Argumentative Research Essay Assignment Description In Upper

Argumentative Research Essay assignment Description In upper level courses

In upper level courses, you will often be asked to demonstrate your ability to engage with other scholars in your field by making a debatable claim and persuading the reader to accept your viewpoint. Your paper must be well-reasoned, fair, and unbiased, acknowledging opposing perspectives before refuting them with logical reasoning and credible evidence. The essay should synthesize various sources, illustrating how they connect and respond to each other, rather than merely summarizing them.

Your research paper must include a clear thesis statement that explicitly states your position and argument, supported by well-developed reasons and evidence. You should incorporate at least three credible and relevant sources, including one source presenting the counterargument you will refute. The essay must be at least three pages long, formatted in MLA style, double-spaced, using Times New Roman font, and exclude the Works Cited page from the page count. The Works Cited page must adhere to MLA guidelines and include in-text citations for all references.

Paper For Above instruction

The process of constructing a compelling argumentative research essay begins with choosing a debatable topic that aligns with your interests and course requirements. Once approved by your instructor, aim to gather information from credible sources, such as academic databases like Academic Search Complete, government websites, and reputable organizations, avoiding tertiary sources like Wikipedia and casual web content. Initial research should focus on broadening your understanding before narrowing your topic to formulate a precise thesis statement and corresponding research questions.

Effective research practice involves annotating your sources, critically engaging with the claims and purposes of each author, and noting your own stance—whether you agree, disagree, or hold mixed feelings. Developing a detailed outline helps organize your arguments, ensuring a logical flow from introduction to conclusion. In drafting your essay, focus on presenting your thesis clearly in the introduction, developing your main points with supporting evidence, and synthesizing sources to show their interrelations and responses.

Including a fully developed counterargument, which challenges your thesis, lends strength and credibility to your essay. This requires more than a brief mention; elaborate on alternative viewpoints and systematically refute them with well-reasoned arguments. Incorporate paraphrases, quotes, and summaries from your credible sources to bolster your claims, adhering strictly to MLA citation standards to avoid plagiarism.

Draft your initial essay freely without over-emphasizing grammar. After setting aside your draft for at least 24 hours, revise thoroughly for clarity, grammar, and punctuation. Engage with peer reviews for additional feedback, and consult resources such as the English Corner for revision support. Before submission, review your Safe Assign report to ensure originality, then make final edits to polish your work.

This assignment not only develops persuasive writing, critical thinking, and source synthesis skills but also prepares you for scholarly conversation and academic communication. Proper citation, logical argumentation, and ethical research are essential components of scholarly integrity and professionalism.

References

• Booth, W. C., Colomb, G. G., & Williams, J. M. (2008). The craft of research (3rd ed.). University of Chicago Press.
• Lunsford, A. A., & Ruszkiewicz, J. J. (2016). Everything’s an argument (7th ed.). Bedford/St. Martin’s.
• Graff, G., & Birkenstein, C. (2018). They say / I say: The moves that matter in academic writing (4th ed.). W. W. Norton & Company.
• Purdue Online Writing Lab. (n.d.). MLA Formatting and Style Guide. https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide.html
• Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (4th ed.). Sage Publications.
• Johnson, R. B., & Onwuegbuzie, A. J. (2004). Toward a definition of mixed methods research. Journal of Mixed Methods Research, 1(2), 112-133.
• Newberry, J. (2005). Academic writing: A handbook for international students. Routledge.
• Harvard College Writing Center. (n.d.). Strategies for Essay Writing. https://writingcenter.fas.harvard.edu/pages/strategies-essay-writing
• Russell, D. (2010). Academic writing—A guide to tertiary level writing. Oxford University Press.
• Swales, J. M., & Feak, C. B. (2012). Academic writing for graduate students (3rd ed.). University of Michigan Press.