Persuasive Paper and Annotated Bibliography

1. Persuasive Paperand Annotated Bibliography Danika Rockett University of Baltimore Summer 2009

2. Basic Elements of the Paper • Title page (for APA and Turabian) • Abstract (aim for no more than 150 words) • Introduction (2 ¶s) • Background information (1-2 ¶s, might be similar to background info from your research paper) • Body section (1-2 ¶s) • Body section (1-2 ¶s) • Body section (1-2 ¶s) • Counterargument (1 ¶) • Conclusion (1-2 ¶s) • Reference page (start on its own page) Note: Please use headings in this paper!

3. Writing the Abstract 1) Motivation/problem statement: Why do we care about the problem? (1-2 sentences) 2) Methods/procedure/approach: What did you actually do to get your results? (e.g. analyzed 6 scholarly articles, interviewed 3 professors, examined an aspect of government from an historical perspective) Note: You should also state your main topic here (1-2 sentences) 3) Results/findings/product: As a result of completing the above procedure, what did you learn? (2-4 sentences) 4) Conclusion/implications: What are the larger implications of your findings? (1 sentence)

4. Writing the Abstract [Why do we care about the problem?]In the United States, company executives commonly earn more in one day than some of their employees make in one whole year. This pay gap occurs more in the United States than in other industrialized countries, such as Japan.Renowned businesspeople, such as J.P. Morgan in the early 20th century and Peter Drucker in the 21st century, have asserted that CEOs should make no more than 20 times that of the lowest paid employee; however, this country commonly sees CEOs making more than 2000 times as much as their lowest paid employee [How did you get your results?] By examining a data set consisting of scholarly research, this paper will . By examining scholarly data, this paper will argue that the pay gap is a problem that needs to be solved. [What did you learn?]This data clearly shows that such pay gaps cause problems with employee morale, productivity, and perception of the company. [What are the larger implications of your findings?]Although some may argue that CEOs take on a greater risk and therefore deserve this kind of pay, the astronomical gap between what many CEOs earn and what their lower-level employees earn is a signal that greed has taken over American business practice.

5. Writing the Introduction • Try to engage your reader • Use an interesting quote • Discuss the etymology of a major term • Pose a thought-provoking question • Provide a surprising statistic • Relate an interesting anecdote • Explain why your topic is important • Mention how or where your topic has been discussed before • State your thesis: [In this paper, I will prove that] ________________________________ • Hint: A good persuasive thesis often employs the word/words “should” or “should not”

6. Writing the Background Information • How did your topic become important? • What is the history of your topic? • Has the perception of your topic changed over time? • Is there controversy surrounding your topic? • Does your topic affect a particular group of people?

7. Writing the Body Sections • You must first consider: What is your thesis? What are you trying to prove in this paper? • How will you prove this thesis? Think of three good points that will support your thesis. • Make one body section for each point. • Use two scholarly sources for each body section; this strategy will ensure that you are really supporting your thesis and that you are meeting the six-scholarly-source minimum.

8. The Counterargument • A good persuasive paper always acknowledges the other side of the argument. • Find at least one scholarly source that argues against your thesis. • Then, you should explain (in a few sentences, using sources that support your thesis) why your thesis should be believed.

9. Writing the Conclusion • The simplest conclusion restates your thesis and reiterates the points you used to support that thesis. Also remind readers of the counterargument and why it is weaker than your argument. However, you should also use a strategy to close smoothly and to keep your reader interested: • Statement of your topic’s significance • A pertinent quote • A call for further research • A recommendation • An anecdote

10. References • You must use a minimum of six scholarly sources • Alphabetize your reference entries • Make sure the entries are formatted correctly! • Use KnightCitations if you are having trouble formatting the entries

11. Your Annotated Bibliography • DUE: Monday, July 13 • Three scholarly sources that you will use in your persuasive paper • One source should represent a counterargument • List the sources alphabetically, just as you would on a reference page • Underneath each source, provide a brief (around 100 words) annotation that states • The article’s main point • A brief summary of the key points in the article • How this article relates to your argument

12. For Next Week … • Monday: Annotated bibliography due • Monday: Peer Review persuasive paper • Wednesday: Work on persuasive paper outside of class. I will be available all day for consultation via email and/or IM • Friday: Persuasive paper due via email attachment no later than 6 p.m.!