Topic Selection and Outline
1 – Part
Week 2 Assignment: Topic Selection and Outline
Required Resources Read/review the following resources for this activity:
· Textbook: review all chapters
· Lesson
Instructions This course requires you to write an argumentative paper that is due in week 7. This week, you will submit a topic and outline. In Week 5, you will submit an annotated bibliography and source evaluation. Directions for the Week 5 and Week 7 assignments will be found in those respective weeks.
For this assignment, address the following:
1. Choose one of the following topics:
a. Should hospital emergency departments be used to treat mental health patients?
b. Should the title “Doctor” be allowed used in clinical situations by nurses who have earned doctoral degrees?
c. Whether vaping is a safe alternative to smoking
d. Whether ketogenic diets pose a health risk
e. Whether coffee consumption is a health benefit or a health risk
f. Whether positive psychology therapy is effective?
g. The value of DNA therapies in treating cancer
h. Should technologies like CRISPR/Cas9 be used to eliminate genetic diseases (or create designer babies)?
2. In a brief thesis paragraph, state the claim you will be making in your paper.
3. Provide an outline for your paper including at least 3 main points that you will use to support your claim. The claim you are making in (2) is your conclusion. Write the supporting points in the form of premises for that conclusion
Note: If you wish to substitute a topic, you must have the permission of your instructor.
Writing Requirements (APA format)
· Length: 150-200 words (not including title page or references page)
· 1-inch margins
· Double spaced
· 12-point Times New Roman font
· Title page
· References page
Grading This activity will be graded using the Topic & Outline Grading Rubric.
2 – Part
Week 5 Assignment: Annotated Bilbliography and Source Evaluation
Required Resources Read/review the following resources for this activity:
· Textbook: Chapter 8, 9
· Lesson
· Link (Word doc): Source Evaluation Worksheet
· Minimum of 5 scholarly sources
Instructions Use the Source Evaluation Worksheet to submit an annotated bibliography of 5 sources that you intend to use in your paper. Prepare a citation, annotation, and evaluation for each source.
You may collect the worksheets together as one document or you may submit a separate worksheet for each source.
Click on the following link for an example of an annotation.
Writing Requirements (APA format)
· Length: 100-150 words per source (not including title page or references page)
· 1-inch margins
· Double spaced
· 12-point Times New Roman font
· Title page
Grading This activity will be graded using the Annotated Bibliography Grading Rubric.
3 – Part
Required Resources Read/review the following resources for this activity:
· Textbook: Chapter 8, 9
· Lesson
· Completed Week 5 Source Evaluation Worksheet
· Minimum of 5 sources (from Week 5)
Instructions This week, you will complete your argumentative essay. Following the direction offered by Jackson and Newberry (2016) in Chapter 12, write an argumentative essay on the issue you chose in Week 2. Be sure your essay contains the following:
· An introduction containing a thesis that states the issue, your position on the issue, what the paper will cover, and in what order
· At least 2 paragraphs that each contain a well-supported (and documented) claim or sub-argument that will provide strong support for your fallacy-free argument
· At least 1 paragraph discussing a documented, reasonable counterclaim to your position that needs to be a legitimate claim that someone has actually made as a counter-position on your issue
· At least 1 paragraph offering a reasonable, documented response to that counterclaim
· A conclusion that summarizes the argument and conclusion
Note: As you do your research, it is permissible to change your sources. Also, because of the recency and relevance of these issues, no sources older than 5 years should be used other than as historical information. Critical thinkers do the research first and then side with the preponderance of evidence. You might want to follow that principle.
Writing Requirements (APA format)
· Length: 750-1000 words – approx. 3-4 pages (not including title page or references page)
· 1-inch margins
· Double spaced
· 12-point Times New Roman font
· Title page
· References page (5 sources)
Grading This activity will be graded using the Argumentative Essay Grading Rubric.
