Well, since this is my opportunity to vent (this was actually the assignment) let me start by saying that this semester has consisted, so far, of three different research papers...all more than seven pages. What is going on?
The day I looked at the prompt for this research paper, I felt a bit overwhelmed...reading another novel would take so much time! So I decided to go for option #2 where I get to pick a topic from a list, that has something to do with Iran. These included education, women's rights, nuclear programs and more...and I decided to go with nuclear programs in Iran. As of right now, I have completed five pages. I did all my research and mostly found things on Ebscohost, which is a bitter-sweet victory because of the one hand, Ebscohost is legitimate, while on the other hand some of the articles are written at doctorate level. This means I will spend at least two hours trying to figure out what the article is saying and whether or not it would be beneficial for me.
Well I got through the research part, and as part of the assignment I have to come up with an argument thesis. I decided to argue that Iran deserves to keep their nuclear programs active. This argument rises many contradicting points (which I have considered) and allows me to extensively discuss my argument and the counter arguments it presents.
I figured I was doing pretty well, until my sister proof read it. Her feed back was that the best argumentative paper is one that fully exposes the counter argument. The idea is to write the paper while anticipating what the reader may argue or ask. In this way, the reader will finish reading the paper convinced. This was some great constructive criticism and I am now in the process of editing what I have written so far in order to assure a great argument.
While this is going well, I am struggling with the in-text citations. Al though I follow the MLA style, I always feel like it is wrong, or I am missing something. It is very frustrating and mostly I just wonder why we have to waste our time on this, and why it counts so much. Maybe I am missing something, but I don't think the point of a paper is to cite perfectly, but instead to read and write about the topic at hand, which allows you to further your education. Citing correctly doesn't do that for me.
Anyway, it is what it is and I am excited to get this paper done! I am sure my classmates share this excitement and I hope you are all doing great!
Good luck!
I really considered doing the same thing, but because it said that it was the hardest choice I figured that I would trust her and do the Pride and Prejudice one. I personally found the one I chose pretty hard. And I have to say that I feel so awful for those that have to read mine. I need a lot of help, and am unfortunately not much of it myself. I have found that when it comes to English classes, I am kind of like that party guest that comes with nothing, eats and drinks the whole party, and leaves without offering to help clean up.
ReplyDeleteI have really learned so much, but I feel like I should retake 101. Maybe I will. I am so glad that you found an alternate option and it seems like it worked out pretty good for you. I am not sure whose group you are in but it sounds like you have all your ducks in a row. In fact after reading your blog I am thinking…”Oh no! Do I have a thesis statement?!”
With two weeks left, one more weekend! I am so excited to have this all behind me. It has been a great experience.