Introduction
By Munjiana Padalecki, Sriwijaya University
My webquest details the process for writing a persuasive essay, which is supported by research. Students will write a thesis statement persuading the reader towards a stance on a topic. They will use researched information to back up their opinion on their topic.
Introduction
Are you concerned with issues prevalent in our society today? If so, this is your chance to give your opinion on the matter and find out how to "back it up." After writing this paper, you will be equipped and ready for a debate with your friends. Have fun!
Task
Task
Do you love to debate issues? Well, this is your chance to give your opinion! You are about to persuade someone on one of two issues, which are current in our society. You will research your opinion and find facts to back it up. So, next time you are debating with someone about your topic you will be able to defend your argument.
The process of this Web Quest will take 3 class periods (1 for research, 1 for organization, and 1 for peer review). We are going to start the lesson on Thursday. This way you can do the research on Thursday, the organization on Friday, and you will have the weekend to write your rough drafts. On Monday, you will do peer reviews. You will have until the end of the week to get your papers finalized and ready to turn in.
Web quest objectives:
1. Students will develop a clear and concise thesis statement that addresses the point of view they will be taking in their paper.
2. Students will research their persuasive topic and provide evidence of this in their papers which will support their point of view and defend them against counterarguments.
3. Students will produce a paper with an introduction, body, and conclusion using proper grammar and mechanics.
Process
Process
1) Student will need to choose a topic and their stance on the topic:
1=Should smoking be banned in all public places?
2=Are locker searches in school a violation of the constitution?
2) Research the topic online to find valid and reliable sources for information supporting your claim. You will need five sources online. Use your Critical Evaluation Survey (provided by your teacher) written by Kathy Shrock to help you decide if the websites you’ve used are appropriate. You can try these websites, but don’t feel obligated to use them if you can find your own better resources. You must complete a Critical Evaluation Survey for each online source you use in your paper.
Possible sources:
Should smoking be banned?
http://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=279274
http://www.archives.gov/national-archives-experience/charters/constitution.html
Are locker searches in school constitutional?
http://students.ed.uiuc.edu/jkelsey/surveillance/locker.htm
http://students.ed.uiuc.edu/jkelsey/surveillance/
http://www.cj.msu.edu/~outreach/safe_schools/cd_apr2003/model-conduct-final.html
http://law.gsu.edu/library/alr/sjones.htm
http://www.archives.gov/national-archives-experience/charters/constitution.html
For either topic, it may be helpful to print these articles. If it is too long, simply print the page that the quotation or information is presented on. However, make sure that you have the information you need to correctly cite your sources. Some of these are journals in electronic format others are only internet documents. Consult your MLA handbook for help with this. If there is something that you are unable to find, ask me. Also you can check out the MLA website for further help:
3) Organization
Once you have all your supporting material (your research) you need to write a thesis for your paper. Focus on your point of view. Next, you should color-code (as we have done in class) information and topics from your research that are similar to each other to help you when you are writing your paper.
For example:
Should smoking be banned? If you said yes:
Negative health effects on the smoker
Negative health effects on other people
Negative effects on the environment
Prior history of regulations on smoking
The tobacco companies make a lot of money that could be spent on schools
4) Write your paper!
Basic guidelines:
Follow MLA style
1 inch margins
Double-spaced
12 pt font
Header with your last name, page number
First page at the top left-hand corner: Your name
Ms. Reese
English
Date
Title centered on first page
In-text citations
Works Cited Page
See the evaluation page for more specific criteria you will be graded on!
5) Peer review
Make sure that at least two of your classmates read your paper and help you to correct it. Again use your resources (MLA handbook, textbook, each other, your teacher) to help with any problems you may be having with the mechanics, organization, flow, grammar, or spelling or your paper.
6)Revise your own paper.