HUM 156 Critical Thinking
Research Paper—Due 12/4/24
Please consider all parts of the assignment before beginning, as this paper, where you will define
a problem, will impact the final paper (Paper 4), where you will study solutions for the problem.
Respond to the following prompts in an essay of at least 8 pages in MLA format Submit this
paper on 4/6.
1.Definition (Analysis of the problem): In the first part of this assignment, examine a
current controversy or problem that interests you. Using appropriate evidence (statistics,
examples and viewpoints of those knowledgeable in the controversy), answer the
following questions.
a. Why is this controversy or problem important? What makes it a problem?
b. Where is the problem coming from? Who or what is responsible for it?
c. Where does the controversy or problem center? What seems to be at issue
between the competing groups?
You may choose a controversy or problem in your field, if you wish. However, the
paper must be originally composed for this class. Those who do not yet know what they want to
do when they graduate can examine a term or concept in a field of interest. Hobbies and such
pursuits are fair game for this assignment. However, the definition must be sufficiently complex
to discuss in a 4- page paper. The other 4 pages, of course, are for proposing solutions.
In this essay, you will want to support and document your definition by including
borrowings (in summary, paraphrase or quotation) from academic sources. Academic sources are
written by professionals in a field for other professionals. These include books, articles in
scholarly journals or newsletters, training manuals/media, or website content designed by/for
professionals (including e-journals). The standard guideline for this requirement is one source
per page. In meeting this requirement, you will find it necessary to follow MLA guidelines for in-
text citation and a works cited list.
. Wikipedia and similar encyclopedia/almanac websites do not count as sources.
A brief topic overview (10 points) will also be due on 10/22. Make sure your topic is
not on the exclusion list before beginning.
Part II (Solutions for the problem): Include this information in your paper as well.
In light of your research and analysis in the definition section, detail responses to the following
questions. They focus on the same problem.
a. In your view, who has the best perspective/solution? Why?
b. What future challenges can you see if the solution were implemented?
Again, you will want to base your argument upon information you find in academic/professional
sources, which you will want to quote or paraphrase as appropriate, and cite according to your
chosen format. Again, you will have to provide a works cited list of your sources. I expect that
your argumentation paper will be at least 8 pages long, not including the works cited/reference
page.
On 10/29/24, you will be asked to submit a “working bibliography” of sources for
your final essay. This needs to be in MLA format for a references/works cited page.
Although it need not be complete, it does need at least five (5) sources within the guidelines
described above.
Please note that MLA format will be a factor in my evaluation of both of these assignments. As
always, I am going to be looking for organizational cohesion, good paragraph and sentence
structure, as well as Standard English. I will also be looking to see that information is quoted
and documented according to the conventions set forth by MLA. This is necessary because
observing these conventions is absolutely required in academic discourse.
Research Project Assignment Schedule
10/15 Assignment introduced and discussed
10/22 Topic overview (10 points) due
10/29 Working bibliography (works cited) for argument due
11/12 Partial argument analysis due—minimum of 5 sources
12/4—Final paper due (no revisions)
