Persuasive Research Paper – Overview

Your final persuasive research paper builds on your research proposal and your annotated bibliography. At this point, you are being asked to join the conversation of your topic, and in doing so, you will take a clear stance on your central research question. Your audience is your classmates, and you are attempting to persuade them to think your stance is valid, thoughtfully composed, and well supported.
Your paper will be 6-8 pages and include an introduction, body paragraphs, a conclusion, and a Works Cited page. You should use MLA citation. The Works Cited CANNOT be your 6th page. Also, 6 pages does not mean 5 full pages and two lines on the top of the 6th page. It means 6 FULL pages.
The following criteria will be used to evaluate your paper:
1) Does the introduction introduce the reader to the issue in a clear and accurate way? Does the introduction make clear who is involved in the conversation, identify the opposing viewpoints, and make clear the ‘stakes’ involved in this issue? Is there a clear, central thesis that relates to the framing of the topic in in the introduction?
2) Are the body paragraphs thoughtfully composed so that the reader can follow the author’s logic? Is there a topic sentence that introduces the reader to the idea of the body paragraph? Is there a clear explanation of the opposing viewpoint and the opposing viewpoint’s evidence?
3) Do the body paragraphs include appropriate, and persuasive, evidence that encourage the reader’s acceptance of the thesis?
4) Does the conclusion make clear the author’s stance on the issue, and also examine their stance in relation to the stakes?