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Assignment" in the Student Center.
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Assignment 1: Research Topics with Explanation
Due Week 2 and worth 100 points
Read through the list of research topics (located in the Appendix), or by clicking the
link here, on which to write a research paper. Select three (3) topics that interest you
most and identify two (2) credible sources for each topic. Note: This is one (1) of several
parts that will build toward a final draft of your persuasive writing research paper.
Write a one to two (1-2) page paper in which you:
1. Explain the reason for selecting topic one (1), identify the
audience, and provide a preliminary thesis statement.
2. Explain the reason for selecting topic two (2), identify the
audience, and provide a preliminary thesis statement.
3. Explain the reason for selecting topic three (3), identify the
audience, and provide a preliminary thesis statement.
4. Identify and document six (6) credible sources (two (2) for
each topic) that you would expect to use. Note: Wikipedia
and other Websites do not qualify as academic resources.
Your assignment must follow these formatting guidelines:
•
•
Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font
(size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; references
must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your
professor for any additional instructions.
Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment,
the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title,
and the date. The cover page and the reference page are
not included in the required page length.
The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:
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Recognize the elements and correct use of a thesis
statement.
Associate the features of audience, purpose, and text with
various genres.
Recognize correct APA documentation and reasons to
document and avoid plagiarism.
Write clearly and concisely about selected topics using
proper writing mechanics.
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Use technology and information resources to research
selected issues for this course
ENG 215 – Appendices
Appendix D: ENG 215 Topics for Persuasive Writing Research Paper These
topics are to be used for Assignments 1-5.
Assignment 1: Research Topics with Explanation
Assignment 2: Research Proposal – Thesis, Major points, and Plan
Assignment 3: Persuasive Paper Part I: A Problem Exists
Assignment 4: Persuasive Paper Part 2: Solution and Advantages
Assignment 5: Persuasive Writing Part 3: Possible Disadvantages and
Answers
Some topics focus on the entire county; however, other topics may focus
on states, local areas, and / or businesses.
Topics / Questions
1) Should taxes on people making over $250,000 a year be changed?
2) Should Transportation Security (TSA) regulations be changed?
3) Should regulations for home schools be changed?
4) Should funding for the U.S. space program be changed?
5) Should changes be made to the regulations for foods that are served in
public schools?
6) Should changes be made to regulations for mental health drugs for minors?
7) Should regulations be changed regarding genetically altering plants and/or
animals?
8) Should the Family and Medical Leave Act be changed?
9) Should taxes on alcohol and tobacco be increased to help pay for rising
Student N
medical costs?
10) Should regulations regarding the use of cell phones while driving be
standardized?
11) Should the instant replay used in the NFL be applied to other sports?
12) Should regulations regarding payment of college athletes be changed?
13) Should minors who commit violent crimes be tried as adults?
14) Should child welfare regulations be changed?
15) Should DUI (driving under the influence) laws be changed?
16) Should sex offender registration laws be changed?
17) Should laws governing student laws be changed?
18) Should laws governing nursing homes be changed?
19) Should children of parents who do not allow them to be vaccinated be
allowed to attend public school?
20) Should unemployment regulations and benefits be changed?
21) Should rules requiring all members of a jury to agree for conviction be
changed?
22) Should financial incentives be offered to high school students to perform
well on standardized tests?
23) Should the government offer tax credits for the purchase of hybrid or
alternative energy vehicles?
24) Should the U.S. Government prohibit companies from outsourcing jobs to
people in foreign countries that do not have unions and / or fair labor laws?
25) Should the U.S. government provide financial assistance to people whose
retirement funds were invested in the stock of companies that may have used
unethical accounting practices (e.g., Enron, Arthur Andersen, etc.)?
26) Should colleges and universities expel students who are caught cheating on
exams and / or plagiarizing their homework assignments?
27) Should the U.S. prohibit trade with countries that have poor records on
human rights?
28) Should vehicles (cars, trucks, vans, SUVs) be required to have backup
cameras?
29) Should all U.S. students be required to take four years of foreign language
in high school?
30) Should the state and / or federal government provide subsidies to organic
farmers?
31) Should all states require motorcyclists and passengers to wear helmets?
32) Should state and local governments provide health insurance only for
retirees who have served 20 years in government service?
33) Should your state or local government enact different laws regarding certain
animals (e.g., pit bulls)?
Grading for this assignment will be based on answer quality, logic/organization of the paper, and
language and writing skills, using the following rubric.
Points:
100
Assignment 1: Research Topics with Explanation
Â
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Unacceptable
Meets Minimum
Expectations
Fair
Proficient
Exemplary
Below 60% F
60-69% D
70-79% C
80-89% B
90-100% A
1. Explain
the reason
for selecting
topic one,
identify the
audience,
and provide
a preliminary
thesis
statement.
Weight: 20%
Did not submit or
incompletely explained
the reason for selecting
topic one, did not submit
or incompletely identified
the audience, and did not
submit or incompletely
provided a preliminary
thesis statement.
Insufficiently explained
the reason for selecting
topic one, insufficiently
identified the audience,
and insufficiently provided
a preliminary thesis
statement.
Partially explained
the reason for
selecting topic one,
partially   identified
the audience, and
partially provided a
preliminary thesis
statement.
Satisfactorily
explained
the reason
for selecting
topic one,
satisfactorily
identified the
audience,
and
satisfactorily
provided a
preliminary
thesis
statement.
Thoroughly
explained
the reason
for selecting
topic one,
thoroughly
identified the
audience,
and
thoroughly
provided a
preliminary
thesis
statement.
2. Explain
the reason
for selecting
topic two,
identify the
audience,
and provide
a preliminary
thesis
statement.
Weight: 20%
Did not submit or
incompletely explained
the reason for selecting
topic two, did not submit
or
incompletely  identified
the audience, and did not
submit or incompletely
provided a preliminary
thesis statement.
Insufficiently explained
the reason for selecting
topic two,
insufficiently  identified
the audience, and
insufficiently provided a
preliminary thesis
statement.
Partially explained
the reason for
selecting topic two,
partially  identified
the audience, and
partially provided a
preliminary thesis
statement.
Satisfactorily
explained
the reason
for selecting
topic two,
satisfactorily
identified the
audience,
and
satisfactorily
provided a
preliminary
thesis
statement.
Thoroughly
explained
the reason
for selecting
topic two,
thoroughly
identified the
audience,
and
thoroughly
provided a
preliminary
thesis
statement.
3. Explain
the reason
for selecting
topic three,
identify the
audience,
and provide
a preliminary
thesis
Weight: 20%
Did not submit or
incompletely explained
the reason for selecting
topic three, did not submit
or incompletely identified
the audience, and did not
submit or incompletely
provided a preliminary
thesis statement.
Insufficiently explained
the reason for selecting
topic three, insufficiently
identified the audience,
and insufficiently
 provided a preliminary
thesis statement.
Partially explained
the reason for
selecting topic three,
partially identified the
audience, and
partially provided a
preliminary thesis
statement.
Satisfactorily
explained
the reason
for selecting
topic three,
satisfactorily
identified the
audience,
and
satisfactorily
provided a
preliminary
thesis
statement.
Thoroughly
explained
the reason
for selecting
topic three,
thoroughly
identified the
audience,
and
thoroughly
provided a
preliminary
thesis
statement.
4. Identify
and
document
six (6)
  credible
Did not submit or
incompletely identified
and documented six (6)
credible sources (two (2)
Insufficiently
  identified and
documented six (6)
credible sources (two (2)
Partially identified
and documented six
(6) credible sources
(two (2) for each
Satisfactorily
identified
and
documented
six (6)
Thoroughly
identified
and
documented
six (6)
Criteria
sources (two
(2) for each
topic) that
you would
expect to
use.
Weight: 15%
for each topic) that you
would expect to use.
for each topic) that you
would expect to use.
topic) that you would
expect to use.
credible
sources (two
(2) for each
topic) that
you would
expect to
use.
credible
sources (two
(2) for each
topic) that
you would
expect to
use.
5. Clarity,
writing
mechanics,
and
formatting
requirements
Weight: 25%
More than 8 errors
present
7-8 errors present
5-6 errors present
3-4 errors
present
0-2 errors
present
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