Paper # 3 - Compare/Contrast

Supporting an Argument through Proposed Solutions



Main Goal:

Write an argumentative essay that presents a problem and then compares and contrasts two solutions to determine a logical resolution.   Choose one of the following topics.

Topics To Choose From:

Dress codes / school uniforms:
First describe the problem:  Student misbehavior in schools.
Then compare and contrast:  Arguments for and arguments against schools using dress codes / school uniforms to control student misbehavior in schools.
Finally answer the question:  Will dress codes / school uniforms make a difference in controlling student misbehavior in schools?


Trying violent juvenile criminals as adults:
First describe the problem:  Crime rates in America.
Then compare and contrast:  Arguments for and arguments against trying violent juvenile criminals as adults as strategy to lower crime rates.
Finally answer the question:  Will trying violent juvenile criminals as adults lower the crime rates?


Privacy and security:
First describe the problem:  Matters of security vs. matters of privacy.
Then compare and contrast:  Arguments for and arguments against giving up some measure of privacy in the name of greater security.
Finally answer the question:  Is giving up some measure of privacy worth the potential outcome of greater security?


Genetic modification of foods:
First describe the problem:  Methods of food production.
Then compare and contrast:  Arguments for and arguments against genetic modification of foods.
Finally answer the question:  Do the advantages of genetically modified foods outweigh any disadvantages?


Exploration of outer space:
First describe the problem:  The question of continued exploration of outer space.
Then compare and contrast:  Arguments for and arguments against the United States investing more money into continued exploration of outer space.
Finally answer the question:  Should the United States invest more money into the continued exploration of outer space?


Bullies:
First describe the problem:  Bullies exist.
Then compare and contrast:  Arguments for and arguments against who should take the lead in dealing with bullying in schools:  Parents or educators?
Finally answer the question:  Who should take the lead in dealing with bullying in schools:  Parents or educators?  Both?
Sources:

With this paper, students are responsible for researching 3 credible source materials.  At least 1 must come from the college library databases.  At least 1 must come from the internet.  The 3rd source can come from either the internet or from one of the library databases.  (If you wish, you may use more sources than this, as long as you meet the minimum research requirements as described above)

Refer now to posted document called "Sources for Paper # 3" for more details about this requirement.

Requirements:

You must have at least 1200 words to earn a passing grade on this assignment. Minimum word count does not include the cover page, outline, heading, title, or Works Cited page of your paper.  Please use Times News Roman 12-point or a comparable font.
(Please stay as close to 1200 words as possible.  This assignment is looking for quality, not quantity)

 You must have a clear and developed introductory paragraph that contains an argumentative thesis statement.  See more about introductions in the Essay Basics section of the Writer's Resources module.
You must have three or more body paragraphs unified by clear topic sentences and focused on proving the thesis through either the point-by-point or subject-by-subject organizational strategy.  See more about body paragraphs in the Essay Basics section of the Writer's Resources module.
You must incorporate material from a minimum of 3 credible sources:  At least 1 must come from the college library databases; at least 1 must come from the internet; and the 3rd source can come from either the internet or from one of the library databases.  (If you wish, you may use more sources than this, as long as you meet the minimum research requirementsas described above)
All quotes must be introduced and incorporated into your own sentences.  They must include an in-text citation or acknowledgment in MLA format and a follow-up sentence that clearly relates the material to your own argument.  Check past modules for more information about quoting from sources and avoiding plagiarism.

In your paper, don’t merely dump a random quote from whatever work you’ve chosen and expect the reader/audience/me to instantly understand what you mean, for that would only show your ability to type while looking at something.  No, you introduce the quote and present the quote, and then you tell what the reader/audience/me is supposed to see.  (Refer to posted documents called "Quoting from Articles" and "Be the Bread!")

Check past modules for more information about quoting from sources and avoiding plagiarism. This would be an excellent time to review the posted document called "Plagiarism and Turn-It-In" (found in the "Getting Started" module).



You must have a conclusion that brings closure to your entire essay.  See more about conclusions in the Essay Basics section of the Writer's Resources module.
You must include a Works Cited page as the last page of the document. This page must be in MLA format.  See past paper modules for more about the works cited.
You must submit your final paper to the Compare/Contrast Essay Dropbox.


Important Note:

Don’t forget the posted “Student Model Essay” in the “Writer’s Resources” module.  It can offer valuable tips (by example) of how to craft an introduction and a conclusion; how to organize a paper properly (with transitions); how to maintain a consistently formal tone (no first person [“I”; “me”; “we”; and such] and no second person [“you”]); and other such basics of effective college-level writing.  Refer to other appropriate posted documents in the “Writer’s Resources” module dealing with these issues, and always have a look at the “Core Competencies and SLO’s” document in “Getting Started” module, focusing on (obviously) the column called “Accomplished”, for even if you’ve already gotten a “Pass” on the categories, you still want to keep the ideals close to mind.



Common Errors:

Avoid first person (I, me, my, mine, we) and second person (you, your, and understood “you” commands).
Avoid comma splices and fragments. These errors are major issues that will result in a significant reduction of points. Edit each sentence individually to avoid them.  See more about these major errors and how to avoid them in the Grammar Basics section of the Writer's Resources module.
Avoid subject-verb and pronoun antecedent agreement errors through careful editing. These errors can be difficult to locate because they are often found in our speech. Pay careful attention. See more about these major errors and how to avoid them in the Grammar Basics section of the Writer's Resources module.
Avoid dumped quotes.  This is when borrowed materials lack a lead-in or phrase of attribution to connect them to your own argument.  Also, remember to follow up on any borrowed materials.  See quoting examples in past paper modules.  Avoid errors you have made on past quoting.




Common Knowledge / Specialized Knowledge

The next sub-topic of research I’d like to mention is the difference between common knowledge and specialized knowledge.

Common knowledge is any information that most people could be expected to know. An example of common knowledge involves the Titanic. Just about anyone would know about icebergs and lifeboats and a big ship sinking into the ocean and lots of people dying. That’s common knowledge.

Specialized knowledge is the type of information that only someone who’s made a point of studying deeply into a subject would know. Here’s more Titanic stuff. How many people were on the ship when it sank? How many lifeboats were there? What was the name of the captain? Likely not many people know the answers to these questions unless they’ve researched the matter. Therefore, that’s specialized knowledge.

Common knowledge does not need to be documented.

Specialized knowledge does need to be documented.

Where exactly the line between the two falls can often be fuzzy, for what is common knowledge to one person may only invite blank stares from others. For instance, I know a lot about comic books, and I literally can’t remember a time when I didn’t know that Stan Lee and Steve Ditko created the Amazing Spider-Man in 1962 and that Spider-Man first appeared in the comic book Amazing Fantasy # 15, but I bet that not many of you reading this knew that. So, even though I know all about Spider-Man and have known for ages, not many other people share my knowledge, so I’d have to document that fact about Lee and Ditko were I writing a paper about comic books.

What’s common knowledge to one person may be specialized knowledge to, oh, 95% of the rest of the world and would have to be appropriately documented.

Bottom Line:  You must document specialized knowledge.







General Policies for Papers:

Individual papers may have additional specific requirements/polices that will be covered on individual assignment prompts and/or in class discussion, but these general policies apply to all of them.

Every paper that you submit as a Final Draft will receive a grade – there will be no “second chances” for any reason whatsoever.

Automatically lose points for a paper for any combination of these problems:

o   Paper is not typed and double-spaced
o   Paper is sent to Dropbox as separate documents –
o   Major formatting issues
Major problems with grammar, diction, and/or mechanics will result in substantial point deductions, possible even an “F” with no chance for make-up.

Major problems with Thesis, Organization, and/or Developing An Argument will result in substantial point deductions, possible even an “F” with no chance for make-up.

Major MLA problems will result in substantial point deductions, possibly even an “F” with no chance for make-up:

o   For example:  Not having in-text citations
o   For example:  Not having a Works Cited page
o   For example:  Plagiarism, either accidental or deliberate
o   For example:  Using any other documentation system besides MLA
Note that all Final Drafts will be run through the “TurnItIn” program.

Plagiarism, either accidental or deliberate, will result in substantial point deductions, possibly even an “F” with no chance for make-up.

Students are not allowed to submit and/or re-submit any paper previously written for any previous college course for this class.  If you submit and/or re-submit any paper previously written for any previous college course for this class, then that will result in substantial point deductions, possibly even an “F” with no chance for make-up.

You are not authorized / allowed to use Wikipedia as a secondary source on any paper for this class.  If you use Wikipedia as a secondary source on any paper for this class will result in substantial point deductions, possibly even an “F” with no chance for make-up.

If research of appropriate secondary sources is required for paper and if you’ve not conducted that research and incorporated it into your paper using appropriate MLA documentation techniques, then that will result in substantial point deductions, possibly even an “F” with no chance for make-up.

If you’ve used secondary sources in your paper that are not approved for the paper, then that will result in substantial point deductions, possibly even an “F” with no chance for make-up.

If paper type and/or topic is not right and/or not complete and/or not approved (as described in class and/or on posted assignment prompts), that will result in substantial point deductions, possibly even an “F” with no chance for make-up.

If paper is not the minimum required length, then that will result in substantial point deductions, possibly even an “F” with no chance for make-up.

If paper requires that you respond to a specific article (or articles), but you don’t respond appropriately – with all attendant MLA documentation and clear and direct reference to the article (or articles) in the paper – then that will result in substantial point deductions, possibly even an “F” with no chance for make-up.

There is an absolute “no excuses/reasons accepted” last day that each paper will be accepted for credit – see Schedule