Research Essay Assignment Sheet

The purpose of this assignment is to allow you to further develop your ability to write a clear, concise argument essay that aims to persuade your audience, as well as analyze a literary text.  Through this essay you will also demonstrate the ability to find appropriate research materials, incorporate that research, and properly document appropriate research materials using MLA style citations.

Total Points Possible:  270 pts.

Essay Length:  1,300-1,500 words

Please explore how one of these texts apply to our current world by analyzing individual perception, social constructs, and power with regard to race, gender, and/or family. 

“Sonny’s Blues” Download “Sonny’s Blues” by James Baldwin

“Interpreter of Maladies”  (Links to an external site.)by Jhumpa Lahiri

“Everyday Use”  (Links to an external site.)by Alice Walker

“Two Kinds” (Links to an external site.) by Amy Tan

Note: You can choose any combination of these six concepts–individual perception, social constructs, power, race, gender, and/or family to analyze one story and our current world.

The essay will be 1,300-1,500 words long.  There will be multiple assignments that will be due in conjunction with the final draft of the essay, including a keyword module, online library orientation, and research prospectus.

If you have any questions on anything, please do not hesitate to let me know.

Dr. Blewitt

Research Requirements:

• Integrate the following:
  • “Sonny’s Blues” or “Interpreter of Maladies” or “Everyday Use” or “Two Kinds” (one story ONLY)
  • at least five credible secondary sources evaluated in your annotated bibliography
    • One of the five secondary/research sources must be from Valencia’s library databases
    • One of the five secondary/research sources must be a book or eBook
• Research sources must be documented using MLA style. Refer to the MLA source for Valencia Library at http://valenciacollege.edu/library/mla-apa-chicago-guides/Links to an external site..  The online resource OWL Purdue is also excellent, as is OWL Excelsior.

Your essay must have:

1. An original title
2. A strong opening sentence and introductory material
3. A strong, clear thesis at the end of your introductory paragraph
4. Body paragraphs with strong topic sentences
5. At least five secondary documented sources, one of which is from Valencia’s library and/or Valencia’s library databases.
6. Strong supporting details that support your topic sentences and thesis statement
7. A conclusion
8. As part of your style percentage (20%), integrate and highlight three (3) rhetorical schemes and label them at the end of the essay
9. In-text citations and a Works Cited page for all sources used. Failure to include in-text citations or a Works Cited page or both will result in a grade of 50% F.

Important Things to Remember

1. Your essay must be at least 1,300 words. Essays not meeting this requirement will receive a grade of 0 and an F for the course for not meeting Gordon Rule requirements.
2. If you forget to include the Works Cited page and/or fail to document any or all sources in the essay itself and/or Works Cited page, your essay will receive a grade of 50% F.
3. Late papers will be graded with no comments.  No essays accepted four days after due date