The Affordable Care Act

I sent the Position Paper for reference of my stance on the topic, the other pdf provided is the source to be used for the paper

Now that you’ve completed scholarly research, written an annotated bibliography, and directly engaged with one of your sources for the position paper, you are ready to fully develop your argument into a longer research essay that you will present.

For the fourth major assignment, you are tasked with

writing a 7-8-page, double-spaced research essay using 12 point, Times New Roman font

following MLA style with in-text citations that correlate to a Works Cited page

using at least 5 sources, all of which should be peer-reviewed and found using the library’s catalog and/or databases

including 2 visuals that enhance your argument

Much like Charlotte Geaghan-Breiner does in her essay “Where the Wild Things Should Be: Healing Nature Deficit Disorder through the Schoolyard,” your paper should develop an argumentative thesis that is supported and sustained through your research. You will develop an academic argument that is formal in tone and directed to an academic audience. In this assignment, we will work on the following goals outlined on our syllabus: contribute to ongoing discussions or existing research and use writing as an act of engaged citizenship.

Your argumentative essay will develop a thesis that takes a clear stance or position on the issue and defend and support this thesis throughout the essay by drawing on your research. Your job is to advance your audience’s understanding of the issue, move them to action, and/or change their attitude about how they should approach or understand the issue.

Similar to the position paper, the goal of an academic argument is to convince the audience that your opinion is valid and defensible. Ideas that you are considering need to be carefully examined in choosing a topic, developing your argument, and organizing your paper. It is very important to ensure that you are addressing all sides of the issue and presenting it in a manner that is easy for your audience to understand. Your job is to take one side of the argument and persuade your audience that you have well-founded knowledge of the topic being presented. It is important to support your argument with evidence to ensure the validity of your claims, as well as to refute the counterclaims to show that you are well informed about both sides.

Step 1: Choose an argument.

You should already have a topic and maybe even an argument. If not, decide which position you want to defend. (It does not necessarily have to be what you think of a topic.)

Step 2: Find another peer-reviewed source using the library’s catalog and/or database if you don’t already have 5 sources

Most of you already have 4 peer-reviewed sources; some of your already have 5. If you have 4, you’ll need to find one more. If you have 5, you don’t need to find any more.

Step 3: Create your thesis.

As we’ve been saying all semester, the last sentence of your first paragraph is the single most important sentence of your entire paper. Create a thesis statement that announces your argument AND that sets up a road map for the rest of the paper. Show that your claim connects to the context or ongoing discussion of the issue. Avoid the 3-point, 5-paragraph format essay.

Step 4: Support your thesis.

Drawing on parts of the classical oration, Rogerian argument, and Toulmin argument, provide evidence for your argument that is logically organized. Each body paragraph should have a strong point or topic sentence (the first sentence of each body paragraph) that states the main idea of the paragraph, establishes how this idea supports the thesis, transitions from what was previously stated, and does not contain a direct quotation. In your supporting sentences, you should be drawing on your research for textual evidence that supports your argument. Remember to include transitions between paragraphs and between sentences within paragraphs.

Step 5: Conclude and move.

This is where you should move your audience to action! You should spell out the implications of your argument here. Connect the argument to the real world of the readers and inform them of the application of the argument for their own lives or perspectives. Make a clear call to action. The conclusion should not repeat the thesis. It should offer your audience new information or give them a question to consider.

Step 6: Add visuals.

As demonstrated in Geaghan-Breiner’s essay, visuals can enhance an academic argument. Her 9.5 page paper contains 3 visuals, appropriately chosen and placed. Your paper should include 2 visuals, which are explained in your essay AND explained before they appear. These visuals should also appear on your PowerPoint slides for your presentation.

Rubric for Research Essay
Rubric for Research Essay
Criteria Ratings Pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome
Introduction & Thesis

25.0 to >21.25 pts
Excellent
Opens with clear, concise, engaging, and informative sentences; The last sentence of the intro states the thesis, which provides a road map and does not set up the 5-paragraph, 3-point essay.

21.25 to >18.75 pts
Good
Opens with mostly clear, concise, engaging, and informative sentences; The last sentence of the intro states the thesis, which provides somewhat of a road map and does not set up the 5-paragraph, 3-point essay.

18.75 to >16.25 pts
Average
Opens with not very clear, concise, engaging, and informative sentences; The last sentence of the intro states the thesis, but does not provide a road map and may set up the 5-paragraph, 3-point essay.

16.25 to >0 pts
Below Average
Opens with unclear, wordy, and dry sentences; The last sentence of the intro does not state the thesis.

25.0 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome
Topic Sentences & Structure

20.0 to >17.0 pts
Excellent
The body paragraphs clearly follow the order outlined in the thesis; Topic sentences begin each body paragraph, set up the paragraph, and provide a transition from what was just stated

17.0 to >15.0 pts
Good
The body paragraphs follow the order outlined in the thesis; Most body paragraphs begin with topic sentences that set up the paragraphs and provide transitions from what was just stated

15.0 to >13.0 pts
Average
Some body paragraphs follow the order outlined in the thesis; Some body paragraphs begin with topic sentences that set up the paragraphs and provide transitions from what was just stated

13.0 to >0 pts
Below Average
Body paragraphs do not follow the order outlined in the thesis; Body paragraphs do not begin with topic sentences that set up the paragraphs and provide transitions from what was just stated

20.0 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome
Evidence

15.0 to >12.75 pts
Excellent
The body paragraphs include the best evidence to support the thesis; Evidence is highly persuasive and effective in supporting the argument; All 5 peer-reviewed sources are properly cited from

12.75 to >11.25 pts
Good
The body paragraphs include convincing evidence to support the thesis; Evidence is persuasive and effective in supporting the argument; All 5 peer-reviewed sources are cited from

11.25 to >9.75 pts
Average
The body paragraphs include superficial evidence to support the thesis; Evidence is basic and not very effective in supporting the argument; Most of the 5 peer-reviewed sources are cited from

9.75 to >0 pts
Below Average
The body paragraphs include little to no evidence to support the thesis; Evidence is missing and does not persuasively or effectively support the argument; Not many of the 5 peer-reviewed sources are cited from

15.0 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome
MLA Format

10.0 to >8.5 pts
Excellent
No errors exist in the Works Cited entries, 4-part heading, header, spacing, font style and size; All direct quotations include quotation marks and in-text citations

8.5 to >7.5 pts
Good
Minimal errors exist in the Works Cited entries, 4-part heading, header, spacing, font style and size; Most direct quotations include quotation marks and in-text citations

7.5 to >6.5 pts
Average
Several errors exist in the Works Cited entries, 4-part heading, header, spacing, font style and size; Not many direct quotations include quotation marks and in-text citations

6.5 to >0 pts
Below Average
Numerous errors exist in the Works Cited entries, 4-part heading, header, spacing, font style and size; None of the direct quotations include quotation marks and in-text citations

10.0 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome
Mechanics & Style

20.0 to >17.0 pts
Excellent
No errors exist in spelling, grammar, punctuation, and capitalization; Much variation in wording and sentence construction; Words or phrases link sentences together; Excellent flow to the paragraphs; The tone is formal; The audience is academic

17.0 to >15.0 pts
Good
Errors in spelling, grammar, punctuation, and capitalization slow down the readability and comprehension; Some variation in wording and sentence construction; Many words or phrases link sentences together; Adequate flow to the paragraphs; The tone is mostly formal; The audience is mostly academic

15.0 to >13.0 pts
Average
Errors in spelling, grammar, punctuation, and capitalization make the piece difficult to read and understand; Little variation in wording and sentence construction; Not many words or phrases link sentences together; Weak flow to the paragraphs; The tone mixes formal and informal; The audience is not always academic

13.0 to >0 pts
Below Average
Errors in spelling, grammar, punctuation, and capitalization make the piece impossible to read and understand; No variation in wording and sentence construction; Missing words or phrases that link sentences together; No flow to the paragraphs; The tone is informal; The audience is nonacademic

20.0 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome
Visuals

10.0 to >8.5 pts
Excellent
Two visuals are present. They help support the argument. They are introduced and explained in the body paragraphs and placed in the best spot.

8.5 to >7.5 pts
Good
Two visuals are present. They support the argument tangentially. They are mostly introduced and explained in the body paragraphs and placed appropriately.

7.5 to >6.5 pts
Average
Two visuals are present. They do not explicitly support the argument. They are not clearly introduced and explained in the body paragraphs and may seem out of place.

6.5 to >0 pts
Below Average
One visual is present. It does not explicitly support the argument. It is not clearly introduced and explained in the body paragraphs and may seem out of place.

10.0 pts

Total Points: 100.0