Final Research Paper (FRP) —Due: Friday, December 09 before 11:59 PM through

Blackboard / Turnitin in Module 4 (M4)

• Prompt — Write an argumentative essay about a controversial topic.

• At least 5 outside sources needed for the Works Cited page (at least 2 sources

must support your position, at least 2 sources must support the opposing

viewpoints, 1 should be the introductory article from the Opposing Viewpoints

database, and at least 5 articles must come from MDC’s Online Library

databases).

• Use the databases Opposing Viewpoints (you should include the overview article

as one of your 5 sources), SIRS Issues Researcher, & Issues and Controversies to

find articles.

• Reference the Purdue Online Writing Lab

(OWL)(https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatti

ng_and_style_guide/mla_in_text_citations_the_basics.html ) for more guidance

about In-Text / Parenthetical Citations.

• Reference the Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL)

(https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and

_style_guide/mla_works_cited_page_basic_format.html) for more guidance about

the Works Cited

page(https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_

and_style_guide/mla_works_cited_electronic_sources.html).

• Reference the Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL)

(https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/the_writing_process/developing_an_

outline/types_of_outlines.html)for more guidance about the Alphanumeric

Outline.

• In-text / Parenthetical Citations required (at least 1 for each outside source and

recommended at least 1 per body paragraph).

• Originality Report — no more than 20% similarity with outside sources.

• 8-10 pages total (Outline, Essay, Works Cited) including at least 5 full and

formatted essay pages.

Timeline:

1. Wednesday (MWF) – Thursday (TR), November 09-10. – Brainstorm at

least 5 controversial issues / argumentative topics to possibly write about.

2. Monday (MWF) – Tuesday (TR), November 14-15. – Choose topic to post

on the Class List (only 1 topic per person with no repetition).

3. Wednesday (MWF) – Thursday (TR), November 16-17. – Find at least 5

articles (2 supporting your position, 2 opposing your viewpoint, and the

overview article from the Opposing Viewpoints database) and either print or

save a digital copy of the articles for review. Type, copy / paste, format, and

upload the MLA-formatted Works Cited page through Blackboard before

11:59PM with at least 5 articles you will be using and citing in your Research

Paper (5 of which should be found through a database from the MDC Online

Library).

4. Wednesday, November 23 – Type and upload your completed Alphanumeric

Outline (refer to the template provided) through Blackboard before 11:59PM.

5. Thursday, December 01 – Type and upload a First Draft with at least 3 full

and formatted essay pages addressing your argument and supporting details

only, including Introduction and Conclusion paragraphs, before 11:59PM.

Please do NOT include the Works Cited page (save it for the Final Draft

submission on 12/09).

6. Tuesday, December 06 – Type and upload at least 2 full and formatted essay

pages addressing the opposing viewpoints to / of your argument before

11:59PM. Please do NOT include the Works Cited page (save it for the Final

Draft submission on 12/09).

7. Remember to send / take your essay draft to Smarthinking Online Tutoring

[asynchronous feedback] for credit, while visiting the Writing Lab (in-person

[Library or Academic Support Lab] OR MDC Tutoring [live online]) for extra

credit, before submitting your Final Draft.

8. Peer Review – Final Research Paper Drafts: Respond to each of the 10

questions (which will be reviewed in class) with at least 1 complete sentence

after reading 2 of your classmates’ essay drafts. Either suggest something (to

make good, better) or compliment what the writer has done well as it relates to

each question. Be concise, yet specific. [Depending on the class modality,

these activities may be completed both online and /or during in-person class

sessions the weeks in between the First Draft and Final Draft submissions.]

9. Friday, December 09 – Submit your Final Draft (8-10 pages total, including

an Alphanumeric Outline at the beginning and Works Cited at the end with at

least 5 full essay pages in the middle) through Blackboard / Turnitin in M4

before 11:59PM.

Contents of Research Paper:

I. Alphanumeric Outline

II. Introduction (including hook & thesis statement / claim with

supporting details)

III. Points

IV. Counterpoints

V. Rebuttal

VI. Conclusion

VII. Works Cited Page

Format:

• Original Title (suggesting your position)

• Double-spaced

• Heading

• Header

• 1″ margins

• Size 12

• Times New Roman

Other Reminders:

• Maintain the 3rd person POV throughout

• Avoid contractions