Final Research Paper

Length: 12-15 pages

Formatting: MLA 8th ed. or APA 6th ed.

Overview: There are many issues that affect the lives of individuals and groups in every community. For this paper you’ll research a specific issue, identify its effects or outcomes on the community, and develop, or support, a solution that improves the issue based on your research.

Analysis: Describe a problem, or issue, in the community you’ve chosen. Why is this issue important to you? Explore your community’s problem and address the history of the problem, as well as the cause and the effects of the problem. Explain the complexities of your community and any background information is critical to a complete understanding of the culture or the issue. Make claims throughout your paper and use data from your research as support for your argument, or goal of advocating for a specific solution.

Solutions: This final section of the essay should focus on solutions to resolve the issues that you’ve explored. Consider how a particular innovation, art form, program, or education might improve or lessen this problem. What solutions are in place to address these needs? What solutions haven’t yet been implemented? How does you solution address the final stage of the civic engagement process—advocacy, or action, and change. Describe how your solution becomes actionable—e.g., a plan or strategy that will lead to change.

Mechanics: Proofread your essay for grammar, spelling, etc. Develop with a standard essay format that includes an introduction, body, and conclusion with clear topic sentences and transitions. Every paragraph in the paper body supports your thesis with research or examples.

Sources: Include at least eight sources for the final paper, two of which can be interviews, and four of which should be scholarly. Research can include support for the existence of the social problem you are exploring, why this problem or issue exits, and what groups, cultures, communities, nations, or societies are doing to address this problem or issue.

Revisions: The final paper should demonstrate substantive changes to your essay in areas noted in the previous two drafts: e.g., style issues and an improvement of focus, or thesis, supporting arguments, organization, clarity of ideas, rhetorical strategy, research, and any needed formatting improvements.

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this is draft one: