For your researched argument essay, you will choose an issue related to your discipline or field of interest, research that issue, and synthesize your findings into an articulate assessment of the issue. This assignment is designed to encourage you to find out some of the contemporary issues/questions/debates, or “hot topics,” in your field and to have an informed opinion of that issue. You will NOT take a position on the issue whether you agree or disagree with a point of view.
Rather, you should ask yourself this question: Why is this not an easy problem to solve?
To help you become an informed participant in the issue you have selected within your discourse community, you will need to research and include at least four peer-reviewed sources in your argument (you have the option of including two popular sources in addition to your academic texts). You should analyze the texts and determine how this text fits into the current conversation. In addition, you should also consider how the text reveals the complexity of the issue or challenges existing ideas or assumptions about your issue.
You will synthesize your findings into a well-rounded discussion of your issue, using evidence found within your sources, and provide an informed opinion of the issue within your discourse community.