The short of it: Write a research essay about the topic that you wrote your annotated bibliography
about. This research essay should include a unique thesis, a logical argument built with sources, a
naysayer, and a conclusion that answers the question, “So what?”
The long of it: You spent the annotated bibliography unit doing research on your topic. Now, you’re
going to take that research and formulate it into an approximately 7-10 pages research essay that
moves the field forward. I’m going to be looking for the following elements: unique thesis, logical
argument using sources, a naysayer, and a conclusion that answers the question, “So what?”
● Unique thesis: I want your argument to be something new, something unique, something
that you want to argue. You’ve spent a lot of time researching this topic–now is your time to
flesh out your own ideas about this subject.
● Logical argument using sources: When using sources, think about the way that the research
essays that we’ve read have used sources. They should be used in support of your own
ideas!
● A naysayer: Think about what you read in Chapter 6 of “They Say, I Say.” Including someone
who doesn’t agree with your argument can make your argument that much stronger.
● A conclusion that tackles the question, “So what?”: Think about what you read in chapter 7
of “They Say, I Say.” When discussing the “So what?” you’re really thinking about why the
argument that you’re making matters.
Important:
Attached below research documents that you will be need to use and follow up on reading this draft.
Thank you