In my research paper, I’d like to compare gun violence in schools in the United States to that in
schools in India. Secondly, I’d like to examine both countries’ positions on gun violence. I’d also
like to talk about the similarities and differences in mass shootings, as well as the variances in
how mass shootings are categorized in both countries. In addition, I will research the various
tactics used by other nations to prevent school shootings, as well as how the government might
take this into account and issue new laws and policies to prevent school shootings. I also want to
argue about why this difference matters/what it means. Does India have stricter gun control laws,
and fewer shootings? Are there cultural differences that make shootings less/more likely in one
country than the other?
Essays should be around 8-10 pages long
• Argument: Is the thesis clear and compelling? Is it backed up with evidence? Are the stakes of the argument clear?
• Structure: Does the argument progress and flow logically? Are paragraphs clearly marked with topic sentences?
• Research: Does the essay have enough sources? Are they peer-reviewed, or otherwise from trusted sources? Does the author acknowledge sources that may be biased, or otherwise flawed? Do they interrogate the sources critically? Has the author clearly done research from
numerous sources, from varying backgrounds, and not just tried to find sources that support
numerous sources, from varying backgrounds, and not just tried to find sources that support
one viewpoint?
• Grammar, structure, etc.
• Editing: Has the author taken the feedback given by the professor and by peer reviewers into
account when editing the essay? Have they made meaningful changes to the essay that clearly improve the above categories?