• The research paper assignment is a 2200-2500 word, thesis-driven research paper that has grown out of your preliminary research that you have done with one of your problematizations.

• Most students choose to defend one side or the other of the contentious subject they have chosen. Then the main sections of their paper are the arguments they uncover for that position or the arguments that attack the opponent's position. In this respect, this is classic persusaive/argumentative writing.

• Students may choose to use APA or MLA-style documentation, but this must be addressed in the Subject heading of the e-mail or on the paper in the upper right-hand corner.

• Title pages are not necessary. They are especially cumbersome in the electronic format.

Papers will be graded on the strength of the thesis, the coherence of the paper to the thesis and the depth and breadth of research done for the subject.