This document outlines the instructions for a 3-part assignment on selecting and developing an argumentative research paper topic. In part 1, students are asked to choose from a list of topics, write a brief thesis statement claiming their position, and provide an outline with at least 3 main points to support their thesis. In part 2, students must submit an annotated bibliography and source evaluation of at least 5 scholarly sources using a provided worksheet. Part 3 requires students to write a 750-1000 word argumentative essay on their chosen topic including an introduction with thesis, 2 paragraphs with supported claims, 1 paragraph on a reasonable counterclaim and a response, and a conclusion summarizing the argument.

1. 1 – Part
Week 2 Assignment: Topic Selection and Outline
Required Resources
Read/review the following resources for this activity:
· Textbook: review all chapters
· Lesson
Instructions
This course requires you to write an argumentative paper that is
due in week 7. This week, you will submit a topic and outline.
In Week 5, you will submit an annotated bibliography and
source evaluation. Directions for the Week 5 and Week 7
assignments will be found in those respective weeks.
For this assignment, address the following:
1. Choose one of the following topics:
a. Should hospital emergency departments be used to treat
mental health patients?
b. Should the title "Doctor" be allowed used in clinical
situations by nurses who have earned doctoral degrees?
c. Whether vaping is a safe alternative to smoking
d. Whether ketogenic diets pose a health risk
e. Whether coffee consumption is a health benefit or a health
risk
f. Whether positive psychology therapy is effective?
g. The value of DNA therapies in treating cancer
h. Should technologies like CRISPR/Cas9 be used to eliminate
genetic diseases (or create designer babies)?
2. In a brief thesis paragraph, state the claim you will be
making in your paper.
3. Provide an outline for your paper including at least 3 main
points that you will use to support your claim. The claim you
are making in (2) is your conclusion. Write the supporting
points in the form of premises for that conclusion
Note: If you wish to substitute a topic, you must have the
permission of your instructor.

2. Writing Requirements (APA format)
· Length: 150-200 words (not including title page or references
page)
· 1-inch margins
· Double spaced
· 12-point Times New Roman font
· Title page
· References page
Grading
This activity will be graded using the Topic & Outline Grading
Rubric.
2 – Part
Week 5 Assignment: Annotated Bilbliography and Source
Evaluation
Required Resources
Read/review the following resources for this activity:
· Textbook: Chapter 8, 9
· Lesson
· Link (Word doc): Source Evaluation Worksheet
· Minimum of 5 scholarly sources
Instructions
Use the Source Evaluation Worksheet to submit an annotated
bibliography of 5 sources that you intend to use in your paper.
Prepare a citation, annotation, and evaluation for each source.
You may collect the worksheets together as one document or
you may submit a separate worksheet for each source.
Click on the following link for an example of an annotation.
Link: Annotation Example
Writing Requirements (APA format)
· Length: 100-150 words per source (not including title page or
references page)
· 1-inch margins
· Double spaced
· 12-point Times New Roman font
· Title page

3. Grading
This activity will be graded using the Annotated Bibliography
Grading Rubric.
3 – Part
Required Resources
Read/review the following resources for this activity:
· Textbook: Chapter 8, 9
· Lesson
· Completed Week 5 Source Evaluation Worksheet
· Minimum of 5 sources (from Week 5)
Instructions
This week, you will complete your argumentative essay.
Following the direction offered by Jackson and Newberry
(2016) in Chapter 12, write an argumentative essay on the issue
you chose in Week 2. Be sure your essay contains the following:
· An introduction containing a thesis that states the issue, your
position on the issue, what the paper will cover, and in what
order
· At least 2 paragraphs that each contain a well-supported (and
documented) claim or sub-argument that will provide strong
support for your fallacy-free argument
· At least 1 paragraph discussing a documented, reasonable
counterclaim to your position that needs to be a legitimate claim
that someone has actually made as a counter-position on your
issue
· At least 1 paragraph offering a reasonable, documented
response to that counterclaim
· A conclusion that summarizes the argument and conclusion
Note: As you do your research, it is permissible to change your
sources. Also, because of the recency and relevance of these
issues, no sources older than 5 years should be used other than
as historical information. Critical thinkers do the research first
and then side with the preponderance of evidence. You might
want to follow that principle.
Writing Requirements (APA format)

4. · Length: 750-1000 words - approx. 3-4 pages (not including
title page or references page)
· 1-inch margins
· Double spaced
· 12-point Times New Roman font
· Title page
· References page (5 sources)
Grading
This activity will be graded using the Argumentative Essay
Grading Rubric.