I. Components of the Final Paper
This assignment asks you to make an academic argument based on scholarly research. Write a paper in about 1500 words + works cited + dear reader letter. I have uploaded the source documents that need to be used. No other sources can be used to complete this work. I have also uploaded the research proposal, abstract. Use them as references to write the paper. Please do not forget to write a counterargument.
Introduction: The introduction is your opportunity to frame the paper in an interesting way that shows its significance. To do so, you’ll need to
- Introduce the topic and the issue (conceptual problem);
- Clearly pose your level-3 question (that is, a question that is open-ended, debatable, and answerable with scholarly research and an analysis of texts);
- Answer your question with a thesis (your argument); for MMW, we encourage you to use the thesis formula (found below) when crafting your thesis.
Thesis: The thesis answers the question you ask in your introduction and lays out the structure of your argument, creating the reader’s expectations for what is to come in the essay:
- Acknowledges an alternative view of the subject—the opposition (e.g., an “although” point)
- Refers to the subject of the question, what your paper is about
- Makes an assertion about the subject (your position on the issue) that answers the question
- Provides 3 reasons (sometimes fewer, sometimes more) to support the assertion, listed in the most logical and persuasive order for your argument. The reasons tell you and your reader why you assert what you assert. Reasons are based on the evidence you find, and the particular problem you explore
Stated as a formula: TS = O + S + A + R (3+)
Thesis Sentence = Opposition + Subject + Assertion + Reasons (3+)
Note: Your thesis can also be one or more sentences, depending upon what you want to say about your topic. For MMW papers, the thesis should also be grounded historically and in an analysis of texts. It shouldn’t be theoretical or hypothetical, nor should it be an “information dump.” It should adhere to the requirements of the specific assignment. If you have questions or concerns about the thesis or using the formula, please consult with your TA.
Here is an example for a topic from MMW 11: Although the Hebrew creation story told in Genesis is often interpreted as a literal account of how God created the world in 7 days, a mythical-historical interpretation provides greater insight not only into early Hebrew culture and other creation myths, but also evokes the wonder of creation in ways that fit with contemporary science and current understandings of the way the world works.
Or, in a shorter sentence: Although the Hebrew creation story told in Genesis is often interpreted as a literal account of how God created the world in 7 days, a mythical-historical interpretation has more explanatory and evocative power historically, culturally, and spiritually.
Here is an example from the sciences: Although some argue that it is too risky to use gene drive technology to eradicate the mosquito that transmits malaria, the potential benefits far outweigh the risks as the crisis caused by the sharp increase in malaria worldwide is real and demands an immediate response. Gene-drive technology designed to stop malaria is available, cost-effective, and ready to be released in controlled tests. It is also the only currently viable option.
Or, another version in 1 sentence: Although some argue that it is too risky to use gene drive technology to eradicate the mosquito that transmits malaria, the potential benefits for public health far outweigh the risks, politically, financially, and ethically.
Significance: This is the “so what” of your paper: How does your essay, and your thesis/assertion in particular, contribute to a better understanding of the issue you address? Why does it matter that the issue be addressed and resolved as well as possible? Your answer to these questions is your paper’s significance. It’s your reason for writing the entire paper. If you can’t determine significance, then you most likely do not have an argument yet.
Significance not only refers to the significance of the issue in general but most importantly also to the significance of your thesis, your argument. Further, the “although” part of your thesis (the “O”/Opposition part of the formula) introduces the counterargument/alternative view with which you are engaging and gives you the context for significance: unless someone could disagree with your assertion, you do not have an argument. If someone could disagree with your assertion, then you have an argument.
To determine significance, ask yourself why it’s important that we understand your assertion: what value are you bringing to the discussion about your topic? When determining the significance of your assertion, you can
- Discuss the issue’s historical significance, its contemporary significance, or both, as long as you relate it to your assertion, which is the primary focus of the essay
- Discuss it in terms of finding issues in the scholarly debate (the conceptual problem) and addressing those issues. Sometimes, you may be addressing issues you have discovered through examining primary sources and reading widely in secondary sources
- Consult the MMW resource, Conceptual Problem and Significance Worksheet
Context: Accurately establish the historical and cultural contexts of relevant events and texts for 1) the topic you are exploring and for 2) any sources you use.
Provide enough context for a reader outside of the course to follow your reasoning. For instance, the first time you refer to an author, even if the author is in your Works Cited and even if the people in your course know who you are talking about, write the full name and give enough background information to make it clear why you are referencing this author.
The context can be woven into any part of the paper where it is appropriate and needed for the reader to understand and be persuaded by your argument.
Opposition (Counterargument) and Rebuttal: Consider at least one alternative view to your assertion. This is your opposition, also known as your counterargument. Discuss its merits and flaws fairly, presenting evidence for it. Then show why your argument is better, rebutting the counterargument with evidence for your argument. You don’t have to claim that your interpretation is “right” or “true;” you just have to persuade your readers that it is the strongest among competing views.
The counterargument and rebuttal are built into the thesis as the “opposition” and “assertion” (the O and the A parts of the thesis formula). Develop them in one or more paragraphs in the body of the paper, placed wherever they flow best with the rest of the paper and are most persuasive for your argument.
Organization: Organize the body of the paper with several paragraphs, at least one for each reason provided in the thesis, the counterargument, and the rebuttal. Discuss the reasons in the order presented in the thesis.
Write a topic sentence for each paragraph that makes a point about each reason, tying it explicitly to your thesis.
Analyze and use specific evidence from texts to support each reason and illustrate your point: summarize, paraphrase, and quote, as needed, citing the texts for all evidence you draw from them. Explain how the evidence supports the point you’re making for each reason.
Use transitions to guide the reader so they can easily follow the flow of your argument:
- To connect the thesis to the supporting reasons
- To connect the reasons to the textual evidence
- To mark the transitions between reasons, counterargument, and rebuttal
The resources on paragraph structure (PIES, TEAS, Quote Sandwich) found on the course Canvas site in the Writing Project Overview, Guidelines, and Resources module provide really helpful models for structuring individual body paragraphs. The section on developing paragraphs in Little Seagull, W-5, is also useful. For more information about general organization, see Little Seagull, W-4c.
Conclusion: Write a conclusion that ends your argument persuasively. It needs to briefly and non-repetitively summarize the argument, elaborate on the implications and significance of your thesis, and suggest direction for further study or action. The conclusion should be at least 1 paragraph.
Lastly, add a dear reader letter that answers these following questions.
- What are the strengths of the final paper? What weaknesses remain?
- What challenges did you encounter this term in writing this project? How did you overcome them?
- If you had two more days to work on the paper, what would you do?
- What lessons for the future (for writing, for life, or both) did you learn in completing this project? What are your takeaways?