Writing Project 3: The Research-Based Argument Final Due ✓ Solved

Ⅵwriting Project 3 The Research Based Argumentfinal Due By The End

Develop an argumentative thesis that articulates a position on a significant issue. Use evidence from research to provide relevant background information, examples, and counter-arguments. Employ strategies of argumentation including making a claim, supporting claims with evidence, and identifying and engaging with alternative perspectives. Attribute and cite sources using signaling phrases, in-text citations, and a works cited page. Apply genre conventions for a research-based academic essay including structure, design, formatting, language usage, and mechanics. Compose a text using the writing process by drafting, reviewing, collaborating, revising, and editing.

The research-based argument is the culmination of your semester-long research project. In this paper, you will make an argumentative claim on a significant topic; this claim should be developed and supported by summarizing, analyzing, and synthesizing perspectives from sources. You will demonstrate your skill in articulating complex ideas, examining claims and evidence found in your research materials, supporting your ideas with relevant reasons and examples, sustaining a coherent discussion, and employing rhetorical strategies to convince your readers to agree with your stand on the issue or at least to believe in the soundness and reasonableness of your position.

You will complete a required rough draft of your research-based argument. The draft should be at least 1,000 words long and should include a working introduction, your argumentative thesis, parts of your argument including the counterargument or alternative perspectives, and a working conclusion. As a draft, it is perfectly acceptable for sections to be incomplete or missing, but the more writing you provide, the more feedback you will receive that will strengthen your final paper. The draft will be graded as Complete/Incomplete. Your instructor will provide feedback on your rough draft that will help you revise your draft for the final assignment. If you do not turn in a rough draft, your final research-based argument will be penalized 20 points.

Consider the following questions as you write your research-based argument: How do you wish to represent yourself, and how will you achieve that representation? Given your purpose to make a persuasive claim supported by sources, how will you accomplish this in your paper? Knowing your audience is your instructor, how should this influence your content, structure, and language? What genre conventions (structure, design, formatting, language, mechanics) are essential for a research-based argument? What is your main claim, and how will you construct a compelling argument with evidence and perspectives? How will you organize your paper effectively? What linguistic choices will help meet your rhetorical goals?

Criteria

• Rhetorical choices – Does the paper effectively fulfill its purpose and appeal to the audience?
• Content choices – Is there a clear, persuasive claim that is supported throughout using evidence? Are multiple perspectives, including counterarguments, discussed?
• Genre choices – Does it effectively follow the conventions of an academic research paper?
• Structural choices – Is the introduction, body, and conclusion logically organized to persuade?
• Linguistic choices – Does the language suit the academic genre and rhetorical situation?

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Title: The Impact of Social Media on Youth Mental Health

In recent years, social media has become an integral part of everyday life, especially among youth. While it offers numerous opportunities for connection and self-expression, there is growing concern about its impact on mental health. This paper argues that social media significantly contributes to mental health issues among young people, including anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. By examining existing research, analyzing the mechanisms through which social media influences mental well-being, and considering alternative perspectives, this paper aims to provide a balanced yet persuasive account of this complex issue.

The widespread adoption of social media platforms such as Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok has revolutionized communication for young people. According to the Pew Research Center (2019), approximately 95% of teens own smartphones and 89% of teens report using at least one social media platform. While these platforms foster social connections, they also expose youth to cyberbullying, social comparison, and unrealistic beauty standards, which have been linked to adverse mental health outcomes (Twenge, 2017). Studies have shown that higher social media use correlates with increased levels of anxiety and depression among adolescents (Keles, McCrae, & Grealish, 2020). This evidence suggests that excessive engagement with social media can be detrimental to young people's mental health.

One mechanism through which social media affects mental health is social comparison. Young users often compare themselves to idealized images and lifestyles showcased online, leading to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem (Huang, 2017). For example, a study by Fardouly et al. (2018) found that exposure to appearance-focused images on Instagram increased body dissatisfaction among adolescent girls. Moreover, cyberbullying—another prevalent issue on social media—has been associated with increased risk of depression and suicidal ideation (Kowalski, Giumetti, Schroeder, & Lattanner, 2014). These negative experiences highlight how social media can amplify feelings of social isolation and low self-worth.

However, some scholars argue that social media also offers positive opportunities for youth, such as community building and support networks (Naslund, Aschbrenner, Marsch, & Bartels, 2016). They contend that the problem lies not with social media itself but with how individuals engage with it. For instance, some youth use social media for activism or creative expression, which can enhance self-esteem and social skills (Nesi & Prinstein, 2015). Nonetheless, the evidence indicates that, on balance, the risks associated with social media use for teenagers outweigh the benefits, especially when usage is intense and unmoderated.

In conclusion, social media’s pervasive presence influences youth mental health in complex ways, but the dominant research points toward a negative impact. To mitigate these effects, parents, educators, and policymakers should promote healthy social media habits, such as limiting screen time, encouraging offline activities, and fostering critical media literacy. As social media continues to evolve, ongoing research and proactive strategies are essential to protect the mental well-being of young users and ensure that digital spaces serve their developmental needs rather than undermine them.

References

• Fardouly, J., Diedrichs, P. C., Vartanian, L. R., & Halliwell, E. (2018). Social comparisons on social media: The impact of Facebook on young women’s body image concerns and mood. Body Image, 13, 38–45.
• Huang, C. (2017). Social network site use and self-esteem: An exploration of the relationship and mechanisms. Computers in Human Behavior, 66, 387–396.
• Keles, B., McCrae, N., & Grealish, A. (2020). A systematic review: The influence of social media on depression, anxiety, and psychological distress in adolescents. International Journal of Adolescence and Youth, 25(1), 79-93.
• Kowalski, R. M., Giumetti, G. W., Schroeder, A. N., & Lattanner, M. R. (2014). Bullying in the digital age: A critical review and meta-analysis of cyberbullying research. Psychological Bulletin, 140(4), 1073–1137.
• Naslund, J. A., Aschbrenner, K. A., Marsch, L. A., & Bartels, S. J. (2016). The future of mental health care: Peer-to-peer support and social media. Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences, 25(2), 113–122.
• Nesi, J., & Prinstein, M. J. (2015). Using social media for social comparison and feedback seeking: Gender and popularity moderate associations with depressive symptoms. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 43(8), 1427–1438.
• Pew Research Center. (2019). Teens, Social Media & Technology. Retrieved from https://www.pewresearch.org
• Twenge, J. M. (2017). IGen: Why Today's Super-Connected Kids Are Growing Up Less Rebellious, More Tolerant, Less Happy—and Completely Unprepared for Adulthood—and What That Means for the Rest of Us. Atria Books.