Course Paper: Legal/Moral Reasoning (tutoring feedback and final, revised paper due in Canvas: Sunday, 7/28) (The scoring rubric is on the last page of this document.) Purpose: To demonstrate your newly-gained knowledge of legal and/or moral reasoning, critical thinking, and other argument concepts that you’ve learned in ENG 124 this semester, by writing a research paper that uses that knowledge to argue about an issue. Assignment: Write an 8-10 page* research paper, on an issue of your choice. Your thesis claim statement will be based on legal and/or moral reasoning and the paper will use other argument concepts that you have learned in our course. *The 8-10 pages means the actual pages of academic writing – the Works Cited does not count toward this page count. Papers that do not meet at least the full 8-page minimum will not be read or graded! Using the MLA headings provided in the Outline assignment (INTRODUCTION, EVIDENCE, OPPOSITION/REFUTATION, CONCLUSION), (1) present the issue and your thesis claim statement, (2) clearly develop your argument, based on legal and/or moral reasoning and utilizing other argument concepts learned, (3) provide supporting evidence and discussion for the argument (including at least 5 quotes from researched sources), (4) include opposition to viewpoint(s) and refute each point or points, and (5) conclude the argument.  The paper must be a minimum of 8 full pages (if in doubt, write a bit over, onto the 9th page  Times New Roman, 12-point font only  General MLA paper formatting throughout  Citations and Works Cited page formatted in proper MLA style (8th edition) Instructions: 1. Choose a controversial issue or topic ï‚· DO NOT USE personal preferences, personal opinions, or personal experiences! This is an academic research paper – choose a topic that can be researched and argued about. ï‚· There are many issues that you could consider – politics, society, education, medicine, nutrition, science, environment, child care, labor and wage issues, etc. If you need help choosing an issue, check out the “Opposing Viewpoints in Context” link from the Cuyamaca College Library: (http://www.cuyamaca.edu/academics/support/library/controversialissues.aspx) and click on the Browse All Topics button to search topics. 2. Once you decide on an issue, begin to research it Use the online Cuyamaca College Library’s extensive collection of articles and newspapers. Need help with the online library resources? Contact librarian Jordon Andrade at 619- 660-4412 – he is extremely helpful! Get familiar with both sides of the issue, as you’ll need to present opposition and refute it in the paper.  Research peer reviewed or academic journals and reliable news sources (CNN, BBC, and the like). o Download/print and annotate the material that you read – it is easier to locate passages later that you may want to quote or paraphrase in the paper o Create a working Works Cited page as you go – so that you don’t misplace source information and have to relocate the document/source later on  You can use a reliable web source (.gov and .org are considered the most reliable), but limit this to 1 or 2 at the most – the bulk of the research will be through peer reviewed journals. *Absolutely no wikis of any kind – no Wikipedia or similar sites* These are unreliable sources for academic research and will not be accepted. (continued) Lapointe/English Page 2 of 7 PAPER STRUCTURE & REMINDERS You’ve written research papers in previous English classes…but a reminder about structure is always good! Review and follow the proper structure listed below. You will use the following MLA style headings in the paper; note that they are in ALL CAPS: INTRODUCTION, EVIDENCE,OPPOSITION/REFUTATION, CONCLUSION. Remember that these go on the left-hand side of the page – flush to the left margin. INTRODUCTION This should give some general information/background information about the issues, to inform and interest readers and lead them into the thesis claim argument statement that takes a stand about the issue. Typically, this is called going from the general (general information/background information) to the specific (the specific thesis claim argument statement). Often, in an argument paper, the thesis claim statement includes “should,” “should not,” “must,” or “must not” as part of the claim. Example: In order to preserve the integrity of our groundwater, the practice of industrial fracking must cease immediately. EVIDENCE The body paragraphs develop the discussion and evidence that supports the paper’s stand on the issue. You must integrate concepts/terminology that you learned during our course in support of the argument. Additionally, use quotes and/or paraphrases from outside sources to support the discussion – remember the following important points about integrating outside material into the paper: 1. Signal phrases – introduce outside material with a signal phrase, so that the reader knows which part of the sentence comes from the source. Example: According to Smith’s research, “apples are a good source of fiber” (9). (There are many signal phrases – ways to introduce source material Review examples in the MLA Handbook or at the OWL at Purdue website). 2. Reminder: use the quote sandwich. Top bread: discussion about the issue Middle filling: the quote or paraphrase from the source Bottom bread: synthesis of the quote (explanation or interpretation of the quote; its significance to the issue, etc.) So, in other words, quotes and paraphrases must be surrounded (before and after) with the paper’s own discussion. A quote is never left on its own, nor should it start or end a paragraph (as the first sentence or the last sentence). Quotes are always within the discussion. 3. For direct quotes of 4 lines or more, use block quote style. Follow proper MLA formatting for block quote (use a colon before the block quote; do not use quotation marks; indent the whole passage a tab space; period placement before citation – just the opposite of a normal sentence in the paper). (continued) Lapointe/English Page 3 of 7 OPPOSITION/REFUTATION You must acknowledge/present the opposing point(s) of view to the argument. This serves two purposes: first, it lets those who don’t agree with you to feel that their side has been “heard” – therefore, they may be more open to the paper’s viewpoint. Second, it allows you to refute the point(s), which helps you further defend the paper’s viewpoint. Remember: ï‚· Use opposition wording when you present the opposite view, or it will sound like you are changing sides. Opposition wording includes such phrases as these: some people feel…some reports have shown…others believe… (etc.). ï‚· Don’t insult the opposition! Politely refute the point(s). ï‚· Be sure to refute the actual point that the opposition has – don’t veer from it. Address their specific point(s) directly – and use evidence to back up the refutation. Example: Some people feel that the dangers of vaccinating preschoolers outweigh any possible benefits. They refer to news reports that show that some preschoolers have become ill – or even died – after having been vaccinated. While it is true that vaccination serum isn’t foolproof and a very small percentage of preschoolers have had adverse reactions to vaccination serum, research shows that the vast majority have not. For example, Smith’s research shows that a full 95% of preschoolers vaccinated in the United States in 2015 had no adverse reaction to vaccination serum (42). Furthermore, his study shows that, in previous years, 82% of preschoolers who were not vaccinated developed a childhood disease that could have been prevented by the vaccination (64). These statistics prove that it is beneficial to vaccinate preschoolers. ï‚· It is likely that you will have more than one point of opposition. You are writing an 8-to-10-page research paper; you may find several valid opposition points to refute. Be sure to present and refute each point clearly. CONCLUSION A conclusion paragraph for an argument paper does the following: ï‚· Restates the main purpose of the paper (the thesis claim argument) ï‚· Concludes that, per the evidence given in support of the claim, that the claim has merit, is valid and can be implemented, etc. ï‚· Reminds the reader of a few points that were made in the paper in support of that claim ï‚· …and “wraps-up” the paper with a final concluding statement that provides the final, memorable “punch” to the paper. DO NOT being the conclusion paragraph with the words “in conclusion”…! It should be apparent that you are concluding the argument! Remember…Works Cited: The Works Cited does not begin right after your last sentence – it beings on the next page. After you end the conclusion paragraph, move down to the next page and begin the Works Cited. **NOTE** As the name implies, the Works Cited page has on it only those sources that were cited in the paper. Refer to the MLA Handbook, 8th ed., or to the OWL at Purdue website for proper citing and Works Cited page development. PAPER FORMATTING EXAMPLE Appears below  Lapointe/English Page 4 of 7 PAPER FORMATTING EXAMPLE Smith 1 RoseMaryanne Smith English 124 Course Paper 26 May 2019 Title of Your Paper INTRODUCTION Indent the first line of each paragraph. Use double-spacing throughout the paragraph. Use double-spacing throughout the paragraph. Be sure to use double-spacing throughout the paragraph. Use double-spacing throughout the paragraph. Use double-spacing throughout the paragraph. Use double-spacing throughout the paragraph. Be sure to use double-spacing throughout the paragraph. Smith 3 first line of each paragraph. Use double-spacing throughout the paragraph. Use double-spacing throughout the paragraph. Be sure to use double-spacing throughout the paragraph. Use doublespacing throughout the paragraph Use double-spacing throughout the paragraph. Use doublespacing throughout the paragraph. Be sure to use double-spacing throughout the paragraph. < Name < Class < Assignment < Date (MLA style) Header  < Start each section with the heading in capital letters. (The Works Cited begins on the page after the end of your paper and is not included in the 8-10 page count.)  Font: use Times New Roman, 12 point only Lapointe/English Page 5 of 7 Smith 4 Works Cited.  Proofreading Checklist Yes No INTRODUCTION ___ ___ Does the introductory paragraph introduce the reader to the issue? ___ ___ Does the introductory paragraph provide some background information about the issue, to inform that read? ___ ___ Does the thesis statement claim clearly state the paper’s position on the issue? EVIDENCE ___ ___ Does the body of the paper support the argument – in terms of the thesis claim that was established? ___ ___ Have concepts and/or terminology from our course been used effectively? ___ ___ Are the supporting examples from outside sources appropriate and focused? ___ ___ Could more details be added to make the argument more effective? ___ ___ Is the arrangement of ideas clear? If not, how they could be improved? ___ ___ Are there sufficient transitions between ideas/paragraphs? If not, how this could be improved? OPPOSING VIEW/ REFUTATION ___ ___ Is the opposing view presented clearly and objectively? ___ ___ Does the paper refute each point clearly and without bias? In other words, does the paper refute the opposition with logical reasoning? ___ ___ Have effective examples been used to refute the opposition? CONCLUSION ___ ___ Does the start of the conclusion paragraph restate the thesis claim? ___ ___ Does the conclusion paragraph remind the reader of key points made in the paper that support the thesis claim? ___ ___ Does the conclusion contain a final concluding statement that “wraps-up” the argument? FINALLLY…PROOFEAD YOUR WORK…! Be sure to check for grammar/sentence errors and correct MLA style (paper format, citations, Work cited .

This week…you will being researching and writing the rough draft of the Course Paper. 1. Read the Course Paper Instructions and the Course Paper Outline documents that are in this week’s module. 2. Next… Use the information below to help you create an outline for your Course Paper. 3. Submit… You will type up a “working” outline and submit it in Canvas (Assignments tab). A “working” outline is a preliminary outline; you may, of course, be changing things in the outline as you continue to do research; however, it is important to come up with a basic outline to get you started. You do not need to use Roman numerals, but you must separate out your outline using the headings below and elements listed underneath them. Include these headings and items in the outline – you will use these headings in the final paper, as well: INTRODUCTION ï‚· Introduce the reader to the issue ï‚· Provide some background about the issue ï‚· Include a few specific details about the issue that will lead you to the: ï‚· Thesis statement (argument claim about the issue) EVIDENCE BODY PARAGRAPHS/PAGES ï‚· Use supporting discussion that argues the paper’s stand on the issue o Use specific concepts that you have learned in our course to argue the validity and soundness of the argument o Use logical reasoning – logos, pathos, ethos – to prove the points OPPOSITION/REFUTATION PARAGRAPH(s)/PAGES ï‚· Present the opposing view fairly and objectively ï‚· Use opposing view language – for example: Some people say…Some reports have shown…Other experts say… (etc.) ï‚· Refute each point of opposition that is presented CONCLUSION* ï‚· Conclude the argument claim of the paper: o Remind the reader of the thesis claim o Restate a few key points that supported that claim in the paper o Concluding remark: the last sentence of the conclusion should “wrap-up” the conclusion paragraph and leave a lasting impression on the reader. **NOTE: Do not use quotes in the conclusion paragraph!** *Because this is a “working” outline, you may not have a lot to “conclude” just yet – but you should, at least, have preliminary idea of what the argument is trying to conclude about the issue.

Do you need a similar assignment done for you from scratch? We have qualified writers to help you. We assure you an A+ quality paper that is free from plagiarism. Order now for an Amazing Discount!
Use Discount Code "Newclient" for a 15% Discount!

NB: We do not resell papers. Upon ordering, we do an original paper exclusively for you.