ENGL 1022: Composition II
Essay 3: Argument Research Paper or Playwriting Essay
Name:
We’ve read a large variety of authors, subjects, forms, and styles of writing this semester. Because I don’t want to limit this assignment to a particular topic, you have two options for designing this essay. I want you to explore a topic of interest to you, something we covered in class over the course of the semester.
For this assignment, you have two options: to write an argument research essay comparing two of the readings we’ve read at some point this semester in class, or to write a short play and analyze it as you would the plays we read in class. You may pick one or the other: option A or option B as listed below.
Option A: The Argument Essay
For this assignment, you may pick a topic of your choice (something we have covered in our class material) and write an argument research paper on that topic.
– Your essay must be an argument comparing two pieces of literature we read for class –
Guidelines for the paper:
Must be well researched, with at least 6 different, credible sources
Must be between 5-7 pages
Any paper that is plagiarized in whole or in part will receive a zero
Must use MLA (or APA) format with proper documentation of sources (double spaced, 12 pt Times New Roman/Calibri font, name on it, etc).
Proper grammar and sentences mechanics
Must have a Works cited page
T
hink carefully about the topic you wish to research – you don’t want a topic so broad that you are drowning in important facts and details, yet you don’t want to pick a topic so narrow that you can hardly scrape out 2 full pages for it. If you want some brainstorming ideas, come chat with me – I love to brainstorm ☺
Option B: The Play (with research)
For this option, you will write a short play (based on factual research) and analyze the play as you would for class. This is the more “creative writing” of the two options. The topic of the play may be anything you choose. You need to have at minimum of 6 sources you used for one or both parts of this essay.
Guidelines for the play section of the paper:
Have a clear plot format: Exposition, conflict, rising action, climax, ending
Be focused enough to effectively work in the span of 3-4 pages
Have at least 2 characters in dialogue
Have the proper play format with stage directions and dialogue
(Must use at least 6 outside sources to assist in designing the play (ie – play setting, designing the characters, historical event or time period, language of dialogue, design of props, etc) )
Guidelines for the analysis section of the paper:
Assess the structure of the plot for the play
Discuss at length the characters of the play and who they are
Analyze the dialogue of the play
Discuss if you were the director, what the stage setting would look like
Assess the irony and/or symbolism in your play
Discuss in detail the theme of your play
Must be at least 2-3 pages of analysis
Must have proper documentation (MLA bibliography) of the 6 outside sources used
Any paper that is plagiarized in whole or in part will receive a zero
GUIDELINES FOR BOTH OPTIONS:
Must use MLA format with proper documentation of sources (double spaced, 12 pt Times New Roman/Calibri font, name on it, etc).
Proper grammar and sentences mechanics
Must be between 5-7 pages. It should be AT LEAST 5 FULL pages.
Complete Two Peer Reviews for you classmates
Submit Final Draft online to the proper D2L Folder
See the attached Rubric for grading information
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
ALL D2L turned-in assignments must follow MLA format, and be a Microsoft Word document (.doc or .docx). A PDF file would also be acceptable. However, no other format will be accepted as my computer will not be able to access it properly (NO .wks, .rtf, etc).
All papers will be checked through Turnitin for AI usage. Any paper that receives a 20% AI score or higher will result in a discussion with the instructor and, to receive a grade for the essay, will need to be rewritten again from the start.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.