Purpose
The purpose of this essay is to build on your Argument Essay by using scholarly secondary sources to
contextualize and support your argument for change in your community.
Directions
• Search the library’s catalogue and databases to find peer-reviewed scholarly secondary sources;
• Remember that you may not find sources that support the exact change you propose. Search for sources
that touch on some aspect of the problem you identify, or that discuss similar changes elsewhere, and see
how you might argue that they also apply to the case you discuss;
• Cast a wide net in the beginning, then narrow down your choice to sources that will be most helpful;
• Expand your Argument Essay by integrating the secondary material you find through summary,
paraphrase, and direct quotation;
• Take my feedback, as well as that of your peer reviewer, into account as you revise your essay.
Bibliography (10% due November 16)
Your bibliography (completed in MLA or APA style) will list three prospective sources for your essay. It will be
uploaded at the “Major Assignment Submissions” link.
Essay Requirements (Draft, 15% due November 25; Final, 20% due Dec 13)
Word count: 1500 words
Topic: This essay should address the same topic you discussed in your Argument Essay, but doesn’t need to
take the same position – particularly if your research has modified your thinking or conclusions.
Secondary research: you must use at least 3 scholarly sources. This means peer-reviewed sources like books
and journal articles.
Specifications:
• A descriptive title
• A strong and focused thesis
• An introductory paragraph and a concluding paragraph
• Well-organized, unified, coherent body paragraphs
• Appropriately used and correctly cited secondary source material (MLA or APA style citations required)
• A works cited or references page (in MLA or APA style)
• Your essay must meet the guidelines listed in the course syllabus and demonstrated in the Sample
First Page