Overview: Evidence-Based Research & Argumentation
Kimberly Stelly
This unit is designed to support instructors as they guide students through the complex analytical, rhetorical, and research skills required to write advanced argumentative essays in a class setting similar to English 1302. Students will need these skills to succeed in most college courses, no matter what their major field of study may be. Content-wise, this unit first focuses on foundational research skills. Students will develop an open-ended, researchable question that guides them through a research proposal and an annotated bibliography, all while attending to source credibility. Building on this research, the unit then moves through the three core forms of argument: the Classical Argument, the Toulmin Argument, and the Rogerian Argument. Lesson presentations, assignments, and other instructional resources are included for each argument type. By the end of this unit, students will be able to
- demonstrate knowledge of individual and collaborative research processes.
- develop ideas and synthesize primary and secondary sources within focused academic arguments, including one or more research-based essays.
- write in a style that clearly communicates meaning, builds credibility, and inspires belief or action.
- analyze, interpret, and evaluate a variety of texts for the ethical and logical uses of evidence.
- apply the conventions of style manuals for specific academic disciplines (e.g., APA, CMS, MLA, etc.).
Table of Contents
- Research Proposal [Assignment/Rubric] by Kimberly Stelly
- Evaluating Sources [Activity] by Kimberly Stelly
- Annotated Bibliography [Assignment/Rubric] by Kimberly Stelly
- Classical Argument Essay [Lesson/Rubric] by Kimberly Stelly
- Toulmin Argument [Lesson/Rubric] by Kimberly Stelly
- Rogerian Argument [Lesson] by Kimberly Stelly
Possible Scope and Sequence
- Introduction and discussion of three types of arguments (Classical, Toulmin, and Rogerian)
- Introduce Research Proposal assignment
- Find a research topic
- Determine source reliability
- Review APA formatting guidelines
- Begin researching topic
- Research and draft the proposal
- Create a References page based on at least two different sources
- Peer discussion of topic
- Introduction and discussion of logical fallacies
- Turn in proposal for approval
- Introduction and discussion of annotated bibliography over approved topic
- Students find at least five sources “for” their stance and five sources “against” their stance.
- Compose an “against” annotated bibliography
- Due at the beginning of class
- Compose a “for” annotated bibliography
- Due at the beginning of class
- Introduce Classical Argument assignment and review the Classical Argument
- Discussion of integrating sources with lead-ins and in-text citations. Work on creating a References page.
- Discussion of plagiarism and how to cite sources correctly
- Compose thesis
- Compose outline of Classical Argument
- Write rough draft
- Subm