Gender

Description

English 205 Formal Argument No. 1 (“Gender”)

Overview

This paper may argue a position on any topic that you can relate to the topic of gender. Your paper will call upon outside research sources to bolster your thesis which you will cite both in text and on a works cited page.

Topics

All topics must be submitted in writing and then approved by your professor before you may proceed with your research and writing.

Research/Documentation Guidelines

You should find plentiful current newspaper and magazine sources for your paper. You might also check out the college library’s periodical database, ProQuest. DO NOT USE WIKIPEDIA AS A SOURCE. There should be a minimum of THREE written sources in your paper, and they must be properly cited within the text and on a “Works Cited” page at the end of the paper.

Note: It is all right to borrow material from other sources, but IT MUST BE PROPERLY CITED. Cite quotes or facts. I will deduct points for material obviously borrowed from other sources that is not cited. Keep in mind that this paper must include your own wording. Don’t just throw a bunch of quotes and cite them and call it a paper.

Part of the reason students fail to cite sources properly is that they don’t know when and why to cite them. Cite sources when you borrow the words, facts or ideas from others. Citing your own work shows that you have done your own original work and that you aren’t making it up. If you have any doubts about whether to cite, check with your professor before handing in the final draft of your paper.

Citations must contain enough information that the reader can easily find the source material if he decides to. Citing the name of a magazine or a web site, for example, is not enough. With web sources, list the specific URL of the source (not just the parent site), the title, the author (if possible, otherwise the organization) and the date. USE MLA FORMAT FOR ALL CITATIONS.

Length and format

Length should be a minimum of five pages. You may write longer. Write your paper in MLA format, which means typed, double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman font, with one-inch margins on all sides. You must also include a Works Cited page (which does not count toward the word length or page count) that should be single-spaced and typed according to MLA format as well. For a guide to MLA style, use the Mesa College Library research area or look online for various MLA style guides., such as Purdue Owl and easybib.com.

Deadlines

You must come to class on Monday with your topic, written out and explained in a chunky paragraph. I will read this over and give you approval or suggest refining. There will be no rough draft submission of your paper, but we will workshop them in class prior to the final deadline: May 24.

Evaluation:

Your grade will be based upon the specificity and depth of the research and critical analysis of your selected topic. Grammar, punctuation and spelling will be considered and are expected to be of college-level. Your paper must be well-written, organized and detailed. Assignments that are shorter than the required length or are not in the proper MLA format will be penalized.