5

5.2 Assignment

Objectives:

• Synthesize what you've learned so far on your topic to generate a central claim

• Generate material for the researched argument

• Consider and integrate alternative viewpoints

Assignment:

Exploration topic for the paper should relate to one of the assigned themes: Violence, Privacy and technology, Free speech on college campuses, or a different one proposed to and discussed with your professor (see last week's discussion).

Important: your topic must be approved by your professor.

Before you begin, make sure you have read “Preparing to Write the Exploratory Essay,” watched the NOVA video on exploratory essays, and read the materials from letterpile.com, especially the differences between an exploratory essay and an argument.

Length: 5-7 pages, double spaced, MLA format

Sources: three, each representing a different point of view

Instructions:

This essay is structured around stages of your thought process and how it evolves as you reflect on how each source illuminates the issue question for your research. Please use this organization.

In this essay, you will describe the problem or controversy your issue question addresses, consider several different perspectives or "answers" to your issue question, and, based on an objective-as-possible examination of the evidence, formulate your own answer to your issue question.

For more direction see Tips for Organizing page below.

Due: Sunday, Week 5

Where do I post my work? Please click on the 5.2 Exploratory Essay link in black type at the top of the page. Since this is a formal essay that your instructor will type comments on, please upload your essay as a Word file.   Attach your correctly named file below by going to the "Attach Files" section of the page. If needed, review how to submit assignments HERE. The Word file should be named LASTNAME_Exploratory. Example: SMITH_Exploratory.

You will submit your work via SafeAssign tool. You may view your Originality Report and resubmit the paper up to 2 times (total 3 submissions allowed).

Please, check the box "I agree to submit my paper(s) to the Global Reference Database."