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The purpose of this extended research, discussion, and writing project is to use library research, interviewing, critical thinking, and small group collaboration in order to work toward an informed, fair-minded, and carefully considered presentation about a social or political issue about which you have a personal concern or interest. The issue may be of international, national or local concern. It may touch upon an issue that our society deals with today, or it may deal with an issue from the past. But it must, in some way, be of keen personal interest to you and it must have some bearing on your own experience. Research, discussion, and writing skills are essential in this process, and we shall be working on them throughout the project.

Write a 6-10 page (though you may exceed this limit) fully researched and documented paper in which you examine a current social issue or concern that has a direct bearing on your own experience. Your purpose is to come to your own, independent conclusion or judgment based on the research you do. In other words, you are to write the essay in order to make your own opinion clear and to do so in a logical, fair-minded way that takes a complex view of your subject. You should bring as much of your own experience and thinking into the essay as you possibly can. The paper should be not merely a "book report" of the information you discover. It should not read like an encyclopedia article, full of facts but lacking in a distinctive point of view or opinion on the facts. Rather, it should successfully integrate such information into your own thinking and writing so that the research does not overwhelm and "crowd out" your own ideas. You should analyze and evaluate all the research you are doing, and the paper should present this original analysis. Your concern should be to present your own opinion about all your research, not merely to report it. The bulk of your paper should be original thinking, not blocks of quotes from sources. Be sure that when you quote you offer your own explanations and analyses.

In your research, you should seek to become as fully informed as possible on the background and history of the issue you choose so that you may understand how it developed to its present state, and so that you may give a full explanation of its development to your reader. All issues are complex and your essay should examine the complexity of the issue as well as your response to it. Try to choose an issue about which you are curious, one about which you can be open-minded and would like to learn more. I recommend that you do not try to write on abortion, gun control, legalization of marijuana, or the death penalty. These topics can cause problems because the writer usually has his or her mind made up already, bases his or her position on moral or strictly personal grounds, which really can't be argued. This makes it difficulty to write a balanced position paper. In such papers, the position, which is generally seen in terms of morality or religion, cannot really be argued but only accepted or rejected since it stems from such powerful systems of belief.

After choosing an issue that interests you enough to spend several weeks researching it, carefully research its background and history. How did the problem or issue get to be in its present state? You will need to present that information to your reader. Be sure that you use a number of sources so that you represent several viewpoints especially if the issue has opposing sides. You need to have the fullest possible information concerning both (or all) sides on the issue or several possible solutions to a problem. Try to leave your own thinking open on the issue as you begin your research. Be willing to learn new information, to critically examine your sources, and to re-examine your initial opinions in the light of what you are finding out.

In your presentation of the issue and your own response to it, you may not rely on vague generalizations, slogans, or cliches. Be especially careful when you read all your sources on the issue, whether they support your own initial thinking or contradict it. Frequently you will see that the writer is not dealing specifically with the issue and not giving good evidence for his or her own position. Don't let the writer get away with this; don't be fooled by the rhetoric. You will not be able to rely on it in your own writing. Be distrustful of name-calling, labeling, stereotyping (e. g.: "liberal," "conservative," "reactionary," "marxist-leninist," "leftist," "right-winger," "fundamentalist," etc.). Ask yourself if you are given any specific explanations of what such labels are supposed to mean and any specific evidence to support that they might be accurate (if you ever find out what they mean!)

1. A working bibliography of at least 25 items. Must be typed according to MLA form.

2. An annotated bibliography of at least 15 items.

3. In-Class Guided Freewritngs.

4. A typed first draft.

5. A revised second draft and conference self-assessment letter.

6. A revised final draft of the essay.

 Researched Informative Essay with a Definite Point of View or "Slant":

You may wish to write an essentially informative paper about a current social or political issue about which you have a personal concern. This is also an option, but remember that you must take a definite slant or position on your information. You must have a clear point of view about the information, and you must convey your idea about all this information to your reader. In other words, you need to present an opinion about this information to your reader.

 Personal Reflection using Research on an Issue that Touches You:

You may wish to write what is essentially a reflection upon your personal experience of a social or political issue. This is also an option you can pursue. Just be sure that you provide a rich context that gives your reader the full picture of the social or political situation in which your experiences have taken shape. You can use narration of your own experiences and weave them into your presentation of research and your development of your argument about the research.

 Argumentative/Persuasive Essay on an Issue You've Researched

You may wish to choose an issue for which there are opposing views. If it is an issue for which there are clear and opposing positions, you need to familiarize yourself with all of them so that your own position is informed and enlightened. You will need to examine and answer opposing views in your paper as well. If you're doing an argumentative piece, learn to recognize the flaws in each position's argumentative strategies; don't believe everything (anything?) that you read. Every argument, no matter how strong, has some flaws. Be skeptical and search out the fullest, most impartial information you can. Dig up as many facts as you can, and don't be fooled by something that looks factual but may simply be a manipulation of events or a down-right lie.

It is essential that you use a variety of sources representing a broad spectrum of thought. Be sure you seek out scholarly sources, not only popular journals or books. Try to find sources that represent opposing views. Be open to both sides and reserve your own final judgment until you have given each side an equal and open-minded hearing.

A full background and history of your issue written in order that your reader may understand the complexities of the issue now and all the factors that must be taken into consideration in your response to the issue. You must use and document your sources of information correctly and accurately.

A review of some differing ideas about the issue. Use a variety of sources that explore the pros and cons of various views on the issue. You must quote from, paraphrase, or summarize specific sources, and you must use full and correct documentation to show your sources.

Your own analysis of the arguments surrounding the issue. The purpose of this is to show the strengths and weaknesses of various other positions. The analysis should lead to your own thesis, that is, your own position on the issue, your own solution of the problem, or your own judgment or evaluation of the subject you analyze.

A clear statement of your own position on the issue or your own critical judgment of the question you are examining. In your opinion, based on the specific, factual evidence and taking into consideration other people's views, what do you think is the most reasonable position, or solution, or evaluation that can be drawn from your research?

A clear, logical, and full explanation of why you have made this judgment.

A presentation of the counter arguments or objections to your own position along with your answer to them.

An interesting introduction to set up the issue and "hook" your reader's interest.

An effective closing to round out your presentation, suggest the important implications of your thinking, or reassert your conclusion in a polished, fresh, effective way.

 Essay Proposing a Solution or Response to a Problem or Issue

If you do not wish to argue for a specific position on an issue but rather propose a possible solution to a specific problem, you may do that. For instance, you may study the alternative solutions offered to deal with the problem of homelessness, and then, after fully reviewing the problem (statistically, socially, etc.), review the possible solutions offered by others and see if you can come up with your own solution based on these alternative solutions.

 Essay Analyzing the Effectiveness of a Policy or Program

If you wish to analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of a particular program or policy, either domestic or foreign, you may do that. You might consider the effectiveness of present tax structures in the U. S. You might think about federal programs for student loans and their effectiveness or ineffectiveness. You might want to consider the "bail out" program whereby tax payers will pay for the debt incurred by corrupt savings and loans associations. If any of these, or similar, issues has a direct and immediate appeal to you, it might be a good topic.

If you choose a foreign policy, you will definitely have to research the background of our involvement in a specific country and evaluate our present involvement. Be sure that you use alternative sources to the mainstream press. We have seen how distorted their coverage of international news can be. You will need to consult scholarly books written on the country or region and on our involvement. Some examples include our involvement in: Iraq, Iran, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Panama, Chile, Guatemala, Viet Nam, Bosnia.

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