Refer to the Research Paper Overview to understand how this assignment fits into the writing process. You must have a research topic approved by the instructor before proceeding with the research project. This topic should be one that can be used in a persuasive argument and have enough substantial substance to provide the information needed for the integrity of this assignment. Argument is an ethical activity. As we proceed through the course, we will address the ethical responsibilities that accompany persuasive skills. As you choose argumentative topics, please take your ethical responsibilities seriously. Make sure that your content is appropriate and consistent with a Christian testimony and with the mission of LeTourneau University. Your topic must address an argumentative social issue that is regional, national, or global in scope. In classical Greece, the birthplace of rhetoric, engaging in civic rhetoric was viewed as one’s social responsibility, and contemporary rhetoricians still endorse this view. One goal of this course is to help you think, write, and act as a citizen. Therefore, topics that do not extend to the citizenry—the community beyond your immediate surroundings—are inappropriate for the audience of this assignment. Your topic is to be chosen from one of the seven categories located in Chapters 15 -21 of your text, Perspectives on Argument. The categories can be easily found in the Brief Contents on pg. vi or the full Table of Contents on pages xiii-xv. A persuasive, argumentative topic is one in which people legitimately disagree, usually vehemently because of beliefs, principles, and worldviews. Social issues are those that receive broad media coverage and that affect a “significant” segment of the population. Significance concerning an issue answers the question, “so what?”, “who cares”, and “what difference does it make?” Think of a social issue as one in which people could carry picket signs. In particular, theological issues are not appropriate for this assignment. All topics must be approved before you may proceed. While topic change is discouraged once the research process has begun, occasionally, such a change becomes necessary. However, any change of topic must be discussed and approved in advance by the instructor. Be aware that such changes tend to result in a lot of extra work, so plan on making well-informed decisions before you begin the research process. Keep in mind, a thesis may change numerous times throughout the writing, even with the topic remaining the same. See the Research Paper / Final Draft for the sources and paper length requirements. After submitting your topic and thesis statement assignment, your instructor will work with you to develop it into a targeted topic focus and strong thesis which will carry you through the integrity of the writing assignment. Your topic must be an arguable social issue that impacts people broadly so that you have an audience beyond yourself and your classmates. You need to be able to find research sources on your topic, so an issue limited to a very local audience probably will not work well. Think of your paper as something you will try to share with an audience. You may want to put the information up as a website or write an article or a letter to the editor for a newspaper. At the very least, you will become an informed citizen, able to influence people as you speak about your topic. Use the Research Topic and Thesis Statement Template to submit this assignment. You must submit your topic and thesis statement to your instructor for approval before proceeding with your research project. Topic: Race, Culture and Identity