Assignment 1: Research Topics with Explanation
Due Week 2 

Read through the list of research topics (located in the Appendix), or by clicking the link here, on which to write a research paper. Select three (3) topics that interest you most and identify two (2) credible sources for each topic. Note: This is one (1) of several parts that will build toward a final draft of your persuasive writing research paper. ENG 215 u2013 Topics for Research Paper (2).docx 

Write a one to two (1-2) page paper in which you:

1. Explain the reason for selecting topic one (1), identify the audience, and provide a preliminary thesis statement. 
2. Explain the reason for selecting topic two (2), identify the audience, and provide a preliminary thesis statement. 
3. Explain the reason for selecting topic three (3), identify the audience, and provide a preliminary thesis statement. 
4. Identify and document six (6) credible sources (two (2) for each topic) that you would expect to use. Note: Wikipedia and other Websites do not qualify as academic resources.

Your assignment must follow these formatting guidelines:

• Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
• Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required page length. 

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

• Recognize the elements and correct use of a thesis statement. 
• Associate the features of audience, purpose, and text with various genres.
• Recognize correct APA documentation and reasons to document and avoid plagiarism.  
• Write clearly and concisely about selected topics using proper writing mechanics.  

Grading for this assignment will be based on answer quality, logic/organization of the paper, and language and writing skills, using the following rubric.

Points: 100	Assignment 1: Research Topics with Explanation
Criteria	  Unacceptable Below 60% F	Meets Minimum Expectations 60-69% D	  Fair 70-79% C	  Proficient 80-89% B	  Exemplary 90-100% A
1. Explain the reason for selecting topic one, identify the audience, and provide a preliminary thesis statement. Weight: 20%	Did not submit or incompletely explained the reason for selecting topic one, did not submit or incompletely identified the audience, and did not submit or incompletely provided a preliminary thesis statement.	Insufficiently explained the reason for selecting topic one, insufficiently identified the audience, and insufficiently provided a preliminary thesis statement.	Partially explained the reason for selecting topic one, partially   identified the audience, and partially provided a preliminary thesis statement.	Satisfactorily explained the reason for selecting topic one, satisfactorily identified the audience, and satisfactorily provided a preliminary thesis statement.	Thoroughly explained the reason for selecting topic one, thoroughly identified the audience, and thoroughly provided a preliminary thesis statement.
2. Explain the reason for selecting topic two, identify the audience, and provide a preliminary thesis statement. Weight: 20%	Did not submit or incompletely explained the reason for selecting topic two, did not submit or incompletely   identified the audience, and did not submit or incompletely provided a preliminary thesis statement.	Insufficiently explained the reason for selecting topic two, insufficiently   identified the audience, and insufficiently provided a preliminary thesis statement.	Partially explained the reason for selecting topic two, partially   identified the audience, and partially provided a preliminary thesis statement.	Satisfactorily explained the reason for selecting topic two, satisfactorily identified the audience, and satisfactorily provided a preliminary thesis statement.	Thoroughly explained the reason for selecting topic two, thoroughly identified the audience, and thoroughly provided a preliminary thesis statement.
3. Explain the reason for selecting topic three, identify the audience, and provide a preliminary thesis Weight: 20%	Did not submit or incompletely explained the reason for selecting topic three, did not submit or incompletely identified the audience, and did not submit or incompletely provided a preliminary thesis statement.	Insufficiently explained the reason for selecting topic three, insufficiently identified the audience, and insufficiently  provided a preliminary thesis statement.	Partially explained the reason for selecting topic three, partially identified the audience, and partially provided a preliminary thesis statement.	Satisfactorily explained the reason for selecting topic three, satisfactorily identified the audience, and satisfactorily provided a preliminary thesis statement.	Thoroughly explained the reason for selecting topic three, thoroughly identified the audience, and thoroughly provided a preliminary thesis statement.
4. Identify and document six (6)   credible sources (two (2) for each topic) that you would expect to use. Weight: 15%	Did not submit or incompletely identified and documented six (6) credible sources (two (2) for each topic) that you would expect to use.	Insufficiently   identified and documented six (6) credible sources (two (2) for each topic) that you would expect to use.	Partially identified and documented six (6) credible sources (two (2) for each topic) that you would expect to use.	Satisfactorily identified and documented six (6) credible sources (two (2) for each topic) that you would expect to use.	Thoroughly identified and documented six (6) credible sources (two (2) for each topic) that you would expect to use.
5. Clarity, writing mechanics, and formatting requirements Weight: 25%	More than 8 errors present	7-8 errors present	5-6 errors present	3-4 errors present	0-2 errors present