will often show false positives for illegal drugs when a legal drug was being taken for medical purposes.  Even aspirin has been known to show a false positive (ACLU “Random…” par 13).

3. Supporting Evidence: summary Students who test positive for drugs are usually given a second more expensive test to verify the findings.  The second test is more accurate which requires more money be spent on a test that often reveals negative results (Fross A11). Note: This argument was made earlier in the paper; it can be reiterated here if done so in a different context.

Oppositional Issue: Random drug testing of students involved in extra-curricular activities should be allowed in school.

I.         Key Issue 1: Random drug testing helps to keep athletes safe.

1.        Athletes using drugs run a greater risk of health problems.

A.      Supporting Evidence: summary Drug use can cause enlarged hearts, breathing problems, emotional stress, over-heating, and many other problems (King 34).

2.        Athletes who use steroids can hurt other athletes who do not.

A.      Supporting Evidence: “Steroid use can cause emotional instability in some athletes and lead to outburst of rage on the playing field” (Connley 74).

B.       Supporting Evidence: pp Athletes who use steroids have an unfair advantage over those who do not.  In high school, that can mean that small players could be playing unnaturally large players who can inflict undue harm (Legelos transcript).

3.        There are many examples of drug using athletes who have died during athletic events.

A.      Supporting Evidence: summary In 1999, senior running back for Mankota High School, Jonathan Lawson, died on the practice field from a heart attack.  An autopsy determined that Jonathan had been using an illegal form of steroids (Jordan A4). 

B.       Supporting Evidence: summary In 2001, a group of basketball players from Chesepeake High School used marijuana to celebrate a victory over their rival school.  The athletes crashed their car on the way home killing two of the four passengers in the car (Lee A7+).

II.       Key Issue 2: Schools have a legal right to try to ensure that students are safe.

1.        Schools may act in a parents stead when parents are not doing their job.

A.      Supporting Evidence: pp School officials function in loco parentis and are expected to look out for students best interest while they are at school or participating in school related activities (“Student Law…” par. 3)

2.        Schools must protect student who are not using drugs from those that are.

A.      Supporting Evidence: “Steroid use can cause emotional instability in some athletes and lead to outburst of rage on the playing field” (Connley 74). Note: This quote was used earlier, but it may be noted again as possible support for this argument.

a.        It may be possible for steroid users to have moments of rage during time off the playing field as well.

III.     Key Issue 3: Drugs use will interfere with academics; anything to deter drug use will help a school.

1.        Drug use will often slow reaction time that is essential for academic achievement.

A.      Supporting Evidence: “The use of marijuana and alcohol has been shown to reduce cognitive abilities by up to 65% in cronic users and 33% in occasional users.” (“Drugs…” par. 4).

2.        Drug testing deters the use of drugs.

A.      Supporting Evidence: Testimony of Katie W. of Southeast High School: “When my school implemented random drug testing, I quit using drugs.  The risk of getting caught was too great.” (ChannelOne.com)

 

B.       Supporting Evidence: Testimony of Charles B. of GHS: “I know many individuals at my school who no longer use drugs because they are afraid of getting kicked off the team.” (ChannelOne.com)

Submitting the Research Paper

The research paper is due on Friday, 9 March 2006

The research paper must be turned into Mr. Womack in the following manner.

v     All research material must be place in a two-pocket paper folder. An MLA heading should be written on the outside of the folder. 

 

Ø      The following material should be placed in the right pocket of the folder in the order listed below.

1.      The typed and complete research paper which has been formatted in MLA style should be placed first.  The works cited should be the last page of the research paper.

2.      The reviewed drafts of the paper should be behind the polished paper.

3.      A printed receipt from turnitin.com.

Ø      The following material should be placed in the left pocket of the folder in the order listed below.

1.       The note cards should be placed in the left pocket. They should be bound.

2.      The key-issue outline should be placed behind the note cards.

3.      Any other information that you deem helpful in evaluating the paper. 

 

Ø      Writer’s conferences will begin on 12 March 2006.  You will sign up for a writer’s conference time.  You will receive an opportunity grade for attending your writer’s conference.  Failure to attend your scheduled conference will result in a zero for the opportunity grade.  If you are late to your conference, you will lose significant points. 

Be sure you are following MLA style in your research paper. You are expected to take the necessary steps to ensure the correctness of your paper.  You may need to reference several sections of the handbook, but you definitely need to reference the following sections in your handbook to be sure you are following the correct format.

v     Chapter 4: The format of the research paper -  Page 320 and 321 also provide a nice visual of the paper.

 

v     Chaper 5: Preparing the works cited

 

v     Chapter 6: Citing sources in the text / parenthetical citation