Topic Selection Guidelines
DIRECTIONS: You may choose any topic you wish as long as the topic has two clear sides and is not agreed upon by most of society. Your topic should be current, appropriate for an academic context, and should have a focus suitable for a 6-8 page essay.
****My topic/ Research question is – Should the SATs and ACTs be abolished and no longer required for college admission?****
****My stance is yes they should be abolished as they can be biased (racially and economically) and doesn’t accurately measure a student’s potential success. Both tests cost money to take as do the prep courses and books that students have to buy to study and get a good grade. The test also gives unnecessary pressure, stress, and possible psychological damage to teenagers when that time could be focusing on keeping their grade point average up or school activities. Both tests are disparaging to students and Depending on the scores received a student could have negative effects such as deciding to not attend college at all or perhaps change a career goal because of fear the test says they arent smart enough. This is bad because the goal for a nation should be high college enrollment leading to educated citizens. In contrast, students who do well may think they are destined for greatness only become illusioned in college where they may not do as well as they thought they would they may drop out or not to so well in their careers. A student’s grades (GPA), school activities, community activities, and admissions essay should suffice as they are more practical and fair. Also, the ACT test and the SAT test are a little different from each other even though they are both used in my colleges that should possibly be addressed in the outline as well. ***
^ please use some of these points in the outline/ and to construct the thesis statement.
Research Guidelines
1. Research Question and Working Thesis
Keep in mind: The research question and working thesis are the driving force behind your research and eventual argument.
Your research question should be a single sentence, framed as a question.
Your working thesis should be a single focused sentence, framed as a statement that takes a clear position on the research question.
Include your research question followed by your working thesis.
2. Detailed Outline
Keep in mind: Your detailed outline provides a map of the argumentative research essay that you will write, including your key claims and the sources that support them. You may not have all your sources yet, and that is fine. The outline is a way to organize your essay and determine which areas (e.g. your sub-points) will require researched evidence as support.
Headings: one for each paragraph with a brief label of the paragraphs controlling idea(s).
An introduction, at least five body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
Introduction includes your working thesis.
Body paragraphs should each have their own unique title and key points.
Conclusion includes notes on your final thoughts.
Subheadings: two to five for each paragraph, below each heading, indicating key points that support the controlling idea
Sources: one to three for each paragraph, as relevant, indicating the support for the key points
For each source, include the authors name and the idea or information relevant to your argument (e.g. Lapp on mono-cropping corn/soy and production).
*sources are only needed for the outline IF you use something from a source in the outline, if you don’t use any then don’t use sources and don’t cite anything*
Requirements
The following requirements must be met for your submission to be graded:
Double-space the outline and use one-inch margins.
Use a readable 12-point font.
All writing must be appropriate for an academic context.
Composition must be original and written for this assignment.
Plagiarism of any kind is strictly prohibited.
Submission must include your name, the name of the course, the date, and the title of your composition.
Submission must include your research question, a working thesis, outline.
Include all of the assignment components in a single file.
Acceptable file formats include .doc and .docx.
**I included a sample outline PLEASE copy this format and follow it exactly***
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