Your final essay for this course will give you the opportunity to produce
a polished, persuasive, well-documented argument based on the topic
you began developing in your research proposal. Your objectives in this
assignment include the following:
1. To conduct significant research into your selected topic, drawing
upon a mixture of print-and non-print, as well as primary and secondary,
sources.
2. To develop and fully support a compelling claim, using a variety
of rhetorical strategies to appeal to your readers.
3. To produce a thoroughly documented essay formatted according to MLA
standards.
4. To reflect on your own writing.
Required components of this essay are as follows:
• A Works-Cited Page of at least eight sources,
including at least two primary sources and at
least two non-print sources.
• At least four visual elements (charts, graphs,
photos, illustrations, and the like, incorporated into the body of the
essay and appropriately referred to and labeled).
• An introductory memo, addressed to the instructor
and your fellow students, in which you reflect on the rhetorical strategies,
strengths, and shortcomings of your essay.
Please see me for help at any stage of the writing and research process.
In addition, please refer to your textbooks, including EW: “Composing
and Revising” (25-88); "Doing Research" (89-128); and
“MLA Documentation” (363-411); and EA: Part 5, “Conventions
of Argument” (295-368). Other sections of EA might also be useful
in helping you structure your argument and appeal to readers, so you
are encouraged to review previously assigned chapters and to see me
for guidance on what aspects of the reading might be of help to your
particular essay.
