RESEARCH ARGUMENT

(PRINT)
Paper Requirements

⇒ Address a topic of interest

to you, while also
engaging a theme of the
course

⇒ Present a clearly
articulated, well-reasoned,
focused argument to a
specific audience

⇒ Develop key points with

examples, evidence, and
analysis
Over the past several
weeks, you have ⇒ Anticipate and respond to

developed a variety of possible counterarguments

important critical
thinking ⇒ Use at least six credible
and writing skills. sources (both print and
Specifically, you’ve Web)
learned how to write
with
compelling clarity and ⇒ Follow MLA format and
detail, how to read, citation guidelines
summarize, analyze,
and
synthesize sources, ⇒ Be 6-10 pages in length.
and
how to craft an DUE: OCTOBER 26
focused, fully
organized,
supported
argument for a (by 11:59 p.m., via
specific Concourse)
audience and
purpose.
This essay will draw Other
from
all of the
above andskills
will listed
also Requirements
Before turning in your finished essay, you will be asked to
orient you to the realm complete several smaller tasks along the way. Most
of independent importantly, you will be required to turn in a research
research. You will proposal and exploratory draft early in your research
research a controversy process, so that I can get a sense for the direction your
relevant to your work is taking. You will also be asked to give a short
interests and will presentation of your major research findings to your
develop an argument peers. We will talk more about both of these projects in
for an audience of your
There are many strategies class.
for finding a viable topic, but one of the best
choosing.
approaches is to begin asking questions about communities that are of interest
to you. Here are some examples:

Academics: How is your intended field of study challenged by some of the issues
Notre Dame students?
Do small business owners need to utilize social media to be successful in the 21st
century?
How can Notre Dame students solve the “problem of distraction” with mobile
technology?
Inventing a Topic
Why do many religious organizations seem reluctant to embrace digital media?

Hobbies: Are you a die-hard sports fan? Do you love a specific genre of movie, video
game, or T.V. show? How are the issues we’ve been discussing relevant to those
hobbies?
Should Notre Dame student athletes be required to delete their social networking
accounts?
Why are there so few female video gamers?
What are the “hard structures” and “soft structures” of Notre Dame stadium?

Social Concerns/Current Events: What’s in the news? What about recent

happenings on campus?
Should South Bend schools be allowed to install surveillance software on school-issued
laptops?
What role should digital technology play in Notre Dame’s ongoing sustainability efforts?
How can K-12 teachers help combat “technological somnambulism”?

DON’T turn your paper into

a “report” about your topic.
Keep your essay
argumentative.

The “Dos” and “Don’ts”

DON’T rely on justof Research
one
source (or one TYPE of
• DO investigate a topic Writing
source).
that interests you. If DON’T use sources that
you’re bored, then your your audience may not see
readers will be bored, as credible.
too!
DON’T lose track of your
• DO look for audience and purpose.
opportunities to create
NEW knowledge
through your fresh
perspective on the
topic.
• DO draw from a variety
of credible sources.
• DO synthesize source
Need Help?
material to add
richness and Dr. Erin: edietelm@nd.edu
complexity to your
argument. Leslie Morgan (Librarian):
lmorgan1@nd.edu
• DO cite all source
material accurately and The Writing Center:
responsibly. http:/writingcenter.nd.edu