Construct a short informational argument that shows your understanding of an issue or question or problem.

Assignment Question

English 102 Research Essay

The objective of this assignment is to construct a short informational argument that shows your understanding of an issue or question or problem: what are the various “sides” to the topic? While you may or may not be “neutral” in this paper (you can argue pro or con), you must cover the various “sides” to the issue or problem or topic that you are focusing on. This gives you the chance to kind of “examine the conversation” that is going on, about the issue or problem. The more in-depth you can examine your topic, the better prepared you will be to construct an extended argument, should you choose to remain with the same topic. (Conversation is used, but not in the first-person; it is for the transitions. The essay needs to flow…like a conversation.)

Your essay should include the following parts:

Introduction: This is where you introduce the topic (problem or issue or a question). If you want to present your information in a neutral manner (so your readers do not know which “side” you are on), that is fine. If you want to let your readers know what your stand is on this issue or problem is, that is fine, too. However, be sure to examine all the sides, all the arguments, about your topic. You will need at least five (5) sources for this project—three academic and two websites plus the Survey, extra credit, if you so desire (do not forget to add yourself as a source.)

Body: Are rising tuition costs really a problem? Why? For whom? How can you demonstrate or show the problem? Does the problem exist elsewhere? How do tuition costs here compare to tuition costs elsewhere? Are the costs at community colleges increasing at the same rate as at the universities? Why or why not? Who determines tuition costs? How does the rate of change for tuition costs here compare to tuition costs elsewhere? What does tuition pay for, anyway? What do some of your friends have to say? (and so on) (Note that the same kinds of questions could be asked for, say, textbook costs, or class fees, or housing costs, etc.) This is where you discuss and write about and examine all the “conversation” that is going on about your topic. This is your opportunity to examine something that you are interested in, in-depth, to really think about and consider all of the “arguments” that swirl around any controversial issue or topic. Remember that whatever “side” you come down on, you always want to present all arguments accurately and as completely as you can. For example, if you wanted to write about rising tuition costs, you would want to consider THE POINTS ABOVE ARE EXAMPLES FROM THE TEACHER THEY ARE NOT THE ACTUAL TOPIC

Conclusion: This is where you briefly outline the topic and the arguments and conversations about it. Essay Checklist: Length: At least FIVE pages long (at least over half a page on the fifth page) and not over EIGHT; this does NOT include the Works Cited page; be sure to write your essay in MLA format